This Mother's Day, we celebrate the woman at the heart of Willie Creek Pearls: Valda Banfield. Known to her family as "Mimi," her greatest legacy lives not only in the business she helped shape, but in the generations she has guided with love and strength. As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Valda’s quiet resilience and unwavering care have left a lasting impact on her family. That same spirit helped lay the foundation for what would become one of Western Australia’s most recognised tourism and pearling experiences. A family business that intertwines pearling, tourism, and fine jewellery manufacturing, with Valda at its heart and soul.
In her early years, Valda worked as a shorthand typist and grew up in a well-known family, with her father a champion race car driver and solo bike rider representing Australia internationally. She made her own mark by being crowned Floreat Surf Life Saving Club’s “Miss Gidget” in 1960 before marrying Don Banfield in 1963. The next year, Valda and Don left Perth to pursue farming in the small Wheatbelt community of Tincurrin. Despite having little experience, they were driven by a strong sense of family and purpose, raising four children amidst the challenges of rural life. After two decades, economic hardships led them back to Perth, where Don's work as a limousine driver introduced him to Lord Alistair McAlpine. This connection would eventually guide the family north to Broome.
In 1989, the Banfield family relocated to Broome, embracing new opportunities in the growing tourism industry. Just as they were finding their footing, tragedy struck when Don suffered a sudden heart attack while driving one of their buses to Fitzroy Crossing. He passed away at just 51 years old, leaving Valda a widow with four children. In the midst of their grief, the family came together, drawing strength from one another to survive.
One of the first words spoken by Valda's grandson, Darcy, was “Mimi” - the name he gave his beloved grandmother. Befitting the family’s deep connection to Broome, “Mimi” is also the word for grandmother in the local Aboriginal language. The Banfield family have long followed a strong matriarchal tradition, with Valda’s influence reaching across generations. In 2025, Valda’s legacy inspired the naming of Mimi Pearl, Willie Creek Pearls new solar-powered tour boat bearing her name and likeness. Designed to showcase the Kimberley with minimal environmental impact, it is a fitting tribute to a woman who always championed looking after what matters: family, community, and the environment.
Robert Banfield, Valda’s son, shares, “Family has always been at the heart of everything we do, with Mum’s guidance as our foundation. The new tour boat is a way for us to thank her and carry on her legacy, sharing her story with every guest at Willie Creek Pearl Farm.”
His son Bailey, Valda’s grandchild, adds, “Mimi’s vision for this business has always been centred on family, with a focus on making a positive impact on both the community and the land we come from. We are proud to continue her legacy through this new project, honouring everything she’s worked so hard to build for us.”
Today, Valda continues to be a cherished part of the business, embodying the values that Willie Creek Pearls stands for: connection to people, land, and a future built on respect and responsibility. “I’ve always loved seeing my family involved in the business, and to see it passed down through generations is incredibly special. The boat being named after me is such an honour, and I’m eager to share the beauty of the Kimberley, pearl farming and our family story with visitors for many more years to come,” says Valda.
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