Established in 1966, this passionate group has amassed a vast collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils, offering a glimpse into the geological wonders of the West Coast and beyond.
Unearthing Gems & Hidden Treasures
The ‘West Coast Gem & Mineral Club Incorporated’ was formed by a group of keen rock fossickers at Greymouth in 1966. In 1970, they relocated the old Rotomanu School building to Shantytown, where it was refurbished as the ‘West Coast Gem & Mineral Club Hall’ in time for the opening of Shantytown on 23 January 1972.
Fifty-odd years later, the Club maintains the same building with modern, well-secured displays of rocks, minerals, and fossils from the West Coast region, other parts of New Zealand, and overseas. Specimens have either been collected by Club Members or donated to the collection.
The Gem & Mineral Hall display section is open to the public daily as part of the ‘Shantytown Experience.’ The rear section is for Club members only and includes a lapidary workshop, storage area, and small kitchen.
The Club, which is open to all, meets at Shantytown on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.30 pm. Club nights generally include a short meeting, ‘Show and Tell’ time with a theme, opportunities to discuss and/or look at new finds under the Club’s ‘Microeye’, plus a shared supper. On some club nights, there are illustrated talks by guest speakers about trips of interest or topics in which they have expertise.
Field trips, subject to the weather, are held about every couple of months, usually on a weekend day. Most are day trips, but occasionally, there are overnight trips further along the way. Members can also take field trips run by other New Zealand Clubs as visitors and/or attend some of the regular Rock and Mineral Shows here and in Australia.
Over the last few years, the Club has also actively participated in Shantytown Community or Events Days, selling rocks and fossils and helping the public identify any finds they have made.
