Andrew Barker loves local history and is a bit like a detective when it comes to piecing together mysteries of the past, the jigsaw puzzles of days gone by, and adding to the collection of knowledge held by the Kununurra Museum.
He was wrapping up research work in the library of the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture (once called the Kimberley Research Station) when a wander through the grounds brought him before a large, rusty piece of machinery.
The 36 horsepower diesel engine was showing its years under the harsh Kimberley weather, but was in surprisingly good nick. The plaque on its side said it was a Petters Atomic Diesel Engine, all the way from Yeovil in England.
That was enough to spark Andrew's interest in finding out more, and he now knows this engine was the first water pump in the Ord irrigation Area, used on Carlton Reach station back in 1941.
It's hoped the engine can be relocated this year to form an entry statement for the Kununurra Museum.
Listen to Andrew describe the significance of the water pump and why it's worth saving.