Offcials Hopeful for Return of Opal

[Amy Smith (D7)]

While not quite the level of worldwide intrigue as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the City of Austin is making headway on an international accord of its own – this one involving the City of Adelaide, Australia, and the return of a most precious and storied gemstone.

Long saga short: Efforts are underway for the City of Austin to return an opal to the City of Adelaide. Officials from both cities have traded correspondence and Council Member Pool is drafting a resolution for Council to officially approve the return of the gem.

A little background: Our Aussie Sister City gifted an opal to Austin in 1983 and the jewel was ultimately stowed away in a safety deposit box in the City’s Treasury Office. Adelaide officials have since requested its return to place on display in the city’s Civic Collection as part of its 175th anniversary.

Here are the exchange of letters between City Manager Marc Ott and Adelaide Acting CEO Peter Scargill:
http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 112808.pdf
http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 105731.pdf