About APOMA
Preserving our past and planning for our future
The Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners Association Incorporated (APOMA) serves as the primary representative body for the community of Andamooka and advocates for the interests of local opal miners.
Governed by a ten-member elected committee comprised exclusively of association members, APOMA convenes monthly meetings supported by community stakeholders who offer expertise on various matters, including opal mining, regional marketing, community services, and events.
Initially established in the 1950s to champion the concerns of local miners, APOMA formally registered as an incorporated association on March 2, 1960. While Andamooka’s population has fluctuated over the years due to economic shifts, currently stabilizing at approximately 300 residents, APOMA boasts a membership of around 160 individuals.
The association’s endeavours include strategic planning to address the evolving needs of the community, fostering partnerships for sustainable development, and advocating for policies that support the well-being of residents and the prosperity of the opal mining industry.
Through its various committees and engagement initiatives, APOMA facilitates dialogue, collaboration, and collective action to enhance the social, economic, and cultural vitality of Andamooka.
The Committee
Chair: David Roe-Simons
Vice Chair: Donna Waters
Secretary: Allison Smoker
Acting Treasurer: Gill Rowley
Ordinary Members:
Peter Sach
Lara Lukich Kath Wilby Paul Williams Jim Middap
2024 APOMA Annual General Meeting
Andamooka Town and Community Plan as adopted at the AGM 12th December 2024
AGM draft minutes available February 2025
Constitution
The constitution of the Andamooka Progress & Opal Miners Association (APOMA) outlines its objectives, powers, membership structure, governance, and operational procedures. The association aims to provide leadership within the community, represent the interests of opal miners, promote social well-being and community development, maintain and develop community facilities, and secure financial support. The committee manages the association’s affairs, with responsibilities including financial management, decision-making, and dispute resolution. General meetings, including annual and special meetings, are held to address key matters, with procedures outlined for voting, proxies, and minutes. Financial reporting and rules for the allocation of surplus assets upon winding up are also delineated. Overall, the constitution serves as a comprehensive framework for the functioning and governance of APOMA in serving the Andamooka community and opal mining interests.
Membership
Membership is open to residents, property owners and business operators located in Andamooka. Membership is by application and renewed annually for a token fee of $10 or $5 concession and $20 Family membership which holds 2 votes. Current members are categorised under Honorary Life Membership or financial members eligible to vote, which may be a full member, family member or concession member, or otherwise non-financial members who are ineligible to vote.
Past members are also recognised and there is a provision where granted for Affiliate Membership which are ex- officio and therefore non-voting.
Membership Form
2024 Download
FACILITY & EQUIPMENT HIRE FORM
Hire Application Form
Meeting Dates
Ordinary Committee Meetings are typically scheduled for the last Thursday of each month, with occasional adjustments made for specific reasons. Special or Extra Committee Meetings may be convened at alternative times to address urgent matters or particular issues. To propose an item for discussion, please contact the Secretary and submit the relevant details in writing, including the date and signature of the individual lodging the item. Submissions can be made via email, postal mail, or in person at the Town Office by 2:00 pm on the final Monday of the month. For further clarification on the process, please feel free to reach out to the Secretary or Committee Member.
The Annual General Meeting typically occurs later in the year, with members receiving notice three weeks in advance detailing the date, time, and venue. Member Meetings are convened periodically throughout the year to facilitate open communication between community members and the APOMA Committee, while Special General Meetings are convened to address specific issues or events requiring member approval. These gatherings often feature guest speakers or relevant individuals associated with pertinent town or community matters.
Minutes
2024
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Previous Years
Previous Annual General Meetings:
Draft Minutes AGM 2022
Draft Minutes AGM 2021
Minutes AGM 2019 (DRAFT ratified 27 Oct19)
Agenda Annual General Meeting 11 Aug 2019 (revised 5 Aug 19)
Minutes AGM 2018 (final DRAFT revised 15 May 2019)
Minutes AGM 2017
Immediate Past General Meeting
Minutes General Meeting 26th July 2020
Minutes General Meeting March 2020 (draft)
Minutes General Meeting 17th November 2019
Reports
APOMA 2021 Audit Report – Signed
APOMA 2020 Audit Report – Signed
APOMA – Quarterly Financial Report – 1 Jan 2020 – 31 March 2020
APOMA – Half Yearly Financial Report – 1 Jul 19 – 31 Dec 19v1.xls
APOMA – Quarterly Financial Report – 1 July 19 – 30 Sept 19
Outback Communities Authority (OCA) & Community Affairs Resourcing & Management (CARM) Agreement
The OCA is a state government authority created to assist with local governance across South Australian remote townships. They fulfil many of the tasks generally undertaken by local government and work in partnership with the peak community organisation within individual towns to manage facilities and services and to also on developments to assist a sustainable future for the townships.
For Andamooka the partnership and agreement is between the OCA and APOMA. The Agreement and associated budget is negotiated and signed off between the two parties annually.
The CARM Agreement sets out the manner in which the two parties work together to manage and maintain facilities and services as well as to seek and manage funding for those purposes and also on developments that provide economic sustainability and encourage new investment, as well as programs and activities that enhance Andamooka’s lifestyle.
The CARM Agreement budget is funded by the Andamooka community via the Community Contribution Scheme (CCS) which is similar in its application to the contribution paid to local councils towards facilities and services and that amount (approximately $200,000) is matched by funds supplied to the OCA by the Federal Government which supplements local expenditure and also covers the cost of town administration.
In addition to this further funding is sought via grants for roads and community projects, some of which is applied for via the OCA and others which are applied for via APOMA.
See the draft 2024-25 Community Affairs Resourcing and Management (CARM) Agreement including a Community Contribution Scheme for Andamooka for consultation. Interested parties are invited to make written submission on the CARM and/or the Community Contribution Scheme prior to the conclusion of the consultation period which is 5pm 1 June 2024 either by emailing oca@sa.gov.au or via post to:
Outback Communities Authority
PO Box 3326
Port Augusta West SA 5700
Mines Information
Registrations & Renewals of Mining Claims
To lodge registrations, renewals or for general information about lodging mining claims: Mines Registration Counter is located at the Andamooka Post Office.
Open 7 days a week
Hours: 9am-5pm weekdays & 11am-3pm weekends
For information on Opal Mining in Andamooka, please visit the Department for Energy and Mining webpage here.
For further information on mining claims and the registration/renewals procedure contact:
Ashley Wood, Acting Registrar Opal Field Program
Coober Pedy Office
Ph: 08 8678 9058
Email: ashley.wood@sa.gov.au
Andamooka Precious Stones Field Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA):
The Andamooka Precious Stones Field Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA), signed by the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation and the South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, came into operation on 7 May 2019.
Read more here from the Department for Energy and Mining.