UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE MATTERS NETWORK VIC UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE Newsletter No 50 February 2016 Patron The Honourable Linda Dessau AM, Governor of Victoria Have you thought of Heritage Walking Tours-the perfect learning event. Discounts for U3A members. [email protected]Visit U3A on-line to see the wide range of courses available. MOOCs, Great Courses and COURSERA are all opons available to U3As who want to increase their subject offerings with world class course materials. Promoonal tool Power Point available that is easily customised to suit your U3A markeng needs Editor: Valerie Bourke [email protected] ph (03) 96703659 Presidents Message President hosts interstate U3A Newest Member U3A At the November Council meeng our newest Member U3A, Wheelers Hill, was inducted into our U3A family at the November Council meeng whilst in September Corangamite was inducted. The U3A family now has 106 Member U3As across the state with over 33000 members. Welcome to the U3A 2016 year. I hope you all connue to find pleasure in being a part of this great world- wide organisaon. In this newsleer you will read of the death of two amazing women who helped shape U3A in the early days. Bey Marginson had an obituary in the Age on the 9th January, if you did not see it go to Mr Google it is well worth a read, she was an amazing women. There is a number of interesng arcles about our member U3As and how they have celebrated their U3As achievements and acvies in 2015. Congratulaons to all. 2016 will see consolidaon of Regions and U3A Network look forward to assisng our member U3As to work with the socially and geographically isolated members of the senior community. Congratulaons to all who took up the U3A Network recommended online database system SMMS for their 2016 enrolments, the feedback has been, ease of enrolment and success for all. Date to remember U3A Network AGM is on 16 March. There will be number of vacancies on the Network Commiee of Management. If you think you may be interested give the office a call and the secretary will be in touch to discuss. May you all connue to live Learn Enjoy with U3A. Elsie Muon President U3A Network Victoria U3A Toowoomba president Rhonda Weston and Course Coordinator David Weston with Elsie Muon at U3A Nunawading. Reminder March 16th AGM in Multi Cultural Hub all Member U3As should send a delegate.
Presidents Message President hosts interstate U3ANewest Member U3A
At the November Council meeting our newest Member U3A, Wheelers Hill, was inducted into our U3A family at the November Council meeting whilst in September Corangamite was inducted. The U3A family now has 106 Member U3As across the state with over 33000 members.
Welcome to the U3A 2016 year. I hope you all continue to find pleasure in being a part of this great world- wide organisation.
In this newsletter you will read of the death of two amazing women who helped shape U3A in the early days. Betty Marginson had an obituary in the Age on the 9th January, if you did not see it go to Mr Google it is well worth a read, she was an amazing women.
There is a number of interesting articles about our member U3As and how they have celebrated their U3As achievements and activities in 2015. Congratulations to all.
2016 will see consolidation of Regions and U3A Network look forward to assisting our member U3As to work with the socially and geographically isolated members of the senior community.
Congratulations to all who took up the U3A Network recommended online database system SMMS for their 2016 enrolments, the feedback has been, ease of enrolment and success for all.
Date to remember U3A Network AGM is on 16 March. There will be number of vacancies on the Network Committee of Management. If you think you may be interested give the office a call and the secretary will be in touch to discuss.
May you all continue to live Learn Enjoy with U3A.
Elsie MuttonPresidentU3A Network Victoria
U3A Toowoomba president Rhonda Weston and Course Coordinator David Weston with Elsie Mutton at U3A Nunawading.
Reminder March 16th AGM in Multi Cultural Hub all Member U3As should send a delegate.
Federation Square
Peter Hitchener (Ch 9), Gerard Mansour (Commissioner for Senior Victorians), Martin Foley (Min. for Housing, Disability and Ageing), Elsie Mutton (President U3A Network Vic) in front of the Network marquee at the Carnival of Learning in October.
U3A A Real Star on the Science Show Radio NationalRobin Williams interviewed Daphne Sands, U3A Geelong’s Astronomy tutor about the course she runs and her enthusiasm for the work of the U3A movement.
U3A Bairnsdale & DistrictKing Walkers explored the beauty of Philip Island and the history of Churchill Island. Others enjoy Mah-jong or enjoy such musicals as Evita and My Fair Lady. Members enjoyed the final of the informative Neuro Science & Psychology series of lectures. Shown here are members outing into practice portrait photography techniques. Tim’s drawing class as well as in the portrait and figure drawing class, understanding Italy watching Saturday films, attending the Internet for Seniors series and attending the informative St John’s ambulance course for practical first aid tips, as well as learning Australian History through song as well as beginners Italian.
Members of U3A Nunawading’s quilt making classes.
VALE Dot Ward
After assisting the foundation of the Ringwood U3A thirty years ago, Dot went on to establish the Croydon campus. From 1992 to 2015 Dot served U3A members holding a number of administrative and class leader roles. She was president of U3A Ringwood, later she held the positions of course co-ordinator, publicity officer, Council Liaison Officer, venue seeker; it was a standing joke that U3A Croydon’s office was the boot of Dot’s car! At Croydon the line dancing class is now called Dot’s Line Dancing in her honour.
VALE Betty Marginson 3-3-23 to 18-12-15
Founding member of U3A Hawthorn and former Network Vic president.
At the age of 92 there was little Betty’s active life had not embraced. Her lifetime of community service saw her elected Hawthorn Mayor in 1976, and as such, only the second female mayor in Melbourne. In 1981 Betty became chair of the Consultative Council on Senior Citizens a role she held for over a decade. Her interests in bettering the lives of seniors combined with a lifetime’s work in education, saw her a founding member of U3A Hawthorn in 1993. Later she became president of Network Vic advocating for U3As across the state. She was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 1977 and made an AM in 1993. In 2001 she received a Centenary of Federation medal and was one of 200 women from across Australia to be placed on the “Women Shaping Australia” honour roll at Victoria’s parliament House.
U3A Nunawading celebrated 25years serving the Seniors community during Seniors’ Week. A broad array of activities were showcased ranging from Art (Drawing and Painting in different mediums and Photography), Craft (Crochet, Felt-Making, Knitting, Needlework, Patchwork and Tatting), Dance (Ballroom Dancing, Belly Dancing, Greek Dancing and Line Dancing), Exercise (Badminton, Golf, Tai Chi both Yang Style and Wu Style, Qi Gong and Yoga), Games (Chess, Cryptic Crossword and Mah Jong), Humanities (Comparative Religions, Military History, Philosophy for Living, Poetry for Pleasure, Public Speaking and Tarot), Languages (Displays and Performances in Chinese, French and Japanese) to
Music (Choir Singing, Music Makers and Silver Bell Jazz Band).
Councillor Phillip Daw (shown here with Paulina Chong) officiated at the cutting of the celebration cake. All celebrations were complimented with beautiful food.
U3A Croydon UMAS (SMMS) enrolment week statistics
Croydon has gone digital. The following are the statistics for our new SMMS enrolment week from Nov 23rd to Nov 27th:
In the office member assisted enrolments: 332
At home On-Line enrolments: 279
Total Enrolments 611
Average In office member assisted enrolments: 54.3%
Average at home On-Line enrolments: 45.66%
Total Course Enrolments: 1270
As at 7/12/2015 we currently have approx. 700 active 2016 members who have enrolled in 1430 classes.
The SMMS system worked exceptionally well, with just a few “glitches” which we were able to quickly correct. Member traffic flow into the office was fluent. Enrolments & membership renewals were only slightly down on same time last year. Both member & tutor feedback regarding the SMMS system and how the enrolment process was conducted was consistently complimentary. In December the Ukulele Group performed at the Maroondah Carols by Candlelight.
“Curriculum Development – Now and for the Future”
A report of the Course Co-ordinators’ Forum, December 11, 2015 Seventy enthusiastic Course Co-ordinators from both regional and metropolitan U3As converged on the Celtic Club in December for their second annual forum. Vigorous debate and discussion with others in the same role about the issues that arise from the development of U3A curriculum now and for the future ensued.Attendees emphasized the benefits of: -
U3A Creswick & District holds an Open day on 15th January this is a day of fun and showcases what the U3A has on offer. This day allows tutors to meet prospective students and provides a chance to display the previous year’s work. Tai Chi coaching, croquet and Table Tennis are on display.
High alumina content concrete which is being used in the 2016 sculpture course at U3A Creswick.
• Having a social aspect to activities within and outside the classroom and• Forming partnerships and/or co-operating with other institutions and local GroupsThe first group discussion topic, “curriculum drivers, motivators and Opportunities” identified some key internal and external drivers: -• Tutors-sourcing, selecting, availability, offerings, quality and training• Accumulating members course suggestions using such mechanisms as Survey Monkey, face to face interviews, emailing or posting questionnaires• Venues/facilities-sourcing and funding• Funding in general including local and state government supportBarbara Mountjouris, Manager, Seniors Programs and Participation, Department of Health and Human Services launched the NEC’s “Tutor Handbook Guidelines” congratulating Course Co-ordinators for their contribution to the booklet. Professor Phillip Taylor, Director of Research, National Seniors Productive Aging Centre challenged the audience to consider the impact on future U3A course offerings and course delivery patterns of the changing work patterns of future aging workers. Course Co-ordinators Judi Hanlon, U3A Euroa, Loretta Winstanley, U3A Geelong and Glen Wall, U3A Whittlesea provoked a lively panel discussion about inclusive and sustainable future U3A programs.The Forum concluded with a sharing of applicable future proofing ideas with, developing a five-year plan, constructing a balanced curriculum, and promoting self-directed learning,and the sharing of classes with other U3As among suggestions preferred.“And next year’s Forum?” Watch this space!Anne ThompsonConvener, Network Education Committee
U3A Emerald – Viva VeneziaWhat better way to improve your Italian than to go to school in Venice?Led by Italian language tutors, Aldo and Dolores Bellemo, sixteen members of U3A Emerald’s Italian class have done just that. Spending two full weeks in Venice where they not only attended Italian language school but had the opportunity to experience the Venice Biennale.
Aldo had suggested the Italian class members enrol at The Venice Italian School whilst the 2015 Biennale was on. Members jumped at the opportunity and sixteen people made the trip. Report by Paul Bianco
members have been analysing the great Bard’s words in Exploring Shakespeare. U3A Darebin was proud to have member art works exhibited at the combined U3A Art Exhibition at Queen’s Hall. The First Tuesday talks saw members informed about recognising and treating Strokes. In 2016 members will be able to attend Archaeology lectures at Latrobe University or learn Czech.
U3A Baw Baw enjoyed their literary luncheon in August addressed by David Langmore whose book “Planning Power: The Uses and Abuses of Power in the Planning of the Latrobe Valley”. Continuing U3A’s role as the main provider of technology education for Seniors, U3A Baw Baw’s computer Users Group is offering classes in: backing up files, inserting photos into text, diagnosing problems and enhancing photos.
U3A Latrobe Valley members are busy knitting poppies for the Australian exhibit at the Chelsea Flower show. A great section in their newsletter is entitled “sharing your travels”.
U3A Horsham and DistrictMembers are getting off to a good start to 2016 learning about “the people of the first fleet” in Snap Shots of history, listening to “Sounds of Music”, the wildflowers of Western Australia. Camera Art, Writing for Fun or attending the new Art Appreciation group.
U3A Kyneton has produced a colourful leaflet advertising their 2016 courses which they have distributed throughout the Kyneton woodend district. Recruiting New Members some suggestions to try:Casey is a small U3A, 250-300, in a council area that has 44,000 people over 65 yet despiteadvertising with posters and pamphlets has found most people have never heard of U3A.So they decided to target those:
1. recently retired or planning retirement.
2. recently moved into the area and retired.
3. who have lost a partner and are retired and may be suffering social isolation.
For group 1 they have approached the local Centrelink officer responsible for Transition to Retirement seminars in order to make staff aware of U3A and how it will be useful to their retiring staff and clientele. Eastern Melbourne region will be canvassed with a view to local U3As providing speakers.
For group 2 approach the local Council to have U3A information included in the Welcome packages provided to new residents.
For group 3, the local doctor suggested providing the practice nurse with pamphlets to hand out to relevant people.
Add to this the District Nurse who visits many otherwise isolated elderly.
Free On line courses your U3A can use:
University of Tasmania offers a course in “Writing Family History”, www.utas.edu.au/writingfamilyhistory they also offer “Photography and Social-media” as well as “the Meaning of Death”
Win an iPad from Tech Savvy for Seniors, go to seniorsonline.vic.gov.au Send copy for Fifty~Plus to [email protected] with 50+ in the subject line.
U3A Highvale have been listening to Jenny Harkness from the Family Search Organisation and is Vice President of the Victorian Association of Family History gave a talk about researching family trees. Members are looking forward to Feldenkrais, folk art Ancient Egypt and the history of the Great Depression. Some will learn Russian, study Ballet and Dance Life skills and Health.
U3A Colac Otway kept working in December, the SLACS has kept riding and the walkers kept walking throughout December. The Computer Club, iPads, tables and Facebook group.
U3A Darebin inc members have been dodging the bikes as they walk the Yarra Trail stopping off for coffee at the Collingwood Children’s Farm. Members have been doing Tai Chi, Day trippers visited the Block Arcade, whilst others in Armchair Theatre have been inhabiting the characters of Chekov’s Three Sisters. Still more
U3A Goulburn ValleyU3A Goulburn Valley members enjoy a celebration of the Melbourne Cup.
Members enjoyed making Christmas decorations and visiting district landmarks such as the Bridge Hotel at Murchison.
Venetian Masks as seen by U3A Emerald Italian Class on tour.
Former art teacher Pip Cassidy was the final speaker at U3A Surfcoast’s Occasional Lecture series. Pip shared her passion for the work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo at the Lions Village, Torquay on Friday 11th September. New classes included Beginners Bridge with Elizabeth Wapshott and a book group with Torquay Books’ Rosemary Featherston. Robert Packett offered a repeat course in Poetry of WW1, and Cheryl Baulch a repeat course in Organising Digital Photos and making Photo Books course. Other courses that have help get this new U3A off to a brilliant 2015 have been a Basic Needlework class and a Field Trip-Wildflowers in October. Pip Cassady in photo.
