Flatback and Green Sea Turtles are regular visitors to the waters around Willie Creek, gliding through the tides in search of food. Each year, adult females return to Cable Beach to lay their eggs between October and January, with hatchlings emerging from December to February. A single turtle can lay up to 100 eggs, and although many young turtles wait for the safety of a full moon to begin their journey to the sea, it can take several determined days of digging before they reach the surface.

This sculpture began its life as “Tommy the Tool Man Turtle,” named during construction for the way his open mouth made him look as though he were chatting. When he arrived in Broome, the family renamed him “Donatello,” after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle that was an inventor and thinker whose creativity and gadgets echoed the spirit behind the sculpture. Donatello the Ninja Turtle also wore the purple headband, my favourite colour. He was designed and built by myself and my husband Geoff, using tools passed down from Debbie Banfield’s father, Robert Tak Cho Chan. Robert’s story is woven into Broome’s own history: He married Shirl Fong, a Broome local who, like many women and children, was evacuated to Perth in 1942 during the Japanese bombing. Their daughter Debbie later returned to Broome to pursue her teaching career, where she met Robert Banfield, continuing a family legacy deeply rooted in the town.

Donatello now stands proudly at Willie Creek, he is very warm to the touch in the Kimberley sun so be careful not to climb on his back but he is always ready for a photo, and forever up for a chat.