Broome Order of Australia member Bill Reed’s rollcall of locals who deserve similar honours

Stephen Pigram, Kira Fong, Kim Male, Neville Poelina — Bill Reed’s list of Broome locals deserving of an Order of Australia honour reads like a royalty rollcall for the Kimberley town. Why none of these names have been added to the list is a question which stumps Mr Reed, until Monday one of only three Broome award recipients. Mr Reed — awarded his membership in 2012 for service to the pearling industry and charity — can rattle off a list of names synonymous with the history of the West Kimberley, of those who have helped share the story of our patch of paradise with the world. Among them is the man who opened Broome’s ears and understanding to the rest of the Kimberley, George Manning, below. “George Manning was the first ABC announcer here,” Mr Reed said. “It used to be that Broome was the Kimberley and nobody spoke of the outlying towns, so George put a tape recorder on a vehicle, drove through the Kimberley, and interviewed people from the region. “I think there should be more (Order recipients) because there are quite a few people who have made a big contribution to the well-being of Broome and the Kimberley region.” Mr Reed’s comments come as the Order of Australia seeks to get more Kimberley residents on its honour roll. Awards in the Order of Australia are for citizens who go above and beyond the call of duty in reaching out and making a difference to their community. Mr Reed, a master pearl diver by trade, was bestowed the honour due to his extensive service to Broome’s business community, education sector, arts and charities. The Order has put the call out to country WA to nominate candidates, as the regions have far fewer recipients than the population would suggest. Three Kimberley people — Ian Trust, Peter Yu and Jan Owen — had their names added to the Queen’s Birthday honour roll on Monday. Mr Trust became one of only a handful of West Australians to be made an officer in the Order of Australia, while Mr Yu and Ms Owen were both made members.