Since our club re-opened after the Christmas holidays, members have been working hard. It still surprises me what beautiful things can be cut and polished from very ordinary looking stones. 

A few weeks ago, two of our members gave a talk at the Iluka Bowls Club to members of the Sandpipers Group about the Gem Club and showed what sort of things we make. We hope that those who attended enjoyed looking at some of the pretty things that we use our imagination to make and also found the information interesting.

This coming weekend (March 23-24) the Gem Crystal and Fossil Show will be held at the Grafton Showgrounds. There will be many stalls selling all sorts of rocks, crystals, jewellery and there will be some dealers who sell the tools and machinery you need to make things with. Why don’t you come along and see if you can find yourself a lovely mineral piece, some crystals or handmade jewellery all of which will be unique. Do come into the clubrooms in the Showground to have a look at our work.

Club members have started work on their entries for the Grafton Show. Come along and see the Lapidary section of the show. There will be some really great work. Also, members will have display boxes of pieces from their collections and examples of their work on show. It will be a great display.

Later on in the middle of May will be the Lismore Gem Show. It is one of the biggest shows in Australia and is well worth the trip to Lismore to see it. It is held over 2 days in the Lismore Showground.

Every year there is a National Gemboree. This is held in a different state each year over Easter. This year it is in Rockhampton in Queensland. Some of the club members are thinking of going up to see it. So if you are in Rockhampton over Easter why not call in and have a look.

Our clubrooms are open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9am to about 3pm. If you think you might be interested in joining us, do come in and see us.

Barbara Watkins