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“The Australian Opal Exhibition was a great success and next year will be even bigger and better,” said Mr Frank Tyne, organiser of the exhibition.
The exhibition, for the trade only, was held at the Marriott Resort Hotel on the Gold Coast from August 1 to 3 and attracted exhibitors from all the opal fields, wholesalers and manufacturers. There was an excellent range of product for sale including rough and loose stones from all fields, doublets, triplets and opal jewellery.
There was a great feeling of camaraderie and one of the most common comments when Mr Tyne talked to every booth holder was that it was a lot of fun to be all together as an industry.
“There were good individual sales from all of the opal fields and whilst most of the buyers were Australian based there were a few from Japan, Korea, US, Canada and New Zealand,” Mr Tyne said.
“There were 50 exhibitors and they all, plus more have already booked for next year,” said Mr Tyne. “I have already been contacted by buyers who could not attend this year but they have assured me they will be there next year.”
Next year’s exhibition will be held once again at the Marriott on August 7, 8 and 9 2003 and will include a social dinner with top entertainment.
The Hon Joe Hockey, Federal Minister for Tourism and Small Business opened the Australian Opal Exhibition on August 1 and Kay Elson, Federal Member for Forde and Dianne Reilly, State Member for Mudgerabah supported him.
All the major industry associations were also represented but Mr Tyne made it clear that the Australian Opal Exhibition will never become political nor be involved in any associations.
The John Benny Collection, which was open to the public, attracted good attendances and there were many interesting artifacts and opal on display.
The Committee Members of the Australian Opal Exhibition, in addition to Frank Tyne are - Jerry Lomax, Lightning Ridge; Paul Burton, Quilpie Opals; John Benny, opal collector; Bob Peters, Bull Creek Mine; Alan Kiesiel, miner, dealer and manufacturer; Mike Petelski, Coober Pedy manufacturer and retailer; and Paul Barker, Gold Coast dealer.
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