Curiosity MinePrehistoric animals ate a lot of things, and whatever they ate had to come back out again somehow -- lets check out some coprolites and regurgitalites!
Special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Smith and Jenni Brammall for their assistance, patience and good humour.
Coprolites and Gastric Pellets - Prehistoric Poo & Vomit @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-03-04 | Prehistoric animals ate a lot of things, and whatever they ate had to come back out again somehow -- lets check out some coprolites and regurgitalites!
Special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Smith and Jenni Brammall for their assistance, patience and good humour.
#lightningridge #australianopalcentre #coproliteSending an Earth Rock to Mars - Perseverance 2020 RoverCuriosity Mine2024-04-12 | Not everyone can say they've sent something to Mars! Dr. Patrice Rey and his team hand-selected a piece of Australian rock from the Pilbara to send to Mars as part of the Perseverance 2020 mission!
#mars2020 #perserverance #marsTrees That Defend Themselves - Spiky Bushes: Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2024-03-24 | A grouping of tree species found on the Lightning Ridge opal fields that defend themselves with spikes!
πΈ Stiff cherry fruit photographs courtesy of Warwick Schofield
πΆ IDU Theme by Russell Gawthorpe, remixed by fraxyl πΆ Bendybass by Russell Gawthorpe πΆ The Reach, Noire in June and Sea Dweller by fraxyl fraxyl.bandcamp.com soundcloud.com/datazoid
#lightningridge #warriorbush #bushbotanySydneys Railway of the Dead - Rookwood Necropolis Railway HistoryCuriosity Mine2024-03-02 | Sydney is home to the largest cemetery in the Southern Hemisphere, and once upon a time it had its own dedicated railway line...
0:00 Introduction 0:23 City of the Dead: Rookwood Necropolis 2:32 Not In My 19th Century Backyard 6:37 City of the Dead 10:32 The Lightning Ridge Connection 13:32 And a Personal Connection 15:38 Railway of the Dead 16:16 Starting the Journey: Regent Street 20:39 Funeral Trains 21:25 Cemetery Station No. 1 26:06 Cemetery Station No. 2 26:40 Cemetery Station No. 3 27:30 Cemetery Station No. 4 28:17 The Death of the Funeral Train 29:04 The Other Rookwood 31:20 Other History 32:50 Thoughts on Visiting Cemeteries 33:51 How to get to Rookwood 34:43 Acknowledgments
#rookwood #cemetery #cityofthedeadOpalised Fossil Letter from 1916 - Lightning Ridge Opal Fossil HistoryCuriosity Mine2024-02-09 | An opalised fossil was discovered at Lightning Ridge in 1916, here's a letter from the Australian Museum to the London Museum asking for advice with a mysterious twist!
Thanks to Lost Lightning Ridge, the Lightning Ridge Historical Society and the Australian Opal Centre, Jenni Brammall, Dr. Elizabeth Smith, Leisa Carney, People Need Goals.
The letter: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1646440385/view
0:00 Introduction 0:52 World History 1:56 Lightning Ridge History 3:01 Palaeontological History 3:53 The Author of the Letter 4:37 The Recipient of the Letter 5:03 The Letter 12:08 The Piltdown Skull 16:22 The Etheridge Fossil 18:55 Acknowledgments
#lightningridge #opalisedfossil #australianmuseumOpal on Mars - Why Outback Australia looks like the Red PlanetCuriosity Mine2024-01-20 | The Australian Outback is famous for being red and desolate, but it shares a lot more in common with the Mars than you might think -- including opal!
This video was made with the help, assistance and patience of Dr. Patrice Rey at the University of Sydney. Special thanks to Shaun Galman for access to a working opal mine!
Mars images courtesy of NASA/JPL/Caltech, Pexels. 3D model of Perseverance courtesy of NASA/JPL.
0:00 Introduction 1:00 Mars in Virtual Reality 3:27 The Perseverance Rover 5:33 The Outback 6:51 Steel Band 10:05 Support Curiosity Mine on Patreon 10:39 Opal Formation 18:38 Conclusion 19:18 Acknowledgments
#mars2020 #perserverance #lightningridgeThe Shermans Back FC Holden - Lightning Ridge Historical SocietyCuriosity Mine2023-12-29 | The Sherman family have been involved in and supporting the Lightning Ridge (and Australian) opal community since 1896. This 1959 FC Holden was used to advertise the business for many years and now resides with the Lightning Ridge Historical Society as a piece of local heritage and a local icon.
Sherman Opals: https://shermanopals.com.au/ Sherman Opals @ Instagram: instagram.com/shermanopals History of the Sherman family @ Opal Academy: https://www.opal.academy/theshermanfamily
#lightningridge #shermanopals #holdenAustralian Opal Centre - from Then to Now & Building Progress UpdateCuriosity Mine2023-12-10 | The Australian Opal Centre building is under construction on the historic Three Mile opal field at Lightning Ridge. Learn about the history of the AOC and take a tour of the building site as the construction progresses!
Special thanks to Jenni Brammall (AOC) and Simon Fraser (Barpa) for their support and assistance with this video.
0:00 Introduction 1:14 Tour of the AOC site 4:07 History of the AOC 9:10 AOC Dinosaurs 10:00 History of the AOC (Cont'd) 12:09 Curiosity Mine's Commitment 12:35 Acknowledgements
#australianopalcentre #lightningridge #museumLightning Ridge Cemetery - Unknown Opal Miners Memorials & MoreCuriosity Mine2023-11-20 | Lightning Ridge is an opal mining town in New South Wales, Australia. A lot of things are unusual about Lightning Ridge, and its cemetery is no different.
#lightningridge #opalmining #miningheritageAn Impressive Spotted Bower Bird Courtship Bower - Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2023-10-20 | Male bowerbirds have an amazing strategy for attracting a mate -- to collect a whole bunch of stuff and display it proudly!
πΈ Bowerbird photographs courtesy of Janet Town and Warwick Schofield
πΆ IDU Theme by Russell Gawthorpe, remixed by fraxyl πΆ Bendybass by Russell Gawthorpe πΆ A Bass Jam Floating in Space by fraxyl fraxyl.bandcamp.com soundcloud.com/datazoid
#lightningridge #bowerbird #bushbotanyWhy is there a Dam? Syntropic Garden Q&A with Rebel & Thiago @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2023-09-15 | This is a follow up to A Literal Oasis - Syntropic Agroforestry @ Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia: youtube.com/watch?v=llazeATdn7s
I caught up with Rebel and Thiago at The Hungry Spirit at Lightning Ridge to discuss some frequently asked questions from the previous video about the syntropic garden growing in semi-arid Lightning Ridge.
πΆ IDU theme remixed by fraxyl πΆ Gelatinous Monsters πΆ Drifter πΆ Deadly Cactus Sonata πΆ A Bass Jam Floating in Space by fraxyl - bandcamp.com/fraxyl πΆ Bendybass & Going Somewhere Theme by Russell Gawthorpe - soundcloud.com/datazoid
#lightningridge #syntropicagroforestry #sustainabilityScientist Action Figures - for real this time! Kickstarter from Brainiaction ToysCuriosity Mine2023-08-25 | A long time ago, I made a picture of some scientists as action figures. Over a decade later, someone is making them real!
0:00 Introduction 0:46 Heroes of Science 4:05 All Stars of Science 4:18 Rosalind Franklin 5:33 James Clerk Maxwell 6:43 Marie Curie 7:49 Richard Feynman 10:12 Design Choices 12:13 Future Plans 15:03 Curiosity Mine Patreon 15:18 Support the Project 17:35 Acknowledgements
#actionfigures #scientist #kickstarterNobbies & Seam: Opal Forms | OpalWords @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2023-08-07 | Lightning Ridge opal comes in two common formations: nobbies and seam opal. What's the difference, and how are they formed?
This video was made with the assistance of Vicki at Down to Earth Opals at Lightning Ridge!
#lightningridge #opalmining #opalThe Pokataroo Station Masters House - I Lived in NSW Railway HistoryCuriosity Mine2023-07-02 | This is a follow up to Collarenebri: The Railway that Never Was from 2017: youtube.com/watch?v=r5-EXhKFb_k
I grew up in what seemed like a normal house, but it actually has history dating back to the early 1900s, and a railway line that had the potential to change the history of outback New South Wales.
#nswrailways #railway #collarenebriVictorian Era Fake Opal - Foil Opal (Example from 1934!)Curiosity Mine2023-06-02 | Synthetic opal isn't the newfangled thing you think it is. The first fake opal is much older, dating back to the Industrial Revolution.
#lightningridge #foilopal #vintagejewelryEdible, Nasty and Stinky - Three Introduced Plants - Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2023-05-12 | Three plants with red fruits or flowers, all with strikingly different properties and purposes. Introduced species aren't always invasive, but they still have an impact on the environment around them.
#bushbotany #lightningridge #cactusWhat are Parcels, King Stones, Grading and Runners? OPALWords @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2023-04-21 | Some behind-the-scenes terminology from the Australian opal industry. In this video, we discuss sorting opal for selling and a story about a very lucky salesman!
This video was made with the assistance of Vicki at Down to Earth Opals at Lightning Ridge!
#lightningridge #opalselling #opalminingCuriosity Mine Q&A with fraxyl and Artificial IntelligenceCuriosity Mine2023-04-01 | I met up with Mike (aka fraxyl), musician and composer who has provided music for Curiosity Mine videos. We asked ChatGPT to interrogate us!
#chatgpt #youtube #curiositymineLeopardwood and Convergent Evolution - Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2023-03-18 | Leopardwood is a common tree on the opal fields at Lightning Ridge, but it has a few tricks up its sleeve including some clever survival mechanisms and a spectacular seeding process!
#bushbotany #lightningridge #leopardwoodWhite Horse, Gypsum & Beards - Strange(r) Things in an Opal Mine @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2023-02-24 | Everyone talks about equipment, geology and opal formation -- let's talk about weird things in an opal mine, instead.
In this video we meet up with Lightning Ridge opal miner Shaun Galman to take a look at a few of the more unusual things you might find under the ground in an opal mine at Lightning Ridge.
#lightningridge #opalmining #strangethingsA Literal Oasis - Syntropic Agroforestry @ Lightning Ridge, NSW, AustraliaCuriosity Mine2023-02-06 | In the middle of a semi-arid dustpan is a one-hectare patch of tropical rainforest, built by sensible and sustainable practises and clever use of available resources.
In this video, Rebel Black from The Hungry Spirit at Lightning Ridge shows us the syntropic agroforestry test bed, and we dig deep into the methodology, theory, science and success of syntropic agroforestry in semi-arid regions.
πΆ IDU theme remixed by fraxyl πΆ low short growl πΆ a bass jam floating in space πΆ the reach πΆ french gameshow by fraxyl - bandcamp.com/fraxyl πΆ Bendybass by Russell Gawthorpe - soundcloud.com/datazoid
#lightningridge #syntropicagroforestry #sustainabilityyoRuby Saltbush - Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2023-01-16 | Saltbush is common in semi-arid and arid Australia, and some of it is quite tasty.
In this episode of Bush Botany, Warwick Schofield shows us the ruby saltbush, one of the species of saltbush that has adapted to live in the semi-arid desert-like environment around Lightning Ridge.
βοΈIMPORTANT: DON'T EAT THINGS IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE. This video is not a guide, an instruction or a recommendation. Just because one plant with red berries is edible it does not mean they all are. Be careful and please do your own independent research and verification before putting things in your mouth.
#bushbotany #lightningridge #rubysaltbushNew Opalised Fossils from 2022 - Australian Opal Centre @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-12-16 | Belemnites, coprolites, plesiosaurs and peculiarities -- check out some of the amazing donations added to the Australian Opal Centre's incredible collection this year!
Special thanks to Jenni Brammall and Dr. Elizabeth Smith for their enthusiasm and patience!
#opalisedfossils #australianopalcentre #australianopalWorld First? - We LiDAR Scanned an Opal Mine @ Lightning Ridge!Curiosity Mine2022-11-14 | We 3D scanned a 25+ year old Lightning Ridge opal mine and created a visualisation of the entire mine.
Special thanks to Shaun Galman for allowing access to the mine, providing safety briefings and supporting this creation of this video.
I cannot stress this enough - mine safety is important. Opal mines, opal mining claims and opal fields are dangerous places with hazards you may not be familiar with and cannot predict. Entering a mineral claim without the express permission of the claim owner is considered criminal trespass and can be prosecuted. Entering mine diggings without the presence of a trained and experienced miner is an extreme risk and is never, ever recommended.
0:00 Mine Safety 0:09 Outtakes 0:37 Introduction 2:09 The Process 2:53 About LiDAR 3:58 Scanning the Mine 6:00 Other 3D Scanning Projects 6:59 Finishing up the Scan 8:12 Putting it All Together 11:07 Discoveries from the 3D Scan 12:17 Back to the Mine 16:10 Conclusion 16:56 Rescue Mission 17:26 Acknowledgements
#lightningridge #opalmining #3dscanningStinking Gidgee & Resilient Wattles in the Outback, Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-11-04 | There are many species of Acacia in Australia, and here are four of them native to the semi-arid region surrounding the opal fields at Lightning Ridge -- including one that's famous for smelling awful!
In the fourth episode of Bush Botany, Warwick Schofield takes us to the Gidgee Forest via several other species of wattle.
This video was made with the assistance of Warwick Schofield, with acknowledgements to Margaret Schofield, Kay Wotherspoon and Susan Keckes.
Clarification: In this video I mention that some species of Acacia have modified leaf stems or cladodes in place of normal leaves. The correct term is βphyllodesβ from the Ancient Greek "phullodes", meaning βleaf-likeβ. A phyllode is a modified leaf stem, whereas a cladode is a modified stem. Ultimately their function is very similar, but the terminology differs.
#bushbotany #lightningridge #wattlesWhat are Jelly Opal, Inclusions and Kernels? OPALwords @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-10-21 | What exactly is jelly opal, and what are inclusions -- and even more specifically, what are kernels? Opal and opal mining terminology is pretty strange, let's explore it.
This video was made with the assistance of Vicki at Down to Earth Opals at Lightning Ridge!
#lightningridge #opalnobbies #opalminingBimble Box - The Tree that Glistens in the Moonlight - Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-09-30 | Strange flowers, shiny leaves and a snack for koalas - the Bimble Box tree at Lightning Ridge.
In this third episode of Bush Botany, Warwick Schofield shows us the Bible Box, a commonplace eucalyptus with some strange characteristics and a great relationship with native fauna.
This video was made with the assistance of Warwick Schofield, with acknowledgements to Margaret Schofield, Kay Wotherspoon and Susan Keckes.
#lightningridge #bushbotany #bimbleboxNeil Sedakas song about Lightning Ridge (1974)Curiosity Mine2022-09-09 | In 1974, pop star Neil Sedaka released a song about Lightning Ridge, the opal mining town in NSW, Australia. But...why?
In this video I chat with Stephen Terrey, the Lightning Ridge resident who inspired Mr. Sedaka's odd b-side, described by the artist himself as "the strangest song I ever wrote".
0:00 Introduction 1:46 The Song 3:22 How it Came to Be 10:50 Lightning Ridge in 1974 14:38 Let's Massively Overanalyse a Song 17:51 Conclusion 18:45 Acknowledgements
#lightningridge #neilsedaka #popmusicPea Nobbies, Point Stones & Opal Chips - OPALWORDS @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-08-20 | Opal comes in all shapes and sizes, and so do the words that are used to describe it. What are pea nobbies, point stones and opal chips?
This video was made with the assistance of Vicki at Down to Earth Opals at Lightning Ridge!
#lightningridge #opalnobbies #opalminingMoss, Algae, Fungus & The Enigma Code - Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-07-29 | There's a secret group of weird organisms that make life possible -- and you've probably never noticed them.
In the second episode of Bush Botany, we meet up with Warwick Schofield to investigate cryptogams, a group of plant-like organisms with some strange properties and an important role to play. (Plus something weird that happened during World War II.)
This video was made with the assistance of Warwick Schofield, with acknowledgements to Margaret Schofield, Kay Wotherspoon and Susan Keckes.
#lightningridge #bushbotany #cryptogamsRoad Signs, a Radio Drama & Crocodile Dundee - 3 Quick Lightning Ridge StoriesCuriosity Mine2022-07-08 | Streets of Sydney, a 1952 radio drama and a celebrity's birthplace? Three quick stories about Lightning Ridge!
#paulhogan #lightningridge #rodtaylorMeeting Weewarrasaurus! feat. The Dinomaniacs @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-06-25 | Curiosity Mine and @thedinomaniacs arrange for Mike Poben, discoverer of Weewarrasaurus pobeni to have a first hand encounter with a recreation of his own dinosaur!
Special thanks to The Dinomaniacs for their patience and enthusiasm in helping to make this video. Thanks also to the Australian Opal Centre at Lightning Ridge, and of course Mike Poben for his discovery, participation and good nature.
#lightningridge #dinomaniacs #weewarrasaurusHudson Pear: The Deadly Cactus that Infests The Opal Fields - Bush Botany @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-06-03 | There's a deadly menace on the Australian opal fields, it's nasty, has two-inch spines and it kills.
Hudson Pear is an invasive cactus species that has unfortunately infested large areas of the opal fields at Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia. It has also spread to the other Australian opal fields, and is spreading throughout the rest of the country.
In the first video in the Bush Botany series, featuring Warwick Schofield, we look at Hudson Pear. Its origins, its biology, its interaction with humans and animals, its impact on the opal fields, its future spread. We also look at methods of controlling the cactus outbreak, past and present, and how YOU can help to contain and limit the spread of this vicious plant.
00:00 Introduction 01:46 Hudson Pear 05:50 A Vicious and Deadly Cactus 10:15 Deadly or Deadliest? 11:47 What's in a Name? 13:54 Elimination Strategies 21:53 What You Can Do 26:22 The Pointy End 27:02 Acknowledgements
This video was made with the assistance of Warwick Schofield, Andy and Mat at Castlereagh Macquarie County Council and Shaun Galman, with acknowledgements to Margaret Schofield, Kay Wotherspoon and Susan Keckes.
Hudson Pear on Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cylindropuntia_rosea (Note the scientific name has not been updated on Wikipedia at time of posting, link may break if the details are corrected.)
Contact your local weeds officer: https://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/cacti/north-west-regional-weed-officers.html
Resources provided by CMCC and Northern Slopes Landcare: β’ Resources index: https://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/cacti/resources.html β’ Hudson pear You Tube videos - youtube.com/watch?v=8yNhOKsrTac&list=PLm%20Srgp-AUIktRkaObd2twzqzkuYlR%20t%20u4W β’ Seen This Plant? Hudson pear - https://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/images/Cacti/SeenThis_HudsonPear_HIGHRes.pdf β’ Biological Control of Hudson pear - https://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/images/%20Cacti/CochinealBiocontrol_Hudsonpear_HIGHRes.pdf β’ Come clean, go clean - https://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/images/Cacti/Tourism%20Cacti_DLfolded_HIGHRes.pdf β’ Invasive cacti in the north west region of NSW - https://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.a Invasive cacti field guide - https://www.northernslopeslandcare.com.au/images/Cacti/5537_%20Cacti_Booklet_VeryFINAL_WEB.pdf
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Images used: cochineal by orgidie (CC BY-NC 2.0): https://flic.kr/p/MHNW7 bugs by kweez mcG (CC BY 2.0): https://flic.kr/p/7Gb85J
IDU theme remixed by fraxyl Deadly Cactus Sonata, Knife Fight with Feeling & Asleep in the Background by fraxyl fraxyl.bandcamp.com
#lightningridge #hudsonpear #bushbotanyOpal in Star Trek - Lightning Ridge rough opal in Strange New Worlds?Curiosity Mine2022-05-30 | Was there a piece of Australian opal in an episode of Star Trek? And while we're at it, has opal ever appeared in Star Trek before?
This video was inspired by Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season one, episode four, "Memento Mori". You can watch Strange New Worlds on Paramount Plus: paramountplus.com
Star Trek and all related marks, logos and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc.
#startrek #strangenewworlds #lightningridgeBaby Dinosaur Bones - Fossil Dig Finds @ Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-05-15 | Is this the tiniest dinosaur ever found in Australia? Quite possibly! Two fossils found four decades apart tell the story of embryonic dinosaurs in prehistoric outback Australia.
This video features Dr. Phil Bell from the University of New England Armidale at the Australian Opal Centre's annual Fossil Dig!
#lightningridge #australianopalcentre #dinosaursThe Graham Brothers Cottage - Home of the Lightning Ridge Historical SocietyCuriosity Mine2022-05-03 | Built in the 1930s, the heritage cottage in Morilla Street, Lightning Ridge was home to the Spicer family and the Graham brothers, and now houses part of the LRHS's extensive opal mining heritage collection.
In this video I speak with Barbara Moritz, secretary and treasurer of the LRHS about the shack's significance, history and role in the foundation of the society that now works to protect and preserve Lightning Ridge history in all forms.
0:00 Introduction 0:26 The Spicer Family 2:21 The Graham Bros 4:19 The Cottage 4:50 The Master Bedroom 6:13 The Living Room 6:55 The Kitchen 8:36 The Second Bedroom 9:02 The Exterior 10:55 The Land 12:49 Conclusion 13:33 Acknowledgements
The Graham Brothers' Cottage in 3D (view in your browser!): skfb.ly/o9TzM
#lightningridge #lightningridgehistoricalsociety #historichouseLightning Ridge in a Video Game - Artificial Intelligence vs. Opal Mining TownCuriosity Mine2022-03-18 | Let's have a look at the only time Lightning Ridge has ever appeared in a video game -- the same video game as everywhere else!
Special thanks to Chris for recording the game footage used in this video.
All visual properties relating to the game are the property of Microsoft Corporation. Images, video and sound are used solely under Fair Use for purposes of review, critique and education.
Something I forgot to mention in the video: Yeah, the centre of town is devoid of buildings. The art gallery, motel and cafes that line the northern end of Opal Street are all missing, and it's pretty obvious. Sorry -- I was distracted by the weird car outlines on the street!
#lightningridge #gaming #microsoftflightsimulatorWhat is Opal Carving? - Opal Words at Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-02-20 | For decades opal has been traditionally cut into the oval cabochon shape, but now opal carving is quickly becoming a great alternative. We discuss the pros and cons and examine some incredible examples of carved opal.
This video was made with the help of Down to Earth Opals, at Lightning Ridge. Special thanks to Vicki and Andrew at DTEO.
** if you're wondering what was blurred out on the left hand side, it's a prop relating to a future video that I forgot to remove before filming. π
0:00 Introduction 0:47 Cutting Opal 1:21 Definition of Cabochon 3:20 Opal Carving 4:50 Freeform Shapes 5:33 Carving Technology 6:35 Freeform or Free Shape 7:04 Freeform with Carved Elements 7:56 Maximising Yield 9:01 Basic Carving 10:10 Carved Opal in Jewellery 11:06 A Work in Progress 12:16 Art Designed by Nature 14:12 Difficult Decisions 15:35 Conclusion 16:04 Acknowledgements
IDU theme by Russell Gawthorpe, remixed by fraxyl Braap Braap, Dee and Bee, French Gameshow and Asleep in the Background by fraxyl facebook.com/fraxyl fraxyl.bandcamp.com
#lightningridge #opalcutting #opalcarvingHarry Zacks Bush Anvil - Innovation and Invention at Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2022-01-31 | Engineer, blacksmith and innovator Harry Zack built this metalworking anvil almost a century ago from recycled parts -- check out how recycling and reuse has been part of Lightning Ridge's opal mining heritage since the very beginning.
This video was made with the help of the Lightning Ridge Historical Society with special thanks to Barbara Moritz.
If you enjoyed this video, please consider hitting the subscribe button and maybe sharing the video and channel with your friends!
(This video was filmed on location in March 2021, prior to NSW state lockdown and any later restrictions. No social distancing or mask mandates were violated making this video.)
#lightningridge #lightningridgehistoricalsociety #grawinWhat are doublets, triplets and mosaic opal? Opal Words at Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2021-12-31 | Doublets, triplets and mosaics are ways of making something more out of something less, and an artform in their own right. I spoke with Vicki at Down To Earth Opals at Lightning Ridge about these kinds of opals, and looked at some spectacular examples!
Welcome to Opalwords, a series of videos about the terminology used in the opal mining industry and specifically at the opal mining location of Lightning Ridge in Northern New South Wales, Australia, and the home of the black opal.
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0:00 Introduction 0:43 Solid Opal 1:57 Doublets 4:17 Triplets 5:07 The Elephant in the Room 8:58 Mosaic 10:12 Acknowledgements
#triplets #doublets #lightningridgeOpalised Fossils: The Paul Sedawie Collection - Australian Opal Centre, Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2021-12-10 | In this video we look at an incredible donation of more than 450 opalised fossils from opal fields around the world, generously donated to the Australian Opal Centre by Paul Sedawie.
Paul shows us some of his favourite pieces from the collection including bivalve molluscs, belemnites, snails, dinosaur bones, plant fossils, turtle shell and so many more incredible pieces.
#opalisedfossils #sedawiecollection #australianopalcentreLungfish are Awesome - Opalised Fossils at Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2021-10-04 | Lungfish are a living fossil with some pretty amazing capabilities.
One of the Australian Opal Centre's most avid contributors, Vicki, shows us some opalised fossils of lungfish tooth plates, as well as some opalised fossils of some of the creatures that prehistoric lungfish used to eat over a hundred million years ago.
Also, I get very excited about why lungfish are incredible creatures, both now and eons ago!
#lightningridge #australianopalcentre #lungfishOpal Mining Words - Trace, Blow, Prop, Pig Sty, Monkey?! - Lightning Ridge TerminologyCuriosity Mine2021-09-10 | What's a monkey in an opal mine? How about a pig-sty? We look at a LOT of words relating to opal mining!
Welcome to Opalwords, a series of videos about the terminology used in the opal mining industry and specifically at the opal mining location of Lightning Ridge in Northern New South Wales, Australia, and the home of the black opal.
#opalmining #opal #lightningridgeThe Wild West at Lightning Ridge - Weetalibah Hotel & The Old Castlereagh HighwayCuriosity Mine2021-08-21 | North western New South Wales is the "Wild West" of Australia, and it has some outrageous stories, too.
This is the story of the old Castlereagh Highway and the Weetalibah Hotel. Be sure to check out the previous video about the Weetalibah floodway: youtube.com/watch?v=TVF8PSXDGtw
#lightningridgehistoricalsociety #weetalibah #weetalibahhotelMarina Drive-In Theatre - A Blast From The Movie Past (Lightning Ridge, NSW)Curiosity Mine2021-07-23 | A look at Lightning Ridge's former cinema under the stars, the Marina Drive-In Theatre!
In this video I speak with Barbara from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society about some recent donations to the Historical Society's collection of Lightning Ridge cultural and opal mining heritage items: speakers from the Drive-In Theater. I also spoke with Barb about her unique connection with the cinema - she used to live in it!
#lightningridgehistoricalsociety #drivein #driveintheaterLightning Ridge in 1975 - Aerial Tour, Mining, Town TourCuriosity Mine2021-07-12 | A quick tour of Lightning Ridge, NSW, in 1975!
This is an old 8MM film of Lightning Ridge shot by my father on his first visit to the opal mining town in '75. I've had the film enhanced via artificial intelligence to improve the quality and frame rate.
#1975 #8mmfilm #lightningridgeWhat is a Muggy? Opal Words & Mining Terminology at Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2021-07-02 | What is a "muggy" or "mug stone" on the Lightning Ridge opal fields?
Welcome to Opalwords, a series of videos about the terminology used in the opal mining industry and specifically at the opal mining location of Lightning Ridge in Northern New South Wales, Australia, and the home of the black opal.
#muggy #opal #lightningridgeA Crocodile Bone that Tells Us About the Ancient Climate (Fossil Dig Finds @ Lightning Ridge)Curiosity Mine2021-06-18 | What was the climate of Lightning Ridge like 100 million years ago? This little piece of crocodile fossil can tell us!
In this video I speak with Dr. Phil Bell from the University of New England Armidale about an awesome piece of crocodile bone fossil discovered at the Australian Opal Centre's annual Fossil Dig!
#lightningridge #australianopalcentre #crocodilefossilA Boat Without Water: Weetalibah Crossing (Lightning Ridge Historical Society)Curiosity Mine2021-06-04 | Lightning Ridge is a town without a river, but this area just to the north floods REGULARLY.
I spoke with Barbara Moritz from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society about Weetalibah Crossing, a causeway where a natural flood course intersects the Castlereagh Highway. The Historical Society has in its collection a steel boat that dates to around 1923, found high and dry in a field, no doubt a remnant of a flood in the area a century ago.
There will be a follow-up to this video in future, as Weetalibah has a few more interesting stories for us to tell!
If you enjoyed this video, please consider hitting the subscribe button and maybe sharing the video and channel with your friends!
ALSO: My pronunciation of Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaaray is very much open to criticism. My research has turned up a few different pronunciations, and local speakers have differing opinions. Leave your thoughts in the comments, please. It's important to me to get these things as correct as possible, so any feedback will be taken on board for next time.
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#lightningridgehistoricalsociety #weetalibah #weetalibahcreekWhat are Specking, Fossicking and Noodling? Opal Words at Lightning RidgeCuriosity Mine2021-04-23 | Finding opal on the surface takes skill, patience and permission. I spoke with an opal miner about the process, and about the history of specking.
Welcome to Opalwords, a series of videos about the terminology used in the opal mining industry and specifically at the opal mining location of Lightning Ridge in Northern New South Wales, Australia, and the home of the black opal.