Everything you need to get started
Q. Can I visit before joining?
Q. What do I need to bring on a first visit?
Closed-toe footwear is required in all work rooms. If you're trying metalsmithing, wear old clothes (or a cloth apron) - mild acid is used to clean oxidation from metals. Long hair should be tied up around the workshop equipment.
Q. Where is the clubrooms?
Albert Bishop Park, 574 Nudgee Rd, Nundah QLD 4012. Entrance is off Nudgee Road. Mailing address: PO Box 48, Northgate QLD 4013.
Q. Can my child join?
Junior memberships are available for ages 12–17. Juniors must be accompanied and supervised by a person aged 18 or over at all times in the workshop.
Q. Do I need prior experience?
No. The club has hand tools for beginners, and instructors guide new members through introductory projects - for metalsmithing, that's two guided projects to build core skills like soldering. Faceting is taught as a 2-day workshop when an instructor is available.
Membership and fees
Q. How much does it cost to join?
New members pay a one-off joining fee plus an annual subscription. Single adult: $40 joining + $60/year. Junior, Pensioner/Senior, and Associate rates are $30. Family rate is $50 joining + $120/year. Workshop sessions are $6 each. Full table on Costs & Fees.
Q. When are fees due?
Our financial year runs 1 January – 31 December and renewals are due by 31 December. Members joining after 30 June pay 50% for the remainder of the year. Members joining 1 October – 31 December pay the full year and are covered through the following year.
Q. What's the difference between Ordinary and Associate members?
Ordinary members (18+) use the workshop facilities and join fossicking excursions. Associate members (18+) are not working members but can hold a Management Committee office. The Associate annual fee is half the Ordinary fee.
Q. What about Junior, Family or Senior rates?
Junior (12–17): $30 joining + $30/year (supervised by adult member). Pensioner/Senior (65+): $30 joining + $30/year. Family (same address): $50 joining + $120/year.
Q. Can someone try the club without joining?
Q. How do I get the newsletter?
Members choose how to receive the newsletter at joining and renewal: email, pick up a printed copy at the clubhouse, or have a copy mailed (postage paid by member). Electronic copies are also available to download.
Activities and workshops
Q. What activities can I learn at NBLC?
Gem cutting (faceting + cabochoning), metalsmithing (silver and gold smithing, casting, enamelling), and fossicking field trips. See the Activities pages for details on each.
Q. Is gemmology taught at the club?
NBLC has a range of gemmology tools to help members identify gemstones, but gemmology is not currently taught as a course. Member interest can change this - let us know if you'd like a course to run.
Q. What equipment does the club have?
Five faceting machines, cabbing grinders (diamond + silicon carbide, water-cooled), and a full set of silversmithing hand tools for beginners. Material and consumables can be purchased at the club.
Q. When are work sessions held?
See the Calendar for current opening times. A metalsmithing instructor is rostered on at several sessions through the week. Faceting and cabbing courses run when an instructor is available and there's member interest. Workshop fee is $6 per session.
Q. Are there field trips?
Yes - field trips run regularly. The program is set in January by the field trip officer, with at least one major trip per year (1–3 months duration). All NBLC field trips are covered by the club's fossicking licence, so members don't need their own.
Q. Where do field trips go?
Day-trip sites within driving range of Brisbane include Kilkivan (~160 km north, popular for gold), Windera and Cloyna (agate, with pay-to-dig sites available), and Ewingar Creek in NSW (~3.5 hr south-west, smoky quartz). Longer trips run elsewhere.