NEWS Newsletter of Canberra’s University of the Third Age www.u3acanberra.org.au https://www.facebook.com/ groups/u3a.act/ From the President The 2020 Member Survey Results The 2020 Member Survey Results were previewed in eBulletin No 838 which also contains a hyperlink to the full report. The Committee was pleased with the high response rate of almost 20 per cent to the Survey which provides us with a representative snapshot of members’ views towards our organisation. The Survey Results will provide us with a solid platform from which the Committee can now build the next U3A ACT Strategic Plan 2021– 2025. The headline message from the Survey was that while there are changes that can, and should be made to our operations, the majority of members who responded are relatively satisfied with our organisation and the directions it is taking. The fact that the Survey was conducted in November/December 2020, the same year as the challenges of the COVID shutdown, indicates that we should approach future planning with some optimism. The Importance of Volunteers to U3A ACT The Survey confirmed the importance of volunteers to our organisation with nearly 25 per cent of respondents either course leaders or administrators and 72 per cent of respondents indicating that they had volunteered within U3A at some stage. It seems that the age of COVID has increased the motivation of many in U3A ACT to volunteer. Many community people that I speak to are often surprised that U3A ACT is run by volunteers for volunteers. (Hence it was heartening to learn that over 20 Expressions of Interest were received recently to fill the vacancy for one of the eBulletin editors.) Of course the Survey itself was designed and implemented by volunteers and mention should be made in particular of Sherrill Bell, Simone Clarke, Richard Reilly and Alex Gosman from the U3A Committee for their work on the Survey. The problem of oversubscribed courses It was not all good news in the Survey Results however. Perhaps the most challenging finding was that 29 per cent of respondents had tried to enrol in a particular course without success. The issue here is a complex one with no easy answer. On the one hand some suggest a centralised course enrolment process would be the answer. Others, particularly those who have benefited from continuing enrolment in a particular course, strongly disagree. Perhaps the way forward here is to trial an optional online course enrolment model. The need for more course leaders remains the highest priority for us to ease this problem of oversubscribed courses. Perhaps a trial could be undertaken in which experienced course leaders acted as mentors for new course leaders. It will be an interesting period of discussion and reflection in the months ahead as we put in place plans for the next five years of U3A ACT. Bob Nield President April 2021 Volume 35 Number 2 CONTENTS From the Editor 2 Members Calendar 2021 3 U3A Course News 4 U3A Walks & Tours Program10 Like-Minded Programs 12 Key Contacts within U3A 13 Editor Kate Hobbs Publisher David Wilson ISSN (print) 2205-6106 ISSN (Web) 2205-6076
Transcript
NEWS Newsletter of
Canberra’s University of the Third Age
www.u3acanberra.org.au
https://www.facebook.com/ groups/u3a.act/
From the President The 2020 Member Survey Results The 2020 Member Survey Results were previewed in eBulletin No 838 which also contains a hyperlink to the full report. The Committee was pleased with the high response rate of almost 20 per cent to the Survey which provides us with a representative snapshot of members’ views towards our organisation. The Survey
Results will provide us with a solid platform from which the Committee can now build the next U3A ACT Strategic Plan 2021–2025. The headline message from the Survey was that while there are changes that can, and should be made to our operations, the majority of members who responded are relatively satisfied with our organisation and the directions it is taking. The fact that the Survey was conducted in November/December 2020, the same year as the challenges of the COVID shutdown, indicates that we should approach future planning with some optimism. The Importance of Volunteers to U3A ACT The Survey confirmed the importance of volunteers to our organisation with nearly 25 per cent of respondents either course leaders or administrators and 72 per cent of respondents indicating that they had volunteered within U3A at some stage. It seems that the age of COVID has increased the motivation of many in U3A ACT to volunteer. Many community people that I speak to are often surprised that U3A ACT is run by volunteers for volunteers. (Hence it was heartening to learn that over 20 Expressions of Interest were received recently to fill the vacancy for one of the eBulletin editors.) Of course the Survey itself was designed and implemented by volunteers and mention should be made in particular of Sherrill Bell, Simone Clarke, Richard Reilly and Alex Gosman from the U3A Committee for their work on the Survey. The problem of oversubscribed courses It was not all good news in the Survey Results however. Perhaps the most challenging finding was that 29 per cent of respondents had tried to enrol in a particular course without success. The issue here is a complex one with no easy answer. On the one hand some suggest a centralised course enrolment process would be the answer. Others, particularly those who have benefited from continuing enrolment in a particular course, strongly disagree. Perhaps the way forward here is to trial an optional online course enrolment model. The need for more course leaders remains the highest priority for us to ease this problem of oversubscribed courses. Perhaps a trial could be undertaken in which experienced course leaders acted as mentors for new course leaders. It will be an interesting period of discussion and reflection in the months ahead as we put in place plans for the next five years of U3A ACT.
Bob Nield President
April 2021
Volume 35 Number 2
CONTENTS From the Editor 2
Members Calendar 2021 3
U3A Course News 4
U3A Walks & Tours Program10
Like-Minded Programs 12
Key Contacts within U3A 13
Editor Kate Hobbs Publisher David Wilson ISSN (print) 2205-6106 ISSN (Web) 2205-6076
From the Editor Our Digital World About a week ago I answered the door to a representative from the Red Cross. He was seeking donations to help those in our community living alone and feeling isolated. Following his visit — and a lengthy doorstep conversation — I was thinking about how difficult it would be for those who do not even have a phone or computer to facilitate contact with others. Most of us reading this newsletter are not in that situation — but some among us might benefit from a helping hand in learning how to better use our phones and computers. Did you know that the Australian Government has a programme called ‘Be Connected’ — an initiative aimed at increasing the confidence, skills and online safety of older Australians in using digital technology (Be Connected (esafety.gov.au). Many organisations link into this programme, all offering various forms of support for learning the essentials of our digital age. For example, ‘Good Things Foundation Australia’ (Good Things Learning (goodthingsfoundation.org.au) has dozens of free courses on how to use your device, improve your skills, and stay safe online. There are lots of ways to learn, including video courses, online courses and written guides. Our own U3A has similar courses, such as Digital Technology for All. Perhaps you, a family member, or a neighbour could benefit from having a look. In the meantime, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected! Happy Easter to all!
Kate Hobbs
Newsletter Timetable for 2021 Please observe the deadline for each edition — it makes our job much easier. In 2021 the Newsletter will continue to be published every two months (six editions for the year). Newsletters will usually be published on the first day of every second month.
Newsletter Edition Deadline for copy Newsletter placed on U3A Website
U3A Offices: Addresses and Phone Numbers The U3A ACT Office (ph. 6281 6998) is in the Hughes Community Centre at 2 Wisdom Street, Hughes, ACT 2605, and is usually open Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 4.30. All general enquiries should be directed to this Office. Our Cook facility (ph. 6251 8005) is in the Cook Community Hub at 41 Templeton Street, Cook, ACT, 2614, and has the same opening hours. Our Flynn Teaching Rooms (Course activities only; NO public or member enquiry services) are at Flynn Community Hub at 21 Bingle St, Flynn, ACT, 2615. Please note: Access to U3A at the Flynn Community Hub is from Hedland Circuit. For more information on holding a course at Flynn please contact the course coordinator for Flynn at [email protected]. Our mail address is now: U3A ACT Inc. Hughes Community Centre 2 Wisdom Street Hughes ACT 2605
UCAN = University of Canberra, Bruce Members should check the online courses listing for specific enrolment dates for any courses in which they are interested.
U3A Canberra Courses Please note that there will be NO printed courses listing this year.
However, you can now access available courses via the Canberra U3A website at: List of courses | U3A Canberra - University of the Third Age - Lifelong Learning. You will need to login using your U3A Canberra member number and your chosen password. You can then click on the 'Courses' tab and it will show the 'Find a Course' facility which you can use to search for courses in your area of interest. There are also instructions regarding course enrolment.
Courses Subcommittee Newsletter publication policy The Policy Document Advertisements and Notices in U3A Communication Channels states that:
• Death notices and funeral notices will not be published. • Obituaries will only be published in the Newsletter in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the
President. • The above will not preclude mention of the passing of a course presenter or event leader as the reason for a
Chaucer and Mediaeval Poetry Reading U3A's Chaucer and Mediaeval Poetry Reading Group enjoys more than just reading about life in the Middle Ages; they like to taste what it was like as well.
Class member Bronwen Grey baked a delicious mediaeval simnel cake to celebrate the 90th birthday of Fred Roberts, former U3A Committee Member and Editor of the U3A Newsletter for very many years.
Peter Harrington Course Convenor
Fred Roberts with his ‘Chaucer cake’ baked by U3A member Bronwen.
Warrani Chorale — Making Music and Friends Yarralumla Uniting Church hall on Wednesdays from 9:45 am to 11:45 am is a very happy place to be when the ladies of Warrani Chorale meet for their choir practices. For COVID safety reasons, Warrani Chorale is currently divided into two choirs with thirty-three members in each. These two choirs practice on alternate weeks under the competent batons of both Principal Conductor Helen Swan and Assistant Conductor Natalie Collis.
Members are enjoying learning a delightful selection of new music which includes A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, God Help the Outcasts and Bright is the Ring of Words. As well as the pleasure of singing, choir members are also taking great delight in being back together again. The happy buzz of chatter before and after practices is testament to the special friendships and camaraderie that have developed and the importance of the choir socially for all participants.
Helen Swan conducting Choir A.
Margaret Martin
Left to right : Warrani members Barbara Austin, Marie Jensen and Julie Gordon enjoy a chat before choir practice begins
Northside Australian History The Northside Australian History Group now has vacancies!
We meet on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Dickson Baptist Church at Dickson.
For more information contact Barbara Marshall on 0419266943.
John Bury Group Coordinator
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter, April 2021 5
Brindabella Orchestra News Brindabella Orchestra finished the year 2020 with a trial run with composer Mike Dooley, (extreme left of photograph below) through his composition — which the orchestra commissioned — called The Old Man Who Loved to Sing. Hopefully the work will be premiered sometime in 2021.
In the meantime, the orchestra rehearses each week under the very capable directorship of Shilong Ye. We are working on pieces such as Brahms’s Academic Festival Overture, Bizet’s L’Arlesienne, Suite No.1, Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite and Mahler’s Symphonie No.1. The members of the orchestra hope to present a concert later in the year as the COVID situation improves.
Brindabella Orchestra is always on the lookout for new players, particularly violins, violas, cellos, French horns and trumpets. Perhaps you have been playing for a number of years on one of these instruments and have reached around 4th or 5th grade or higher, and are looking for a friendly group to play with? If you are at this level and can sight-read sufficiently well, you would be very welcome to come and join us. For more details, please ring our Membership Contact, Rosalie Hannink on 6161 1931.
The orchestra rehearses at Weston Creek on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 12pm.
Members of Brindabella Orchestra with composer Mike Dooley (left) and conductor Shilong Ye.
Cheryl Peffer
Q. What’s yellow, has long ears, and grows on trees? A. The Easter Bunana! Q. What do you call a rabbit with fleas?
A. Bugs Bunny.
6 U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter, April 2021
Unleash creativity with your computer or tablet using ‘Scratch’ Scratch was created to teach kids how to program but Scratch is great at any age, as nine enthusiastic U3A members found out in March at the first Scratch workshop for the year.
Scratch lets you create engaging video clips, games, and stories by dragging coloured programming blocks and images around the screen with the mouse and adding sounds. You can include your own pictures, and even your own voice, and can make your characters move, speak, dance or sing.
For [U3A member] Lyn, Scratch provided a way to easily create compelling animated videos.
Meanwhile, Maurice was able to craft a presentation that he shared with his grandkids in New York via email link. It began with Maurice’s empty back yard, and featured his voice saying that a cat, two dogs, and a dinosaur would be playing there, upon which these animals appeared. Maurice reported that the clip was greatly enjoyed by his three-year-old grandson.
If you’d like to get hands-on experience in computer creativity in a relaxed and supportive environment, come along to a Scratch workshop. They’re running every month at the Cook Community Hub. Next workshop: April 17.
Photography — Try your hand at ‘Street’ Judging by the number of excellent photos displayed on the ABC News Weather segment, there are many photographers in Canberra for whom photography is an important hobby and some of those must surely be members of U3A.
Most of the photos shown on the ABC News are landscapes. Obviously, people take them on bushwalks or when circumnavigating the Lake (often at dawn or sunset). Not shown are those we take of grandkids and pets and significant events in our lives. However, for those who are serious about their photography, there are many other genres than Landscape, one of which you might like to try your hand at is ‘Street’.
‘Street’ is hard to define because it covers such a huge field — although called ‘Street’, it can involve photos taken almost anywhere and of almost anything. With some exceptions, Street photos are candid photos and show people, animals or even inanimate things ‘as they are’ in the instant the photo was taken. It is this spontaneous action which catches our eye and creates the interest.
My photo, which I call You and Me Together, was taken in Tokyo which, along with New York City and several great cities, is a Street photographer’s happy hunting ground. But you do not have to be in these busy locations — Street happens everywhere. Fortunately, the best camera for Street is the one you have with you and that is most often a smartphone. Smartphones are ideal Street cameras because, not only are they excellent cameras, but they are so ubiquitous no one takes any notice of you taking photos of them.
Bob Hay: Me and You Together
But what if someone does notice? What if they object? Shyness is one of the barriers to Street photography in that most of us at first feel a little embarrassed to take pictures of people without their consent. Of course, you can ask consent (and even offer to send them a copy), but then you lose that candid aspect so valuable in Street images.
8 U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter, April 2021
Normally Street photographers rely on the fact that it is their legal right, in most cities and countries, to take such photos in public places. Taking photos of people in private places is another matter. If you need more information about your rights as a photographer, contact the Arts Law Centre of Australia at https://www.artslaw.com.au/information-sheet/street-photographers-rights/.
Street is also an ideal COVID-19 Safe way to practice one’s hobby: we are always at a safe distance from our subjects! And how to get started: there are many excellent articles on the Web but a good starting point is one by famous New York Street photographer, James Maher at https://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/street_photography/what-is-street-photography/.
You really need to look at lots of Street photos to know what Street is all about. But it will grow on you …
Bob Hay Presenter — U3A Camera Club
Garden Photo Competition Undoubtedly U3A has many members who are keen photographers who are not in the Camera Club but who might be interested in entering a photo competition sponsored by the Australian Garden History Society (AGHS). This is part of their 40th birthday celebrations. The closing date is 17th July, 2021.
Entries should reflect the aim of the AGHS, which is, ‘to promote awareness and conservation of significant gardens and cultural landscapes’. They should range from a historical property or landscape to garden history in the making and can be submitted in a number of categories:
• garden view or cultural landscape; • a still life composition; • a gardener or gardeners taken under COVID-19; • the lawn; and • garden history imagined. A brief description of the subject and how it illustrates 'garden history' should be included with the photos submitted. Entry is open to anyone anywhere in the world. Membership of AGHS is not required but all entries must be taken by the entrant.
Full details can be obtained at the AGHS website https://www.gardenhistorysociety.org.au/publications/aghs-2020-photo-competition/
Bob Hay Presenter — U3A Camera Club
Q. What do you get if you pour boiling water down a rabbit hole? A. A hot cross bunny. Q. What happened to the Easter Bunny at school?
The very popular Tuesday Forums presented jointly by U3A and COTA will return for 2021 in early May. The Forums will be alternatively a face-to-face session at Hughes Hall and a Zoom session. This reflects the strong support expressed by members over the past six months for both formats for the Tuesday Forums. The recent U3A survey indicated strong support for the social interaction provided by public sessions. The Organising Committee also heard strong feedback from attendees at the Zoom sessions last year on the preference for that format including the convenience of the sessions, ability to see and hear speakers and also the ability to access interstate speakers.
Additionally U3A still operates in a COVID-impacted world with all its attendant uncertainty and the Zoom forums offer higher capacity (100 persons) than the current Hughes occupancy limits (80 people). This may change over the year and we will be flexible in responding.
Face-to-face sessions will run at the Hughes Hall on the first and third Tuesday of each month and Zoom forums on the second and fourth Tuesday. In those months with five Tuesdays (June and August) the fifth Tuesday will be a break. The Forums will conclude on Tuesday 23 November and as has been the case for the past few years will be held on Melbourne Cup day.
Reflecting the views expressed by members on the most popular topics the Forums will continue to have a focus on local events/politics; science and environment and international events. The formats will continue to run for an hour with plenty of time for a Q and A after an address by the speaker.
The Zoom sessions will run in a similar manner to last year where members will need, and are provided with, Zoom details on the Monday night before the talk.
Owing to COVID requirements and the limitations on the audience size at Hughes a registration system will be introduced to prevent more than 80 members turning up and having to turn away members. Registration will run on a similar basis to the Zoom sessions except members will need to be checked off on arrival at Hughes. There will remain a $2 cost for the Hughes session which can be paid by either cash or credit card.
The Tuesday Forums at Hughes are likely to start at 12:45 to allow members of the History Course to leave the premises and to avoid overcrowding in the entrance. This will also improve the parking situation.
No refreshments will be provided at Hughes so you will need to bring your own if so desired. There will also be a COVID marshal to ensure events run in a COVID-appropriate manner.
Other details relating to attendance such as wiping down chairs etc will be provided in registration advice to those attending sessions.
The first Forum at Hughes will be held on 4 May. The topic will be Artificial Intelligence without the science fiction: demystifying neural networks.
Media presents AI and artificial neural networks as mysterious technologies out of the pages of a science fiction novel, but the reality is much more prosaic. This talk aims to dispel the mystery and give a conceptual overview of modern AI: how it works, and how it is being put to use.
SPEAKER Dr Lachlan McCalman, Chief Practitioner, The Gradient Institute, where he advances the theory and practice of ethical Machine Learning. (Lachlan spoke in 2019 at a highly popular session).
A complete schedule of speakers for May and June will be announced shortly.
The Organising Committee is also looking for volunteers to assist at the face-to-face sessions and with some of the logistics of the events.
Please contact Alex on [email protected] if interested in volunteering.
Most activities involve some element of risk. Bushwalking, in particular, is a potentially dangerous activity and requires an appropriate level of fitness. Whilst U3A ACT Inc maintains public liability insurance and will endeavour to protect your safety, it cannot remove all the dangers. It therefore assumes that all participants, by booking, consider themselves to have appropriate levels of fitness and mobility, in respect of which they participate at their own risk.
Bookings and queries Unfortunately, concentration on the flurry of activities offered since easing of COVID-19 restrictions, has left us slightly behind with arrangements for new tours. Further details about impending activities in the planning stage will be advertised by eBulletin. Keep a watch out!
Recently completed activities The Molonglo Gorge walk on Friday 19 February proved a little more difficult than anticipated, due to track deterioration, and returned to base before reaching Blue Tiles. There were, however, some great views of the Gorge and of the morning train from Sydney to Canberra for the 21 participants.
After late cancellation of January’s The Merry Widow tour, the one day coach tour to see Tosca at the Sydney Opera House went ahead unhindered on Saturday 13 March and was much enjoyed by the 29 participants.
At the time of writing, it was anticipated the fully booked Historic Queanbeyan walk, scheduled for Thursday 25 March, would have gone ahead with its 20 participants plus Susan Pettersson as leader.
Impending activities The following impending activities are now fully booked:
London Bridge walk on Thursday 15 April. With 40 places taken, this repeated 4km morning walk, to be led by Garth Setchell, will visit the London Bridge homestead and natural arch, located approx. 18km south of Queanbeyan.
Following the leader, Molonglo Gorge.
Anzac 2021 Southern Aurora Rail Cruise from Sat 24 to Thu 29 April. As previously advised, all 12 U3A ACT places on this St James Rail tour were taken months ago.
Griffins and Gardens tour on Sunday 2 and Monday 3 May. All 46 places on this two-day coach tour to four Walter Burley Griffin designed homes in Castlecrag, plus the famous gardens ‘Nooroo’ at Mt Wilson and ‘Mayfield’ near Oberon, were snapped up within days. With another 40 on the wait list, don’t waste your time expressing interest.
New activities Historic Queanbeyan 2. Because of the substantial wait list for the March walk, those on the wait list for that walk will have been contacted and offered first chance for this repeat walk on Friday 7 May. Should any vacancies remain, an eBulletin will be issued to invite further applicants. The walk will again be led by Susan Pettersson.
Lower Snowy Gorge. Planning is underway for a three-day self-drive tour to be led by Garth Setchell, with a limit of about eight cars travelling in open convoy, along some spectacular narrow gravel roads in northern Victoria. These would include the road south from Jindabyne through Suggan Buggan and the stunning road back to Delegate/Bombala via Mackillops Bridge. Nights would be spent in motels — possibly at Buchan and Lakes Entrance — and places visited would probably include Cape Conran and the Snowy mouth at Marlo, plus an inspection of the Royal Cave at Buchan. Late May is a likely date. Expressions of interest, to [email protected], should only be lodged by drivers who are confident of driving on gravel surfaces at a reasonable speed.
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter, April 2021 11
The exciting descent to Mackillops Bridge
Mackillops Bridge crossing the Snowy River
Goulburn Revealed. Planning is also under way by Susan Pettersson for a one-day coach tour to many of Goulburn’s places of architectural and historic interest. Early June is likely. Details will be issued, and bookings invited, in a future eBulletin.
Silver is Gold Community Art and Community Photographic Competitions The Silver is Gold Community Art and Community Photographic Competitions are community-wide competitions that serve to promote photographic and artistic expression and creativity. Both competitions are free to enter and are open to all residents of the ACT, regardless of their age, photographic or artistic experience or their ability.
There are six age entrant categories in each competition: Pre-school–Year 1, Years 2–6, Years 7–10, Years 11–12, an Open Category for persons aged 18–54 years and a seniors category for entrants aged 55 years and over.
For the Photographic Competition, we are seeking photographic images that feature an older person or persons, aged 55 years or older, as the subject of your photographic image or images that are being entered in the competition. You can use your camera or mobile phone device.
For the Art Competition, we are seeking works of art by amateur artists that feature at least one older person, aged 55 years or older, as the subject of the entrant’s work of art. You can use a range of materials including water colours, acrylic paint, pencil, charcoal or mixed media.
Your themes might include your subject in a portrait pose, perhaps participating or enjoying social, recreational or fitness activities, enjoying intergenerational moments or activities with children or grandchildren or perhaps using an image of a mature age worker or volunteer. Our judges are looking for photographic images or works of art that capture a moment or tell a story about a person’s life. We encourage entries that embrace a little fun and humour.
Every entrant in the competition can submit two photographic images and one work of art.
Your photographic images or work of art should have been completed in the past two years.
There are fabulous prizes to be won by selected finalists in each category of our competitions including photography/art-related gift vouchers, book gift vouchers and so much more!
Category finalist entries and other entries selected by our judges in each competition will be exhibited across Canberra, including major shopping centres, retirement villages, schools and other venues, in the period, May–October 2021. Judges also have the discretion to award framed ‘Certificates for Excellence in Participation’ to ACT Government/non-Government Pre-schools, Primary Schools, High Schools, Secondary Colleges, Tertiary Institutions, Retirement Villages or Community Organisations, who generate in excess of 25 entries for the competitions.
For more information, please visit the COTA ACT website: https://www.cotaact.org.au/events/silverisgoldartcomp/. From there you can access the links for terms and conditions, entry forms and information for each competition. If you have any further questions, please call 02 6282 37777 during business hours or email: [email protected].
Lindsay Burge Events, Government Relations and Marketing Coordinator
Note: A full listing of contacts for all our volunteer coordinators and managers and key volunteers is available for downloading and printing on the members’ pages of our website at the Contacts Tab.
OUR COMMITTEE
Role Name Email Phone President Bob Nield [email protected] 0430 487 539
