Southern Rockhounds Inc report about their Annual show.

[Greenhornet_au]

Well, not being a "rock hound" and just a casual visitor to the show today.
(a first for our family)

I took along the 3 kids with me or me with them (?), we looked around for the extreme price of only $3 for an adult
and $0 for the kids.

Checked out the tents, vendors, cakes, Garrett, BBQ, panning, kids detecting (Southern Searchers?), Minelab, more gem and mineral sellers,
Club facilities, demo's, sand pit sifting - it goes on but I think we all get the idea.

I found all the vendors and stall holders, club members to be welcoming, organized and friendly.

My kids especially had a great time, scored some beautiful polished stones from very generous vendors as 'lucky dip' or freebies,
one kind man even gave them all a Geode cut with polished edge.
Then they all panned some small sapphires, garnets, other gemstones, and Iron pirite from dirt brought down from QLD,
the men teaching the kids were extremely patient and kind, helping them to get the most out of their pans into sample bottles

The kids had a great time, great family atmosphere, and to think I nearly canned it when I realised it was an hour down to the venue.

Thank God I went, BIG thank you to the Club for this Annual event, I have a 6 and 7 year old that want to cut and polish their stones now
and join a Club to do it, lovely to have them so keen in life.

AND I still have a chance in the raffle tickets too, some great prizes to win.

We all had a great day, well done organising Committee, and all those vendors attending. JUST SUPER !

 

[markgoldhunter]

at my first visit to a gem show about 10 years ago now I remember there being so many different facets [ha ha] to these shows it was almost impossible not to get exited about something. polishing, faceting, panning, detecting, sieving, mineral specimens, micro mounts, silver smithing and wire wrapping, just some of the activities I remember and have not finished trying to have a go at all of them yet. how can anyone not be hooked after just one show experience. well done southern rockhounds and thanks for the post greenhornet au.

 

[Greenhornet_au]

Oh man it was my pleasure to post about the show.

Forgot to mention the jewelery making side of the show, and the competition displays.

One of the girls has always been craft orientated, 7yrs and she is hanging to get into polishing stones and making jewelery.
She wants to design things to make and sell - a 7yr old.

These are good things for kids to be thinking, expression, fashion, practice and commerce. Huge.

The Club is well setup, and kids can be taught with the gear on site, it was awesome.

I tumble my brass, but will have to make her a rock tumbler now, will check out the DIY sections for that.
She has to start some where.

 

[markgoldhunter]

We were members of the Murraylands and the Tea Tree Gully clubs and went to both their shows but are not in S.A. at the time the Southern Rockhounds do their show. Too busy travelling around this wonderful country. Maybe one year will have too make an effort. One other great thing, as you travel around any local clubs will welcome you in to their meetings, workshops, field trips and gem shows and generally share good local fossicking information. I can thoroughly recommend joining any gem club. Cheers Mark.

 

[RM Outback]

Sounds like a great adventure in one well organised venue, I gather it's in SA. Might put it on the radar for next year my wife is super keen to join a club. Once I show her this post the trip will be booked :lol:

 

[Greenhornet_au]

Yes the show is in SA, down south in Christies Beach.

It was an hour from home and I nearly turned around, glad I didnt.

The venue is at the Club, not a huge area about 900 sqM, or dozens of stalls or rows and rows, but it was quality over quantity in my opinion,
I am in several Clubs for other interests, and none of them cater for the 'family pack' so it was very pleasant to see this at this Club.
Kids seemed welcome by all adults and I had plenty of compliments about my kids excellent behavior and manners - (or they were walking home ) LOL

Same weekend every year - first Sat and Sun of November.

http://www.southern-rockhounds.websyte.com.au/

Log Cabin
17 Gerald Ct., Christie Downs. 5164
08 8186 6588