Welcome! Our members’ newsletter is a great place to catch up on what’s happening in our organisation and around Healesville. We encourage you to read through – and share any news we can include in upcoming editions.

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From the president

Welcome to 2024, and a special welcome to our many new members. By now you will have started attending your courses and I am confident you will be enjoying yourself, learning things and enjoying each other’s company. I encourage returning members to ensure our new members feel welcome.

We have made a strong start with over 40 courses to choose from and over 290 members registered.

Changes have been made to the Court House to create more seating room. Over the Easter break we aim to paint both rooms.

We have many social occasions lined up again this year. We enjoy having fun! Our first Friday at 5 is planned for Friday 23 February. For those who are new to U3A Healesville, this is a casual gathering on the lawns of the Court House which runs for about 2 hours starting at – 5pm! It is self-catered (bring your own drinks, nibbles, plates, glasses, chairs) so we can socialise with others across different courses and, of course, catch up with old friends. We will hold an Arvo Tea in the Senior Citizens Hall on Thursday 18 April and we have our Annual Winter Dance in the Yarra Glen Hall on Friday 3 May.

We have made a strong start to the year and I look forward to meeting you as the year progresses.

John Pascoe

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Out and about

On 14 December 2023 U3A Healesville President, John Pascoe, attended the Healesville High School Years 10-12 Awards Ceremony to present a U3A Healesville Citizenship Award to one of their Year 10 students. Earlier that afternoon at the Year 7-9 Awards Ceremony, two Year 7 students had each received similar Citizenship Awards. These awards were a thank you from U3A Healesville to the school as they do not charge us for the use of their gym for pickleball. Awards such as this also help to strengthen our relationships within our community.
U3A Healesville received a Healesville Markets Committee grant of $1,500 to buy/hire costumes for the 2024 annual Theatre Group production. This will certainly help our enthusiastic, talented group of players. We thank Healesville Community Market Committee for their generosity.
Healesville Connect held a successful picnic day on Thursday 11 January at Queens Park. Entertainment included races for kids (and adults). There were spot prizes, along with ice cream and cakes. The music group, The Wannabees, which includes U3A members and musicians, were also there to entertain the crowd. This event was made possible through a Yarra Ranges Council grant with support from U3A Healesville.

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Reminders

Name tags. If you need to collect your 2024 name tag, it’s on the desk at the Court House. You can pick it up any time, but a committee member will be onsite Thursdays, 11am-12pm if you need to speak with them.
Covid is still around. We care for everyone’s health and wellbeing, so please be mindful and let your course leader know if you’re unwell and can’t attend class.
Please wear your name badge to your class/activities
Our library at the Court House is full. Please don’t bring in more books, but you’re welcome to borrow books at any time.

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For your diary

Community Keys comes to Healesville. With funding from the Yarra Ranges Council and a generous donation of beautiful pianos from ABC Piano Removals, this project will place 6 pianos in public areas around the Yarra Ranges February-April 2024. People will be encouraged to play the pianos and fill the outdoor community spaces with music making and fun. The Healesville piano will be at The Memo, following the launch of the project on Friday 3 February at 5pm. Community Keys encourages everyone to play the pianos, even if you have never touched a piano before. Just pull up a seat and have a go.

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Friday at 5: Our first for the year – will be held on Friday 23 February. This is a BYO event and is always weather dependent.
Ukulele workshop: Led by Margaret Crichton and organised by U3A’s Ukelele group, will be on Sunday 25 February at the Court House, Healesville, 11am-3:30pm. Cost $10. All U3A Healesville members who can play the ukulele are invited. For more information contact sbroman@bigpond.net.au
Connecting Community: A wonderful, free 1-day festival for everyone on Sunday 10 March. Healesville Library will be open from 10am-2pm with Story Time, Zine Making and Wayapa.

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Healesville Mini Film Festival: ‘Best of France’ on Sunday 17 March at The Memo

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U3A Healesville Community Choir has been invited to perform at Estia Health Yarra Valley, Yarra Junction on Tuesday, 26 March. This 1-hour concert is for residents and staff.
Arvo Tea: Our first for the year, will be held on Thursday 18 April, Senior Citizens Hall, Healesville
U3A Healesville Annual Winter Dance: Will be held on Friday 3 May at Yarra Glen Hall

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Stay connected

Please let us know of events, activities, highlights and news about your courses that we can share with members. We love people stories! Our roving reporters are happy to chat with you. U3A Healesville is all about people, and we are here to support you.

Email: healesville.u3a@bigpond.com

Phone: 0490 917 975

Website: healesvilleu3a.org.au

Facebook: u3ahealesville

Outer Eastern Ranges U3A: u3ayarraranges.com.au

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We thank Ken Fewster, Healesville Senior Citizens Club and

Yarra Ranges Council for their ongoing support.

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