A boab tree named Gladys, which grows in the grounds of the Broome Museum, has donned her best frock to celebrate 40 years of the Broome Historical Society.
Gladys plays a whimsical role in the celebration of the history of conserving history in Broome.
What's happening today is, of course, tomorrow's history. So we have to record that.
President of the historical society and museum, Dr Elaine Rabbitt, said there would not be much to celebrate if it was not for former resident, Jean Haynes.
"She was the one that recognised that important historical items were disappearing from Broome," Dr Rabbitt explained on ABC Kimberley Local Radio.
Mrs Haynes was the driving force behind the formation of the Broome Historical Society.
"The inaugural meeting was at the Continental Hotel, in the Lugger Bar in 1975," Dr Rabbitt said.
Although Mrs Haynes went on to become the society's president in 1976, minutes recorded that the inaugural president was a mysterious figure, named "J Box".
"We're actually asking members of the community who know about Mr Box, because we don't have any information about him," Dr Rabbitt said.
Growing history
The Broome museum had modest beginnings in the one of the town's smaller historical buildings.
"I was fortunate enough to be taken by Mrs Haynes to the original Broome museum, which was at the old lockup," Dr Rabbitt said.
From its humble beginnings, the museum has grown steadily.
"More and more people are contributing items to the museum, to make the collection one of the biggest and best in Western Australia," Dr Rabbitt said.
"During the tourist season we are one of the most visited museums in Western Australia."
Dr Rabbitt said the museum would continue to grow for the next 40 years and beyond.
"What's happening today is, of course, tomorrow's history. So we have to record that," she said.