Bribie Island Community Arts Centre
Bribie Island Community Arts Society
Gem Club
PO Box 1166 Bongaree 4507
Website: www.bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
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.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.
Club Rooms 2004In 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.
Working with silver is very popularwith 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
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.
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.
A Cabochon workshop in progress
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.
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
Craft Fair
The Community Art and Craft Fairs 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.
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.
2010 Annual Gem Show 11th and 12th 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 fromrough 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
Office Bearers
|
President |
John Collyer 07 3408 1742 |
|
|
Treasurer |
John Watts 07 3408 3828 | jwatts@tadaust.org.au |
|
Secretary |
Colin Thorpe 07 3408 9490 |
colthorpe@tadaust.org.au |
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
Monday and Tuesday evenings 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Located at the left of
Bribie Island Community Arts Centre
Sunderland Drive
Banksia Beach Bribie Island Qld 4507
Website: www.bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
Visitors Welcome