Gem & Lapidary News April 2017 Vol. 43 No 4 Print Post Approved PP243352/00002
Gem & Lapidary News is the official publication of the GEM AND LAPIDARY COUNCIL of NEW SOUTH WALES Inc, PO Box 163, Wentworthville, NSW, 2145. The executive and workforce of the Council are entirely composed of delegates from member Clubs. Council is NOT an autonomous body. The Gem & Lapidary Council is a member of AFLACA (Australian Federation of Lapidary and Allied Crafts Association). Life Councillors: Joan Ball, Ron Beattie, Arthur Roffey, Frank Hall (dec), Dot Caladine (dec), Maurya Hutton (dec), Marie Jenkins (dec), Dick Moppett (dec) & Bob Wright (dec). EXECUTIVE President Vice Presidents: Secretary Minute Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Committee: Appointments Public Officer Auditor Editor Webmaster Property-Equipment Officer Competition Judges: Education Officer GEMBOREE Coordinator GEMKHANA Coordinator Printer Barbara Try (Northern Districts) 0417 676435 Colin Wright (Port Hacking) Tony Try (Central Coast) Marilyn Behrens (Parramatta-Holroyd) 02 96358218 secretary@gemlapidarycouncilnsw.org.au Mick Lane (Blue Mountains) John Behrens (Parramatta-Holroyd) 02 96358218 Arthur Roffey (Mineralogical Society) Wally Dove (Port Hacking) Sue O Neil (Goulburn Gem Society) John Vincent (Hawkesbury Valley) John Vincent Christine Gruntar Theresa Mason (BA hons, ADA) editor@gemlapidarycouncilnsw.org.au Lilly Murphy webmaster@gemlapidarycouncilnsw.org.au John Behrens Wally Dove & John Behrens vacant Col Wright vacant Arthur Roffey Website: http://www.gemlapidarycouncilnsw.org.au/ COUNCIL MEETINGS EXECUTIVE - Meet monthly, fourth Wednesday of the month, 1pm, at Clubrooms, Parramatta-Holroyd Lapidary Club, 73 Fullager Rd, Wentworthville NSW Visitors welcome to attend SUBSCRIPTIONS to the Gem & Lapidary News $20 if posted bulk to your Club $25 if posted to members private address $30 for non-members of the G&L Council Free online subscriptions (see website for details) NB: colour version available online ADVERTISING RATES per G&L News issue (NB: printed in black & white) Full page - $40 per issue 1/2 page - $25 1/3 page - $20 Please send payment with advertising booking and copy
April 2017 Gem & Lapidary News page 3 Contents G&L Council News & Information Club News National GEMBOREE Exhibitions & Events page 5 page 7 page 9 page 11 G&L Council NSW s website is gemlapidarycouncilnsw.org.au with links to the secretary, editor & webmaster AFLACA s website is: www.aflaca.org.au NB: change of postal address for the G&LC NSW Gem & Lapidary Council NSW, PO Box 163, Wentworthville NSW, 2145 NEXT COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday, April 26, at the Clubrooms, Parramatta-Holroyd Lapidary Club, 73 Fullagar Rd, Wentworthville, 1pm Please attend - you will be made very welcome DEADLINE for MAY 2017 issue April 19 (third Wednesday of the month, plus a few days grace) Contact the G&L Editor to include your Club s news editor@gemlapidarycouncilnsw.org.au Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, Gem & Lapidary Council, or its members. Persons acting on any opinion, advice, fact or advertisement published in this issue does so at their own risk.
April 2017 Gem & Lapidary News page 5 G&L Council News & Information Minutes from G&L Council Meeting, 22 February, 2017 The meeting was opened at 1.30pm by President, Barbara Try (NDLC), who welcomed delegates from the following Clubs: Mineral Society (Arthur Roffey OAM), Central Coast (Tony Try), Blaxland (Pam & Alec Gardiner), Western Suburbs (Marcia Hill, Shirley & Ainslie Flynn), Hawkesbury Valley (John Vincent), Port Hacking (Wal Dove, Colin Wright), Goulburn (Sue & Joe O Neil), Parramatta- Holroyd (John & Marilyn Behrens). Apologies: Bankstown (Joan Ball OAM), Blue Mountains (Una King & Mick Lane), NSW (Lilly Murphy) J&R Report: Barbara responded to the schedule for 2019 query on choice of material and trophies. Judges are yet to be appointed for the Hawkesbury Ag Show. Barbara is trying to talk to Canberra Club re judging. G&L News: nil Education Report: nil GEMKHANA Report: Bob McLean asked if he can be given access to Council s website as does the President, Secretary and Webmaster. Agreed. Bob also asked if he can design a GEMKHANA facebook page. No, it was felt that one page for all Council activities works best keeps all info in one place. Competition schedule is on the website. This year s results will be published in the G&L News. Flyers are needed for distribution at the GEMKHANA. Bob has sent letters of interest to dealers who regularly attend. Bob has last year s GEMKHANA file. Marilyn asked to email him last year s flyers, and to email contract to Barbara. GEMBOREE 2017 Lithgow Easter: Refund sent to Felix Ma, Glory Opals. First Aid Kit. Arthur has Councils. Col will also bring one from his Club. Will need plastic covering for competition tables for the GEMBOREE John to obtain. Done. Last GEMBOREE planning meeting today. Everything looks good. Promotion working well. General Business: Printer - Council s printer that Arthur Roffey operates isn t working. The technician reported the drum (value $2000), pump & connector (value $1000) all need replacing. As the machine is already 10 years old and hasn t cost the Council anything because Arthur has done the maintenance, it was decided not to replace the machine but, rather, to have printing done as required at Officeworks, or similar. Arthur encouraged to contact Penrith Council to take it
page 6 Gem & Lapidary News April 2017 away to recyclers. Webmaster, Lilly, asked for GEMKHANA photos for the website. Barbara has sent hers and the ones Sue took. The meeting closed at 2.20pm. Next meeting: 1pm on Wednesday 26th April at 73 Fullagar Rd, Wentworthville. G&L Council NSW s website is gemlapidarycouncilnsw.org.au with links to the secretary, editor & webmaster. AFLACA s website is www.aflaca.org.au NB: When a direct payment is made to Council, please send a note, or an email, or phone the Secretary so we know where it came from. Bank statements do not always show who made these payments. Robilt Lapidary Supplies 167 Endeavour Drive, North Cranbourne 3977 P.O. Box 179 Doveton, Victoria 3177 Ph: (03) 5996 0750 Fax: (03) 5995 7505 Mob: 0414 469 203 ABN 37 856 874 788 Email: robilt@unite.com.au Manufacturers of Lapidary Machines for over 45 years Tumblers Trimsaws Slabsaws Grinders - Polishers Vibro Laps Flat Laps Faceting & Combination Machines Suppliers of Grits Laps Wheels Blades Dops Discs. Service Repairs Spare Parts - Rough Cut Polished Stones Servicing Your Lapidary Needs
April 2017 Gem & Lapidary News page 7 Club News Blaxland Lapidary Club have their Club Gem Show coming up on August 19-20th at the Glenbrook Community Hall. There will be displays of lapidary work as well as gem, mineral and crystal sales. The show is open 8am-4pm daily. Adults $3, children $1. Refreshments available. Campbelltown Lapidary Club reported an excellent Open Day. The Club have a field trip to Inverell this month looking for sapphires, smokey quartz, citrine, jelly bean quartz and zircons. Canberra Lapidary Club have a Good Friday day-trip to the GEMBOREE at Lithgow which runs from 14-17th April. Campbelltown Club Open Day The Club s Winter Gemcraft & Mineral Show will be held next month, 27-28 May, at the Mallee Pavilion. There will be gem, mineral, jewellery and lapidary dealers, as well as fossils, rough & cut gemstones, lapidary equipment and supplies, opals, beads, and food available. There are also displays of members collections, and demonstrations of cabbing, faceting and jewellery making. Inverell & District Lapidary Club have a new President and newsletter editor following the resignation of two Club members. The Club are currently preparing a slab for a new shed, with working bees held at each build stage. Last month the Club had a visit from members of Sapphire Lapidary Club, Qld. According to the newsletter, they had a very happy fossicking trip to our sale shelves and socialising over a cup of tea and eats. This month the Club are planning a field trip to Bellata. Lismore Lapidary Club are currently preparing for the 2017 Lismore GEMFEST, the Club s major annual fundraiser, coming up next month. The Club has been featuring guest speakers after their Club meetings, with Bryan giving an interesting talk on pyrite, and Geoff talking about the use of lapidary work in his cabinetmaking. The February field trip to Ewingar was wellattended. According to the newsletter, a few nice smoky Lismore Club members fossicking at Ewingar (image from Club s facebook page)
page 8 Gem & Lapidary News April 2017 and clear quartz specimens were found, with a show of amethyst. This month the Club are holding an Easter field trip to Emmaville looking for smoky quartz, fluorite and emeralds. Northern Districts Lapidary Club are holding a day-trip to the GEMBOREE, Australia s National Gem & Mineral Show and Competition held at Lithgow this month. Parramatta-Holroyd Lapidary Club are holding a stall at this month s GEMBOREE, and the Club also has organised a coach trip to GEMBOREE for Saturday 15th April. Members are reminded that entries for next month s Hawkesbury Show close on Thursday 13 April. The Club has an Open Day on the 29th of this month, with their annual Club Exhibition Show coming up on 18-20th August. The Club are planning to make the Exhibition fun, with interactive activities for school children. Next month s long field trip will be to western Queensland to Yowah, Quilpie, Winton, and possibly Mt Isa and Charters towers. The Club also has a shorter trip planned for Oberon. For 50 years we have been manufacturing and supplying quality base metal Findings and Mountings to Lapidary and Craft enthusiasts. Shop online for a large range of: Findings Chains Neck chains and Bulk chain Mountings: Rings, Pendants, Brooches, Bracelets etc. Snap Tite TM Settings Sterling Silver and Gold Filled Discounted and close-out Specials www.australianlapidarysupplies.com.au Phone: 02 95318922 Email: sales@australianlapidarysupplies.com.au Discount for Lapidary Clubs and Members Simply order online and type in coupon code: lapidary at checkout.
April 2017 Gem & Lapidary News page 9 National GEMBOREE 14-17th April, 2017 Toni Luchetti Showgrounds Lithgow, NSW GEMBOREE is Australia s national gem and mineral show and lapidary competition. The first GEMBOREE was held at Coonabarabran in 1965, and it has been held in all states and territories ever since. Last year the GEMBOREE was in Tasmania, and this year it is on at Lithgow. GEMBOREE is held by the Gem & Lapidary Council of NSW under the auspices of the Australian Federation of Lapidary & Allied Crafts Association (AFLACA). GEMBOREE turns 53 this month! A commemorative badge will be available for $6. This year there will be a display by the Age of Fishes Museum, Canowindra, featuring freshwater fish fossils dating from the Devonian Period, 360-370 million year ago. There are also some fantastic major raffle prizes up for grabs. First prize is a Russian topaz donated by Arthur Roffey and set in Image from: http://www.ageoffishes.org.au/ sterling silver by Ainslie Flynn from Western Suburbs Lapidary Club. Second prize is a chrysoprase bracelet which was subsidised by Preyas Jewellery. Third prize is a voucher for the Alexandra Hotel at Leura donated by Alexandra Hotel. Fourth prize is an adamite specimen which was subsidised by Crystal Habit. Fifth prize is an enamelled bowl made and donated by Annette Clarke from Central Coast Lapidary Club. On Easter Sunday there is a free breakfast for everyone, and the Easter Bilby will be handing out Easter eggs! After breakfast, there is an Easter bonnet parade. Information on the competition schedule, registration, and tailgating forms can be found here: www.aflaca.org.au
EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS page 11 April 14-17 GEMBOREE 2017, 53rd National Gem & Mineral Show, Toni Luchetti Showgrounds, Lithgow, NSW 22-23 Essendon Gem and Lapidary Club Show, Clubrooms, Cross Keys Reserve, Essendon, Vic May 5-7 Murraylands Gem & Mineral Club Rockarama Crystal & Craft Fair, Palmer Oval, Palmers, SA 6-7 Redcliffe Gem and Mineral, Jewellery and Craft Show, Southern Cross Catholic College, Kippa Ring 6-7 Diamond Valley Gem Club Annual Exhibition, Masonic Hall, Greensborough, Vic 20-21 Lismore Gem & Lapidary Club GEMFEST, Lismore Showground, NSW 27 Mt Gravatt Lapidary Society Gem Show, Clubhouse, Mt. Gravatt 27-28 Canberra Lapidary Club Winter Gem Show, Mallee Pavilion, Exhibition Park, Canberra, ACT June 3-4 Gunyah Lapidary Club Annual Display, Mt Coot-tha Gardens Auditorium, Qld July 1 Caboolture Gem Club Gemfest, Caboolture Historical Village, Qld 1 Gold Coast Gem & Craft Show, Miami State Primary School, Mermaid Waters, Qld 7-9 Clarence River Arts, Crafts & Quilt Exhibition, Maclean Showgrounds, NSW 8-9 Campbelltown Districts Lapidary Club Annual Exhibition, Greg Percival Community Centre, Ingleburn, NSW 8-9 Hervey Bay Festival of Gems, Star of the Sea Catholic College, Hervey Bay, Qld 18-19 Townsville Gem & Mineral Show, Club Rooms, Gulliver, Qld 25-26 Cairns Gem Festival Club Rooms, Cairns, Qld August 5 Innisfail Club Show Club Rooms, Innisfail, Qld 6 Atherton Club Show Club Rooms, Toga, Qld 18-20 Parramatta-Holroyd Annual Exhibition, Clubrooms, Wentworthville NSW 19-20 Blaxland Gem & Mineral Club Gem Show, Glenbrook Community Hall, NSW 26-27 White Cliffs Gem Fest and Car Boot Sale, White Cliffs Community Hall, NSW September 2 Ipswich & District Lapidary Club Show, Silkstone state Primary School 9-10 Bribie Island Gem Festival Lapidary Club Show, Sunderland Dr, Banksia Beach, Qld 23-24 Caloundra Gem Show, Caloundra State School, George Street, Qld 23-24 Waverley Gem Club Exhibition, Brandon Park Community Centre, Waverley, NSW October 6-8 National Gem & Mineral Show, North Shore Events Centre, Wairau Valley, Auckland, NZ
NEXT BIG EVENT for the GEM & LAPIDARY COUNCIL NSW GEMBOREE April 14-17 Tony Luchetti Showgrounds Lithgow, NSW