2010 Minerama Field Trips

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September 03, 2010, 06:56:54 PM

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[Aussie Sapphire]

Just a quick heads-up on the 2010 Minerama Field Trip program - PRELIMINARY only but revised from the first version posted:

Friday
rip A      Yarrow creek     (Garnet, Sapphire, Zircon)   Aprox 40 km  e/w
Trip B     Emmaville, Silver mine  etc,       Aprox 55 km  e/w
Trip C     Reddestone creek   Bullock Mt Homestead.  18 km north of  town

Saturday
Trip E     Wellingrove creek   Kensilgrove   ARNOLDS rd      30km e/w
Trip F     Yarrow creek.                40km e/w
Trip G     Salt & pepper  Mystery tour.     16km e/w
Trip H      Kingsgate  mine          40km e/w
Trip I       Wellingrove creek  Waterloo Station    20 km e/w
Trip J       7 Oaks  Frazers creek         60 km e/w

Sunday
Trip K     Emmaville Museum tour
Trip L     Wellingrove creek       Waterloo Station
Trip M    Pretty Valley
Trip N     Reddestone creek
Trip O     Salt & Pepper  Mystery tour


NOTE - this is the revised version - there was some error in the first information received from the committee.  Still subject to change but gives you a bit of advance notice.  Will update as I get more info from the Trip Convenor.

At this stage, there is no limit on numbers for any of the field trips.   Advance bookings for trips WILL be available (some time through February I think) by contacting the Glen Innes VIC.

Note there is a new site on the Wellingrove (Kensilgrove) which should be of interest plus 2 days for the Waterloo Station site which some people had good results with last year.

cheers
Leah

[Findem]

I think that should be Yarrow Creek Friday and Saturday, Pretty Valley Sunday. At least, that's what I meant to say!
John P

[Aussie Sapphire]

OK John - got this info from Les (committee) yesterday but will confirm and edit as required.  There were a couple of other queries I had anyway so thanks for the message.

Not on the Minerama website yet - it is very painful to edit pages there so will definitely clarify before uploading to that spot.

cheers
Leah

[Jimnyjerry]

Talking about the 2010 Minerama the web page http://www.minerama.com.au/  still comments that you can
Search for buried treasure in Celtic Country with a 5 day program (Thursday to Monday) of guided fossicking field trips

Looks like some editing is required for their site.

Was hoping that last years shorter program was a one-off and it would return to 5 days:(

[Aussie Sapphire]

Embarrassment on my part as I actually edit the website for now (reluctantly as the system is extremely frustrating requiring multiple logins for every minor change) - looking for a replacement.

I'll have to change that to the 3 days as this is a permanent change unless they get some more interest from other Glen Innes people in assisting.

Put simply, the committee just cannot put together a 5 day programme - it is difficult to find enough guides and locations for a programme that long.  We were hoping that some of the commercial operators would come to the party and assist with more activities on the "shoulder days".  Even had to enlist some help from an ALF member (thanks Rust) and Andrew's parents to guide two trips last year.

7 Oaks has kindly offered a site again this year and Boolabinda are active on the committee and help with the "Salt & Pepper" tour - other operators have not been too interested.  Without actual help, the committee just cannot be in 5 different places at once.  Combined with the reality that we sold very few field tickets on Thursdays and Mondays, the obvious decision had to be made with a focus on the days with more visitors.

Just cannot do more with the very limited numbers they have on the committee now - a couple less since Andrew and I were forced to resign late last year for personal reasons.  The remaining committee members are doing a great job under pretty difficult circumstances but it becomes increasingly challenging for them.

cheers
Leah

[Jimnyjerry]

With Pretty Valley over the last two years I was Rust's sidekick on taking the groups out.  So know how tight things are in chasing up leaders. 

Sorry that more locals will not get on board the committee and help out with trips or locations.   

[Aussie Sapphire]

With Pretty Valley over the last two years I was Rust's sidekick on taking the groups out.  So know how tight things are in chasing up leaders. 
Sorry that more locals will not get on board the committee and help out with trips or locations.

Yes - it is pretty frustrating but I guess that is the nature of modern life - everyone is very busy and most committees find it difficult to get the support they need.  The field trip convenor has done a great job lining up some new sites on the Wellingrove Creek and John P. has kindly assisted with the usual selection of eastern side trips. 

But "manpower" on the weekend is a real challenge and so your assistance is very much appreciated.  Minerama is not the big ticket event in Glen Innes for locals so difficult to generate more interest.  It would be nice to get a bit more help from the local gem club - they help with providing a few field trip guides but apparently dont have the capacity to get more involved.

Will still be a great weekend so hope to see lots of ALF'ers make the trip.

I've got a few queries for the committee for the meeting on Monday and will post revised version of programme asap after that.

cheers
Leah   

[Bluey Zarzoff]

Embarrassment on my part as I actually edit the website for now (reluctantly as the system is extremely frustrating requiring multiple logins for every minor change) - looking for a replacement.

Hi Leah.

Could I suggest Website Baker (http://start.websitebaker2.org/en/introduction.php)

It is a great CMS that I use quite a bit.

Easy to modify, easy to add and edit pages, and plenty of options including photo gallery, etc.

[Aussie Sapphire]

Thanks for the tip Bluey,

I had not come across that one before.  Looks good - I'll keep it in mind for a future job.

Not actually a big problem as if it was one of my websites, I would have used Wordpress on a cpanel/linux server but the Minerama website is hosted by a local developer who has provided his own CMS which is REALLY BAD.  I am not sure why he wrote his own when there are a number of good open source ones available but he has done the website since the beginning and I would have been sticking my neck out further than I want to take the entire job on myself.

Easy to rig something up that is miles easier to use but then I am stuck with it forever and unfortunately, I've got enough to do maintaining my own websites and the ones I get paid for.

Even though we have resigned from the committee, I have volunteered to continue editing the website until they find someone else to do it.

cheers
Leah

[Aussie Sapphire]

Revised version of the field trip programme is now posted in the first message on this thread (SCROLL UP).

Will go on the website tomorrow morning.

cheers
Leah

[Findem]

Hi Leah - there has always had to be a limit on numbers at Pretty Valley because of the small area involved - say 25.
John

[Aussie Sapphire]

Hi Leah - there has always had to be a limit on numbers at Pretty Valley because of the small area involved - say 25.
John

I was wondering about that one myself - I did specifically ask that question (and for Kingsgate) because of the historical limit on numbers but will clarify again with the committee.

Stay tuned...

cheers
Leah

EDITED TO ADD:  I am still waiting for clarification on the Pretty Valley trip numbers but best to assume the 25 person limit exists.  For this reason, I expect that pre-order tickets will NOT be available for this trip as this would be unfair on those who did not realise tickets would be available this way.

They tell me that the previous limit on the Kingsgate trip will not be imposed this year (unless a completely "over-the-top" amount of people want to attend.

Preliminary programme is now on the Minerama website - www.minerama.com.au

I will post more information on how to access the pre-order tickets when I receive it.

[Aussie Sapphire]

I'll be checking with the Visitor Info centre this week about pre-selling of field trip tickets and will post the details here when I know them.

The disclaimer form is now available on the Minerama website:

http://www.minerama.com.au/images/Minerama_Indemnity.pdf

People find that it saves quite a bit of time if you have this filled in beforehand.

The Pretty Valley trip does have a limit on numbers as expected so if you want to go on this one, you'll have to get up early on Sunday and be at the head of the line - "first in, first served".

Cheers
Leah

EDITED TO ADD:  Ian (gussyy) - I have sent you an email about this but has bounced back to me - same email addy as on your ALF profile so if people are trying to message you, they might not be getting through.  Maybe check this in case other ALF'ers want to contact you before Minerama.

[Aussie Sapphire]

As mentioned before, this year visitors will be able to buy Minerama field trip tickets in advance.   Have just been notified that these are now available online here:

http://www.gleninnestourism.com/accom_result1/minerama-12th14th-march-2010/

All are available for pre-purchase except for Pretty Valley which will only be available on Sunday morning from 8:30am (limit of 25 for this one so the first 25 in the queue will get the prize).

FINE PRINT:     Can pay by Visa or Mastercard only (sorry no Amex or Diners Club, etc).  Due to the cost of transaction reversal fees, they tell me that there will be no refunds except where a trip is cancelled due to bad weather.  So I advise you to choose carefully before completing your payment.

You can buy these in person at the Glen Innes VIC if you miss the ticket desk in the morning but Visa/Mastercard only as these still have to go through the online ordering system (VIC staff will do this for you if you are there in person).

IMPORTANT:  You must be ready to leave for your field trip by 9:00am in the morning - it is a requirement for insurance that you are in the company of the trip leader - so best to arrive a little before 9:00am so you can catch up with your group before setting out in convoy to the field trip site.  Trips leave from the rear of the Glen Innes Services Club.  You can return from the trip at any time to suit you.

DISCLAIMER:  To save time, it is highly recommended that you fill out your disclaimer form in advance.  You only need to fill out one form for the weekend.  The form is available here (or via the online ordering process - you'll need to agree to disclaimer before completing purchase):
http://www.minerama.com.au/images/Minerama_Indemnity.pdf

I hope this new system will be useful to visitors - the long queues in the early morning before setting off can be pretty chaotic and it would be a big help for everyone if some of this can be done in advance.

cheers
Leah

[mg]

Hi Leah,
I attempted to pre book. Yarrow Ck on the Friday was not a problem. However on the Kensilgrove page, I can't enter the group numbers - they're greyed out.
Regards,
Michael.

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