The dream that started in 1946 is still alive today. Australia’s oldest operating pearl farm at Cygnet Bay was established by Dean Murdoch Brown. In the 1940’s and 50’s, Dean’s business was concerned with the collection of mother-of-pearl shell. This all changed in the late 50’s when Dean’s sons revolutionized the industry. Lyndon, strove to perfect the art of pearl cultivation and eventually unlocked the secret of seeding a pearl shell, a technique previously known only by the Japanese. Lyndon’s brother, Bruce, and his wife Alison soon joined the venture introducing the first non-hard hat diver to the industry in the 60’s. Together, the brothers designed and built what was unique to the industry then, a fibreglass lugger.

Today the pearl farm is home to three generations of the Brown family. Bruce and Alison’s son, James, studied marine biology at James Cook University, Queensland, and is now the Farm Manager. We know that Dean Murdoch Brown would be thrilled to see the family is living his dream.