PROJECT UPDATE JULY 2020: ACTION IN SPITE OF ISOLATION

This post is based on the AOC members’ enews of May 2020. Become an AOC member to have AOC news sent directly to your inbox.

We are certainly living in unprecedented times. As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues, foremost in our minds is the wellbeing of the AOC's members, Founders, volunteers, staff, donors, building and other team members, and our community throughout Australia's opal producing areas and beyond. 

While times are tough, and there will be tougher times ahead here in Australia and around the world, our focus on the AOC building project has not diminished. It is more important than ever to achieve our ambitions for the new Australian Opal Centre, to boost the opal industry and help generate employment, economic activity, hope and vitality.

We are heartened by the professionalism, skill and dedication of our architects, project managers and entire building design team, as they work to ensure the successful delivery of your new AOC during this global crisis. It has been challenging to progress this complex project while unable to work in a room together, but through dozens (if not hundreds) of phone calls and videoconference meetings, the project is progressing well. The team is assessing the impact on project timelines of the pandemic and government requirements, and will provide updates as decisions are made.

Members of the LROFC Management Committee, AOC Building Subcommittee and project team at the building site on the Three Mile opal field, Lightning Ridge, March 2020. Photo Justin White

THE BUILDING PROJECT IS MOVING FAST

Recent activities include:

• In March, before restrictions on travel and public gatherings, the AOC building team visited Lightning Ridge for meetings with the AOC Building Subcommittee and Management Committee and local suppliers, a community information night, site visits and most importantly, to present the completed schematic design for the new AOC building.

• In April, a detailed geotechnical study was conducted beneath the AOC site, mapping opal mine workings under the building footprint and testing to inform design of the building's substructure. A local drilling contractor put down several dozen boreholes from which test materials were collected. We were of course keen to see if there was any opal to be found, with an experienced local miner on hand to assess the ground. A small quantity of potch (nobby and seam) was encountered but sadly, nothing to warrant removing what remains of the opal-bearing level.

• Also in April, a test bore was put down for the geothermal heat exchange system proposed to help cool the building in summer and warm it in winter.

• Museum advisor Dr Lynda Kelly has been working with the AOC on the Visitor Experience Plan for the new building.

• The design team have been planning and testing models of the primarily passive ventilation and temperature control systems for the building.

• Landscape consultants ASPECT Studio have been designing the much-anticipated underground Gondwanan garden, as well as outdoor landscaping to blend seamlessly with the opal field setting.

• The design team is nearing completion of detailed design for the building.

• Between April and May project managers Root Partnerships conducted an open Expressions of Interest process for Head Contractor for the building. This will progress through shortlisting to a Request for Tender process later in the year.

The AOC is determined to achieve local and regional economic and employment outcomes, and for as much project funding as possible to stay in the region. We will require the Head Contractor to use local and regional subcontractors, suppliers, workers and ancillary services wherever possible, so are creating a register to give the contractor a head start. You can register your interest in supplying to, or working on, the AOC construction project or in the new AOC building, by completing and returning the registration form downloadable here.

OTHER AOC WORK CONTINUES

While the building project is taking a huge amount of time and focus, we're also busy with other things:

• The AOC's collections team is documenting three magnificent opalised fossil collections donated to the AOC in recent months.

• Publications and online coverage featuring the AOC include an exciting Sydney Morning Herald feature article about dinosaur and other fossil discoveries in Australia, and an article about the AOC in The Australian Gemmologist.

• Scientific research continues on fossils in the AOC's collection, with great work in particular by Dr Phil Bell and his postgraduate students at the University of New England, Armidale.

• The AOC has played an important role in the Wonder of Gondwana concept plan of Destination Country and Outback NSW (DNCO), which aims to bring ancient Australia's story to life by showcasing the extraordinary wonders of outback and central NSW's geological, fossil, mineral and first nations treasures and stories.

• There was more exposure for the AOC when Special Projects Officer Jenni Brammall was invited to present at the American Gem Trade Association's seminar series at Tucson in February. We've been invited back in 2021.

• The AOC is working with the Gemmological Association of Australia to create an online course for opal and gemstone industry members and opal enthusiasts around the world.

Australian Opal Centre building project team members visited Lightning Ridge from 10-11 March for meetings, site visits, a community forum and workshops. Top row (L - R) architects Jonathan Temple, Wendy Lewin and Ashley Dunn; project managers Chris Crick and Vanessa Weedon (Root Partnerships); quantity surveyor David Madden (MBM). Middle row: environmentally sustainable design consultant Paul Stoller (Atelier 10), landscape architect Lauren Nissen (ASPECT Studio), structural engineer Ian McDaid and civil engineer Ben Lawrence (Northrop). Bottom row: mechanical engineer Mark Henderson (SEiD), electrical engineer Tom Russell (Haron Robson); the team with the AOC’s Jenni Brammall. Photos Justine Buckley

COVID-19 IMPACTS AND PROGRAM UPDATES

The health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, visitors and community is our top priority, so while forging ahead with the building project and other AOC initiatives, we had to temporarily close the AOC showroom due to COVID-19. We’re very glad that the showroom is now open again for limited hours, 10am-2pm Monday to Saturday.

As for many other businesses and individuals, loss of income has placed a great strain on the AOC. If you'd like to help out and you're not already an AOC Life Member, now would be a great time to join that illustrious group! You can download a form here. We have more than 100 Life Members and coming up in the next few weeks, we'll send out a special shout-out to them all - join now if you'd like to be included!

We’re happy to say that we still plan to run the 2020 Lightning Ridge Fossil Dig as scheduled. The Dig is the most important event on our annual calendar. If it becomes clear that for the safety of our participants, team and community we should postpone and reschedule the Dig, we will - but at this stage it’s looking good! What a wonderful way to break out of isolation, enjoying fresh air and great company in the opal fields, while getting access to some very special fossils, people and expertise, contributing to the AOC's collection and research program as well as helping it stay afloat financially. If you'd like to register for the 2020 Fossil Dig with the AOC, the Australian Geographic Society and the University of New England, download a registration form or email us to find out more. Note: places for new Fossil Dig participants are BOOKED OUT for 2020. There are a few places available for returnees so if you've been on an AOC Dig before, consider joining us again in August!

We've had to postpone our May 2020 Fundamentals of Opal Carving course, but the good news is that it has been rescheduled to 14-17 September, following the 7-10 September course which is expected to go ahead as planned. Although both courses are sold out for 2020, you can request joining a wait list in case of cancellations, and to receive notification of 2021 classes.

Screenings of SPARK have not been possible so far in 2020. Similarly, our scheduled May screening of the travelling Flickerfest Australian short film festival was not possible, but we’re hoping to screen Flickerfest in September.

AOC FOUNDERS CAMPAIGN

We're forging ahead with the exciting next phase of our AOC Founders Campaign. Now more than ever, it's vital that we ensure the seamless construction of the entire AOC building, and our private fundraising initiative is key to this. We are working on a new suite of promotional materials to spread our campaign message far and wide. So look out for when this launches!

We’ve recently welcomed as new $10,000 AOC Founders the esteemed opal jewellery designer John (Varoojan) Iskenderian, opal wholesalers Justin and Ruth Thomas of Black Opal Direct and Fossil Dig participant Linda Jays. We also welcomed Fossil Dig participant Pamela McGilvary, who has become a $30,000 AOC Founder! A number of other AOC Founders have increased their pledges including John and Renata Bernard, Peter Sherman and Kathryn Burton, who have all become $20,000 AOC Founders.

To current AOC Founders: heartfelt thanks to those who have accelerated payments on their pledges, including the many Founders who have paid their commitment in full. Because of your generosity, we have access to a significant pool of Founder contributions which has been put straight to work on the building project. To those Founders under financial strain because of impacts of the pandemic, we extend special greetings and solidarity. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need to discuss a change to your payment arrangements.

Thanks also to the Australian Government, NSW Government and Walgett Shire Council for their funding support. Investment in projects such as the new Australian Opal Centre is one of the most real and significant ways government can help Australia - and particularly regional Australia - begin its recovery from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.

Please stay safe everybody and thank you for your continued support of the Australian Opal Centre. We wouldn't be here and we couldn’t do it without each and every one of you.