Broome Miniatures - Lachie Frazer

BROOME MINATURES - Lachie Fraser

In his words, “I grew up in Melbourne. After a limited but good education, I left to find my mark - my Australia where there were no fences. I headed north and have now been a Broome resident for over 40 years.”

Lachie has an Archealogical background in India and a genuine interest in history and restoration. He is a builder and artisan, who for many years has been entrusted by the Shire of Broome, Yawuru and the WA Heritage Commission to authentically restore many local historical buildings.

This extensive experience and knowledge of Broome’s historical architecture led Lachie to begin creating his ‘Miniatures’ - representations of Broome locations and lifestyles of the past, all made to scale.

He uses old photos and is mindful of touching on sensitive issues. “I always stay respectful, always research and always ask advice. When depicting Broome’s history, I always show the truth for Broome. I am a ‘Pindan Man’ who depicts Broome for all of Broome, not just me”.

To date, Lachie has created 15 models - “although the big one is like 10 or more”.

He can’t put his time on them because he comes and goes, and there’s a lot of components. He’s raided the hardware store and around the place, “a bit like a Bower Bird” collecting a mammoth amount of materials to adapt and use.

Each part is lovingly and painstakingly created by hand. The caricatures begin as very fine galvanised wire, twisted to resemble skeletons, then he builds them up using, of all products, No-More Gaps. He uses recycled jarrah from a similar period and corrugated cardboard to replicate the buildings.

Lachie and his miniatures have become famous - they have featured on ‘Tiny Oz - ABC iView’.

Some miniatures are on public display around Broome at Broome Historical Museum, University of Notre Dame Library and SSJG.

Others are still waiting for spaces big enough - the largest, the Streeter Male Complex measures 6.4m x 1.8m, and a very personal one based on a family photo of the Johnsons, was gifted to his grandniece, Lani Johnson for her birthday.