7. Outing to WITFONTEIN, February 20 Despite the inclement rainy weather on 21st February, all members who had intimated that they would be coming (plus some others) attended this outing to collect some “dolomitised serpentine” at Witfontein. 13 cars (19 adults <strong>and</strong> five children) took part. Through the sterling efforts of Dave, Keith, Klaus, Martin <strong>and</strong> Theo, “”mincemeat” was made of the large boulders in no time, by them lustily swinging the 14 lb hammers; “smaller” rocks were made from “bigger” rocks <strong>and</strong> after an hour, most members departed, satisfied with what they had managed to collect. (The majority of the members attending were from our <strong>Club</strong>). 8. Silversmithing Project – Beginners’ Course – 26 February – feedback by Tish Pettit <strong>and</strong> Rienie Venter. 9 People attended this course. Bernard was super as always – his students can’t stop mentioning his patients, helpfulness <strong>and</strong> maticulous way of teaching. His perfectionism also definitely rubs off on his students … just when we think our projects is “good enough” he encourages us to do better. We made two beautiful domed rings. It was like Christmas afterwards … everybody was SO excited about the rings in the end. All <strong>and</strong> all it was a very enjoyable day. Lex also assisted us in the afternoon. Thank you to Bernard <strong>and</strong> Lex for investing their time in us. 9. Monthly meeting held on February 28 – PEARLS The main programme for the evening was a talk on PEARLS (natural, artifical, cultured, etc), by an expert who wrote a book on this subject - Marge Dawson. – the difference between artificial <strong>and</strong> genuine pearls. We want to thank Fay Pierides who arranged this very interesting talk for us. FOSAGAMS NEWS: 1. <strong>Gem</strong>boree 2005, Port Shepstone If you have not yet registered for the <strong>Gem</strong>boree, time is running out! The cut-off date for Registration was 31 January, but late registrations will be accepted The forms can be obtained from Douw or Esté Steyn (012) 345 3939 or email pgmc@fosagams.co.za. There are still some caravan- /campsites available, but huts <strong>and</strong> parkhome-accommodation is getting scarce. A list of B&B’s <strong>and</strong> Guest Lodges in the area, is also available. A very full programme for the weekend shows that this is going to be a very interesting <strong>Gem</strong>boree <strong>and</strong> we urge you to make an all-out effort to be there. 2. Lapidary Magazine, Vol Vol. 37 No. 1 This issue has just come off the press <strong>and</strong> contains a few articles which should be a “must-read” for every member. There are two articles on the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve (with some excellent photos) where there is an annual outing to collect the “herring-bone” fluorite. In view of the fact that this outing is always limited to 15 persons (because it is a game reserve which boasts a few of the “Big Five”), it is suggested that for this year’s outing (scheduled for August 21) a chance should be given to those members who have not been there before. Another article entitled “F.O.S.A.G.A.M.S.” gives an insight into the objectives <strong>and</strong> achievements of our Federation. (A few members will be receiving their copy late, as we have run out of copies at the moment, but the problem is in the process of being resolved) 3. WITS <strong>Gem</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Mineral</strong> <strong>Club</strong> - Change of Chairmanship Allan Fraser, after four years at the helm of the Wits <strong>Club</strong>, had decided to step down from the position of Chairman at the Wits AGM, which was held in February. We wish to congratulate Linda Ristow, who volunteered to take on this post, after a long discussion took place in order to find a member willing to take on this onerous task. We wish Linda everything of the best in her term of office <strong>and</strong> assure her of our help <strong>and</strong> support as far as possible. From the press – Dieter Heinichen The heading “Nujoma (75) set to rock the campus as a geology student” (<strong>Pretoria</strong> News, 17 Feb. 2005) caught the attention of many a rockhound, including me. Sourced by the Independent Foreign service, the news is that the Namibian President, after retiring next month, “has enrolled with the faculty of science at the University of Namibia (Unam) where he intends to study geology.” He believes “that the mountains of his vast <strong>and</strong> arid country were laden with mineral wealth which had yet to be tapped.” The paper further notes that: “by studying geology at the age of 75, it might be a little too late for Nujoma to assist the country’s mineral exploration efforts – by the time he eventually graduates he will be 80.” Who knows, if he remains fit <strong>and</strong> healthy he may succeed <strong>and</strong> even join a club <strong>and</strong> turn into a rockhound to get that h<strong>and</strong>s-on experience. Page 6 of 8
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