It was a night of gold, gratitude, and celebration as we took to the stage at the 2025 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards.
We brought home gold in Ecotourism, gold in Tourism Retail & Hire Services, silver in Tourist Attractions, and celebrated our Chairman Robert Banfield, who was honoured with the Sir David Brand Medal - Western Australia’s highest tourism accolade.
More than thirty-five years ago, our journey in tourism began here in Broome, built on a desire to share the beauty and stories of this remarkable region with visitors. What started small has grown into something much larger: a family business grounded in connection and innovation.
Our Chairman, Robert Banfield, was recognised individually for his outstanding contribution to WA tourism.
“I’m honoured but truly humbled to receive this award, because it represents the work of so many,” Robert said.
“The Sir David Brand Medal is not just my achievement; it’s the achievement of our family, our management team, and every person on the ground who has built Willie Creek Pearls into what it is today.
“When we began this journey more than 35 years ago, I could never have imagined standing here today being recognised at this level.
“We’ve always just put our heads down, worked hard, and looked for what’s next - how we can keep growing, improving, and contributing to Western Australian tourism. This award is a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how much potential still lies ahead.”
Winning Gold in Ecotourism for the first time was another proud milestone - recognising years of work aligning our operations, storytelling, and guest experiences with our sustainability goals.
CEO Paul Birch said the category reflected where the business is heading and would be a major focus for 2026 and beyond.
“Ecotourism isn’t just a category for us; it’s a direction. From the introduction of our solar-electric tour vessel, Mimi Pearl - the first of its kind in Australia - to the circular reuse of our oysters through our collaboration with Marine Biomedical, we’re proud to be leading by example in sustainable tourism and responsible innovation,” Paul said.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the contribution of our management team and the entire Willie Creek Pearls family, who deliver incredible guest experiences every day and bring our story to life.
“We took a break from awards last year to realign our focus on business growth and development, so to come back and receive two golds and a silver is an incredible result that reinforces we’re on the right path.
“Well done to all of the deserving winners we shared the stage with, and a special mention to the outstanding North West operators who really shone on the night.”
For all of us, this night wasn’t just about trophies - it was about growth, belief, and gratitude. We’re proud of how far we’ve come and even more excited for what’s next. The gold standard isn’t just an award; it’s the way we move forward.
Learn more about our sustainability journey
About Willie Creek Pearls and the Banfield family
You can watch Robert Banfield's reflections on winning this award by clicking on the videos below:
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