Events

Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show
Saturday 23rd April and Sunday 24th April 2011
www.cooberpedygemtradeshow.com.au

The Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show is a Great Outback Show in the Opal Capital of the World. It provides the opportunity for miners, retailers and wholesalers from around Australia and the world to showcase their products to the industry and the broader public. Opal is Australia's national gemstone.

Although there is a lot of excitement around the large scale mining activities surrounding Coober Pedy, Opal will always be the heartbeat of the town. The Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show aims to develop the sustainability and prosperity of this colourful industry full of character and characters. The 2011Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show, specialising in rough and cut Opal, will be held on the 23rd and 24th of April 2011. The trade show will coincide with the Opal Festival, offering visitors a vast array of entertainment options over the Easter long weekend. The Greek Orthodox Hall will once again host the Gem Trade Show providing a professional air-conditioned environment for the numerous local and national exhibitors who will be able to showcase high quality opals at trade prices to international and domestic buyers.

Following the Chairman of the Gem Trade Show Committee's successful trip as part of South Australia's Trade Mission to the World Expo held in Shanghai China, the Gem Trade Show Committee has strengthened its links with Chinese Opal buyers. The 2010 Gem Trade Show received considerable interest in China with feature articles appearing in two newspapers, the Shandong News on Gem and Jade; and Te Bie Bao Dao.

The organisers will also be continuing the tradition of holding a Business Dinner prior to the show so that exhibitors and buyers can meet in a relaxed environment with the aim of establishing and strengthening business networks.

Coober Pedy Opal Festival
Saturday 23rd April 2011
www.opalfestival.com.au

The Coober Pedy Opal Festival celebrates the end of a long hot summer and the commencement of what many hope is a very prosperous opal mining season. The festival has been action packed with a street parade, fireworks, air show, live band and events.

In 2010, the festival commenced with the Festival Street Parade from Lucas Supermarket to the Coober Pedy Oval. Coober Pedy, Opal Capital of the World, not only produces an estimated 80% of the world's opal, it boasts
over 45 different nationalities and is one of the most multicultural towns in Australia.

The Opal Capital of the World is also unique for its underground living lifestyle and famous landscapes featured in many films. The Opal Festival celebrates all these features and is the biggest local event of the year.

The Great Breakaways Bolt
A casual conversation between two local Coober Pedy girls, Jayde Frew and Melissa Rosewarne resulted in The Great Breakaways Bolt. Jayde’s initial idea was to run 35kms to the Breakaways from Coober Pedy as a personal challenge. Then Melissa suggested that Jayde should raise money to complete the challenge and donate to a good cause.

Knowing that Tanya Lauder had been trying to raise money for a new playground, the chat between the two girls soon evolved into the idea of a marathon style fundraising event. This would involve the whole community with donations and secured sponsorships to raise funds for a new playground in town. Early September 2009 became the target for the event to coincide with Father’s Day, when traditionally the community gets together for a special day to honour dads. The concept eventuated into a Council driven initiative. The Great Breakaways Bolt marathon style event travels from the Breakaways, along the Dog Fence down the Oodnadatta Track and finishes at the Town Oval where the event will be wrapped up with a BBQ and band.

Participants in the ‘Bolt’ can either walk, run or ride the distance as a personal challenge or as a group walking, riding or running a portion of the distance together, doing either 5, 10, 15, 20 or the full 35 kilometres. Participants are expected to gather sponsorships from family, friends and organisations to complete the distance they have nominated. The money raised will go to a community group or cause that has been chosen by the ‘Bolt’ Committee by way of application in writing.

With a date to be confirmed for the ‘Bolt’ in 2011, if anyone would like to participate or volunteer in this event or would just like more information on the ‘Bolt’, please contact Jayde Frew at the District Council of Coober Pedy on (08) 8672 4600 during business hours or email jfrew@cpcouncil.sa.gov.au