ABC Podcasts
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Mike's Miracle At Lightning Ridge
Mike's Miracle At Lightning Ridge
Mike's Miracle At Lightning Ridge
Tuesday 17th November 2020
Explore Mike Poben's incredible journey from opal dealer to discovering a new dinosaur species in Lightning Ridge.
26 minutes
Inspiring
Educational
Engaging
Authentic
Motivational
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Get the buttons here!Mike's Opal Discovery: A Journey from Rocks to Dinosaurs
Episode Overview
- Mike Poben's lifelong passion for opals led to a historic discovery.
- Two pieces of opalised jawbone identified as a new dinosaur species.
- The fossils were donated to the Australian Opal Centre.
- Scientific collaboration helped uncover the dinosaur's identity.
- The discovery highlights the importance of preserving historical finds.
Opalised jawbone with teeth are as rare as rocking horse shit.
Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of opal mining and unexpected discoveries in the dusty town of Lightning Ridge, NSW. Mike Poben, an opal dealer with a lifelong passion for these fiery gems, finds himself holding not just one but two pieces of opalised jawbone that could change our understanding of Australian history.
His journey from a curious teenager to a seasoned opal trader is filled with ups and downs, but nothing quite prepares him for the geeky fossil jackpot he hits. As Mike grapples with the decision to keep or sell these rare finds, he enlists the help of paleontologist Dr Phil Bell. Together, they uncover that Mike's discovery is indeed a new species of dinosaur, affectionately named Weewarasaurus Pobeni.
The episode is not just about the thrill of finding precious stones but also about the joy of contributing to scientific knowledge. It's a tale of passion, perseverance, and the importance of sharing discoveries with the world. What would you do if you found something that could change history?