Margaret’s second daughter, Jacqueline, said she would not do her Matriculation year, unless she was able to include Geology as one of her subjects. This was not included in the curriculum at her school, but unwilling to let the girl leave school until she had done Matric, Margaret discovered that Marden High School was teaching Geology. Permission was sought and granted by her high school and the Education Department for Jacky to take Geology as an external  subject . She was enrolled at Marden in an evening class. It seemed foolish to take the girl there and pick her up afterwards, so Margaret and her husband Frank enrolled in the course too.

The teacher, Mr Peter Fitzgerald, mentioned that there was a club in Adelaide called The Field Geology Club of South Australia. Since their interest was raised by their exposure to geology, Margaret and Frank resolved to find the Club. Despite their best efforts they did not locate it until they visited Arkaroola and enquired about using the telescope there.

Griselda Sprigg told them they could not use the telescope that night as it was booked out by the Field Geology Club. They asked where the Club was camping and having met the members, joined on the spot. This was approximately in 1982, and Margaret and Frank have been active members of the Field Geology Club ever since. They have held various positions on the Committee over the years, culminating in Margaret serving as President for five years, standing down in 2006. The office can only be held for five years. 

The  Field  Geology  Club conducts lectures  monthly in the  Mawson Theatre of the University of Adelaide  at  7.30 pm  on  the  second Thursday  of  the  month.  Day excursions  are also  held  monthly  to such diverse places  as  Mannum, Red Creek,  and long excursions have   included  Roxby Downs,  Burra and Yorke Peninsula.                                                                                        

(Click on thumbnails below to view Photo Albums of photographs of past excursions).