|
Welcome to our members newsletter for August 2024. Winter bites with cooler days and colder nights, but there is warmth wherever there is a U3A Healesville gathering! |
|
|
|
In the last 2 newsletters I have drawn attention to volunteering and, in particular, the work done by our own U3A members in so many different ways. We are all grateful for the wonderful work our leaders and others do so generously. It is also vital to what we can offer. On 26 August notice of our 2024 annual general meeting (AGM) to be held on Monday 16 September, will be emailed to all members. Accompanying this notice will be a form asking for nominations to the Committee. The AGM is the occasion when the President and Treasurer report to the membership, when 2025 registration fees are set, and when the incoming Committee is elected. The current Committee consists of 10 members but there is room for 2 more members should further nominations be received. The Committee meets once a month in the Court House for about 90 minutes to manage day-to-day issues but, equally as importantly, to shape the direction of U3A Healesville as we move forward. We have an energetic and dynamic Committee who work well together. The results speak for themselves. During the last 12 months the profile of U3A in the community has grown, the range of courses has developed and membership has expanded. It has been an exciting time. However, we cannot stand still. Whether you see your strengths as being in day-to-day operations (courses, social activities, timetabling), marketing, community relationships or IT development, we are always looking for new talent and fresh ideas. I encourage all members to consider whether they would like to contribute to our wonderful U3A by nominating for election at the AGM. If so, please complete a nomination form and submit it to the Secretary. After 4 years (our Constitution limits the tenure), I will be stepping aside as President although I will nominate for the Committee. Being a Committee member of an organisation such as ours is a rewarding experience and I still want to contribute.
John Pascoe |
|
|
Meet your committee members |
|
Rebecca Doig joined U3A Healesville in 2018 and has served on the committee since 2020. She held the position of Secretary from 2020 until 2023. She says that it has been her absolute joy to be a member of this amazing community and she hopes to continue to contribute to it in any way she can. Having come from a local government background, customer service is a passion. In her retirement she continues to work part-time in administrative roles. She loves dancing and choreography. She says that she is a bit of a ham on stage, reads 2 books a week, loves sharing time with her 7 glorious grandchildren, doesn’t mind a glass of red wine, and loves all her wonderful friends from U3A Healesville. |
|
 |
|
George Doig joined U3A Healesville and the Committee in December 2018. George remembers inheriting the position of Course Coordinator just before the challenge of the arrival of Covid – it was an interesting time. He was Course Coordinator until April this year when he stepped aside for personal reasons. He has shared the responsibility for Cryptic Crosswords, Bocce, Trip to the Theatre and, would you believe, Knit-Wits over the years. He has also been a participant in the Theatre Group, Wine & Cheese, Hit the Road and “anything else that would have me”. Through his association with U3A Healesville he has had the pleasure of meeting and making many, many new friends. |
|
 |
|
|
Quiddler
Imagine a game that is a mixture of cards and Scrabble and that is Quiddler. On any Tuesday afternoon in term time, you’ll find a group of enthusiastic Quiddler players in the back room at the Court House. There are up to 10 rounds in a full game. With each round, the number of cards dealt to the players increases from 3 up to 12. The cards have letters on and there are 2 aims of each game: to spell real words with the letters on the cards and to get a high score – if they can. But, as the players say: ‘It’s very social’, ‘It’s fun’, and ‘We don’t care who is the winner, but prefer it if it is ourself’. Also, they say: ‘We share experiences and skills; there are plenty of mannerisms in the game but few good manners, and often far too many letters to be useful!’
|
|
 |
|
Garden Lovers Swap ’n Share Day
At the recent Swap ‘n Share Day members brought along plants, seeds, seedlings, produce and books.
|
|
 |
|
|
First Aid and Defibrillator course
The First Aid and Defibrillator course for U3A Healesville and the Senior Citizens will be held on Tuesday 6 August at the Senior Citizens Hall from 1:30 pm lasting for about 2 hours. Tea and coffee will be provided. The course is currently full, and there is a waiting list. Those on the waiting list will be contacted as needed.
|
|
|
Call out to all Latin teachers
U3A members have expressed an interest in learning Latin. If there are any budding Latin teachers or members out there who are interested in teaching Latin, could they please get in touch with Lucia Messina or Phill Hipwell, our course coordinators?
|
|
|
|
Inaugural Healesville Poets’ Breakfast
Sunday August 4 from 10am - 12pm in the Healesville Hotel Cafe. If you enjoy reading or sharing poetry this event may be for you. Hosted by one of our U3A members, Laurence Webb, one of the founding members of this great initiative.
|
|
 |
|
“Prepare to Switch” event
This Healesville Community Renewable Energy event includes 2 speakers, who will explain the benefits of changing to a more electric home. • Kate Minter, from Rewiring Australia • Tim Forcey, from My Efficient Electric Home Members from the Yarra Ranges Council Climate Action team will also have literature available to give you ideas on how to switch. When: Monday 5 August, 2024 from 7-9pm at The Memo, 237 Maroondah Highway, Healesville To register for this event, click the button below. To find out more, go to the Healesville CoRE website.
|
|
 |
|
Swan Lake A great opportunity to go to the ballet in Healesville arrives when the Victorian State Ballet comes to The Memo on Saturday 31 August with a production of Swan Lake. There is both a matinee and an evening show. To find out more, click on the image below or go to The Memo website, under ‘Events’.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Visit by Cindy McLeish MP The Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish MP, will visit our U3A on Thursday 22 August at 10.30am to find out more about our activities and to meet members of U3A Healesville. The visit will be at the Court House until about 12pm and will include morning tea and an informal chat. Numbers for this event are limited to 20 people. An email with more information was sent to members in July.
|
|
The U3A Healesville 2024 AGM The U3A Healesville 2024 AGM will be held on Monday 16 September from 10am at the Senior Citizens Hall. Key papers for the meeting such as the notice of meeting and nomination forms for committee will be sent to members on Monday 26 August, with key reports such as the President’s and Treasurer’s report to be sent out on Monday 9 September.
|
|
Yarra Ranges Over 50’s October Festival Over the month of October, the Yarra Ranges Shire will hold a series of events to celebrate the Over 50s. Although the Festival booklet is not available yet, it will include some events being hosted by U3A Healesville, notably a general invitation to come along and see some of our classes in action – classes such as the Theatre Performance Group and the Ukulele Group. More information and updates will be in our September newsletter.
|
|
 |
|
|
OHS. If you have concerns or issues you would like to report re safety around the venues used by U3A Healesville, remember to report them to Bec Doig at rebeccadoig@gmail.com Covid is still around. We care for everyone’s health and wellbeing, so please stay away from class if you are unwell and also let your course leader know if you can’t attend class. Please wear your name badge to your class/activities. It makes it much easier for new members to feel welcome.
|
|
|
|
|
And remember, it’s important to let us know if you have any news or stories to share so we can promote the range of activities that members are involved in. You can send us your news and information by email to the U3A Healesville email address: healesvilleu3a@bigpond.com or by phone/text to 0490 917 975.
|
|
|
We thank Ken Fewster, Healesville Senior Citizens Club and Yarra Ranges Council for their ongoing support. |
|
|
