Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to talk about the miners' common on the Gemfields, which is celebrating its100th anniversary. The Gemfields is a fascinating place located within my electorate of Flynn. It encompasses the towns of Anakie, Rubyvale and Sapphire and is renowned for its wealthy deposits of beautiful sapphires and gemstones. Thousands of tourists visit the Gemfields each year. The miners' common sets the Gemfields apart from just about every other mining town in Australia and was first proclaimed back in 1914.

The miners' common takes in an area of 4,500 acres. Under the Fossicking Act 1914 the government proclaimed a designated area allowing residents the right to graze livestock freely throughout the miners' common. What makes the miners' common so special is the fact that it is very last miners' common area to exist in Australia. The Gemfields miners' common is the heart and soul of the Gemfields and it is a part of the character and unique lifestyle of this area. To celebrate the anniversary, a number of events have already taken place to mark this truly special milestone. In November there will be an official centenary ceremony and a centenary ball. I congratulate the Gemfields community for their passion in celebrating this truly unique area of the miners' common.