TAMWORTH Regional Council has officially reopened the extraordinary Gil Bennet Rocks, Gems and Minerals Collection at its new location in Nundle.
The relocation, at 8 Innes Street, marks an exciting new chapter for the collection, which showcases more than 1300 specimens collected by the late Gilmour (Gil) Thomas Bennet.
The Nundle Visitor Information Outlet was also moved to the new location earlier in the year, creating a one-stop shop for people wanting to visit the Gil Bennet Collection and gain more information about exploring the region.
Tamworth Region mayor, Russell Webb, says it is a major tourism attraction located in an area known for fossicking.
“To have this collection on display in Nundle, which is well known for fossicking, is simply outstanding,” Cr Webb said.
“Having it in its new location means it will be more accessible not just for the community, but for travellers and those wanting to learn more about the area and what the land can create overtime.”
Gil Bennet travelled extensively across Australia unearthing thousands of rocks, gems and minerals for more than two decades and was president of the Tamworth Lapidary Club from 1965 to 1980.
The collection was formally donated to Council by the Bennet family in 2008, with a small section also now on display at the Tamworth Lapidary Club.
“We are simply honoured for the family to have donated this part of the collection years ago,” Cr Webb said.
“Having it on display for all to see, and for free, helps to preserve Gil’s legacy for future generations to come.”
Some of the specimens on display include spheres that Mr Bennet spent thousands of hours cutting and rounding himself, petrified wood, quartz, agate, jasper, calcite, gypsum and more.
To celebrate the relocation, there was an official reopening event on Friday, featuring live music, a smoking ceremony, and a look at the collection in its new home.
The relocation works were proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Tamworth Regional Council.
