Our History
The formation of the club for “hobbyists who wished to collect, identify and cut minerals and gems in the Cairns District” was 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”.
Club Timeline
This information based on the Booklet “Celebrating 40 Years” 1961–2001 written by member Bronwyn Cummings.
1961 – Formation and initial growth
• Sept 4, 1961: Public meeting held to form a mineral and gem club.
• Oct 2, 1961: First official meeting; club formally established.
• Leadership appointed (President, Secretary, Treasurer).
• Early meetings at Adult Education Centre; workshops held in a member’s home
• Small membership fee introduced (tea/coffee costs).
• Finances grew modestly.
1963 – Equipment Development
• First slab saw built and housed at a member’s home.
• Usage fees introduced funded more equipment (grinding, sanding).
April 1964 – First Major Moves
• Workshops moved to Immigration Centre (Hartley Street).
• Later that year, moved again to Fogarty Hall (Showgrounds).
Mid–Late 1960s – Search for Stability
• Frequent relocations led to attempts to secure permanent premises.
• Potential properties investigated but ownership restrictions prevented purchase.
• Attempts to secure permanent space at Showgrounds failed.
Early 1970s – Continued Relocation
• 1971: Equipment moved to Jack & Newell Building (Abbott Street).
• Soon after, moved again to Harbour Board Building (1 Lake Street).
• Membership peaked at 84, then dropped significantly.
1974 – First Stable Base
• Harbour Board Building confirmed as suitable and for the first time, meetings and equipment housed under one roof.
1975–1976 – Permanent Clubrooms Established
• Rising costs and space issues triggered another move.
• Club contributed funds to secure government grant.
• July 1975: Construction of purpose-built clubrooms as part of the National Fitness Youth Club at 129 Mulgrave Road.
• March 1976: the club became fully operational with meetings, workshops, and equipment all in one location. and is still in use today.
After 1976 – Ongoing Use to Present Day
• Facility houses a large display of minerals, fossils, and gems.
• Ongoing improvements to the facility have included an extension to house the cabochon work room, construction of the under cover area at the rear of the building and establishing of the Mineral identification workroom and setting up of a faceting work area.
• Ongoing use of the facility includes instructions for cabochon, silver smithing, faceting and silver casting.
• Other ongoing activities include the annual Gem Fest, Cairns Show display, field trips and school excursions.
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 Innot Hot Springs (Mt Gibson for topaz, cassiterite and smoky quartz) Mt Surprise (O’Briens Creek for topaz & smoky quartz) Agate Creek (Past Georgetown for agate) Lava Plains (Sapphire).
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.
Thanks to past and present members for their dedication and efforts for the club we have today.