Story: Stunning Willie Creek Pearls
Episode: 24
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Air Date: 21st July 2024

Trevor's searching for pearls again, this time at Willie Creek Pearl Farm.

• Australian South Sea Pearls, renowned for their five virtues, constitute over 80% of the world's pearl market value, making Willie Creek Pearls a significant player in the industry.
• The Banfield Family, formerly wheat farmers in regional WA, relocated to Broome to support Lord Alistar McAlpine's vision of transforming Broome into a world-class holiday destination.
• In the showroom of Willie Creek Pearls, Rob Banfield and his family have transformed tourism by spotlighting the Pinctada maxima, the world's only truly sustainable gem, also known as the Australian South Sea Pearl.
• The operation has drawn a steady stream of visitors to Broome and Willie Creek, eager to witness this extraordinary experience. One highlight is the opportunity to engage with Rob Banfield, a quietly accomplished figure in the industry.
• Paul Birch, CEO of Willie Creek Pearls, has dedicated himself to delivering a top-tier tourism venture, which has garnered acclaim and awards.
• The farm offers a comprehensive "shell to showroom" experience, showcasing the commercial pearling process and the beauty of Australian South Sea Pearls.
• Additionally, the company honours Broome's history with its Pearl Luggers tour, highlighting the significance of pearl diving in the region's heritage.
• Beyond tourism, Willie Creek Pearls explores innovative applications of mother-of-pearl shell in marine biomedical developments, showcasing the versatility and potential of this natural resource.
• In their marine biomedical operations, a small piece of nacre-secreting mantle tissue from a donor oyster is implanted into the mollusk, where it forms a sac around the nucleus, eventually developing into a round pearl through a meticulous 'turning' process on the ocean floor.
• The innovation of turning nacre into a medical product for bone repair holds promising implications for Broome's future.

For more information, head to:
www.williecreekpearls.com.au