Broome loses true character

Popular Broome character Norman Archer has died, aged 79.

The father-of-five unexpectedly died in Broome Hospital last Wednesday.

His Broome-based daughter Evie Jungine, 38, paid tribute to her father, saying he would always put others before himself.

“He was a very kind man, who made time for other people no matter what he had on his plate or how busy he was,” she said.

Mr Archer was an expert in bricklaying and stonework and first arrived in the Kimberley in 1976 after emigrating from England in the 1960s.

He became involved with many people and groups in and around Broome, especially the Beagle Bay Football Club (Peninsula Bombers) on the Dampier Peninsula, north of the town.

Many have fond memories of his achievements in Broome, including some of the brick houses he built and features using local product Kimberley colour stone.

He built a stone house at the end of Carnarvon St that was later demolished to make way for the Moonlight Bay Resort and was involved in the construction of the old Seaview Shopping Centre, and the facade that now graces the RSL covered area.

Many concrete and paved areas are testament to his hard work.

Mr Archer’s last piece of work - a stone wall at the skate park in town - has sadly been demolished.

His son-in-law Donald French said the wall reflected how good he was as a stonemason.

“If people really want to see his work, they should visit Parliament House in Canberra where I believe his stonework, paving and concreting is outstanding and much will remain as a monument to one man's ability and tenacity coming from a very difficult beginning as a young English boy, who arrived in Australia at the tender age of fifteen,” he said.