Bribie Island Community Arts Centre
~ Matthew Flinders Bicentenary Gallery ~
Bribie Island Community Arts Society
GEM CLUB
PO Box 1166, Bongaree Qld 4507
located at the left of the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre
Website: www.bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
The Club 1998-2011
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 2003, 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 (built in 2005). This undercover area is perfect for craft fairs, social gatherings and meeting during the summer months.
Club Rooms 2004-2010In 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.
Towards the end of 2010 we opened our New Shed C (our third premises).
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
Markets
The Arts and Craft Fair are held at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre last Sunday of the month from 7.30am - 12 noon.
Demonstrations, displays and children's fossicking.
Jewellery, gems 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 7.00 pm visitors are welcome. Various social gatherings are held throughout the year.
2012 Annual Gem Show: September 8 & 9 / 8.30am - 4pm / Entry is free
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
-Light refreshments will be available from 8.30 am
to 4.00 pm Saturday and Sunday.
There will also be a Raffle with 3 major prizes to be won (exquisite jewellery creations)... Tickets $1.
For more information about the Gem Show please contact:
Gem Show Convenor - Kel Bartlett: 07 5497 7210 email: kbartlett@bigpond.net.au
Office Bearers
|
President |
Greg Hemphill: Ph: 07 3410 7822 |
Mob: 0418 835 137 |
|
Treasurer |
Phil Connolly: 07 3408 8490 |
|
|
Secretary |
Marilyn Weston: 07 3408 9490 |
secrtary@bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au |
Membership Fees
Joining Fee $15.00 Adults $7.50 Juniors.
Yearly subscriptions $30.00 Adults $15.00 Juniors.
Associate members $15.00
Workshop Fees 1ST session of week: $4.50, 2ND & following days in week $3 Adult.
$3.50 junior.
Night fees $3 for all sessions.
Additional costs may also apply for materials, grinding, tumbling, cutting & saw use, especially with the 10 & larger saws.
Workshop Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday8:00am 1:30pm
Monday morning 8:00am 1:30pm (Silversmithing)
Monday evenings & Thursday evenings 6:00pm 9:00pm (Silversmithing & General Workshop)
Tuesday & Wednesdays 8:00am 1:30pm (General Workshop, Faceting, Cabbing & General)
Thursday & Friday mornings 8:00am 3:00pm ( Set aside for members training courses)
Club rooms are open on the last Sunday of the month for Marketing & sales in conjunction with the Community Arts Centre ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR
Silversmithing: contact Cathy 3408 7387
Monday 8.30 am 1.30 pm
Monday nights: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
Gem workshops: contact Greg 3410 7822
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Saturday
8.30 am 1:30 pm
Location -located at the left of
Bribie Island Community Arts Centre
Sunderland Drive
Banksia Beach Bribie Island Qld 4507
email: info@bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
Website: www.bribieisland.lapidaryclub.com.au
Visitors Welcome