Rebels forced the farm to relocate

Around this time there was a movement for independence from Indonesia by a rebel group of East Timorese, and fighting had broken out against the Indonesian army forces. The rebels infiltrated West Timor and Atlas facilities were targeted; vehicles at the Kupang farm were damaged and staff threatened. 

A swift decision was made to get out fast, for the safety of staff and the farm’s longevity. Staff packed up the equipment and live shell in just a few days before transferring by boat to a more suitable site further north.

The boat left Kupang on August 24, 1997, with a crew and just 12 staff on board. Loaded with basic food, supplies, and the essential equipment needed to establish a new farm, they set sail on an adventure to a new home, putting their trust in the hands of Farm Manager Joseph Taylor.

The crew suffered seasickness, and at one point the boat engines failed and the boat drifted for some time before repairs could be made. The journey took 12 days at sea but they finally arrived at Alyui Bay on 5 September 1997.

Arriving in paradise, Alyui Bay

Sugiwati Ndolu, was one of the staff on board the boat and recalls her amazement at how beautiful the bay was, “In front of me was a breathtaking place, so beautiful that I was moved. Among us, we looked at each other in amazement, asking, “Are we still on Earth?” We saw a vast expanse of rocky mountains (islands) covered in green trees.

It didn’t take long for the boat to be met by local villagers and engage in negotiations for acceptance at the area.

Staff set to work the day they arrived, creating lines, unpacking supplies, and hacking through the dense jungle to set up tents. It was an environment where everyone just did what they could to make things work and it proved successful. Soon more help and staff arrived to build the farm site, accommodation, and hatchery.

The Alyui Bay farm remains one of Atlas’ prime farm locations with a complete seeding to hatchery operation. A remote but beautiful location that welcomes visitors touring the region, educating them on the pearl farm operation and the connections with the local community and environment.

Ibu Sugi still works for Atlas Pearls as an Assistant Technical Manager, and supervises the pearl harvests. A number of her relatives and fellow villagers who came on the first boats from Kupang still work for Atlas Pearls today.

Alek Kerr retired from the board in 2003.
“As I bowed out of the pearl industry in 2003, sorry to say goodbye to my industry friends forged over the formative years, I did so with a strong sense of loss accompanied by pride at our achievement, having seen the company grow from an idea in our minds to a successful company producing pearls of recognised international quality.” - Extract from Professor Alexander McBride Kerr AM HonDEc (UWA) Memoirs.