NEWS
• Best prices paid for quality minerals,
gold and meteorites.
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•Collections and individual pieces bought.
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• A vast array of specimens for sale.
Click on this banner to visit our site and view a selection of pieces available for purchase.
Crocoite
(Adelaide Mine, Tas.)
Brochantite
(Mt Oxide Mine, Qld.)
• Best prices paid for quality minerals,
gold and meteorites.
-
•Collections and individual pieces bought.
-
• A vast array of specimens for sale.
CK Minerals
Stepping Down not Running Away
Due to continuing and prolonged family health distractions, I have reluctantly decided to resign from the position of President and have handed over the reins to a very capable Keith Billing (Diamond Valley) to ensure member clubs continue to have the highest level of service that you all deserve.
I’m still determined to continue to work as hard as I can for VGCA as a Delegate, VGCA webmaster and sometime Pointer printer.
I’ll be giving Keith my 100% support – and I hope you’ll all do likewise.
Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive over my tenure as President and particularly over the last few months.
GEMKHANA
There’s no better way to show your support for VGCA and your hobby by getting right behind the Victorian Gem & Mineral Show in Shepparton over the Labour Day weekend.
The amended Associations Incorporation Act is now due to be proclaimed on 1st July 2012, with important changes to the legal liabilities of office bearers, and an obligation on clubs to indemnify their office holders against legal claims.
VGCA's Insurance Sub Committee (thanks folks) has worked long and hard with our Insurance brokers, Webster Hyde Heath, to develop a reasonable Associations Liability Insurance product to cover VGCA and incorporated member clubs.
I will shortly be writing to all clubs with all the details. Please read this information carefully, discuss it fully at your club and respond to VGCA by the specified deadline.
We do have a little breathing space, but all clubs will need to look at this issue as a priority as it will effect all membership fees. Like all insurance, it's going to cost your club and VGCA to insure.
Unincorporated Clubs Cannot Insure:
Unincorporated clubs will not be able to access this protection as they are not recognised legal entities able to contract this type of cover.
These clubs need to understand the legal liability that can fall upon individual members, and seriously revisit the matter of incorporation. VGCA assistance is available if required.
There’s lots going on at this time of the year.
Whether you are a casual browser or a committed lapidary visitor, I hope there’s something on this site to spark your interest and keep you coming back.
If you would like more information on anything on this site,
please feel free to contact me via the email link below.
Remember to check out our GEM SHOWS page and also take a look at our new POINTER page if you’re not already a subscriber.
Bill Gordon
Webmaster
VGCA Fee Rise
In addition, whether you're club is incorporated or not, there will be More on Liability:
I've also been asked to remind you to check that your Food Safety or Supervision Certificates are "current". What does that mean exactly? In the real world, you should have a certificate that is less than three years old. With regulations changing frequently, it's better to be safe than sorry. You can even do the basic training on-line if you're game.
Serving food at your exhibition? Please make certain you have talked to your council and have an approved Food Safety Plan organised well ahead of time, with a properly certified person in charge.
I also note that some of the early Working with Children Check cards will start to expire shortly, so that's another one to watch.
COME ON BOARD
Please get behind the 2012 Gemkhana by lodging your Trading, Tailgating and/or On-Site Camping registration forms promptly, and by putting in your Competition Entry Forms earlier rather than later. It will greatly assist us if you do.
I’m also seeking your assistance once again with the raffle (see sidebar at right)
STONES OR SCONES
I have decided NOT to hand over the Scone Challenge to Keith, although I have missed a few of my favourite Gem Shows recently and lost several kilos in the process – I feel my experience in this field shouldn’t be lost.
Hope to see you at one or more of these shows–I might even share a scone with you.
In the meantime, please take care of yourselves and look out for each other.
Bill Gordon
