The recent month long trip, to Central Qld., was well attended by members keen to fossick for Sapphires & Zircons, in on of the largest Gem-fields in the world.

We had 46 participants, this is the best attended trip since I have been involved with the club, and is an indication that the club must be doing something right for members to show such support.  Of course the location, in Winter, on the Tropic of Capricorn, and the fact that Sapphires were to be had, could also have something to do with it!

The trip itinerary was followed closely for the first half of the trip, but then by mutual agreement, we decided to skip the rest, and spend 3 weeks at Glenalva.

On our first day fossicking at Augies Gully at the Willows, Tony (money bags) specked an 82ct Sapphire, with a bit of heat treatment, it should be a cutter.This of course made him think that fossicking for Sapphires was easy work, the old hands at this game knew better, the secret of getting Sapphires is to process plenty of good wash dirt thru the willouby.

 

Milton got a good 18.3ct cutter early on in a hole that he, John H. and I were sharing at "Thru the Fence" diggings, but alas no more big cutters came our way for 3 days of toil.  After sharpening our picks on the forge at the caravan park at the Willows, it was time to move on to Glenalva, as the first week just seemed to go so quick.

On arrival at Glenalva, the wet weather followed us, and a few days were spent at camp, with little productivity, but some good card games were enjoyed.  Richard & Marge were already encamped there for their 3 month annual pilgrimage, and as experienced Glenalvaites, Richard gave us his guided tour of the diggings.  Individual fossickers were then free to choose their own hole, after listening to Richards' description of the field.  As it turned out some of us choose wisely and some did not!

The spot I choose produced 965cts for 3 weeks of digging, and due to the rain, the ground was wet, so I couldn't dry sieve my dirt, and had to process the whole lot thru the willouby.  This meant that the wash tub needed frequent changes of water, but water was abundant in some holes from the recent rain, so it all worked out ok in the end.

 

After a while, I was joined at my diggings by Ross & Vicki and then Warren & Judy, and they got onto a buried gutter, that produced some good stone.  Milton also joined us and bottomed on the same wash line. From 1 bucket of wash dirt, from this gutter, I recovered 50cts of stone, with the best a 4.5ct cutter. Three birthdays were celebrated by the group, Milton, Ben and Graham.  It must be mentioned that Grahams Birthday Party didn't end until 3.30am! 

The weekly trip to the markets at Sapphire, was enjoyed by most, as a welcome change from the daily toil of digging, followed by lunch at the Rubyvale Hotel. An occasional shopping trip to Emerald, also allowed lunch at the RSL Club and a flutter on the pokies for some.  Happy hour each afternoon around the campfire was usually interrupted by Laraine and her 1 hour free chat time on the mobile.  For me, the best part about this trip, was the camaraderie of the group and the times shared around the fire, with billy tea and damper.

 

On the last Wed. of the holidays, we had a day trip to the Tomahawk Creek diggings.  After touring around, we had lunch at Mt Hoy and Steve, Vicki, Carol, Warren, Judy and I climbed Mt Hoy, whilst others went specking at the nearby diggings.  The view from the top is spectacular and well worth the effort.

But sadly, for some of us the 4 weeks went all too quickly, and it was time to pack up and head for home, the lucky ones are still there, seeking their fortune.  We had a great bunch of people on this trip, and planning is already underway, for next years field trip to the Kimberley's of W.A. for 3 months, during May, June & July.

 

 

Garry Gatfield

Field Trip Officer