emfields Community Support Association Inc. (Funded by State and Federal Government )

PO Box 391 Tel: 07-4985 4664 ABN 15 200 469 724 Sapphire, QLD 4702 Fax: 07-4985 4606 E-mail: admin@gemfields.org.au

Gemfields COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY 2021

1911 The Bradford’s added a 4HP motor to their Sapphire washing plant and are credited with being the first to use mechanised machinery in the local industry. * Hawkswell’s had a horse drawn whim about 900 yards east of Miners Well at Ruby Vale. The miners carted their Sapphire wash to the Puddler’s to be processed at about 5/-(50 cents) per yard. * Three Bridgeman children are attending the Ruby Vale school. * The Sapphire Town Telegraph hours are from 9am to 6pm. * Swimming costumes are still neck to knee.

Snippets of our

HAWKSWELL’S SAPPHIRE WASHING PLANT AT POLICEMAN’S CREEK IN THE EARLY 1900’S

OUR WEBSITE: www.gemfields.org.au

Gemfields Community Support Assoc. Inc. (Multi Purpose Centre)

The following are some of the services that the GCSA supply to the Gemfields Community.

Meals on Wheels– “We are more than just a meal” A hot, or ready-to-heat subsidised meal is

delivered at low cost to those who would otherwise be nutritionally at risk, including the frail aged and people with disabili-ties.

Social Support– A friendly visiting service provides outreach support for the aged, ill, housebound and those with

disabilities.

Personal Care– Personal Care services provide assistance at home with daily living for the frail aged, the ill and

those with disabilities to help with showering, grooming, dressing and general hygiene.

Respite Care– Provides respite care of the frail elderly and those with disabilities in order to allow their families or

carers free time. Planned regular respite, emergency respite or occasional respite can be provided in the clients’ homes or on outings.

Domestic Assistance—Home Care services are available for frail elderly, incapacitated or ill

residents and those with disabilities to help with household duties including cleaning, laundry, meal preparation and shopping.

Our aim is to help the elderly, incapacitated or those with a disability to remain independent in their own homes without being prematurely forced into an aged care or other facility.

If you, or you know of someone who can benefit from the services that the GCSA provide, please ring us and make an appointment.

PHONE: 49854 664 Monday - Friday 9.00am - 12.00 noon

Lunch Every Friday @ Multi-Purpose Centre, Sapphire

Every Friday, we provide lunch and dessert Plus bottomless cups of tea/coffee from 11am.

For the low cost of $12 for members

or $17 for non-members.

Bookings are essential and must be made at the MPC office no later than midday Wednesdays, for catering purposes.

(Restrictions apply)

PHONE – 49854664

All proceeds go to Gemfields Meals on Wheels.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Gemfields Community Support Association AGM will be held in the MPC Hall,

Friday March 5th 1pm ALL MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND This will be subject to updated Covid-19 restrictions at the time

We are here to help so contact us for support and / or assistance

Proud Sponsor of the Gemfields Multi-Purpose Centre

We provide a FREE confidential Financial Counselling Service to consumers who are having financial difficulties, through the

provision of information and options concerning consumer debt. Our Financial Capability Workers can provide support in budgeting, utilities and

financial literacy education. CQ Financial Counselling Service provides emergency relief: food hampers, grocery vouchers,

fuel vouchers, phone credit and assist with pharmacy prescriptions. We are funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services

and the BHP Vital Resources Fund.

Phone: (07) 49281844 Email: info@cqfcs.com Web: www.cqfcs.com Mobile Financial Counsellor -Jan Perkins 0476 794 708

Email: jan.perkins@cqfcs.com

GRAY ST VET * SAPPHIRE HALL DATES *

GEMFIELDS LIBRARY

is situated at the end of the Rubyvale Hall in Burridge Road, Rubyvale.

Internet, photocopying and faxing is available for a small fee.

The Library has a shelf of informational Gem books and

Local History books.

The Gemfields Library “The Real Gem of the Gemfields”

Come and Visit Soon.

Tues: 10am - 2pm Thurs: 12noon - 4pm

Sat: 9am - 12 noon

Ph: 49810299 Email: glibrary@tpg.com.au

FOR HIRE

Rubyvale Hall & Rubyvale Flats

Are you planning a function?

Wedding? 21st?

Book the Rubyvale Hall

or Rubyvale Flats

Enquiries to Rubyvale Progress Assoc. Inc,

Or Peter: 49854388

WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

Roy Day Park Sapphire

9am - 12 noon (This is a trial w/limited spaces due to COVID 19)

Membership Fee: $25.00/ $5 Session New Members $40.00/ $5 Session

Lapidary Activities, Silver Smithing,

Skin Polishing, Wire Wrapping, Chain Maille

Phone: 0407 057 425

Email: gemfieldslapiary@hotmail.com

Salvos in Sapphire (Angelos)

Monday’s

Friday’s

Saturday’s

8am - 12pm We

Have

ALL THE GROCERIES YOU COULD POSSIBLY

NEED

(And quite a bit more like

Fuel, Gas, Auto Bits, Mining Stuff & More)

Jim Varak News Coordinator

We cater for people with all types of disabilities. We also provide lessons for able

bodied riders. Lessons Saturday morning, other days by appt.

To book a lesson or make enquires please phone

Paula on 0408 798 440 Email: sapphire.rda@gmail.com

Volunteers needed

any days

to help with the horses

Anyone wishing to be involved in this worthy cause please call or email me.

FOR

SALE

Leaving 2020 behind us, overall, we look forward to a better year with less virus complications. Peoples fight with nature is timeless; we in the garden club are up against bugs and all sort of nasties who attack our vegetation. A healthy plant is less likely to succumb to an onslaught, hence, we have to feed them with the right fertiliser and trace elements. The human body reacts in the same way, a strong immune system is the key to good health. Eating fresh fruit and vegetables, grown the natural way, goes a long way towards it. We thank Glenda Keating for donating a 5Kg bag of Magnesium Sulfate aka Epson salt, an excellent feed for citrus trees and the like. Thankfully, we also got another load of mulch for spreading around trees and shrubs to protect the soil from the summer heat, to slow down evaporation. Chris does a good job applying poison where needed. A number of members have been busy to mowing the lawn in the garden which is shooting up like mad, caused by the long awaited rain, finally eventuating. Our AGM takes place on Saturday the 6th of February, 9 am at the club house. To join us, membership is $15- per year, plot, tools and seeds supplied. We also got a number of fruit trees shared by all members. For more info ring our secretary Pat at Pat’s Gems 49854544.

OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm

Closed 1pm —2pm

48294729

Have a look at our

Polarized Sunnies Magnifying Glasses Prices from - $10.00 - $15.00

As a community we can all work together to…………….

* SHOW RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS, DIFFERENCES, AND DIGNITY OF OTHERS

USE HONESTY AND INTEGRITY WHEN DEALING WITH ALL MEMBERS OF THE

COMMUNITY

* AND HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUR PERSONAL BEHAVIORS

Let’s Work Together To Continue Making The Gemfields “OUR COMMUNITY,

“A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE FEELS ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED”

• Daily Meal Specials

• AC

• Courtesy Bus* Fridays &

By arrangement

• Free Pool Sundays

• Raffles & Pub Card Friday Nights

•

•

*Courtesy bus operates Friday and as required.

The bus can also operate for special occasions with prior notice. Please phone the hotel for bookings.

Don’t forget

Valentine’s Day Sunday 14th February

Free piccolo of Bubbles with every main

meal

Phone 07 4985 4754 or visit our website www.rubyvalehotel.com.au

• Happy Hour – Monday & Tuesday 4pm-6pm

• • Lunch and Dinner served seven days a week with specials of the day

Sunday - Roast Lunch & Night

The Qld RSL Veteran Services Team works closely with Veterans to guide their transition to civilian life, with a focus not just on housing but other areas that can impact homelessness. Such as employment, wellbeing, quality of life, relationships, advocacy, mateship, through Open Arms, Dept Veteran Affairs and your RSL Branch.

2021 Group Programs Schedule January—July * MENTAL HEALTH AND FIRST AID TOWNSVILLE/WED 17 FEB - 0900-1630 - 2 DAY * WORKSHOP/THURS 3-FRI 4 JUNE/0900-1630 - 2 DAY * OPERATION LIFE-SAFE TALK TOWNSVILLE TUE 2 MARCH 0900-1300 - HALF DAY WORKSHOP * SLEEPING BETTER TOWNSVILLE TUE 9—WED 10 MARCH/ 0900-1600 2 DAY WORKSHOP In addition to the above face to face groups, Open Arms also provides a range of educational online training and workshops. These groups are scheduled on demand. To register your interest and for the most up to date information call : 1800 011 046 open arms gov.au Many other courses are available for the 2021 season in TOWNSVILLE AND NORTH QUEENSLAND You can visit our RSL sub-branch for a complete listing of these free courses to Veterans. Remember— you are eligible for $1,000 Dental, Hearing and Eye Wear health subsidy program 2021 towards the above. HONOUR THE DEAD AND FIGHT LIKE HELL FOR THE LIVING LEST WE FORGET

Due to the COVID-19 virus all counselling will be done by phone until further notice

HOME ASSIST ON 4936 8522 OR 1300 223 301

Gemfields RDA are desperately seeking Volunteers, to help with upcoming Working Bee in order for the Centre to start lessons again. We require help with mowing, Whipper Snipping, Weed Poisoning, Painting and a general tidy up.

If you are able to help please call Paula

on 0408 798 440

KAREN!!!!! Nice Prawn…..

Liz, Fran, Amanda and Di

THE MPC CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!

Shirley, Julia, Pete, Graham and Bryan

Looks like everyone is enjoying the feast!!!

Shirley Dunkley Syd and Steve!!!

GEMFIELDS ELECTRICAL

YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICIAN

Grant & Michelle Smith

REC 73638

Phone: 0419 252 036

WE ALSO INSTALL SPLIT UNIT AIR

CONDITIONERS

PO Box 95 Sapphire Q 4702

The Rubyvale Tip

Weekly TUESDAY’S FRIDAY’S & SUNDAY’S

8am—12pm

Parcel cut Emeralds & Other Stones Parcel’s of Australian cut Emeralds Material are from Afghanistan For information please Ring

Frank: 0473 567 020

2020 has been a challenging year for the Gemfields Community Centre as it has been for other

Australian places and people.

This means the support from our members is vital for our continued progression of the Centre’s

significance in the lives of our vulnerable and disadvantaged in our Community

So we encourage you to pay your essential

Annual Memberships.

We are a not for profit organisation and our reason for being is,

To support our elderly population here in the Gemfields.

Coloring In

17/02/2021 to 03/03/2021

F E B R U A R Y C R O S S W O R D

A REMINDER TO BE AWARE

OF SCAMS At the moment there are a few popular scams going around and they may come through to you as a phone call, text message or email. They usually use companies that we deal with in our daily lives as the scammers know they are trusted companies. These scammers use these well known logos to deceive us and do their utmost to scam money out of us, as this is at the end of the day what they want……….

CASH/ BANKCARD-CREDIT CARD NUMBERS/

PERSONAL INFO & ACCESS TO YOUR DETAILS

Some of these popular companies that are imitated by these scammers are; TAXATION TELSTRA EBAY MEDICARE IGA WOOLWORTHS (excludes online shopping)

These companies never ask for your bank details or your personal information over the phone.

This information should never be given over the phone or via email If you receive any demands for your personal information or feel uneasy about the harassment hang up the phone immediately and it’s not recommended to try to ring the number back as the scammers rely on you doing this and they are immediately bleeding money from you by max charging your call.

FEBRUARY MEALS

Shrimp Pasta Alfredo Ingredients:

3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta 2 cups frozen peas 1 jar alfredo sauce 1/4 cup shredded parmesan 400 grams canned shrimp

Method:

In a Dutch oven cook pasta adding peas in the last 3 mins of cooking, drain and return to pan. Stir in shrimp and sauce , medium heat and occasionally stirring. Sprinkle with cheese

EASY COCONUT LOAF

Ingredients…….. 1 cup coconut 1 cup sugar 1 cup milk 2 cups self raising flour

Method…….. Mix all ingredients together and pour into loaf tin. Cook at 180 C for approx. 35-40 min or until skewer comes out clean. Substitute half the sugar for a mashed banana, crushed pineapple etc,

START

END

Four children each own 1 pet. Use the clues below to find out which pet each child has.

GEMFIELDS PRIMARY HEALTH CLINIC

984 SAPPHIRE - RUBYVALE RD SAPPHIRE PO BOX 342 SAPPHIRE Qld 4702

Doctor on: Mon/Tue/Wed - By Appointment Only 8.30am- 3.30pm

Closed 12.30 - 1.30 for lunch. Pathology Collections: Mon/Tue/Wed

PHONE: 49854 547 FAX: 49854 693 EMAIL: Gemfields Outpatients@health.qld. gov.au

ANAKIE POLICE STATION

PHONE : 49854 200 Office Hours:

Monday 8am - 12pm

Emergencies-Phone 000

Please leave your name and phone number on the voicemail.

GEMMY QUILTERS

** Everybody is welcome **

Last Tuesday of the month 9am -3pm. Every other Tuesday 1pm - 3pm.

SAPPHIRE HALL

For more information phone Jan 49854 343

.

RSL GEMFIELDS INC.

Phone : 07 49854 588

PO Box 328 SAPPHIRE Qld 4702

Clinic Rd (Behind the Sapphire Post Office)

Closing times may vary, depending on your support. Meals on Thursdays Saturday’s and Sundays at 6pm

Social Annual Membership - $10.00

ATTENTION

If you are a not for profit organisation and have

an event coming up that you would like to advertise, please phone or drop into the MPC office and we can discuss placing a free notice

in the monthly newsletter.

Ph: 49854 664

Newsletter Advertising Prices

Full Page………………………..$45.00 Half Page……………………….$35.00 Third Page……………………...$25.00 Quarter Page……………………$23.00 Sixth Page………………………$20.00 Business Card…………………..$18.00

A discount applies for advertisements that run for a minimum of 3 months.

ALL EMERGENCIES CALL 000

POLICE………………………….. 000 AMBULANCE……………………000 FIRE……………………………….000 S.E.S. Call Centre………………...132 500 SAPPHIRE MEDICAL CENTRE 4985 4547 EMERALD HOSPITAL………….4987 9400 POISONS INFORMATION………13 11 26 LIFELINE…………………………13 11 14 R.A.C.Q…………………………...13 11 11 MPC Sapphire……………………..4985 4664 CENTACARE Emerald…………...4982 4358

DISCLAIMER

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this

publication, no responsibility can be accepted by the publishers for omissions, typographic or printing errors, inaccuracies or changes

that may have taken place during publication. The committee reserves the right to not

publish any article considered inappropriate. The views and opinions expressed in this

publication are not necessarily those of the management committee, staff or volunteers.

WHAT RUBYVALE TENNIS CLUB

WHO

WHEN MON-WED-FRI 5pm

WHERE

RUBYVALE TENNIS COURTS

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

COL 0423767490

MEETINGS EVERY THURSDAY

7.30 pm

RUBYVALE SCOUT HALL KEILAMBETE RD

GEMFIELDS LIBRARY

JOANNE GIBSON TUES 10am - 2pm THURS 12 noon - 4pm

SAT 9am - 12 pm

RUBYVALE HALL BURRIDGE RD

MUSEUM & INFORMATION CENTRE

MINERS COMMON MUSEUM

MEETINGS FIRST Sunday 5pm

MARCH * JUNE* SEPT* DEC

1621 RUBYVALE RD RUBYVALE

HOY

FUN, SOCIAL CARD MORNING

EVERY TUESDAY 9.30am

RUBYVALE HALL BURRIDGE RD

Sapphire Markets

Tim Riley 0408 301 401

Every Sunday 8am—Aprox. 1pm

Sapphire Roy Day Park

ECUMENICAL CHURCH SERVICE

5th SUNDAY OF MONTH 4.30pm for shared afternoon

tea. 5pm - worship.

ANAKIE HALL

CHURCH SERVICE

CATHOLIC

2nd & 4th SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 10.30am

ANAKIE HALL

GEMFIELDS MEALS ON WHEELS

MPC 49854664

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY

MULTI PURPOSE CENTRE SAPPHIRE

GEMMY QUILTERS

PATCHWORK GROUP JAN 49854 343

LAST TUESDAY 9am-3pm Every other Tuesday of the

month 1pm- 3 pm

SAPPHIRE HALL

Gemfields Lapidary &

Craft Club Inc

Ph. 0456037117 gemfieldslapidary

@hotmail.com

Wednesday & Saturday 9am to 12 noon

Roy Day Park

Rubyvale Flats

Market

Bev Winks 0428 399 591

8am - 1pm Rubyvale Flats

Rubyvale

OPPORTUNITY SHOP

SALVATION ARMY

MON FRI Sat 8.00 am- 12pm

ANGELO’S SAPPHIRE 4985 4690

GEMFIELDS RIFLE CLUB

Debbie Hickman Ph. 0429 009 354 / 4985 4484

LONG RANGE TARGET SHOOTING

EVERY SUNDAY 9am

RIFLE RANGE RD SAPPHIRE

Gemfields Community

Support Association

MPC 49854 664

Mon-Fri 9am - 12pm

MULTI PURPOSE CENTRE SAPPHIRE

RUBYVALE PROGRESS ASSOC. INC.

Secretary 0429860180

RUBYVALE HALL

2nd MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM

Gemfields Fire Warden John Riley 042 758 0654

Mon—Fri 9am - 5pm

60 Fairview Lane RUBYVALE

*** WHAT’S ON ***