Club Details
Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club Inc.
ABN: 13 979 152 201
Website: http://bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
PO Box 1166 Bongaree QLD 4507
For further details please contact:-
Office Bearers
President: Val McKenzie 07 3408 2958
Vice-President: John Collyer 07 3408 1742
Secretary: Colin Thorpe 07 3408 9490
Treasurer: Beris Brown 07 3408 8064
Email: secretary@bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
About:-
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.
With 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.
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.
Membership Details:-
Joining fees Adults $15.00 Juniors $7.50
Yearly Subscription Adults $40.00 Juniors $15.00
Associate Members $20.00
Workshop fees: $4.50
Workshop Times:-
8.00 am - 1.00 pm where occurring.
Workshop Located at the Rear of the Community Arts Centre
Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach, Bribie Island
Club Outings:-
Monthly trips are decided at the General Meetings.
Objective:-
To promote all aspects of lapidary, jewellery, gem and mineral fossicking, through educational
and social activities, field excursions, exhibitions and displays, and the like.
The Club:-
The Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club is an Incorporated Organisation established to
provide superior facilities for Lapidary hobbyists of gemstones, rocks, minerals, fossils and
associated crafts in Bribie and adjoining communities.
Club Room:-
The club room is well equipped with a full range of quality saws, grinders, polishers etc. the
availability of this comprehensive range of specialist tools allows each member the opportunity to
fully realise the rewards of working with nature’s precious gifts.
Club Meetings:-
A general meeting is held monthly (with a guest speaker if available) then supper to finish the
evening. In addition various social functions are held throughout the year.
General meetings are held, in the Club House on the 1st Wednesday of the month starting at 7pm
Committee meetings are held in the Club House the 1st Tuesday of the month and commence at
7.00 pm.
Variety of Interests:-
If cabochon-cutting, faceting, silver or gold jewellery is something you have always loved or would
just like to know more about, then Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club is the place for you.
Field Trips:-
Does the great outdoors appeal to you and searching for that perfect specimen is something you
know you have to experience for yourself? Then the winter trips to some of the finest fossicking
areas in Australia should definitely not be missed. For those who prefer field trips closer to home,
club members undertake one and two day expeditions with great enthusiasm as well.
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.
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.
Workshop Skills to Learn or Share:-
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.
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.
Annual Gem Show:-
The Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club Inc. is proud to host an Annual Gem Show, which
boasts interesting displays, and impressive exhibitions. Our Gem Show is an excellent
opportunity to make new friend and renew old acquaintances.
2014 Annual Gem Festival 13th and 14th September
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 4.00 pm Saturday and Sunday
If you are a Dealer or Tailgater and want a space, contact the Secretary secretary@bribieisland.
lapidaryclub.com.au
Craft Fair:-
The workshops are open on the 4th Sunday of the month for demonstrations, display, children's
fossicking items. Jewellery, gem and mineral crafted items are available for sale.
Visitors Welcome:-
The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre open Tuesday
Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach, Bribie Island 4507 Australia
Phone (07) 3408 9288
Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club Inc.
ABN: 13 979 152 201
Website: http://bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
PO Box 1166 Bongaree QLD 4507
For further details please contact:-
Office Bearers
President: Val McKenzie 07 3408 2958
Vice-President: John Collyer 07 3408 1742
Secretary: Colin Thorpe 07 3408 9490
Treasurer: Beris Brown 07 3408 8064
Email: secretary@bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
About:-
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.
With 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.
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.
Membership Details:-
Joining fees Adults $15.00 Juniors $7.50
Yearly Subscription Adults $40.00 Juniors $15.00
Associate Members $20.00
Workshop fees: $4.50
Workshop Times:-
8.00 am - 1.00 pm where occurring.
Workshop Located at the Rear of the Community Arts Centre
Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach, Bribie Island
Club Outings:-
Monthly trips are decided at the General Meetings.
Objective:-
To promote all aspects of lapidary, jewellery, gem and mineral fossicking, through educational
and social activities, field excursions, exhibitions and displays, and the like.
The Club:-
The Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club is an Incorporated Organisation established to
provide superior facilities for Lapidary hobbyists of gemstones, rocks, minerals, fossils and
associated crafts in Bribie and adjoining communities.
Club Room:-
The club room is well equipped with a full range of quality saws, grinders, polishers etc. the
availability of this comprehensive range of specialist tools allows each member the opportunity to
fully realise the rewards of working with nature’s precious gifts.
Club Meetings:-
A general meeting is held monthly (with a guest speaker if available) then supper to finish the
evening. In addition various social functions are held throughout the year.
General meetings are held, in the Club House on the 1st Wednesday of the month starting at 7pm
Committee meetings are held in the Club House the 1st Tuesday of the month and commence at
7.00 pm.
Variety of Interests:-
If cabochon-cutting, faceting, silver or gold jewellery is something you have always loved or would
just like to know more about, then Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club is the place for you.
Field Trips:-
Does the great outdoors appeal to you and searching for that perfect specimen is something you
know you have to experience for yourself? Then the winter trips to some of the finest fossicking
areas in Australia should definitely not be missed. For those who prefer field trips closer to home,
club members undertake one and two day expeditions with great enthusiasm as well.
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.
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.
Workshop Skills to Learn or Share:-
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.
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.
Annual Gem Show:-
The Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club Inc. is proud to host an Annual Gem Show, which
boasts interesting displays, and impressive exhibitions. Our Gem Show is an excellent
opportunity to make new friend and renew old acquaintances.
2014 Annual Gem Festival 13th and 14th September
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 4.00 pm Saturday and Sunday
If you are a Dealer or Tailgater and want a space, contact the Secretary secretary@bribieisland.
lapidaryclub.com.au
Craft Fair:-
The workshops are open on the 4th Sunday of the month for demonstrations, display, children's
fossicking items. Jewellery, gem and mineral crafted items are available for sale.
Visitors Welcome:-
The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre open Tuesday
Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach, Bribie Island 4507 Australia
Phone (07) 3408 9288
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Fossicking Trips
Jewelry Making
Clubroom Activity
Clubroom Photos
Jewelry Displays
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| Club Photos |
| Bribie Island Gem & Fossicking Club Inc. |
Tips & Safety On Field Trips
Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to ask permission from any private property owner at any location
when searching for gemstones before you enter any such property. You may also be required to
possess a fossicking license as per state laws.
Safety In The Workshop
- Take every precaution while on field trips like making sure you have the right gear like gloves,
boots, drinking water and basic supplies. - Fill in your holes after digging and beware of overhanging rocks and ledges that could collapse
while digging below. - Don't go into old mine shafts as most are unstable and air quality can never be guaranteed.
- Always wear safety glasses when breaking or chiselling on rocks.
- Watch out for snakes and spiders because as a rock hound you're more prone to finding these
critters than others. - Always close gates after you and always take your rubbish home with you if there isn't a proper
place to leave it. - Always tell someone where you are before you leave in case something goes wrong!
- Always have a first aid kit close by.
- If you haven't been to an area before draw yourself a map or have a map with you so you don't
get lost. Mobile phones don't work everywhere! - Wear a good hat and sunscreen so you don't get sunburnt.
- Never forget: FOOD, SNACKS, DRINKS & MEDICATION.
Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to ask permission from any private property owner at any location
when searching for gemstones before you enter any such property. You may also be required to
possess a fossicking license as per state laws.
Safety In The Workshop
- Don't have loose clothing around any moving machine parts and keep guards on equipment at
all times. - Wear safety glasses while grinding and using any pickle or acid compounds.
- Wear a filter face mask if required.
- Don't spill water on any electric motors. Electricity and water don't mix.
- Keep fingers and hands clear of sharp moving parts.
- Wear rubber gloves if handling any acids or pickling solutions.
- Use tweezers when handling hot soldered jewelry.
- Have a first aid kit near by at all times.