The Model Mine - Lightning Ridge Scale Model from the 1960s

In the late 1960s, a Lightning Ridge resident built a detailed scale model of Opal Street that's still on display. Let's check it out!

In the late 1960s, a Lightning Ridge resident built a detailed scale model of Opal Street that's still on display. Let's check it out! The Model Mine is on d...

The Model Mine is on display at The Big Opal, on the Three Mile Road in Lightning Ridge.

Special thanks to Steve at The Big Opal.

Behind the scenes filming this episode with Steve at The Big Opal.

Behind the scenes filming this episode with Steve at The Big Opal.

Looking from the Butcher’s Shop end of the block down toward Pandora Street (not part of the model). I’m curious whether “nose-in” parking was the norm at the time, or if the cars were simply oriented for the best view in the model.

Looking from the Butcher’s Shop end of the block down toward Pandora Street (not part of the model). I’m curious whether “nose-in” parking was the norm at the time, or if the cars were simply oriented for the best view in the model.

The red, white and blue BMW in centre, tourist bus and various livestock inhabit the street.

The red, white and blue BMW in centre, tourist bus and various livestock inhabit the street.

An overview of the model, underground scenario and name plate. The entire unit is designed to fit into the corner of a room, and is trapezoidal in shape accordingly.

An overview of the model, underground scenario and name plate. The entire unit is designed to fit into the corner of a room, and is trapezoidal in shape accordingly.

Aerial view of Opal Street (obviously). The placement of the telegraph/power poles is completely accurate. The actual poles are in the same position to this day, refer photos below.

Aerial view of Opal Street (obviously). The placement of the telegraph/power poles is completely accurate. The actual poles are in the same position to this day, refer photos below.

Overview from the left (north) end of the model.

Overview from the left (north) end of the model.

Overview from the right (south) end of the model.

Overview from the right (south) end of the model.

Part of the underground mining diorama, featuring a shaft (vertical), drive (horizontal) and a ballroom (dome shaped excavation). A red rickshaw/wheelbarrow waits for dirt. The cut logs used for support are props, preventing the collapse of the driv…

Part of the underground mining diorama, featuring a shaft (vertical), drive (horizontal) and a ballroom (dome shaped excavation). A red rickshaw/wheelbarrow waits for dirt. The cut logs used for support are props, preventing the collapse of the drive ceilings.

Overview of the model in situ at The Big Opal.

Overview of the model in situ at The Big Opal.

If you didn’t take a selfie, were you really there?

If you didn’t take a selfie, were you really there?

Comparison 1: North end. The sign on top of the Butcher’s Shop has remained unchanged since the ‘60s. The porch at the front of the two-story building was removed a few years ago, but it was offset from the other porches as depicted accurately in th…

Comparison 1: North end. The sign on top of the Butcher’s Shop has remained unchanged since the ‘60s. The porch at the front of the two-story building was removed a few years ago, but it was offset from the other porches as depicted accurately in the model.

Comparison 2: Front on, looking from the west. There’s actually not much to point out in this comparison as the model is incredibly faithful to the original block of buildings. I suspect the builder may have intended to complete more detail on the u…

Comparison 2: Front on, looking from the west. There’s actually not much to point out in this comparison as the model is incredibly faithful to the original block of buildings. I suspect the builder may have intended to complete more detail on the upper storey of the taller building, but concluded the project early. Projects are never finished, only abandoned.

Comparison 3: “The Mine”, or the Ridge Lightning Lightning Photography Gallery (2009). This shop has been through about ten different colour schemes since we had the gallery open. In my objective opinion, ours was best. :)

Comparison 3: “The Mine”, or the Ridge Lightning Lightning Photography Gallery (2009). This shop has been through about ten different colour schemes since we had the gallery open. In my objective opinion, ours was best. :)

The Ridge Lightning Lightning Photography gallery, 2009.

The Ridge Lightning Lightning Photography gallery, 2009.

The only photograph I managed to take of our lightning photography gallery with lightning, although you have to squint to see it.

The only photograph I managed to take of our lightning photography gallery with lightning, although you have to squint to see it.

I mentioned at the end of the YouTube video that I made an error somewhere in it. I’m not going to explain it here, but it relates to the building I labeled as “our gallery”, so feel free to analyse in further detail.

The Big Opal on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBigOpal/

Other links:

Stuff that Looks Like Opal - Geological, Biological & Man-Made Opal Impostors →

There's opal, there's synthetic opal, and then there's this stuff. Minerals, biological materials and man-made substances that have similar visual properties to opal!

There's opal, there's synthetic opal, and then there's this stuff. Minerals, biological materials and man-made substances that have similar visual properties to opal! Labradorite on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrado... Fire agate on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_agate Ammolite on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammolite Weathered glass information from the Corning Museum of Glass: https://www.cmog.org/article/weathere...

Some stuff that didn’t make the cut:

Examples of materials that exhibit similar visual effects as opal. Not all of these materials made it into the video, what do you recognise?

Examples of materials that exhibit similar visual effects as opal. Not all of these materials made it into the video, what do you recognise?

More examples.

More examples.

“Opal glass”, or iridescent glass has a weathering crust that displays optical effects.

“Opal glass”, or iridescent glass has a weathering crust that displays optical effects.

Weathering crust on a beer bottle that was buried in Collarenebri for about 60 years.

Weathering crust on a beer bottle that was buried in Collarenebri for about 60 years.

Detail of the majestic piece of ancient European glass, displaying all manner of colours and textures.

Detail of the majestic piece of ancient European glass, displaying all manner of colours and textures.

The reverse of the same piece, showing blues and cyans surrounding the golden patches.

The reverse of the same piece, showing blues and cyans surrounding the golden patches.

An image I regret omitting from the video: sunstone displays mostly an orange colour from its copper inclusions, but some of the flashes of colour are green, as seen on the right, here.

An image I regret omitting from the video: sunstone displays mostly an orange colour from its copper inclusions, but some of the flashes of colour are green, as seen on the right, here.

Gorgeous green beetle carapaces from the study collection of the Australian Opal Centre. Similar structural colouring can be found on Christmas beetles and houseflies.

Gorgeous green beetle carapaces from the study collection of the Australian Opal Centre. Similar structural colouring can be found on Christmas beetles and houseflies.

Another omission from the video, a glorious example of an ammonite with beautifully preserved ammolite, shimmering in greens and pinks.

Another omission from the video, a glorious example of an ammonite with beautifully preserved ammolite, shimmering in greens and pinks.

A visual comparison of actual crystal opal (left) and Opalite (right).

A visual comparison of actual crystal opal (left) and Opalite (right).

Labradorite on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrado...

Fire agate on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_agate

Ammolite on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammolite

Weathered glass information from the Corning Museum of Glass: https://www.cmog.org/article/weathere

"Ridge Lightning" - Lightning & Weather Photography from Lightning Ridge →

We took photographs of lightning at Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia. Here's the story. From 2004-2009, we were the "storm chasers" from Lightning Ridge. Shaun Galman and I photographed weather and lightning and our work is still on display in Lightning Ridge, if you know where to look.

We took photographs of lightning at Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia. Here's the story. From 2004-2009, we were the "storm chasers" from Lightning Ridge. Shaun Galman and I photographed weather and lightning and our work is still on display in Lightning Ridge, if you know where to look.

Shaun on DeviantART: https://www.deviantart.com/syndyne

Shaun on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syndyne/

Russell on DeviantART: https://www.deviantart.com/datazoid

Russell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/datazoid/

Ridge Lightning on Facebook: https://facebook.com/ridgelightning

Lightning Ridge in a 1920 Silent Film "The Shadow of Lightning Ridge" →

The opal mining town of Lightning Ridge appeared, kind of, in a lost film that was made in 1920. I can't show you the film, but I can tell you the story.

YES. There are flies. YES. There's wind. I'm sorry. I had one day to shoot this, and those are the scenarios I was dealt. It could have been worse -- if it were a day earlier, I'd have been filming in a dust storm.

The opal mining town of Lightning Ridge appeared, kind of, in a lost film that was made in 1920. I can't show you the film, but I can tell you the story. YES. There are flies. YES. There's wind. I'm sorry. I had one day to shoot this, and those are the scenarios I was dealt.

Some extra photgraphs and media:

Poster/playbill for The Shadow of Lightning Ridge (1920).

Poster/playbill for The Shadow of Lightning Ridge (1920).

The corrugated iron church on the Three Mile opal field, used in the film The Goddess of 1967 (2000).

The corrugated iron church on the Three Mile opal field, used in the film The Goddess of 1967 (2000).

Signage on the corrugated iron church.

Signage on the corrugated iron church.

The “front” of the church.

The “front” of the church.

The Shadow of Lightning Ridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sha...

Snowy Baker on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_B...

NFSA Restores Snowy Baker: https://www.nfsa.gov.au/latest/nfsa-r...

Opal Mining 1925 on Australian Screen/NFSA: https://aso.gov.au/titles/documentari...

How Do You Get a DINOSAUR Named After You?

Have you ever wanted to have a dinosaur named after you? Of course you have! This is the story of Mike Poben and Weewarrasaurus pobeni: a small plant eating dinosaur from an opal field near Lightning Ridge, and how Mike found its opalised jawbone in a batch of rough opal.

Find out about the discovery, and the process of identification and naming of a new species of dinosaur!

Behind the scenes on How Do You Get a DINOSAUR Named After You?

Behind the scenes on How Do You Get a DINOSAUR Named After You?

More BTS.

More BTS.

Filming this episode.

Filming this episode.

A dinosaur was present. (Not Weewarrasaurus pobeni.)

A dinosaur was present. (Not Weewarrasaurus pobeni.)

Filming with Dr. Phil Bell at the Australian Opal Centre’s Black Opal Heritage Shed.

Filming with Dr. Phil Bell at the Australian Opal Centre’s Black Opal Heritage Shed.

Filming the pieces of Weewarrasaurus pobeni’s jawbone.

Filming the pieces of Weewarrasaurus pobeni’s jawbone.

This video was made with the help of the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia.

Special thanks to Mike Poben, Dr. Phil Bell of UNE Armidale, James Kuether and everyone at the Australian Opal Centre.

An Evening of Raku Pottery Firing in Lightning Ridge

An adventure in firing Raku pottery in Lightning Ridge, with experimental glazes and a backyard kiln! Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who conducts science experiments in his backyard in the name of art and curiosity.

An adventure in firing Raku pottery in Lightning Ridge, with experimental glazes and a backyard kiln! Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who conducts science experiments in his backyard in the name of art and curiosity.

Some additional photos from the evening:

Behind the scenes filming the kiln explanation and demonstration.

Behind the scenes filming the kiln explanation and demonstration.

Behind the scenes, Graeme explains the glazing and chemicals used to decorate the pots.

Behind the scenes, Graeme explains the glazing and chemicals used to decorate the pots.

The lid of the kiln, with ceramic fibre insulation.

The lid of the kiln, with ceramic fibre insulation.

Looking through the vent in the kiln lid to some pots already loaded for firing.

Looking through the vent in the kiln lid to some pots already loaded for firing.

Thermal camera image of Graeme (right), and the cans (left) used to hold shredded paper to generate smoke to create the desired effects in the pot glazing.

Thermal camera image of Graeme (right), and the cans (left) used to hold shredded paper to generate smoke to create the desired effects in the pot glazing.

Thermal camera image of the kiln at full temperature, showing the gas element (bottom left), kiln proper (centre) and venting heat (top).

Thermal camera image of the kiln at full temperature, showing the gas element (bottom left), kiln proper (centre) and venting heat (top).

Completed pots, with various effects caused by different treatments and combinations of heat, time and decoration method. The lump and bubbly pots are a result of excess heat, but not an unwelcome outcome.

Completed pots, with various effects caused by different treatments and combinations of heat, time and decoration method. The lump and bubbly pots are a result of excess heat, but not an unwelcome outcome.

Detail on one of the most successful examples, decorated by Dr. Elizabeth Smith.

Detail on one of the most successful examples, decorated by Dr. Elizabeth Smith.

Watch more of Graeme here --

Melting bottles in an electric kiln: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Ata...

Living in repurposed Sydney train carriages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I6gI...

The Science of Pots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsEfR.

Australia's Newest Dinosaur & 3D Printed Dino Bones

Modern technology meets prehistoric biology! Palaeontologists are using 3D scanning and printing to replicate dinosaur bones from INSIDE solid rock!

Dr. Phil Bell from UNE Armidale and Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge show us the world's most complete opalised dinosaur skeleton, along with some amazing 3D printed replicas of bones buried inside huge blocks of claystone.

Special thanks to Dr. Bell and Dr. Smith for their time, patience and knowledge!

Modern technology meets prehistoric biology! Palaeontologists are using 3D scanning and printing to replicate dinosaur bones from INSIDE solid rock! Dr. Phil Bell from UNE Armidale and Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge show us the world's most complete opalised dinosaur skeleton, along with some amazing 3D printed replicas of bones buried inside huge blocks of claystone.

Fostoria in -- National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/sc...

ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-0...

The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/04/wo...

filmingfostoria.jpg
filming2.jpg

Artists impression of Fostoria used in thumbnail image courtesy of James Kuether, https://www.deviantart.com/paleoguy -- used with permission.

Follow the Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: http://facebook.com/australianopalcentre

The Australian Opal Centre on the web: http://australianopalcentre.com/

What Happens When You Own a Graveyard? →

Superstitions aside, what's up with owning a historic private cemetery? Many rural properties have them, what's the deal?

Special thanks to the owners of this private cemetery for letting me access it and talk about weird things.

Superstitions aside, what's up with owning a historic private cemetery? Many rural properties have them, what's the deal? Special thanks to the owners of this private cemetery for letting me access it and talk about weird things.

Private cemeteries and burials in Victoria: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public...

Human Tissue Act 1983 (NSW): https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/in...

How is a Video Rental Store still a thing in 2019?

Video rental stores used to be a thing. Now they're not. Some of the reasons are obvious, some you might not have considered.

I chat with Sam at Leading Edge Entertainment in Wodonga, Victoria, about operating a video rental store in 2019.

Video rental stores used to be a thing. Now they're not. Some of the reasons are obvious, some you might not have considered. I chat with Sam at Leading Edge Entertainment in Wodonga, Victoria, about operating a video rental store in 2019.

New release shelves.

New release shelves.

Store signage.

Store signage.

Signage and return chute on a former video rental store.

Signage and return chute on a former video rental store.

A truly massive selection.

A truly massive selection.

Check out Leading Edge Entertainment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadingenter...

Percy Allan - The Man Who Built 583 Bridges →

Between 1893 and 1927, Percy Allan built 583 bridges in New South Wales. Five hundred and eighty three.

Between 1893 and 1927, Percy Allan built 583 bridges in New South Wales. Five hundred and eighty three.

Some of Percy’s bridges:

#percybuiltthis #mulwala

#percybuiltthis #mulwala

#percybuiltthis #bethanga

#percybuiltthis #bethanga

#percybuiltthis #darlingharbour

#percybuiltthis #darlingharbour

#percybuiltthis #tomuglysbridge

#percybuiltthis #tomuglysbridge

Percy Allan on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_A...

Glebe Island Bridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glebe_I...

Pyrmont Bridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrmont...

Tom Uglys Bridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Ugl...

Bethanga Bridge on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethang...

Percy Allan bio: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/allan...

Awesome resource for Allan Truss Bridges: http://bridges.chookman.id.au/allan/a...

The drought antidote for the north-west, or the utilisation of the artesian resources of New South Wales in PDF format: https://openjournals.library.sydney.e...

The NSW/Queensland Border: Cameron's One Ton Post →

Mungindi, NSW: John Brewer Cameron planted this post here in 1882, to mark the transition point of the NSW/Queensland border from the 29th parallel to the Barwon/Macintyre/Dumaresq rivers.

Mungindi, NSW: John Brewer Cameron planted this post here in 1882, to mark the transition point of the NSW/Queensland border from the 29th parallel to the Barwon/Macintyre/Dumaresq rivers. Thank YOU for watching! Your subscription would be appreciated, if you think I've earned it. Otherwise, all good. You're still awesome.

Rural Radio Telescopes: The Paul Wild Observatory near Narrabri →

Watching the skies near Narrabri, NSW, the Paul Wild Observatory is a collection of science equipment that's discovering and teaching us more about the universe we live in.

Watching the skies near Narrabri, NSW, the Paul Wild Observatory is a collection of science equipment that's discovering and teaching us more about the universe we live in. Thank YOU for watching. Your subscription would be appreciated, if you think I've earned it. Otherwise, all good. You're still awesome.

Some extra photos from the visit:

One of the dishes from the original solar radio heliograph.

One of the dishes from the original solar radio heliograph.

The track and main array.

The track and main array.

Phone off, camera on.

Phone off, camera on.

Signage in Wee Waa is a little tired.

Signage in Wee Waa is a little tired.

Paul Wild Observatory (CSIRO): https://www.csiro.au/en/Locations/NSW...

Paul Wild Observatory (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Wi...

Lightning Ridge in 1988 - A Video Tour →

A (shaky) video tour of Lightning Ridge in 1988, courtesy of my late father, David Gawthorpe. I believe he filmed this with his new toy, a Sony Video-8 Camcorder, to show his family at Christmas '88.

This isn't a 'normal' IDU video, this is just an opportunity to archive a piece of Lightning Ridge history for posterity and the fun of it.

Elephants in the room:

  • I've edited the video a bit. There was a lot of crazy ground shooting and super shaky cam sections that were just hard to watch.

  • I've censored a few names that were mentioned, just to ensure privacy.

  • I've also removed a few uncouth bits of commentary.

  • Oh, yeah. Cancer sucks. Whack the donate button: https://www.cancer.org.au

A (shaky) video tour of Lightning Ridge in 1988, courtesy of my late father, David Gawthorpe. I believe he filmed this with his new toy, a Sony Video-8 Camcorder, to show his family at Christmas '88. This isn't a 'normal' IDU video, this is just an opportunity to archive a piece of Lightning Ridge history for posterity and the fun of it.


Monotremes - Really Weird Little Creatures from Lightning Ridge's Past & Present →

Monotremes are freaking weird animals. Dr. Smith from the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge shows us examples of prehistoric and modern platypus and echidna specimens!

Monotremes are freaking weird animals. Dr. Smith from the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge shows us examples of prehistoric and modern platypus and echidna specimens! Follow the Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: http://facebook.com/australianopalcentre Follow IDU on... Facebook: http://facebook.com/idunderstand Twitter: http://twitter.com/idunderstand Instagram: http://instagram.com/idu_idontunderstand The web: http://idu.watch/ Thank YOU for watching!

Platypus footage: Noel Gibson, used with permission. Original video: https://vimeo.com/157660000

Melting Bottles in an Electric Kiln - Pottery Experiments in Lightning Ridge →

Retired potter and backyard physicist Graeme experiments with melting glass bottles in an electric pottery kiln, producing amazing results!

Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who conducts science experiments in his backyard in the name of art and curiosity.

Retired potter and backyard physicist Graeme experiments with melting glass bottles in an electric pottery kiln, producing amazing results! Graeme Anderson is a retired potter from Lightning Ridge, who conducts science experiments in his backyard in the name of art and curiosity.

Watch more of Graeme, as he discusses what it's like to live in a collection of disused Sydney passenger train carriages, here: https://youtu.be/1I6gIMUjBbI

And his experiments with firing and glazing unique opal clay pottery here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsEfR...

Elements of Prince Rupert's Drops: 400 Year Old Mystery Revealed are from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt-zv... under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Opal of the World - A World Tour of Opal, Part 2 →

We visit the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and explore opal from around the world, including opal from Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Honduras, the United States of America, Canada, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Turkey.

Special thanks to Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

This is NOT an exhaustive look at all of the opal the world has to offer, there are many more locations that produce opal, and we'll visit opal from those countries in the future. Stay tuned, click the subscribe button, and we'll fill in the blanks in the future!

These examples were chosen from a selection of specimens; they don't necessarily represent the "best of the best" of each opal category. They're all beautiful, though!

We visit the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and explore opal from around the world, including opal from Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Honduras, the United States of America, Canada, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Turkey. Special thanks to Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

The Wikipedia page for Opal includes information about opal from many of the locations referenced in this video: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal

Australian Opal - A World Tour of Opal, Part 1 →

We visit the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and explore examples of Australian opal, from many different locations.

Special thanks to Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

This is by no means an exhaustive look at Australian opal. There are many other opal fields and opal bearing areas, and heaps more examples of opal formations, types, colours and weird quirks of geology. If there's a particular area or type of opal you'd like to see more about, please leave a comment!

These examples were chosen from a selection of specimens; they don't necessarily represent the "best of the best" of each opal category. They're all beautiful, though!

We visit the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge and explore examples of Australian opal, from many different locations. DON'T MISS PART 2: OPAL OF THE WORLD -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH4SjkVx3QE 😄 Special thanks to Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre. This is by no means an exhaustive look at Australian opal.

Some extra photographs:

A great example of opal from Mintabie, SA.

A great example of opal from Mintabie, SA.

More opal from Mintabie, displaying a different part of the spectrum.

More opal from Mintabie, displaying a different part of the spectrum.

Behind the scenes filming with Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

Behind the scenes filming with Jenni Brammall at the Australian Opal Centre.

More info on the locations mentioned:

True Survivors: Lightning Ridge's unchanged fossils (Fine Details Preserved) →

Some creatures got it right the first time -- Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre shows us some opalised fossils from Lightning Ridge that demonstrate how some species of snails, molluscs, lungfish and turtles haven't really changed much over millions of years.

“Welcome to Fine Details Preserved — a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. In this series we’ll look at some incredible objects ranging from opalised fossils to opal mining heritage items to strange mystery objects that will make you wonder.”

Some creatures got it right the first time -- Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the Australian Opal Centre shows us some opalised fossils from Lightning Ridge that demonstrate how some species of snails, molluscs, lungfish and turtles haven't really changed much over millions of years.

Follow the Australian Opal Centre on Facebook: http://facebook.com/australianopalcentre

106 year old Brass Postal Seal from Nettleton, Lightning Ridge →

In this video, we take a look at the brass postal seal from the original Lightning Ridge settlement, how it was used, and how it came to be part of the LRHS's collection!

“Welcome to Fine Details Preserved — a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. In this series we’ll look at some incredible objects ranging from opalised fossils to opal mining heritage items to strange mystery objects that will make you wonder.”

In this video, we take a look at the brass postal seal from the original Lightning Ridge settlement, how it was used, and how it came to be part of the LRHS's collection! -- Welcome to Fine Details Preserved -- a little series of videos featuring awesome items from the collections of the Australian Opal Centre and the Lightning Ridge Historical Society.

For more information on the settlement at Nettleton, check out this earlier IDU video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-nz9...

The Secret Pythagoras Cup in the Powerhouse Museum →

And now for something a little bit different: On a recent visit to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, I found something I wasn't expecting. Don't you just love a clever, elegant engineering solution to a problem? Me too!

And now for something a little bit different: On a recent visit to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, I found something I wasn't expecting. Don't you just love a clever, elegant engineering solution to a problem? Me too!

The 3D print on Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:37153

Cup filled with Mercury on Periodic Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISfIT...

Elegant wine glass on Grand Illusions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2hOP...

A fun exploration of Pascal's Law with Physics Girl and Simone Giertz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxbuF...

Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences: https://maas.museum