Wharfinger house

Derby airport console

Connecting the Kimberley to Australia

Step back in time with one of the most interactive and popular displays at the museum. While many may now associate Broome with the Kimberley, it was Derby that once stood as the regional administrative heart of the West Kimberley. Home to vital services such as the regional medical center, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and a bustling airport, Derby played a key role in connecting this vast region to the rest of Australia.

At the center of this exhibit is the air traffic control console from Derby airport’s tower—a standout feature of the museum’s telecommunications collection. Surrounding it are artifacts that tell the story of communication across remote landscapes, including Morse code equipment, two-way radios that linked outback stations to towns, vintage switchboards from the old telephone exchange, and technology from the microwave network that revolutionized the region by introducing automatic phone lines.

Bark canoe and mangrove raft

Aboriginal Watercraft

Crafted by the Saltwater people of the Kimberley, this canoe was made from locally sourced bark, designed to glide through the calm inlets and bays of the northern Kimberley coast. In contrast, the more stable raft—adapted to navigate the powerful tidal currents of King Sound—reflects the ingenuity of the Jawi and Bardi peoples, known as the tide-riders of the region.

This particular canoe, rescued from a beach near Kalumburu Mission, found its home at the Wharfinger House Museum, then the nearest museum to preserve such heritage. Alongside it is a *galwa* or *biyalbiyal* raft, a testament to the resourcefulness and maritime expertise of the Jawi and Bardi. While many of these tide-riders later settled in the Karmulinunga Community, a town reserve on the marsh’s edge, they carried with them enduring memories of the blue waters of their homeland.

Portrait of Sam Lovell, artist unknown

Innovator and Leader

Sam Lovell OA embodies the spirit of the West Kimberley—a songman, drover, crocodile hunter, stockman, saddler, gardener, road maker, tour guide, and a passionate advocate for Derby and its people. As part of the Stolen Generation, Sam was taken at the age of three to Moola Bulla, never to reunite with his parents. Despite this profound loss, his resilience and dedication have made him a cherished figure in the community.

Now nearing 90, Sam remains an active supporter of the museum and a familiar face to visitors. His calm demeanor and insightful reflections on the region’s history and the transformations he has witnessed leave a lasting impression. One visitor, so moved by their conversation, painted his portrait—a tribute to his enduring warmth and wisdom. Years later, Sam’s kind smile, immortalized in the painting, remains unchanged.

An ambassador of Australian country music, Sam has inspired countless young people. On one memorable journey to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, he led a busload of Kimberley youth, where they performed for enthusiastic crowds, sharing the music and stories of their home. Sam’s life and work continue to be a testament to the resilience and rich heritage of the Kimberley.