FOSSIL NEWS

As each month slips past we notice an increase in our membership, Welcome to all our new members and HELLO to our Regular readers.

I was interested to hear from some of our members that they pass the magazine around to their friends to read. That their friends don't want to come out on field trips but they enjoy reading all about the going-ons and the stories etc., I find that pleasing information.

So much is happening around us with interest rates moving around, mortgage dramas, fires, floods earthquakes with devastating results & famine and yet we are still able to go out break a few rocks and discover history from the past. More is being shown in articles and as television specials about the palaeontology of Australia and worldwide. Discussions of global warming and now it isn't just the Palaeontologists that are looking into the fossils but also the scientists searching for answers that have lain hidden for millions of years - Mans constant search for the truth and knowledge.

In this magazine we have the notes from our October meeting with Bill Nunn's talk about Richmond, and noted about the special DVD that Bill had made as he travelled through various areas of Queensland. November’s meeting was cancelled on the original day due to Parramatta-Holroyd’s need to close the Club rooms for preparation of the tables etc., for their 3 days gem/mineral show. Our meeting then happened the following week with a change in speaker. Albert Sequeira gave us a talk about Chinese Fossils and also an interesting look into Chinese culture. Dr Ian Percival will now give his talk and slide show at our February meeting. Make sure you put that date in your diary as Ian's talks are always interesting and touched with humour. February, 5th, 2009. 7pm-7.30pm - 9pm.

Albert's talk about Chinese Fossils was extremely interesting. The actual fossils that Albert has are really quite spectacular & would be what every collector would love to have in their collection. It saddens me to know that the Chinese people have for many years ground up fossil bones to use as herbal medicine, these bones they call Dragon Bones. Using these bones with the full knowledge of how old they are gives them thoughts that by taking them into their bodies as medicine will help give them extended long life! Can you imagine how many special or rare fossil bones have disappeared down some-ones throat in the concoction of herbal medicine…

We had the preparation for Christmas and the Christmas Party/Picnic at the Club rooms in Wentworthville. The week up to that date was mixed weather with thunder and lightening and rain threatening - with that in mind we decided to have the party inside the Club rooms. Easier than running about in pouring rain trying to move tables and chairs etc. We were disappointed with the number of people that arrived for our day. We do understand that at this time of the year many things are happening - please remember to either email or phone whether you are coming or have other engagements - it takes much organisation and planning.

Elvie's notes on our Field Trips - always a bonus for the people who missed out and want to know what happened and the fossils that were located and taken home.

We have further stories from Postcards From……with an interesting twist. We have a member of many years who is from The Northern Territory and Coober Pedy. We have an extended invitation to organise a trip out there in 2010. That means fossil collectors and gem/mineral fanciers need to take note and let us know if you’re interested in a trip to Coober Pedy, 2010 under the guidance of a Local with years of knowledge. Whose knows what you could find!

John Newlands in Tasmania also gives us a look into the Zeehan Gem/Fossil Show.

We have a new member who lives in USA, they will be travelling out here in April next year, I have notes in “Postcards From” ..... giving you some information on what Leslie finds in the areas around Florida, USA.

Encouraging to see how many people are interested in travelling up to Richmond next year. Organising the time in school holidays give ·families time to prepare and plan. It is the educational benefits of being involved in a trip like this also. We would like plenty of input from the people who are interested in coming along. At this point we have approx. 20 people interested with some trying to organise their holiday time. For those who are inter-state we need to plan whether it is easier for a direct flight to Townsville or everybody leave from Sydney. We are trying to organise a really good deal on the tickets.

This is an early publication. I thought everybody might like to have a lovely fat magazine with lots of interesting items to read over the Christmas/New Year break.

Elvie, Milton, Rob and I are trying to get away over this holiday time to find some new fossil sites for 2009. We are wanting to find places a little closer to Sydney. Maybe a small saving on the fuel and yet still giving you a day out whacking rocks and enjoying yourself socially, finding that brilliant fossil.

In closing I would really like to thank the Mums and/or Dad's that bring their children along to the field trips. They are all beautifully behaved children, a true pleasure to watch and listen to them whilst they are enjoying themselves and learning all at the same time. When you see them carrying a huge rock, their smiles beaming across their faces to ask Elvie "What do you think I have here?"….Elvie answers them and off they go to tell everybody else. For me the children make the day perfect.

With that I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Until Feb, 2009….

Until  our next magazine ,

                   FOSSICK SAFELY

 

Taxonomic Sisclaimer:

This publication is not deemed to be valid for taxonomoc purposes (see artical 8b in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature 3rd Edition 1985. Eds. W.D. Ride et al)

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