Returned to the museum for a visit.
Broome was first settled by pearl divers: a mixture of Aboriginals, Europeans, Japanese, islanders and others. The photos show lots of grave markers for young divers as the profession was very dangerous.
One not very nice part of Australian history relates how Aborginal divers sometimes contracted a form of pneumonia from their work and were then left to die by their employers. Naturally, there was little incentive to work in an industry with this form of medical plan. The employers then introduced a form of slavery where the workers were forced to dive anyway.
The employers lived in relative luxury out on their boats in the bay, while the workers suffered the mosquitos etc. on the land.
Besides cyclones, fires and the other usual natural disasters, Broome was attacked by the Japanese during WWII. Kind of ironic, as many of the original settlers in Broome were, themselves, Japanese. A bit like Australia mounting an air raid on Earls Court Road in London.
Had a nice swim at Cable Beach in the afternoon. "Honest Pam, I thought I was walking towards the south end of the beach.", then sunset drinks with Graham and Joy, our caravan neighbours.
Graham and Joy are English and have lived all over the world, but have settled and retired in Australia. Graham had been a very senior member of the Federal Police and met Joy while serving in Cyprus.
He had great stories and drinks stretched on to include a couple of pizzas and more chatting.
Another delightful day.
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A good day. We gotta remember that hard stuff in every country if we're going to do better.
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