II started this podcast series to spotlight the rich diversity of community work happening in Western Australia — simply because I was genuinely surprised by how much grassroots energy and activism exists here. Honestly, it feels like there’s more community spirit per square kilometre than in many other places I’ve been. These spontaneous conversations offer a glimpse into what drives West Australians to get involved, and what they hope to change, build, or protect through their efforts.
In this episode of West Australian Communities, I interview Michael Gugeri (86) in Derby, West Kimberly. Michael is a long-time resident of Derby in the West Kimberley, known for his deep local knowledge and strong views. Born in Broome and arriving in Derby in the late 1940s, Michael witnessed major changes over 60 years — from the early days of a small, shabby port town to the rise of corporate cattle stations and heavy government influence. He worked in industries like engineering and cattle, running his own business for many years. Michael speaks openly about the collapse of the wool industry, the shift in Aboriginal communities after equal wages and alcohol access, and the growing regulation of land and sea. His perspective reflects a lifetime spent in the Kimberley: independent, practical, and shaped by firsthand experience. He has published eight books and written many more stories — and what I discovered in his house was truly surprising: every story is carefully handwritten, collected in folders, and protected in plastic sleeves (see photos at the end of this post). An incredible personal archive!
Listen to the podcast here:
Michael, who moved to Derby with his father in 1949, describes the town’s transformation from a rough, primitive settlement into a very different place today. When he first arrived, Derby was small, with many old, shabby corrugated iron houses built during the late 1800s gold rush era. It was a functional town, mainly supporting the cattle, sheep, and wool industries through exports from the Derby Jetty. Sheep farming was particularly strong until the 1960s, when a series of changes—such as the introduction of the basic wage, the spread of screw grass (which damaged wool quality), rising dingo attacks, and collapsing wool prices—caused the sheep industry to collapse.
With the loss of sheep, cattle took over, and ownership of the stations shifted from small family businesses to large American corporations like King Ranch. This corporatisation, according to Michael, changed the Kimberley from a warm, community-oriented region into a colder, more commercial environment where local hospitality disappeared.
Michael also reflects on the shifting situation of Aboriginal people. In the early days, different racial groups coexisted with a degree of mutual respect, although Aboriginal people lived separately and often worked on stations under poor conditions. The introduction of equal wages, alcohol access, and the collapse of the mission system led to serious social problems, including loss of structure, discipline, and cultural identity. Today, Michael sees many Aboriginal people dependent on government handouts, with few incentives for self-reliance, which he feels has trapped the community in a cycle of disadvantage.
Modern Derby now survives mainly on government services, with major employers being the local prison, the RAAF base, and essential businesses. Many private businesses, including Michael’s own engineering firm, have shut down. Access to land and nature has become heavily regulated: visitors must often pay Aboriginal groups to access gorges and coastal areas, and fishing and boating are now tightly controlled.
Michael feels that while the Kimberley’s natural beauty remains, social relationships, freedoms, and the “pioneering” spirit that once defined the region have largely been lost. He acknowledges that the original colonisation was unjust to Aboriginal people but believes current policies have also created new problems. Overall, he describes Derby’s changes as a journey from a tough but lively frontier town to a place burdened by bureaucracy, division, and dependency.
More podcasts: West Australian Community podcasts