Cairns Mineral & Lapidary Club Inc.
Come and Share the Lapidary Experience
Lapidary - The art of cutting, polishing, and engraving precious stones
Come and Share the Lapidary Experience
Lapidary - The art of cutting, polishing, and engraving precious stones
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There are additional images at Group Photos and Members’ Work Photos
Please click on images to enlarge and show captions
360 degrees (so imagery is distorted), click to enlarge and show captions:
Independent projects by skilled members is encouraged at the club, Water capable adjustable sieve stand with Damian (two images at end).
The formation of the club for “hobbyists who wish to collect, identify and cut minerals and gems in the Cairns District” was the first discussed at a meeting on September 4, 1961. Just one month later, on October 2, 1961 the group of hobbyists officially voted to name the new club “The Mineral and Lapidary Club of Cairns.”
According to the clubs constitution back in 1961, the clubs aims and objective included:
Throughout early 1962, regular field trips to areas including Wolfram Camp, Mt Molloy, Herbert and Mt Garnet enabled the club to have enough specimens to host its first display at the cairns show.
The club also now holds an annual Gem Festival where club members are able to show and sell their specimens and creations.
The club continues to conduct field trips to places surrounding Cairns including:
The interest and values that were put forward in those first meeting back in the early 1960s still thrives in the Cairns Mineral and Lapidary Club today.
The club moved into the purpose-built W. J. Fulton Memorial Building at 129 Mulgrave Rd in 1975 (image at top). Former Cairns mayor and federal MP, W J (Bill) Fulton, survived a land mine explosion as a Rat of Tobruk
President’s Report Your committee has been busy of late organising courses, coordinating field trips, planning future workshops, office work, keeping the doors open, replying to emails and website updating. I’ve been receiving one to three club phone enquiries per day lately. We also have many new members so please introduce yourself and make them feel welcome. Don’t forget we still have to continue to sanitise daily, it’s a routine we have to get used to.
Well this year has certainly been different. The club was closed for nearly four months between March and July due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in the cancellation of many activities including our major fundraiser, the Annual Gem Festival. What a disappointment for members, stallholders and the public whom I received many enquiries from. Membership I can understand why some members have been a little hesitant to re attend the club following reopening on 18 July.
COVID-19 Safety Rules and Plan Summary Entrance is through back of building on right near shipping container Exit is through front COVID-19 safety plan requires registration and acceptance of entry conditions Where reasonably practical, ensure you maintain at least 1.5 meters physical distancing from others, including at meal breaks Bring own cup Bring wipes if using electrical machines Formal Rules Conditions of Entry COVID-19 Safety Plan Floor Plan Notice As per notice issued through the secretary on 14 July 2020:
Acceptance from New President, Michael Hardcastle, 2017 First and foremost I’d like to thank the outgoing President Bill Reece for his contribution of time and dedicated work effort over the past 20 years to make the club what it is today. Thank-you Bill. I am pleased to know that Bill is not leaving but stepping back to Vice-President. I became a member of our club about 7 years ago because of my interest in fossicking.
