Tribute to pearl pioneer

There is no shortage of history books, information and artefacts illustrating Broome’s pearling history, however a new memoir to be launched this week aims to shed light on the lesser known, earlier days of the industry – the late 1800s – and one of this era’s great characters.

A Brisbane-based, fifth-generation pearl dealer, Aji Ellies is in Broome this week to launch a commemorative book he has been working on for the past eight years, The Pearls of Broome.

Sifting through archives in the national museum and other sources, Mr Ellies was able to piece together information on his great-great-grandfather Thomas Bastian Ellies.

TB Ellies emigrated from Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, in 1887, to trade as a gold dealer and jeweller in Cossack, but after the goldfields were exhausted, he moved to Broome where he became one of the era’s most influential characters.

Later known as The Pearl Doctor, he quickly developed a reputation for skinning pearls – transforming them by removing imperfections on outer layers.

Aji’s book explores TB Ellies’ family ties and history in Broome, and his passion for his trade, which has been passed on through at least five generations.

“It’s been very rewarding, delving into the history to trace your heritage back as far as your family’s start in Australia,” he said.

“I don’t know many other businesses or families who could date back five generations across three countries.”

Essentially continuing that passion, Aji is a pearl merchant based in Brisbane, dealing Australia’s prized South Sea Pearls and highend jewellery into many other countries such as Japan, the Cook Islands, New Zealand and the US.

Looking back has perhaps given Aji a positive future outlook amid a challenging economic climate.

“The luxury end of any business is softer than usual, but like we see in history, the pearling industry has seen many booms and busts, and this is another of those lulls,” he said.

“From a long-term perspective, we produce the best quality pearls in the word, and we have impeccable farming techniques – I think that is a recipe for a very sustainable industry.”

Kimberley Bookshop and the author Aji Ellies will launch The Pearls of Broome at Pearl Luggers on Dampier Terrace this Wednesday, August 31, from 5.30pm.