The completion of one event heralds just one thing - commencement of planning for the next.
The IOJDAA Committee is already enthused at the thought of the exciting prospects and drawcards that will make the 2011 IOJDA and Trade Show an exciting and key component of next year’s Opal Festival.
Negotiations are well underway to have a private collection of gem opals, which will complement the showcase of national and international opal jewellery designers’ entries in IOJDA, on display.
Many jewellers expressed their intentions to enter our prestigious opal jewellery design awards competition as they collected their entry forms personally at our recent event.
We thank them all.
Thanks are also due to the many people who volunteer their time and expertise from set-up to closure each year.
Particular thanks are extended to Justine Buckley and her Dad Peter, who this year jointly supervised the carving classes for students of Lightning Ridge Central School, in lieu of Christine Roussel, who has nurtured this initiative for a number of years.
It was pleasing to have Alison Dent (formerly Western Student Connections) touch base during the event.
Without the initial assistance of Alison and Western Student Connections, local students would not have had the opportunity to enjoy these classes, which are convened by the IOJDAA in conjunction with Chris Reisenger from the Lightning Ridge Central School.
Hauling jewellery cabinets and stall fixtures up a flight of stairs to the Trade Show venue has always been a daunting experience for all concerned.
Not so this year as the IOJDAA launched its very own “Puffin Billy’’.
It is an ageing group of gents who annually undertake the task of setting up and restoring order so the introduction of “Puffin Billy” was a welcome sight.
Trevor Darling, Ted Crookes, Ken Greaves and Graeme Watts joined Bill Greenfield and Derek Brown in their labour of love.
Thank you guys.
‘Immigration Memories’ was an excellent display which showed precious moments and memorabilia from many locals dear to us all.
Thanks to Christina Johannson, Barbara Moritz and their team for making this possible.
‘The Magic (Opal) Carpet’ courtesy of Seda Opals (Paul Sedawie), created considerable interest.
So much so that some visitors wished to purchase tickets in it.
Thank you Paul.
Babette’s emu eggs with opal inlays demonstrated the innovation and artistry that is so prevalent in Lightning Ridge and which brought her recognition at the 2009 IOJDA.
The photographic skills of Opal Wilderness proprietor Gary Griffiths first came to our attention in 2009 when he meticulously undertook the time consuming process of photographing each entry in the IOJDA Competition.
We were stunned by the results and appropriately placed them on display this year. Your efforts have been most appreciated Gary.
A sincere thank you is also extended to the board of directors, management and staff of Lightning Ridge District Bowling Club for courtesies and assistance extended to the IOJDAA. As the IOJDAA has now resumed its original purpose of conducting the IOJDA and Opal Trade Show, after a number of years of also having the Opal and Gem Expo and Opal Queen Ball under its umbrella, we would like to publicly thank the reconvened Opal Festival Committee for its initial loan, which enabled us to secure and repay the purchase of the jewellery display cabinets. The Opal Festival Committee and bank loans have since been satisfied in full. Thank you to Ian Woodcock and the Opal Festival Committee.
The IOJDAA committee is a small dedicated group of volunteers who happily work for the community and look forward to showcasing our national and state gemstone at the 2011 International Opal Jewellery Design Awards and Opal Trade Show.
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