AGM FOR OPAL ASSOCIATION 2020
Wednesday 5th August 2020
Location
25 SURFERS AV
MERMAID WATERS
QLD 4217
Time
1.30 pm
AGENDA
Apologies
President report
Treasures report
Nominations for the following positions
President
Vice president
Treasure
Sectary
Public officer
This was to be my last year as president I felt some younger members should bring some new ideas and life to the association. I ve had some problems with vertigo which has made the last few months difficult but there are some projects I want to finish.
General business
The only bright spot of the opal business is the internet sales which have increased dramatically . Should we do a online marketing suggesting buyers check out our members page for online orders?
Disclaimer Note We forward all emails received for the Opal association to all members as a matter of course. This does not mean we support or endorse the product /message and suggest members do their own due diligence and checking.
Correspondence
We received the following from Kev Phillips requesting support for tv advertising of opals and gemstones
Paul,
as discussed the add is a draft and is intended at this stage to be apolitical ( its a link at the bottom of this page)
the next stage is pointing out we are working families and small businesses and jewellers exporters and processors
The next after is applying sharp short kicks in the testicles to the Qld government as they fully intend to diminish the rights of Australians to mine gems and gold in the state.
I also have flicked you a draft of my speal in doc named save Qld. Opal Miners appeal which will go on the Qld. Small Miners Council (QSMC) website when its created to support the adds
Hoping you will be able to assist with contributions and or any support through your membership base
Kindly
Kev Phillips
Secretary
Qld Opal Miners Association
0427 662003
The Queensland Opal Miners Association Inc.
PO Box 210
Quilpie Qld. 4480
Today, Australia’s Small Scale Miners and prospectors are overwhelmed with imposing Legislation and Regulation, some States have even expropriated the “Miner’s Right,” a precious legal instrument for miners, won by the acts of small scale gold miners at the Eureka stockade of 1854 and “afforded” to all Australians.
Small scale miners and prospectors, be it for opals, sapphires, other precious stones and gold, are being overregulated by departmental staff and political parties as a means “to our end”, destroying our employment, vocations & hobbies by wilfully executing , “ the death by a thousand cuts!”
Recently in South Australia, the State Liberal Government acted to close the Mintabie Mining Field, demanding the mining and supporting businesses of the Township, which is on APY Aboriginal lands, to pack up and clear off, revoking the legal rights held by the miners over their tenures!
This heinous act was executed within months of the S.A. government’s decision, without any recompense or support to cover the losses of these miners, when they closed this historic and productive opal field!
This behaviour by any government cannot be absolved, and has caused a stir in our industries with all small scale miners from Coober-Pedy to Mareeba, Kalgoorlie to Opalton, Harts range to Whitecliffs , are all asking the same question…are we next!
Well… like or not you probably are! Yet we cannot let this cannot happen ever again… in any State!
There is no doubt that some Governments across the Nation are intending to make things more difficult for small scale miners and prospectors in favour of the “Big end of Town” mining companies who appear at face value, to be more economically beneficial to the States, as is the case in Queensland!
This is diminishing the rights that have been won by our fore-bearers who utilised gold and gemstone mining to employ and sustain themselves and their families since European settlement, which made the towns like Ballarat, Mt. Isa, Bendigo, Charters Towers, Kalgoorlie, Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge, Castlemaine, Gympie and Emerald, all which were established on the back of small scale miners.
These towns and many, many more were all discovered and established by small scale miners throughout Australia, starting as gold and gem fields, providing work and investment opportunities for returned servicemen after two World Wars.
The contribution of small scale mining to the armed services is forever immortalised by this term “digger” who’s skills refined on the gold and gemfields were turned into advantage by Australia and
its allies in these conflicts, and now proudly embraced by Australian soldiers who have since followed in their footsteps
Additionally Gold and Gem mining has provided remuneration for many families through the Great depression of the 1920’s to 30’s as well as providing investment opportunities for waves of immigrants with many mining fields and were accepted into mining regions providing some of Australia’s earliest examples of multi-culturism.
Australia should be looking now to our small scale Mining Industries to provide opportunities to
those now economically cruelled by COVID 19, has been historically the case, but Government of
all persuasions and at all levels have left our small scale mining industries in a State of disarray!
State Governments and their Ministers are myopic by short term gain of royalties and their own
political agendas, being wined and dined, by the “Big End Miners” to achieve their end, guaranteeing
between them their own income streams, frequently at the expense of regional communities!
Small scale mining on the other hand invest the vast majority of their earnings back into their
regional community, generating economic benefits for themselves and downstream processors,
creating historical ties to the community and often lasting connection to these lands.
Today’s Public service is frequently out of touch with even some public servants acting with
misfeasance, these snivelling architects colluding with governments to ensure our demise, constantly
failing to consult Small Scale Mining Representative Groups and by implementing overzealous
legislation and regulation & enforcing compliance protocols and fees that cannot be sustained,
squeezing not only our viability, but the capability of any future generations of Australians from
“affording” and, enjoying and investing in these respectful pursuits.
“If the small scale miners throughout the country do not take a stand and
collectively act to defend our industries these rights hard won by our
forbearers will soon be gone forever.”
We will be regulated out of the mining game, and relegated to the annals of
history with little or any potential for future generations to experience and
enjoy the pleasures and investment opportunities that only gem and gold,
mining and prospecting can afford!
The QSMC
The Queensland Small Mining Council (QSMC) is a collective of Queensland’s small scale mining
representative groups which is represented by delegates of the North Qld. Miners Assoc., the Qld.
Opal Miners Association, the Yowah Opal Miners, the Qld. Boulder Opal Association and the
Queensland Sapphire Miners Association.
The Queensland Labour Governments Mines Minister has clearly stated that he has” no interest in
Small Scale Miners “which has been repeatedly relayed to QSMC delegates by the Ministers
henchmen, ignoring submissions diligently prepared by our delegates and imposing and preparing
new legislation regulation and policy at will, that has and will continue to assist cripple our already
struggling industries.
What can you do and how can you help!
Collectively the QSMC are intending to run a television campaign in the lead up to the State election and are looking to our members, fellow miners and interstate comrades to help fund and support the QSMC so this campaign can be realised!
The QSMC is looking to raise $20,000.00 to start phase 1 of the campaign which includes production costs and advertising on Imparja, which will be televised to most the Opal fields and sapphire an gold producing regions and into the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and Toowoomba
Phase 1 of the television campaign will promote the benefits of small scale mining to regional towns which provide investment, employment and tourism and exports opportunities
Phase 2 will highlight the needs of the Gem and Gold Industry in Qld. to not only survive but flourish
Phase 3 will address the Political shortfalls in Qld. closer to the election should the government continue to stay the course that they have been on !
I am asking industry members to help fund this campaign, make our fight yours, and circulate this letter amongst your industry colleagues and associates.
I know it’s a big ask with COVID 19 and all but if everyone chips in, we can make it happen & it will make the task easier
For those who are willing to support this cause please either send a cheque made out to the
QOMA Fighting Fund to QOMA PO Box 210 Quilpie QLD. 4480
or by EFT to 084-829 Acc # 239509925
Sincerely
Kev Phillips
Secretary
Qld. Opal Miners Association
Delegate Qld Small Miners Council
0427 662003