By Melissa Coleman
Aussie Gold Hunters actor Andrew Leahy is petitioning the Southern Downs Regional Council to open new fossicking and recreational reserves in the Stanthorpe area.
The full-time prospector believes that the council is missing out on a fantastic opportunity.
“Fossicking is becoming a booming hobby, and Stanthorpe is the closest location to Brisbane and surrounds that showcases many great gems and minerals,” Leahy said.
Currently, Swipers Gully is the only area licenced for fossickers, but it has been inaccessible since 2019.
“My very first fossicking trip was to Swipers Gully fossicking area at Amiens, and I walked away with some great topaz and quartz crystals,” he said.
“That was 21 years ago, and now I work full-time in the prospecting and fossicking world.
“The local fossickers and the tourist fossickers have all been lamenting its closure online for years now.
“I’ve made a career from a hobby, it would be great if other people got that same opportunity,” he said.
There has been a huge surge in the popularity of fossicking in recent years offering families outdoor adventure and camping opportunities.
According to Leahy it’s no secret that fossickers have long known that Stanthorpe and its surrounds have an abundance of gems and crystals, including quartz crystals of many varieties, topaz, beryl, feldspar, ruby, and tin.
“The most sought after of these are topaz and quartz, in many variations including rock crystal, smokey quartz and amethyst crystals, but you can also find other minerals such as aquamarine, feldspar, ruby tin and more.”
“With Stanthorpe directly between the Warwick goldfields and the Fossickers Way in the New England region, it’s perfectly placed to capture tourism.
“Not only are many families missing out on a great location, close to the main populace to go for a fossick, but Stanthorpe is losing out on tourism,” he said.
Leahy has made fossicking his life’s work and is the administration of several Facebook pages, one with over 14 000 members, discussing fossicking throughout South East Queensland and New South Wales.
“I’m also a member of a Facebook group called Stanthorpe and Granite Belt fossicking.”
“It’s a great group and it’s all about Stanthorpe. It’s run by Fabian Maguire and Andrew Look,” he said.
Link: chng.it/HPGmHZjX
