[meteorite-list] Cunnamula, Queensland, Australia rock

From: Don Giovanni <grigaro_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:47:57 -1000
Message-ID: <037830F9-95FB-4D2B-A142-C00527D418F7_at_operamail.com>

This story appeared on the list a few months ago but according to the "Perth Now" people, it has apparently only just recently been authenticated. There's a pic in the online article - nice looking big rock, at least for one of these kinds of stories.

(To our Aussie friends, what's a gidgee tree?!)

   DG

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http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/cunnamulla-rock-at-centre-of-dispute-declared-a-meteorite/story-e6frg12u-1225921938055


Cunnamulla rock at centre of dispute declared a meteorite



AN ODD-looking rock found in a dirt paddock on an outback western Queensland property is officially a meteorite.

The 27.6kg object was resting under a gidgee tree near Cunnamulla, 825km west of Brisbane last year, when it was discovered by disability pensioner Tom King.

Queensland Museum curator Alex Cook has officially declared the rock a meteorite.

"Not too often meteorites of that size come along, it's the second largest stony meteorite found in Queensland," he said.

"It's heavy but the last time a meteorite of this size was found was about four years ago, a 55kg meteorite was found in Winton."

A tussle broke out last year after the property's caretaker Tom King found the rock in a dirt paddock at Rywanda Plainview, 70km south of Cunnamulla.

Mr King took the rock to his Cunnamulla home to use it as a doorstopper. A dispute erupted between Mr King, the property's owner Keith Wilson and the lessee Angus McLennan.



The rock was kept by police until a court finally awarded ownership to Mr Wilson in June.

Mr Wilson said he would not be selling the rock but is yet to decide where it will rest when he collects it from the museum later this year. "It's not being sold and it's not going out of Queensland." he said.
Received on Mon 13 Sep 2010 06:47:57 PM PDT