Bribie
Island Gem And Fossicking Club Inc.
PO
Box 1166 Bongaree 4507
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The
Club 1998-2008
The
Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club Inc was formed by a small group of
keen Lapidary enthusiasts in late 1998. The inaugural meeting was held in
the Bongaree Library on the 4th November 1998 with an attendance of 37
persons. To accommodate the hobbyists, a workshop, with second hand
machines, was set up in a store room at the back of the original Art Centre,
Bribie Island. Meetings continued to be held in the Library.
The Clubs
first field trip was to Gympie on 15th November 1998.
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funding from Caboolture Shire Council, work commenced on the Clubs workshop
and club rooms on 1st November 2000 beside the Art Centre. The building was
completed and officially opened in 2001.
A grant
from the Gaming Commission allowed the fitting out of the workshop with some
new lapidary machinery and the club was off and running.
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In
2004, increased interest from the public and a dramatic increase in
membership saw the erection of a second shed and the expansion of the
workshops. This second shed, "Club Room" now accommodates
the clubs library, displays, kitchen, a large meeting room and a small
faceters workshop area. Both sheds are now separated by a large undercover
area. This undercover area is perfect for craft fairs, social gatherings
and meeting during the summer months.
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Club Rooms
2004
In 2005 funding from Jupiter's allowed the Club to upgrade the
workshops with state of the art machinery, and further extensions to
buildings.
2006,
the Gem Club had a membership of 97, and the workshops were operating 4
days a week offering members a diverse range of activities, Lapidary,
Cabochon, Intaglio, Silver wrapping, Beading and Faceting resulting in a
diverse range of handcrafted jewellery and associated lapidary crafts.
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Working
with silver is very popular
with members of the public |
Exquisite
jewellery creations
Silver wrapping and beading using quality sterling silver,
natural stones, glass and beads are handcrafted by club members |
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The
workshop
The
Clubs workshops are well equipped with a full range of quality saws,
grinders, polishers, faceting machines and a silver workshop. The
availability of this comprehensive range of specialist tools allows each
member the opportunity to fully realize the rewards of lapidary work and
associated hobbies.
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Workshop Skills to
Learn or Share
Workshops are held
regularly. Whether you are a long-term member, newcomer or an interested,
member of the public you are always welcome at our workshops. The Bribie
Island Gem and Fossicking Club Inc. will have something of interest for
everyone.
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A
Cabochon workshop in progress |
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Field
Trips
The club
now conducts several field trips to known gem fields each year catering to
the interest of members, Opal, specific gem stones, rocks, minerals or
fossils.
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In
2007 club members took part in trips to The Central Gem Fields, North
Queensland Fields, The Opal Fields, Western Queensland, and the
Northern NSW, Inverell, Glen Innes and Torrington districts.
An
exciting year of fossicking |
| Fossicking
trips are always educational with visits to museums, historical sites
and places of interest.
The occasional
find of a good stone and the prospect of finding the big one keeps it
interesting.
And most
important is the fellowship and the fun we have doing something we all
enjoy doing
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Craft
Fair
The
Community craft fair are held at the Bribie Island Community Arts
Centre 4th Sunday of the month
Demonstrations,
displays, children's fossicking, jewellery, gem and
mineral crafted items are available for sale.
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Club Meetings
Committee
and general meetings are held in the club house on the 1st Wednesday of
the month General meetings starting at 7.30 pm visitors are welcome.
Various social gatherings are held throughout the year.
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2009
Annual Gem Show 12th and 13th September
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The
show has been a huge success in recent years with an increasing number
of dealers and tailgaters participating.
- All facets of
Lapidary will be represented from rough materials rocks, crystals,
minerals and opal, to fine gold and silver findings, jewellery
etc.
- Watch live
demonstrations of lapidary, faceting and working with silver.
- Children's
fossicking
- Raffles
- Light
refreshments will be available from 8.30 am to 7.00 pm Saturday
and Sunday
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Office Bearers
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President
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John Collyer
07 3408 1742
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Treasurer
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John Watts 07 3408
3828
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jwatts@tadaust.org.au
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Secretary
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Colin Thorpe
07 3408 9490
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colthorpe@tadaust.org.au
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Membership Fees
Joining Fee
$10 Adults $5 Juniors.
Yearly subscriptions
$15 Adults $7.50 Juniors.
Associate
members $7.50
Workshop fees:
$3.50
a work session, and some cutting and faceting fees apply.
Workshop Hours
Monday
8:30 am – 1:30 pm - Silversmithing
Tuesday
8.30 am –
1:30 pm - General
Wednesday 8.30 am
– 1:30 pm -
General and Silver Wrapping
Saturday 8:30 am –
1:30 pm
- General
Located at the left
of
Bribie Island
Community Arts Centre
Sunderland Drive
Banksia Beach Bribie Island Qld 4507
Visitors
Welcome
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