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
Please see the president’s report from August 1st, also available from a link in Featured Publications.
Please see the COVID-19 Safety Rules and Plan, also available from a link in Featured Publications.
There are additional images at Group Photos and Members’ Work Photos
Please click on images to enlarge
Busy day at Club on Saturday 14 March 2020. Along with regular club activity, a new Jewellery Silversmithing class commenced with Trevor and preparatory Lost Wax Casting workshop commenced with Trevor and Tim. Also members commenced prototyping a water capable adjustable sieve stand with Damian (two images at end). Most lost wax casting images below are from the second day.
Gem Show, Tucson, Arizona USA
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
Hello Everyone Club Reopening Finally, the club is open again, hopefully for good. There are additional COVID-19 safety restrictions. Entry is now through the back door. Please use provided hand sanitisers and sign in by filling in the registration form. Please read signage and abide by the number of people permitted per room. Thank you to members who volunteer daily to sanitise and clean frequently touched surfaces, equipment and work areas.
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:
Quote: “We are a not-for profit organisation that provides tuition, equipment and facilities for people in the community who would like to join a club to learn more about the arts of lapidary and jewellery making.”
Summary: aims, facilities for community, donations, membership increase, Gem Festival success, activities, new equipment, attendances, information sessions, field trips, refurbishments, thanks.
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.
