Home

THE HISTORY OF THE WARRNAMBOOL GEM CLUB


     In 1968 Sheila Timms placed an advertisement in the 'Warrnambool Standard' inviting people interested in gems/minerals to a meeting. As a result of that advertisement, the club was formed at a meeting held in the home of Arthur and Sheila Timms that year.
    The club has operated continuously since then from a number of locations in Warrnambool. These included a hall at the Church of England in Warrnambool; a small room at the back of a house in Timor  St. opposite the current 'Warrnambool  Co-op'; a tin shed with a dirt floor, belonging to John Hattie, near the corner of Liebig St. and Lava St.; a shop in the 'Market Arcade' in Lava St. and the 'old Scout Hall' in Pertobe Rd.
    The club moved to its current premises in the 'old pumphouse' in Queens Road, Warrnambool over 20 years ago. The club has developed it's workshop at this location over the years and now has a well equipped facility. The premises are leased from the Warrnambool City Council which is supportive of the club.
    In 2009 - 10 the council  has installed a toilet and water supply to the building. It is undertaking maintenance work on the exterior of the building.
gem club workshop club workshop
One view of the club workshop Another view of the club workshop
a member faceting in the club workshop warrnambool gem club workshop-
Callum faceting in the club workshop External view of club rooms-

In July-August 2009, the Warrnambool City Council undertook demolition of the stadium complex which adjoined the club rooms (see photos below). The council is repairing the roof of our club, has installed some new electrical wiring and is installing a water supply, toilets and an access ramp. If funding can obtained, the exterior of the building will also be repaired where it has deteriorated. The club is grateful for the councils support which will enable us to continue providing club members with a good range of lapidary equipment to use.
club building 2009 stadium being demolished
July 2009: our club rooms  on the left of the photo were the original 'pumphouse buildings' for Warrnambool's water supply. The 'tin house' was used as a sports stadium for several decades. In this photo only the roof and supporting columns/bracing remain.
old stadium building When the stadium is fully demolished, the area will revert to parkland. The base of the stadium, which is the original reservoir for the city's water supply will remain.
Alan, Kay and Janice painting benches during renovations of workshop during  Feb - March 2010 Workshop during early stages of the renovations. Most of the grinders and sanders were dismantled, cleaned, wire-brushed and repainted as part of the renovations. Two new motors were installed.
Alan Altmann and Keith Fisher, who along with John Honan did much of the renovation work in the workshop. The workshop partially completed. Kay Keen, Janice Fisher, Ted Morton and Alan Wood all made significant contributions to the completion of the project.
Alan and Keith constructing a frame for a workbench. The completed workshop as of  7-4-2010, showing the new grinding bench and the gravity fed watersupply.
Completed workshop showing new sanding bench. Bench heights were increased and antifatigue rubber matting installed. Slab saw and trim saw bench.
The new workshop was trialled on the 7-4-2010 by a small group of club members and adjustments made to several items to ensure everything was shipshape prior to opening the workshop for general club use.
Slab saws and flat lap.
 


Back to top