Over the past 12 months, the Australian Opal Centre (AOC) has gone from strength to strength, elevating this nationally significant project to levels we hadn’t even dreamt of when the project first began. We are now extending an invitation to Opal Association members to join the most sustained industry-wide initiative in the opal industry’s history by becoming AOC Founders, an outstanding group that already includes several prominent members of the Opal Association.
The AOC continues to build a world-class collection of opals, opalised fossils and opal-related items. Our opalised fossils are the subject of leading palaeontological research; we have enjoyed record visitation and participation in our education and public programs; inspired people to love, buy and wear opal; hosted numerous high profile visitors; received robust support from the NSW and Federal governments; and are securing fresh funding routes to construct the new AOC building through our AOC Founders campaign.
This campaign offers members of the Australian opal industry and opal mining communities an exciting opportunity to join an exclusive group of benefactors who will leave a significant personal legacy, while also providing the co-funding needed to secure major funds from government. The NSW and Federal Governments have acknowledged the national and international importance of the Australian Opal Centre as a world-leading, permanent institution dedicated to opal, and have recognised the benefits to Australia of the AOC taking this lead. Our AOC Founders are the key to unlocking over $20 million from government for completion of this spectacular national monument.
The new energy-efficient, two-storey underground AOC facility will not only embody the stories, history and characters for which our opal fields are world famous (now more than ever, thanks to the huge popularity of the Discovery Channel program Outback Opal Hunters), but will house the world’s greatest public collection of Australian opals and opalised fossils; the most complete opal-related public research library; opal teaching and research facilities; and authoritative opal-focused education and training programs.
This magnificent place will establish a permanent, dynamic position for Australian opal in the public imagination – a position of prestige, admiration and desire. It will also be a celebration of every individual and business, past or present, that has had involvement in the Australian opal industry, and will play a key role in ensuring the industry remains prosperous, progressive and buoyant.
Additionally, the new AOC building, which is the masterwork of esteemed Australian architects Glenn Murcutt and Wendy Lewin, will be an invaluable tourism asset, a global focus for education, research and promotion of Australia’s National Gemstone, and a dynamic stimulus to economic and cultural development. Financial projections show that once operating, the new AOC facility will be financially self-sustaining and will generate an estimated extra $49 million for the NSW economy annually, with further benefits to the opal industry nationally. Investment in the project through the AOC Founders Campaign will pay dividends over your lifetime and beyond.
I’m delighted that several members of the Opal Association have already shown their support for the AOC by becoming patrons of our new building including.
Andrew and Damien Cody, Cody Opals, $10,000 Founders:
“I believe the new Australian Opal Centre will rejuvenate the opal industry and be the catalyst to make a lot of great things happen. It will be a meeting place for industry, bringing opal and gemmology conventions from overseas and around Australia. It will invigorate interest from people all around the world to buy our product, allow for the creation of new jewellery designs, and be a centre of learning that will also stimulate new research and science. I encourage everybody in the Australian opal industry and beyond to join Damien and I in becoming an AOC Founder.”
Peter Christianos, Opaline, $10,000 Founder: “If you’re going to support the opal industry you’ve got to support the Australian Opal Centre. The AOC will not only honour and celebrate opal, but also our opal miners and the whole industry. I became a Founder for these reasons and also because I want to immortalise my father’s name. It’s a real privilege to be able to do this and an opportunity you won’t find anywhere else. Government support is important, but there has to be private contribution too, and I like being a Founding member for that reason as well. I encourage all people in the Australian opal industry to join me in becoming a Founder.”
Vicki Bokros, Down To Earth Opals, $10,000 Founder: “The AOC project is not just unique – it’s ballsy. And it’s ballsy to invest in something so huge. I love this project because of the opportunity it gives people from all over the world to see and experience opal the way I am so privileged to do. As an AOC Founder, I’m excited by the chance to invest in our industry. I believe it’s vital for all of us to come together to back this amazing project and keep our industry not only surviving, but thriving. Once built, there will be more demand for opal and opportunities for miners to sell – and we’ll all reap the benefits.”
Edmund Lahoud, Lahoud Opals, $10,000 Founder: “I’m all for creating something that’s going to generate jobs and keep opal mining towns going – and that’s why we decided to become AOC Founders. I think the AOC is a fantastic project that will absolutely help the Australian opal industry. It will really get the message about opal out there, giving us more recognition with the international buyers. It’s going to be a huge advertisement for opal, especially in overseas markets. I see becoming an AOC Founder as an investment in an industry that I have made a good living from. I was brought up to give and it’s the least I can do to give back in this way.”
Clayton Peer, Opals Australia, $10,000 Founder: “The AOC will undoubtedly help build the brand of Australian opal around the world, which is a wonderful thing in the face of strong competition from other forms of opal, such as Ethiopian opal, which has been increasing in recent years. International tourism from Americans, Europeans and others who will take the trip out to Lightning Ridge to visit the AOC will also help to raise awareness and appreciation of the high quality and ethical production of Australian opal globally, and ensure its reputation as a premium gemstone grows.”
Additionally, Opal Association member Scott Coggan of Opals Down Under has also recently signed up as an $10,000 AOC Founder.
There are a maximum of 148 AOC Founder positions available. With around 25% of places already taken, now is the time to join your fellow Opal Association members who have already seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make their mark and generate great things for the Australian opal industry, today and into the future.
AOC Founders will benefit from promoting their role as patrons of the new world-class Australian Opal Centre. They will be recognised in perpetuity inside the new AOC and commended to millions of people visiting the Centre in years to come; will be invited to attend exclusive events; and will reap the benefits of increased appreciation of, and demand for, Australian opal. Furthermore, contributions to the AOC, including the Founders campaign, are tax deductible.
At the new Australian Opal Centre, Australia and the world will have a long-awaited, prestigious, permanent institution dedicated to research, education and celebration of Australian opal. I encourage you to consider this magnificent opportunity for the industry and for yourself. For more information about becoming an AOC Founder, please visit www.australianopalcentre.com or to secure your position email [email protected] or call Olivia Ward on 0400 225 751.
Kind regards
David Lane OAM
AOC Founder, AOC Life Member
President, LROFC Inc
Proudly building the Australian Opal Centre at Lightning Ridge
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