When Amber Betteridge relocated her family to Queensland's Gemfields in search of sapphires, little did she know that she would soon find herself in a challenging conflict with the Queensland government. The state government had put forth a plan to restrict small-scale mining claim tenures to 15 years, aiming to address the issue of individuals residing on claims without engaging in mining activities, causing distress to Ms. Betteridge who sought stability for her family.
This move sparked a battle that led Ms. Betteridge and a group of gem miners to rally against the proposal, fearing that it would jeopardize the livelihood of the Gemfields community by potentially turning it into a "ghost town." In a surprising turn of events, the government retracted the proposal, assuring residents that claim renewals would not be limited, bringing a sigh of relief to the gem miners who had campaigned fervently against the tenure capping.
The victory of the Save the Gemfields group, led by Ms. Betteridge and other residents, showcases how a unified front can create significant impact in influencing government decisions. Utilizing symbols of democracy like the Eureka flag and garnering widespread support through social media, the gem miners effectively gathered 800 submissions from residents to challenge the proposed reforms, highlighting their collective strength in protecting their community's interests.