NEW SOUTH WALES

Sydney, spectacularly draped around its glorious harbour and beaches, has visual wow factor like few other cities. From local markets, great coffee and inner-city villages to music festivals and easily accessible tourist destinations, Sydney sparkles and shines and you won’t want to leave.

NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION

The GAA NSW Division caters to the needs of gemmology and its associated industries and those with an active interest in gemstones. With many popular courses on offer, they are bound to pique the interest of both avid hobbyists and the most educated gemmologists.

GAA NSW Gemmology House is centrally located on Terry Street, Rozelle and offers a friendly and welcoming environment. It is within easy walking distance from major transport hubs, a short walk from the trendy Balmain shopping hub and only a 10-minute bus trip from the Sydney’s CBD. Ample street parking is available. Our new building was fully renovated in 2021 and offers state of the art facilities along with compliant access and a lift allowing easy access to all learning facilities. The light-filled building contains a main lecture room, gemmology laboratory, student rooms, a well-equipped library all on one floor as well as a diamond studies laboratory located on a separate floor that caters for our diamond courses. Display cases filled with minerals and specimens line the facility allowing students to view and appreciate the fascinating and wonderful world of gems and gemmology. Our gemmology laboratory contains workstations equipped with microscopes, refractometers, polariscopes, fibre optic lights, along with individual overhead lamps.

We offer flexible learning modes to cater for student needs and our lecturers and demonstrators are all certified gemmologists. We hope that you will join us in furthering your gemmology studies and we hope to see you soon!

COURSE DATES, FEES & ENROLMENTS

Courses are provided by Gem-Ed Australia and individual State Divisions. Click here to view the course dates and fees for New South Wales.

ALTERNATIVELY, CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DIVISION

GAA Division

NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION FACILITIES

Two laboratories
Main lecture room
Light filled students room
Well equipped library
Display cases filled with beautiful and interesting specimens

ALTERNATIVELY, CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DIVISION

GAA Division

KEY PERSONNEL

Dr Cheryl Murdoch FGAA NSW Committee Member Close
Bill Sechos Federal Registrar/NSW Diamond Course Coordinator and Lecturer/NSW Management Committee Member Close
Damien Gardiner New South Wales Education Support Officer Close
Amy Wong New South Wales Administrator Close
Leo Hyde New South Wales President Close
Jason Rerberger New South Wales Treasurer Close
Alan Vongsavanh New South Wales Vice President Close
David van Niekerk New South Wales Secretary Close
Linda Evenhuis New South Wales Vice President Close

Profile.

Dr Cheryl Murdoch FGAA NSW Committee Member

Diploma in Gemmology 2017-2018. Editor “Gem Review” Newsletter and NSW Editorial Liaison. NSW Curator of Specimens from mid 2019. Previous experience in research, science education and educational administration. Amateur jewellery maker for 10 years and beginner lapidarist. Current positions in GAA NSW combine my scientific background in chemistry, interest in minerals and geology and love of gemstones and jewellery.

Profile.

Bill Sechos Federal Registrar/NSW Diamond Course Coordinator and Lecturer/NSW Management Committee Member

After having held a number of Federal positions in the GAA, including Federal President, Chair of the Board of Studies and Examinations, and Chief Examiner, Bill is currently Federal Registrar of the GAA. He is Course Coordinator and lecturer for GAA’s Diploma of Diamond Technology in NSW and GAA’s principal lecturer/trainer for Practical Diamond Grading and Advanced Practical Diamond Grading Courses in all States except Victoria.

Profile.

Damien Gardiner New South Wales Education Support Officer

Damien’s background has been within community education, training and development and case management of adults with coexisting disabilities. Damien’s previous role as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher was refreshing, although had some systemic challenges, however he is now enjoying the very unique, yet exciting, experiences working within the Gemmology educational sector. Damien has graduate qualifications in education and his professional interests include course marketing and supporting adult students.

As the Education Support Officer for NSW, Damien hopes to develop positive GAA NSW course marketing and build on his competencies in supporting students from all walks of life.