- HISTORY-
In the early 1970's a number of people in
the Echuca / Moama area were anxious to develop the hobby they
were becoming interested in - The collecting of gemstones and
minerals. Discussion led to the eventual calling of an open
Meeting with the view to forming a club.
This Meeting, called for the 7th November 1973 was almost doomed from the start, after advertising and booking the William Conn Hall, the S.E.C. went on strike and no public lighting was allowed, by the light of "Tilley" and other lamps, the meeting continued with 26 people present to see the birth of the Echuca Gem Club.
Many of these people had been in contact with Mrs. Joyce Bennet, Proprietor of Chapeaux Models, who was already involved in the hobby. Joyce addressed the meeting pointing out various forms the hobby could take and the need of proper and expert guidance.
The meeting agreeing that a Club be formed, elected Office Bearers. The 1st Annual meeting was held July 1974.
The Club flourished with the membership growing strongly over the next four years. A regular venue for the monthly meetings became an important necessity. The Y.M.C.A. building was offered, but after several meetings was found to be unsuitable. This was eventually solved by Bob King, (an exchange teacher at the Echuca High School, who was a keen member of his home club in Colorado Springs, U.S.A. Bob became ourClub's first life member). Bob arranged for a classroom to be made available at the Echuca High School for the meetings.
Fifteen years later, the monthly
meetings were still held in the Echuca High School and the
members acknowledge with gratitude the support of the School
Authorities in maintaining this continuity. In March 1996, The
Echuca Gem club moved its clubrooms to the old Echuca Rail
Station in Sturt Street.
In the early days of the club, much emphasis was placed on "field trips" and members traveled for quite considerable distances. Sometimes the trip was successful, sometimes very much otherwise. One trip to Berrigan found members walking over a very large ploughed paddock; at the end of a tiring day some beautiful quartz crystals had been picked up.
A very memorable field trip took place over the 1977 Queens Birthday weekend, when a full bus load of Members went to the White Cliffs Opal Fields and spent the weekend camping. While little opal was found the trip proved an education to the participants as few of the members had experienced small mining operations before.
A very popular area for Fossicking is the Beechworth district. There the most prized stone is the beautiful golden-yellow variety of quartz "citrine" and the rich brown smoky quartz. Agate has also been found there. "Corop" jasper is becoming famous around the country for its quality and variety of colors. Our Gem club has specialized to a degree in Corop Jasper, and some members have very unusual pieces in their collections. The quarries at Colbinabbin and Rochester are happy hunting grounds for various minerals.
Another area reasonably close to Echuca are the hills to the north of Mitiamo. Some beautiful clusters of quartz crystals have been collected there as well as beautifully formed fine crystals of tourmaline. Similar specimens come from the Pyramid Hill and Lake Boga quarries.
In
1975 the Gem Club took over the old pump house near the Victorian
end of the bridge. This building had been restored to a degree by
the city council and fitted out as an Aquarium. Unfortunately,
the project did not succeed and the council needed an occupier to
take over the pump house. The Gem Club became the new tenants and
set to converting the interior to make it suitable as a workshop
and display of gems and minerals. The line of large aquariums,
individually lit, were completely suitable as showcases. Glass
covered counters were built to contain items for sale. Behind the
counters, workbenches were erected and these were fitted out with
lapidary machines, which had been begged, borrowed, bought or
built.
On the 16th of August 1975 the Mayor of Echuca, Clr. Don Oberin officially opened the Echuca Gem Club Clubrooms and public display.
In view of the great interest in minerals and Gems shown by the public, the Club moved into the field of Ultra-Violet Lighting and built, in 1983, a U.V. Room. This was lined with fluorescing minerals and is now a source of never-ending wonderment.
An important part of the clubs itinery is the making of lapidary items - the cutting and polishing of stones to specification and the making of jewelry. Monthly competitions are held at the general meetings and Members are encouraged to enter their work in local, state and national competitions, with success at all levels.
A number of club members have completed various courses with the view to becoming fully qualified lapidary and mineral Judges. Most have been successful and some have been called upon to Judge at the National level.
For eleven years from 1982, the Club was involved with the "Rich River Gem and Mineral Festival" in conjunction with Members of the Kerang Gem Club. This Festival has always been held over the Australia Day weekend in the Moama Community Center. A more suitable venue could not be imagined and all involved sincerely appreciate the great help rendered by the Shire of Murray and their Moama staff.
Over the years some of our members regularly disappear for varying periods holidaying and pursuing their interest in rocks. Some have been right around this big country, others doing shorter trips, while many include the Sapphire fields in their journeys (none has made a fortune). After the treasures arrive home and are sorted, there is much perplexity as to why so much leavite, heavite and chuckite were thought to be good specimens.
Many of the better specimens have been shown by members as the Club puts on displays. Over the years there have been many venues to show the public our hobby including Elmore field days, Paramount Arts Activity Center, Pastoral Shows and the foyer of the City Library.
The club's well-stocked library
of books are available for many members to sign out for a period
of time, magazines are also available for reading. 
After a competition among members for a design, the Club emblem was decided on. By 1975 the first supply of badges had been ordered. This emblem was embossed onto small wine glasses, which proved a very popular selling item. Cloth badges were obtained in 1983. Many have been sewn onto jackets in the club colors of blue and white, also obtained in 1983.
And
now to what are considered by many the happiest times of our
Club's life, the socials, parties and B.B.Q.'s. Remember the
times at the V.R.I. Rooms, outside the clubrooms, the Moama Scout
Hall and the best of all the times we have had at "Almond
Park" (Photo at left).
Over the years our Membership has fluctuated with an influx of new members. Let us all share in an extremely healthy club and in 3 years for the 30th birthday, may we be even healthier.
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