2012 GEM SHOW
The 2012 show was held at the Warrnambool Primary School, Jamieson St., Warrnambool.
The show ran from Fri. 6/1/12 to Sun. 8/1/12 with mild weather throughout.
Members had entered a great selection of show cases for the ‘popular showcase’ competition and congratulations go to all entrants. The top 4 cases as voted by the public belonged to Alan Altmann, Jenni Wood, Kay Keen and Janice Fisher. Voting was very close with several other cases within a few votes of the top 4. Many of the cases on display are shown below.
Club members also set up a number of display cases which were mainly for the education and enjoyment of the public. These showcases were not voted on by the public, although several visitors indicated they would have liked to have voted for some of them!
A great display case by Janice Fisher!
A lovely display of cabochon work by John Colledge.
Kay keen’s display of cabochon and faceting work.
Kay’s Smurf display was a great hit with the kids.
A nice display of several aspects of the lapidary craft by Diana.
A display of gems of the Otway region by Alan Altmann.
Larry Peterson displayed minerals he had collected in the N.T. and the gems he had faceted from those minerals.
Alan Altmann displayed cabochons, carvings and faceted gems.
Lorna Lewis has a great display of ‘eggs’ , cabochons and a ‘gem tree’. Lorna is the club’s ‘egg’ enthusiast!
Alan Wood had an impressive display of the Minerals he had collected from Mt. Shadwell in Mortlake. He displayed faceted Peridot cut from Mt. Shadwell material.
Jenni Wood had a display highlighting the many forms in which Gypsum occurs around Australia.
An impressive display of fossils provided by Chris Ah Yee and Janice Krause. Chris and Janice have been long term supporters of the club.
Lorna Lewis provided this display which showed how many interesting ‘images’ can occur in rocks.
Kathleen Brocket displayed this Rams Head which was encrusted with selenite crystals, producing a spectacular exhibit.
It was pleasing to see so many children at the show. They particularly seemed to enjoy the lucky dip, jewellery making, gem tree making and the wire-
Thanks also to all club members who combined to make it such a great show!
The club received good publicity for the show via an article in the Warrnambool newspaper The Standard. The relevant article and photo are shown below. The photo below is of club member (and local fossil collecting expert) Chris Ah Yee.
A display of the main varieties of quartz by Alan A.
A display of geodes from Australia, Mexico and South America by Alan A.
A display of Agates from Victoria, Queensland, Africa, Mexico and Canada, by Alan Altmann.
Alan Wood constructed this ‘peridant’ colony from Mortlake peridot.
A display of Australian amethyst by Kathleen B.
Plenty of gems to sink your teeth into
BONNIE ZIEGELER
07 Jan, 2012 04:00 AM
WITH shark’s teeth, marsupial bones, carbon imprints and amethyst, Warrnambool Primary School has transformed into a museum for the weekend.
Warrnambool Gem Club members have set up their projects and precious findings for their biennial exhibition to raise money for workshop display cases, wall units and lighting upgrades.
“It’s our major fund-
“With this year’s weather we’re expecting a pretty good crowd over the weekend.
“It’s amazing the+ number of rock hounds that spread throughout the country going to exhibitions.”
Hamilton man and gem club member of six years Chris Ah Yee is showing a variety of fossils he has collected from fossicking trips and overseas purchases.
Among these are a 350-
“You have to have knowledge of the age of particular fossils, basically whether they are marine or non-
“You need to use the correct tools, hammers and chisels and wrapping paper … 50 million years of work can be lost in the space of five minutes.”
Mr Ah Yee and his partner Janice Krause recently unearthed a new species of sea urchin that, after international confirmation, they named rhyncopygus janchrisorum after themselves.
The exhibition is not limited to the array of fossilised artefacts, with gemstone and mineral displays, faceting demonstrations, wire wrapping and family-
“We use the pun, there are many facets to this hobby,” Mr Ah Yee laughed. The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm today and 10am to 4pm tomorrow in the school hall.
John Chivers, club member and trader at the show.
Club member Rod Steffenson had a great time manning the ‘lucky dip’ during the show.
General view of part of the show.