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Member News

TUCSON SHOW 2017

By Member News

The Tucson gem show can be best described as flat. As with most gem shows some people do well while others don’t.  As  it had been a few years since I had attended the show I was surprised at the  low turn out of crowds and  the excitement seemed a lot less. I noted that the Tucson gem guide was half the size as it was 5 years ago but the Tucson metaphysical guide which sells the “’healing/ spiritual” side of gems was the same size. At the show there was over 15 opal association members exhibiting and after some general discussions there was a feeling from the grass roots we need to promote the TUCSON OPAL CIRCUIT.

This may include a array of opals from all fields with the show circuit and member’s booth numbers and a small detail of what they sell. Following this initiative I have booked one page in the Tucson gem guide  at a cost of 2200 usd but the general feeling was a double page would have more impact. This would work out at only a few hundred dollars per exhibitor.The add would need to be done by October  and paid for in December 2017. If members agreed the association could also pay a small part and promote the AUSTRALIAN OPAL CIRCUIT which would add some excitement to the add.

We would need a coordinator for this project  which should be a paid job so if your interested please apply.

Also any other members interested please register your interest as we have 8 already . The more that join the cheaper it will be and it gives us a united front.

Some members used social media to promote there booths to attract new customers so we could also try that if members agreed.

The love affair with welo opal seems to be over and I did hear a lot of negative comments on the stone[by non aussies] I feel this gives us a opportunity to promote quality Australian opals so lets take advantage of it.

For those members wishing to join contact

[email protected]

 

QLD Fair Trading complaint

By Member News

Hi

Recently we received a written complaint from a retail buyer who purchased on opal from a member of the Opal association King opal in QLD.

The stone was sold as a natural Australian opal. They complained to the QLD Fair Trading with a recording of the conversation.

Fair Trading then asked me to join them to inspect the property. The shops  opal display did not comply with what would be expected of a member of the Opal Association so we have forwarded them the attached letter.

If any one has any comments i would be pleased to hear from you.

President Paul Sedawie

 

oa-letter-to-king-opal

Help the AOC reach $400,000 this week!

By Member News

oa

FOUNDER PLEDGES POURING IN!

NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND

ANNOUNCEMENT OF GOVERNMENT

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY!

What a response we’ve had to the AOC Founders Pledge Campaign! Thank you so much to the AMAZING Founders who’ve given so generously already to build the new Australian Opal Centre.

We have commitments of $290,000 already PLUS others committed and deciding at what level to pledge. Founders give an initial $2500, then don’t have to pay more until we have a total of $10 million in cash and pledges. (Huge thanks though to those who by choosing to give more up front, are helping us progress faster.)

To be clear – you do NOT need to give all the money right now!

We’d LOVE to reach $400,000 by the end of the week, so please contact us if you’re ready to make your pledge. Email or call me on 0419 639 380, or return your application form to secure your place!

 

Can’t give $2500 now? Some suggestions:

  • I bet you could think of someone who could go in with you as a joint Founder and share the cost. A partner, friend or family member? How great would it be to see your family’s name on our Founders wall!!!
  • If we could find someone else who wants to be an AOC Founder but can’t manage the entire amount, would you consider going halves with them? Let us know! Once you’ve paid your half of the initial commitment ($1,250 of $2,500), paying the rest over 4 years will cost you only $18 per week – it’s a no-brainer! We could even set it up as easy weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments so you don’t even have to think about it.
  • If $2,500 right now is your only barrier to becoming a Founder, we could accept your initial contribution in instalments, half now and half in January, or even set up a direct debit for you of $500 per month, starting now and continuing for a further 4 months.

Two important reasons to act now instead of later

  1. Soon we will share this opportunity far and wide – to several hundred more people initially, then thousands in the new year. With almost 10% of Founder places already gone, we don’t want you to miss out! 
  2. In exciting news just to hand, the Australian Government has announced first round applications to their Building Better Regions Fund – the $10 million federal funding opportunity we’ve been waiting for! We have around 8 weeks to raise matching funds (in cash and pledges) and finish the building management plans required to go in with our application. For every dollar a Founder pledges, we can ask for $2 from the Building Better Regions program….PLUS funding from the NSW Government.

Click HERE to download an application form and more information! 

Email or call me on 0419 639 380, or return your application form to secure your place! 

Kind regards,
Rebel Black
President, Australian Opal Centre


P.S. Over the past 5 years, so many people have said to me, “You should just contact Packer, or Twiggy, or Palmer or Rinehart….”

It’s a great idea…and I could, IF I had a direct contact. These people receive an unenviable number of requests! If YOU happen to have contacts with these OR any other wealthy, influential, passionate, philanthropic Australians, please, please share them with us!

Thanks!
Rebel 🙂

A big shout out to our newest founders:

Barbara Gasch &
Doug Brook

Rebel Black

Vicki Bokros

Jenni Brammall

Peter Christianos

David Lane

Elaine & Stephen Raines

Elizabeth & Robert Smith

Damien Waterford

THANK YOU!

We’ll be in touch soon with updates and ways you can share this opportunity with others you know who may be interested, or know someone else who will.

In this world, you really never know who knows who!

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