N E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E R

ABN 42 123 530 408 Reg No A00193187 Issue 169, Nov/Dec 2018

U3A SP is grateful for the funding support provided by:

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The party of the decade... U3ASP’S Free Seniors Morning Tea - 16th October Photos courtesy: Jim Carr

The party of the decade... U3ASP’S Free Seniors Morning Tea - 16th October Photos courtesy: Jim Carr

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VICE PrESIdEnt’S rEPortOn October 16th we hosted a fabulous Seniors Morning Tea at the Dromana Commu-nity hall. It was one of our best ever, with over seventy guests (including many non-members) revelling in the spontaneous party atmosphere to celebrate Seniors Week. As a result, we attracted several new members who wanted to join up on the day!

Our catering volunteers tempted everyone with their usual culinary delights. Enter-tainment was provided by our Martie Lowenstein-Nash’s U3A singers and guitar players were led by Peter Rae. All this festivity prompted guests to get up and dance. Then there was an impromptu puppet dance led by Veronica Rae, which brought other guests to the stage to join in the fun.

An exhibition of paintings from our art groups, and our photography groups as well as a display of Jude Bell’s crochet group, was just stunning.

I am delighted to be able to say that our new Publicity Officer, Lorraine Fyall, scored a coup by arranging an editorial on the event with the Southern/Mornington Penin-sula News Group which you may have seen in your local paper. Special thanks also go to the U3A committee, tutors and members who worked relentlessly behind the scenes making sure everything worked as planned.

On to the less exciting business of U3ASP, but more importantly, I returned last month from my extensive travels and though all business matters were handled extremely well by the committee during my absence, for which I wholeheartedly thank them, I find the U3A movement is facing some big challenges.

It desperately needs people to step up and volunteer to take on leadership roles both at the local and Network levels. At U3ASP after a year, we still do not have a President, and our long-enduring Treasurer, Bill O’Halloran and his wife Madelene, a dedicated U3A office volunteer, are leaving us to reside in country Victoria. They will be greatly missed and I thank them for their valuable contributions over the years.

Our new Treasurer: Jim Dunn

Annie Benfield’s Yoga group took a day off during Seniors Week, to take advantage of cheap ferry fares to Queenscliff . . . and they weren’t the only ones. . . !

Fortunately, James (Jim) Dunn has offered to take on the position of treasurer and we welcome him to this role and to our Committee. We are looking for an Assistant Treasurer to assist Jim.

Your Committee needs support. We are looking for people who can fill the roles of Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Course Co-ordina-tors. Members with Information Technology experi-ence are also needed. Your current Committee can’t continue forever so it is vital that U3ASP has people willing to learn the ropes and help ensure our future.

The U3A movement is facing the challenges of compe-tition and relevance. The Mens Shed movement is growing and getting Government funding, yet it fits well within our movement’s objectives but we haven’t attracted them. Males make up only 30% of U3A membership. Why? Social isolation and seclusion are key areas where U3A can help, so a political campaign is underway to make Government and local councils more aware of what U3A is, and what it can offer. This involves the executive meeting with politicians and local council to sell our brand.

The number of U3ASP members of Greek, Italian, Spanish, Indian, Chinese and Muslim background is not high and we need to do something about that. One suggestion made is to hold a U3ASP multicultural festival next year. I think that is a great idea with huge possibilities and we will examine the feasibility of it.

On the technology front, there is a live video commu-nication app called ZOOM. It is like Skype but more

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Issue 169, Nov/Dec 2018

powerful. A number of universities are using it for distance learning and lectures. ZOOM enables up to 3,000 people to log into things like conferences and lectures. Smaller groups can have interactive meetings from any area where the participants have an internet connection. That means that, for example, a language or instructional course can be run from a central point and presenta-tions can be recorded for people to look at a later time.

The possibilities are huge and U3ASP and the U3A Network are looking at utilising it. These are exciting possibilities but they can’t happen unless people engage and become involved. Social media is fine but personal contact and interaction is also important as we age, and we mustn’t lose sight of how important that is.

In the next couple of months I will be attending a number of meet-ings, functions and activities associated with the matters outlined above, accompanied by some of our volunteers, so it will be a busy time. We would love more people to help us with these things.

Lee Chapman Vice President

CoUrSE CoordInAtorS rEPort

For full course information, check UMAS (U3A Membership Administration System) or contact the office (details are under CONTACT on the last page of this newsletter).

2018 has been a very busy and productive year.

We hope everyone has been out and about enjoying life and making new friends. Our slogan has changed during the year from LIVE LEARN ENJOY, to U3A, BECAUSE YOUR BRAIN DOESN’T WANT TO RETIRE, but we may add NEITHER DOES YOUR BODY, so good on you to all the members out there enjoying walking, cycling and golfing outdoors to our indoor physical activities Tai Chi, Qi Shen Gong, Yoga and Table Tennis.

We have lots of new courses and tutors/activity leaders to welcome in 2019 and have been working hard to rollover and add to our activi-ties in 2019. We expect our Course Book and online courses to be available from mid-November. Enrolments and memberships will start from 6th December. The office will transfer into Room 4 for assisted membership payments and enrolments on 6th, 11th and 13th December from 10.00am-1.00pm. The office will close for 2018 on 13th December at 1pm. and reopen on 17th January 2019. Enrol-ments over this period will need to be online. We are running courses on HOW TO ENROL on 20th November and 3rd December.

Every member is encouraged to log on with their email address or member number to update their details and be ready to enrol on December 6th. Make sure you know your log in details and password.

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Left: Heather Scully and Lorraine Dodd (activity leader) of the Bolivia group (card game) also took time out during Seniors Week to enjoy the scenery, lunch and most of all each other’s company at Queenscliff.

Your course coordinating team hard at work organising 2019 courses . . . give them a round of applause!

From left to right: Sue Dixon, Marg de Jong, Rosalie Arnold Photo courtesy: Ernie de Vlieger

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If you can’t remember your password, look for this:

IS OUR U3A WEBSITE AND UMAS A MYSTERY TO YOU?

Information sessions are being held to solve this mystery and help you be ready to enrol for 2019:

HoW to EnroL In A CoUrSE Just call in but don’t forget your log in and password.

Tuesday 20th November (Room 4) 2.00pm – 4.00pm Monday 3rd December (Room 4) 10.00am -12.00pm

All enrolments for 2019 will only be taken online or by calling in person to the office. Enrolments for 2019 will not be taken by telephone or email requests.

Our U3A volunteers are like the heart that keeps U3A beating but would love help:

CoUrSE CoordInAtor ASSIStAnt

A volunteer with a high level of computer skills but will be given UMAS training. No meeting to attend and you don’t need to come into the office.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR OUR NON EMAIL MEMBERS

A volunteer required with some computer skills to keep all of our members informed on what is happening. We don’t want any of our members to miss out on vital information.

ArCHIVISt

A volunteer required to assist with our important historical records and images (most images are digital but some may need to be scanned).

MEMBER LIAISON OFFICER

A volunteer required to welcome our new members and to enquire if they are having diffi-culty getting to courses due to transport or health issues. We are a family and we need a volunteer to assist looking after our family.

For further Information on the above positions, phone Rosalie Arnold on 5982 0497.

NEW TUTORS/ACTIVITY LEADERS: 2019

We value the willingness of all tutors/activity leaders in sharing their time and knowledge to benefit our members.

The following are new to this role or course.

Judy Newland - Lunching Out Sally Rule – Adobe Guide to Adobe Lightroom & Easy Riders Cycling group Angela Ferguson – Tai Chi for Health Beth Warren – Awareness & Meditation Naomi Toy – Tau Chi & Qi Gong for Beginners Jim Carr – Photobook with your Favourite Images Marg Salomon – Arm Chair Travel Tinnie Werner – Scrabble

RETIRING TUTORS/ACTIVITY LEADERS: 2018

June Jay – Scrabble William Darby – History Lunch David Elder – Discussion Group Sue Dixon & Marg DeJong – Easy Riders Cycling Group Don Leggett - Creative Writing Faye Maddaford -Ipad & Introduction to Computers Veronika Rae-Puppet Making & Performance Richard Cotter- All about India & Indonesia

Our special thanks go to Teena Daley (below) who is retiring from office duties. She will continue in her roles in tutoring, catering and as a committee member so we greatly appreciate her ongoing service as an excellent volunteer.

Happy Wanderers environmental cruise to Tooradin: Photo courtesy: Ernie de Vlieger

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PAM BLAZSANYIK

Pam passed away in September. Many will remember her as a very warm, kind person with a welcoming smile and an enquiring mind. Pam’s interest in providing a fair deal for the disadvantaged came from her deep commitment to helping others. Her friends loved her and she was always there for them. If there was an outing to be arranged, then Pam was on to it. If someone needed care, Pam was there.

Pam’s compassion for others led to a strong interest in social justice and politics. We often benefited from her quick mind and

generous spirit. In class discussions she quickly cut to the chase and wanted to explore what our government was doing to help.

Pam was always looking at developing her knowledge and partici-pated in many U3ASP courses and activities, so she was always busy with her wide ranging interests. She even convened a cooking group. She was a great example of the adage - if you want some-thing done, find a busy person.

Pam’s admirable people management abilities were very evident in her roles as Secretary of the U3ASP Committee, then Office Manager and later as the Assistant Secretary. We benefited from her depth of experience and management skills honed into local government, though we were not the only group to which Pam devoted her time. She was a feisty advocate of issues close to her heart and drew her friends into the Southern Women’s Action Network (SWAN) sharing her commitment to encouraging the development and support of women.

We will remember Pam’s warm compassion and care for others and her intelligence which shone through her bright eyes and cheerful smile.

She will be sadly missed, having made a huge contribution to U3ASP in her many and varied roles.

Thanks to Jack Ruffin & Lynn Black for this article.

LLOYD JONES

When Lloyd Jones departed this world on October 31, U3ASP lost a Founding Member, a Life Member, and one who was probably the longest serving tutor in our nearly 30 year history.

There must be dozens, if not hundreds of members who enjoyed Lloyd’s leadership in his Music Appreciation group which started at U3ASP’s conception, and continued until March of this year.

VALEDICTION TO TWO OUTSTANDING MEMBERS

SNEAK PEEK OF NEW COURSES 2019

Doodle & Chat

Let’s Go Blue Lotus Water Gardens

Environment Circle

Grief & Loss

Overlooked 20th Century Women

Overlooked Fascinating Women

Overlooked Wonder Women

Awareness & Meditation

Tai Chi for Health

Tai Chi & Qi Gong for Beginners

Digital Scrapbooking with Photoshop Elements

Taming your iPhone & iPad

Beginners guide to Adobe Light room

Early Victorian Novels

Arm Chair Travel

Making Photobooks with your Favourite Photographs

Lunching Out

Write your Life Story

History of Australia in Song 1788 – 1988

Wishing all U3A Members a peaceful break from U3A activities to catch up on your gardening and spend some time on our beautiful beaches.

Course Coordinators: Rosalie Arnold, Sue Dixon & Marg de Jong

Photo courtesy: Rosalie Arnold

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Lloyd Jones: Photo courtesy Jill Jones

Seated in his comfortable loungeroom, with a glorious view over the bay, and surrounded by shelves carrying his vast collection of recorded music, the environment suited a true appreciation of what Lloyd had to offer. Those who attended, heard beautiful music on his excellent equipment which felt like being at a symphony concert. Lloyd was able to convey his love and deep understanding of the music he presented in a way which enabled others to learn how to listen. “I was in Heaven” said one member of his group.

Lloyd was supported by his wife, Jill, also heavily involved in U3A from the very beginning. They were both great advocates, extolling the joys of participation. The Jones’ home was a great resource for volunteers, tutors, committee members and office helpers. So much encouragement and enthusiasm came from Lloyd and Jill, with the reassurance that you always get back more than you give.

Lloyd kept a lively interest in affairs of the day and enjoyed having vigorous conversations about contentious issues. His sharp mind led to characteris-tically pithy responses. He had a love of words and language, and shared, with like-minded pedants, his distress at the misuse of the language. This made him admirably suited to editing our Newsletter, which he did from the very first issue until 2001. In the booklet compiled to celebrate our first 20 years, Lloyd writes that he was there to ensure that the literary standards were consistent with the word “University”, and that the newsletter was not just another source of information about illnesses and deaths.

U3ASP was fortunate to have someone of Lloyd’s calibre serving the organi-sation for so long. He will be missed by all the members down the years whose lives and learning were enriched by his tutelage. We send our love and condolences to Jill, their sons and grandchildren, whose loss is so much more than ours.

Thanks to Patricia Sullivan for this article.

COURSE/ACTIVITY NEWSFIRST AID TRAINING

Next year I shall be running the Easy Riders Cycling Group so when the opportunity arose to attend a first aid course organised by U3A I jumped at the chance. Hopefully I will never need to use CPR but I now know how. I also now understand the legal implications of being a first aider.

It was well run and I learned an awful lot. Neil, the presenter was well organised, amusing and very informative although he did come up with some scary facts. For example Australia has 22 out of 24 of the worlds deadliest snakes and lots of them live on the Mornington Peninsula.

It was an expensive exercise for U3A to enrol members into an outside course run by health and safety profes-sionals, but please, if the opportunity comes up again, take advantage of it.

Margaret Morgan Photos courtesy: Sally Rule

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SILo toUrS

These tours are available for the first four months of next year. Dates will become available after 20 members have expressed their interest in booking.

The tours include: luxury coach travel, quality motel accommodation, meals, all entry fees, guides and cruises as per Itinerary.

Please contact Helen Turner as soon as possible for further information as these tours book out well ahead of the tour date: helenruthturner@gmail.com.

“Heartbeat of the Murray” - Swan Hill

3 Days/2 Nights. Tour cost from: $749.00 pp. twin share ($120.00 single supplement).

Tour Highlights: Simply Green Tomatoes, Aussie Wool Quilts & Woolly Warmers; The Spannerman; Lake Boga Flying Catalina Boat Museum & Bunker; Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement; PS Pyap Cruise; ‘The Heartbeat of The Murray’ Laser Lights & Water Show; Lake Tyrrell Salt Plains; The Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Trail plus more.

The Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Trail

5 Days/4 Nights. Tour cost from: $1,198.00 pp. twin share (single supple-ment $272.00).

Tour Highlights: The Millrose Quilting & Gallery; Cafe 1868; Woods’ Farming & Heritage Museum; the ‘200km Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Trail’ (Rupa-nyup, Sheep Hills, Brim, Rosebery, Lascelles & Patchewollock) Rupanyup Living Chocolate Chunk Brownies; Murtoa Stick Shed; Yurunga Homestead & Garden Lunch, Lake Tyrrell Sunset & Sunrise Tours; Sky Mirror Gallery, Laser Light Show ‘The Heartbeat of the Murray’; Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum; Homestead of Murray Downs; Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery; Piccoli’s Spannerman Sculptures; Simply Tomatoes, Aussie Wool Quilts & Woolly Warmers & much more.

From top to bottom: Swan Hill river cruise, Wimmera Mallee laser light show, Wimmera Mallee silo art trail

This course gave members the chance to get together and cook their favourite recipes and experience food from other cultures.

Highlights included: Aunty Barb’s Tuscan Chicken Soup, Norelle’s Thai Red Chicken Curry, Tina’s Cheese Baked Witlof wrapped with Bacon, Peter’s Polish Mushroom Barley Soup, Lynn and Peter’s French dessert of Goats Cheese Tart and a Lemon Biscuit Dessert, Grace’s Ma-Po’s Bean Curd, Sri’s Special Spicy Fried Rice, Annie’s Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang and Rosy’s Baked Chicken Fillets with Nachos.

Classes resume in June/July with the theme “Use your Noodle”. Participants will cook and share recipes of their favourite noodle/pasta dish. A variety of these will be from different cultures, such as Malaysian, Indian and Italian.

Annie Vertue Course Leader

WorLd CooKInG

Peter puts on the final touches to his Lemon Biscuit Dessert. Photo courtesy: Annie Vertue/Rosy Apakian

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ItALIAn ConVErSAtIon CLASS

Since our start in 2011 we have conducted 36 classes per year and 288 Classes in 8 years. Average 10-12 students per class which is equiv-alent to tutoring 3,456 students. Eight of our original students have continued into 2018. We have 12 students enrolled for 2019.

This continuum of learning is due to the fact that members enjoy the Italian Conversation class and the friendship that it brings. Our group meetings further their knowledge and allow them to practice the use of the Italian language and grammar. This course is particularly useful to those who like to visit Italy. We learn about the 20 regions of Italy; their culture, history, dialects, cuisine by sharing stories assisted by audio/visuals as well as music, by singing Italian songs.

Each student’s birthday is celebrated in the month that it falls with bubbles and Italian style cake, and by singing Tanti Auguri a Te (Happy Birthday to you). In September we celebrated the 95th birthday of our wonderful, long term student, Maurice (Maurizio) Holt who has been studying the Italian language for over 70 years by reading books and attending classes.

Cipriano Corva Course Leader

INTERMEDIATE BRIDGE

Bridge, what can I say! It is my major social activity apart from U3A of course. If you like playing cards, bridge it is the ‘Rolls Royce’ of card games.

So why play bridge? It is good for the brain and helps ward off dementia which was one of the reasons I took up bridge about 20 years ago.

There is always something new to learn in bridge. You get to meet with like-minded people because it is very social, and you will never be lonely if you play bridge. The glass of red seems to taste better with the post mortem after a game. It is a cheap form of entertainment because all you need is four people and a pack of cards.

My husband Brian and I have played bridge in many countries of the world including Wales, England, Scotland, France, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

We also get to see a lot of Australia playing bridge. Last year there was a competition in Alice Springs. My husband said there are no ‘cheap flights to Alice Springs’ my reply was ‘Okay, we will drive but I want to do the Oodnadatta Track’. It was a magical three weeks getting to Alice Springs and living out of the back of our car but it may have actually cost more than the airfare!

Next year I will be running beginners and intermediate lessons. Even if you have never held a playing card in your hand, after four weeks you will have the basics of playing bridge.

Margaret Morgan Course Leader

EASY RIDERS

21 September ride

There were eleven enthusiastic riders who met our leader for the day, Margaret Morgan, at the entrance to the Sorrento-Queenscliff ferry for our day’s adventure. It was a lovely sunny day, although the wind was still a little chilly. Having placed our bikes along the side where all the cars go (they didn’t seem very secure, I was hoping the crossing wasn’t too rough), we all trooped upstairs for a chat and coffee during the crossing.

Luckily the crossing was very smooth so no need to worry about our bikes. We disembarked and headed off playing “follow the leader” with Margaret. It was a great ride, a couple of challenging hills but that’s only

Maurizio (centre, in Blue jumper) celebrating his 95th Birthday with his class mates.

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going to make us fitter, isn’t it? We rode along the bay with lovely views of the water in places and finally arrived at Point Lonsdale via a paved and shared walkway along the beach – even prettier views across the water to Point Nepean in this part of the ride.

We had an early lunch at Pasquini’s which everyone seemed to enjoy, the food and coffee were delicious. After lunch we had a little time to spare so some of us walked to the lighthouse and back while others checked out the shops, then it was back to catch the 2pm ferry home.

A very enjoyable day with lots of laughter and chatting on the ferry and at lunch. Thanks to Margaret for arranging this ride.

Sue Dixon Co-group Leader with Marg de Jong

We have such an enthusiastic group of students who come along to yoga every week without fail! They have felt the amazing benefits of yoga, enhancing their flexibility, calming their busy minds, and helping to enhance their overall well-being.

Friendships have been made, lunch and coffee catch ups and even a Yoga Retreat is happening next year in Sri Lanka!

Yoga has a subtle way of changing you for the better, teaching you mindfulness, flexibility, finding more balance in your life, and teaching you how to alleviate stress.

The list goes on. . . So why not come and join our happy dedicated students?

Annie Benfield Group Leader

YOGA FOR WELLBEING/ YIN YOGA

The group has had two excursions from July to October (McClelland Gallery and Point Nepean) as well as a fun filled day photographing each other playing very tricky children’s games.

We also were lucky to have a presen-tation by a local professional photog-rapher, Jan Dance whose passion is photographing water scenes.

The group’s focus remains on enjoying ourselves and practising the various photographic techniques.

Ernie de Vlieger Group Leader

PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP A REPORT

FIRE ! - Pt Nepean Courtesy: Jim Carr

Yoga students relaxing in Savasana

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THIS ISSUE’S FEATURED MEMBERS

BILL o’HALLorAn

I am a proud Victorian and I am the elder of twin boys (not iden-tical) born at Moreland Victoria in 1941. We were the firstborn children of Kevin and Jean O’Halloran who came to Melbourne from Eaglehawk in 1939 when my father was recruited by St Kilda to play Australian Rules football. Times were tough then and he went to St Kilda because they were able to get him employment.

Eventually my parents settled in Footscray, and I went to Primary school at St John’s West Footscray. I did my secondary studies at the Christian Brothers College Yarraville, where I completed my Intermediate Certificate, and my Leaving Certificate at St Joseph’s Boarding College in Newtown (Geelong).

I then got into the work force in a junior clerical position with MLC Life Assurance Society. I lasted a week before deciding that Life Assurance was not for me. Shortly after, I started at Austral Standard Cables as a junior clerk in their central office working on quotations. Times were different then, with many opportunities for job seekers and it was much easier to get work than it is now.

Whilst I really enjoyed the work at ASC, I quickly realized that I was not going to get far in life unless I was prepared to do further studies and so I started an accountancy course at night school with the Christian Brothers North Melbourne.

During these studies I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work for a Chartered Accountancy firm based in Collins St. Melbourne. I was mainly doing audit work under the supervision of a partner, which was helpful with my studies. Because I had to use public trans-port, it was difficult to get to clients who were in suburbs all around Melbourne and to night school, then home to Footscray. One night my father came home from his hairdressers to advise that his hair-dresser had won a motor scooter in a raffle, that he wanted to sell

it and suggested that I should buy it which I did. This was a blessing as it saved me a lot of time. I could park it in the city for free and petrol only cost 4/6 ($0.45c) per week. Those were the days, but then it was relevant to the cost of living and wages at that time.

At this time of my life I was playing under age football and met my future wife, Madelene. Football and studies took up a large part of my time and Madelene did not see a lot of me apart from the top of my head (I did have hair in those days)! I am glad she stayed around and now keeps me in the style I am accustomed to.

After completing my accountancy course, I decided that I wanted to be at the coal face and moved from auditing into the business world, starting in a Management Accountant role before being promoted to Chief Accountant at Robert Hutchinson Limited, Glenroy. Robert Hutchinson Senior, who founded this business was the Managing Director, very much hands on and a brilliant businessman and mentor. I am very grateful to him for that. I could write

a book about my life and wonderful times at Hutchinsons and I owe him a lot for the experience gained from working with him.

At this stage of my life Madelene and I married, built a home in East Keilor and had a daughter, Andrea, and son, Shaun. We graduated from a motor scooter to a magnificent motor car, a 1953 Vauxhall Velox. It had a radio, leather seats and a heater. Unfortunately, it was written off when another car crashed into it in the driveway of our home and at the same time damaged the house.

I moved on from Hutchinsons and we moved from East Keilor to Woodend. I do not want to give the impression that I am an unsettled and restless soul but for several reasons, I have moved many times for both work and life style. Consequently, we have lived in Geelong, Werribee, Maryborough, Caulfield, St. Kilda Road, Bentleigh, Parkdale and Rye.

I have worked in accounting, auditing, manufacturing, general insur-ance broking, property investment, land development, legal prac-tices, local government, industry associations, business consulting and management, and I have had my own business. Having been involved with takeovers and mergers, my roles have been varied, working with accountants, planners, lawyers, engineers, scientists, teachers, manufacturers, human resources officers and vintners.

When we lived in Woodend, I was a member of the Woodend Water Trust and was involved in raising funds to rebuild the Woodend Scouts and Guides Hall.

Photo courtesy: Marg de Jong

It’s usually only one person whose profile appears in this segment, but once again (for the second consecutive time!) an exception has been made for Bill and Madelene O’Halloran, as they have both given so much to U3ASP, and unfortunately, they are leaving us!

We wish them all the very best with their move and the next stage of their lives. - Editor

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My experiences have taken me from the carbon paper stage to the computer era. I have been involved in the implementation of a number of computer software systems and in 1994 travelled to the USA where I met with major law firms in New York and legal practice management software developers to check out the latest develop-ments in legal practice management systems, one of which was later implemented at a national Australian law firm.

After retiring, I joined U3ASP where I have met the most beautiful group of people and been on the Committee as Treasurer since late 2013. I have had my share of medical experiences and am grateful to Madelene for assisting my recovery back to good health.

We are now getting ready for our next and last planned move from Rye to Ballarat and we will miss the many friends we have made on the Peninsula. I have enjoyed my golf at Rosebud Country Club and Mount Martha Golf Club and am looking forwarding to continuing my golf in Ballarat.

I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to contribute at U3A, it is a wonderful association. To quote Albert Facey “I have had a fortu-nate Life” and long may it continue.

MADELENE O’HALLORAN

My story is not all that dissimilar to Bill’s. I am the elder of three children, born in the 40’s in the Western Suburbs. My parents settled in Maidstone and it was there that I grew up. I also went to St John’s West Footscray, not at the same time as Bill though, as he is a little older than me.

After primary school I went to what was called domestic arts school where I was thoroughly trained in shorthand, typing, English principles, cooking and sewing. It was my ambition to become a secretary and I eventually achieved this after completion of the two year course.

During my working career I worked for various companies in insurance, manufacturing and banking, in a management role. Later in my career I was secretary to two partners at one of the big four accounting firms in Melbourne, an achievement I was very proud of.

I met Bill at a “Return Debutante Ball” on the 19th September 1958. Bill asked if he could walk me home, I think it was because my home was just a few doors from the hall and it was on the way to his home in West Footscray. We married in January 1963 and honeymooned in Adelaide, which just happened to coincide with the Australian test cricket match which was on at the Adelaide Oval. Apart from our two children, we have three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Bill has given a pretty good summary of our married life, so I will fast forward to when we moved to The Mornington Peninsula, which was eleven years ago. For the first 18 months I was still working at The Society of Hospital Pharmacists, who were based at South Melbourne and then relocated to Collingwood, for 3 days a week.

Needless to say this involved quite a lot of travel and I soon decided that it was time to retire. Looking around for a way to meet people and fill some leisure time I joined U3ASP. One of the best things I have done in my life. I have been lucky to have been involved with The Happy Wanderers, Photography groups, Contemporary Ethics, Meditation, a Book group, Trompè L’oeil and other interesting groups. I have also spent a number of years volunteering in the office where I have been lucky enough to have worked with some lovely ladies and had fun times.

Now we are about to move on to the next stage of our life and we are both very excited about our move to Ballarat. We have done the sea change now we will do the tree change. It will be sad to leave our lovely U3ASP friends, hopefully they will now find a reason to visit Ballarat and we can promise some good hospitality.

As a service to U3ASP members, your committee has decided to publish information about the latest scams in each newsletter to keep you up to date and aware of these insidious phone, door-to-door, postal and internet issues. We are appreciative of this service to the community from the ACCC. Further material is sourced from consumer watchdog Choice magazine and Choice Community website.

Anyone can register on scamwatch.gov.au. to receive email alerts re the latest scams, or just check out their website. If you come across a suspi-cious encounter of any sort, please report it to the ACCC by phone or email: www.scamwatch.gov.au/about-scamwatch/contact-us.

LATEST SCAMS

ATTACKS AGAINST HP PRINTERS

If you own an HP multi-function device (MFD), and use the fax capability, you should immediately install the latest firmware update.

A malicious fax sent to an HP Inc. OfficeJet all-in-one inkjet printer can give hackers control of the printer and then use it to get to the rest of your home network. It turns out that the fax functionality in HP devices has a bug.

If you do not plug your printer into the phone line, then you are not affected by this. Regardless of whether you are affected, you should download the latest firmware to ensure your continued security. Many of the affected devices can be set to auto-update which will remove the bug. If your device is not set to auto-update, or if you are unsure, you can find patches for the vulnerability on the HP website.

SCAMMERS ACCESSING YOUR COMPUTER AND BANK ACCOUNT

Scammers are increasingly catching out people by impersonating well-known businesses or the police so they can get access to computers and steal money or banking information.

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N E W S L E T T E R

Issue 169, Nov/Dec 2018

Scammers will impersonate a well-known company, commonly Telstra, NBN or Microsoft, or even the police, and spin you a very credible story about why they need to access your computer.

The scammers claim they are tracking the ‘scammers’ or ‘hackers’, and tell the consumer that their computer has been compromised and is being used to send scam messages. They say that with the victim’s help, they can use their computer and online banking to trap the (fake) ‘scammer’. The scammer will then pretend to deposit money into their victim’s account but the money is then sent straight to the scammer’s own bank accounts. Some victims are also tricked into providing iTunes gift card numbers over the phone to these scammers.

Once the scammer has a victim on the hook, if they start to doubt the situ-ation, the scammer will then threaten the victim, stating that the investiga-tion will be jeopardised and the victim may even face legal consequences.

It’s vital that you never, give an unsolicited caller access to your computer, or offer your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone.

SCAM ALERT OVER SOLAR VICTORIA SCHEMEVictorians are being warned to reject scammers who are cold-calling homes to try and grab a slice of the state government’s $1.3 billion solar power subsidy scheme.

Solar Victoria said it’s concerned about some contractors who are promising to help install rooftop panels, hot water systems and battery storage units following the government’s election announcement.

“We will never ask you to provide personal details such as banking information over the phone.” Solar Victoria warns on its website.

FAKE CHARITY SCAMSThese operate in a number of different ways. Scammers may approach people on the street or at their front door. They may also set up convincing fake websites.

Others will call or email people requesting donations.

Fake charity approaches often take the form of a response to real disas-ters or emergencies, such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes and bush-fires. The ACCC has seen horrific examples of charity scammers taking advantage of high profile tragedies. Scammers will impersonate real charities like the Red Cross, RSPCA, or the Rural Fire Service.

People can ensure their donation is going to a legitimate charity by phoning them directly or making a donation via their website.

CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT SCAMS

These scams often appear as advertisements or promotional stories on social media or a seemingly legitimate website. They include fictitious quotes and doctored images of the celebrity, promoting a product such as skin care creams, weight loss pills, or investment schemes.

The scam works by consumers signing up for a ‘free trial’ for a product. As part of this process, they have to provide their credit card details. The ‘free trial’ however, has hidden strict terms and conditions such as having to return the product within a near impossible timeframe, and an automatically renewing subscription that is difficult to cancel.

The groups behind these scams are organised and sophisticated fraud-sters who are often involved in other scams. It’s easy for them to create fake ads and websites to give credibility to their con, so people need to be very careful and sceptical about the ads they read. It is vital to research and read independent reviews of the company. Consumers should verify celebrity endorsement of products from the celebrity’s official website or social media account.

FOR FURTHER TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM, see the SCAMWATCH segment of U3ASP’s August newsletter at: www. u3asouthpen.org.au

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORYour newsletter is published four times a year, in January/February, April, August and November.

Tutors/activity leaders are encouraged to provide news items and photos to the email address below, particularly those running unfilled groups. The newsletter now has a greater print run at high quality for larger distribution; to local libraries, retirement villages and council offices. As a result of this, we are likely to receive a lot more interest from the community so your submission can encourage new members and future leaders.

WE WELCOME YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

Please forward letters, articles, interviews, poetry, short stories, photos, items of interest etc. to the editor: aosborne08@gmail.com.

Text and pictures should not be embedded together within a docu-ment. Pictures need to be supplied individually in jpeg format and text can be sent in an email or as a MS Word document.

Please supply images in medium to high resolution, ie. for one column wide, at least 1mb. More is good.

U3ASP EdItor Andrea Osborne

DISCLAIMERYour committee gives space in this newsletter to community events or notices which it believes, in good faith, are worthy of being brought to the attention of members.

ContACt:Old Shire Offices: 359a Point Nepean Road Dromana 3936PO Box 396 Dromana 3936 Ph: (03) 5981 8777 Email: office@u3asouthpen.org.au.Web: www.u3asouthpen.org.auOffice Hours: 9.30am - 1pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. For the summer closure period, see page 3 of this newsletter, COURSE COORDINATORS REPORT.