Healesville U3A Inc.

ABN: 73370385591

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 2016

2017 PROGRAM

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U3A Member Registration & Enrolment Day

for 2017

THURSDAY 24th NOVEMBER 2016

1.30PM – 4.00PM

Senior Citizens Hall, cnr Green & River Streets

We have a number of exciting new courses for 2017 so make sure you check the details outlined in the following pages.

EFTPOS PAYMENTS

This year for the first time we will be able to accept payment by debit or credit card (VISA and Mastercard only) - our thanks to the Bendigo Bank for providing this facility. However, please note that we will incur a fee of $0.75 per transaction, which we will need to add on to the registration fee paid.

NEW REGISTRATION FORM

Please note that an updated version of the Registration Form has been prepared and must be used for Registration as a member for 2017. The revised form can be downloaded from our website or obtained from the office or by contacting the secretary. Please do not use an old version of the form.

MEMBER NUMBERS

We are introducing a new member management system which will ultimately make handling and processing of our memberships and classes much quicker and easier. This will not affect you, the members, this year in terms of registering and enrolling in classes for 2017, but you may see us experimenting with this system on Registration Day. One aspect of this new system is that every member, in the future, will have a Member Number. This number will be included on your new membership badge and will be fixed for life.

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Class Co-ordinator Report 2016

by Heather Higgs

2016 has seen another successful year at Healesville U3A.

My first job, with the help of a wonderful committee, was to organise our 10-year Anniversary Lunch in June. It was a fabulous event, well attended and gave our organisation a sense of togetherness.

This year we welcomed Nigel Dobson, leading a monthly Introduction to Buddhism class; Wendy Veitch, leading a group of energetic bushwalkers through the surrounds of Healesville; Martin Dix, who held a weekly Roman History class and Fulvia Inserra, who held a Spirituality class. Terry Green added another string to his bow and held an Astrology, Tarot and Numerology class. Keith Wade has a regular group of Bike Riders on a Thursday morning. Bryn Jones once again shared his abundant knowledge and held an 8 week History of Healesville class. The Ukulele Group has prospered so much that they are now performing in public and looking for “gigs” to show off their skills. Our Theatre Group is now in its third year, bringing opportunities to those “thespians” who wish to show off their skills on stage. Their costs are covered by a grant and a $5 entry fee on performance day.

Our tried and true classes such as Arts and Craft, Meditation, Book Club, Laughter, French and German, Day Travel Group, Garden Lovers, Scrabble group and Line Dancing all successfully continued bringing happiness and the opportunity of meeting like-minded people.

Unfortunately this is going to be the final year that Gwendoline Shields will lead Exercise to Music. She has been leading this class for nine years and we thank her for a great effort. The Class will continue next year under new instructors.

I have new classes to introduce to you during 2017. There is a small summary of them following in the Newsletter.

I would like to wish everybody a happy, safe and healthy Christmas and New Year.

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President’s Report 2016 by Julian Higgs

We held our AGM on October 20th. AGMs are not the most exciting things but we have to have them and we have to have a quorum, so a big thank you to all those who attended. Special thanks to Councillor Fiona McAllister for taking the time to attend. For those who did not attend the following are a few highlights both of Financial Year 2016 and Calendar Year 2016. 2016 has been a good year for U3A Healesville. We have held around 30 classes and activities for the year, which is a significant increase on previous years and our member numbers have gone over the 200 mark compared with around 160 in 2014 and 170 in 2015. Lots more people and lots more activity which is a great result. Two highlights I think were the Variety Revue in November last year and the 10th Anniversary Lunch in June of this year. The Revue was a real success in terms of the quality of the staging and performances and in the number of people attending. The 10th Anniversary Lunch was also a real success after some great planning by the organising committee ― a proper celebration of a significant milestone. We are also in good shape financially. We made a small surplus for the financial year of $242 after income of $12,454 and expenses of $12,212. This is a good result given that we made deficits in the previous two financial years. We also have $20,861 cash reserves in the bank, so financially we are in a sound position. Lots of people have contributed over the year and a big thank you to all the following:

Our class and activity leaders

The committee and all who have served on it in 2016 and are going to serve on it in 2017

Special mentions to Secretary Don Macdonald and Class Co-ordinator Heather Higgs for all the work they do

Special mention to retiring long-serving and hard-working committee members Margaret Farthing, Dorothy Carter and Val James

A special welcome to new committee members Gianna Esposito, Jeni Conquest, Faye Hempenstall and Anne Willems

The organisers of the 10th Anniversary Lunch, who did such a great job

Website Manager and long-serving but retiring Newsletter Editor Joan Barlow

Incoming Newsletter Editor Mary Dabelstein

And anyone else who helped run our U3A in 2016.

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NEW CLASSES FOR 2017

See the alphabetical list on pages 9-12 for details

AUSTRALIAN HEARING - TALK AND ASSESSMENT

A DAY AT THE THEATRE

AFTERNOON TEA

DOWNTON ABBEY APPRECIATION

FLORAL ARRANGING

MAHJONG

MOVEMENT FOR LIFE

WRITING YOUR OWN STORY

WRITING FOR FUN NOT PROFIT

TERM DATES 2017

Term 1 Monday February 6th ─ Friday March 31

st

Term 2 Tuesday April 18th ─ Friday June 30

th

Term 3 Monday July 17th ─ Friday September 22

nd

Term 4 Monday October 9th ─ Friday December 15

th

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Healesville U3A Timetable2017 DAY TIME VENUE

MONDAY

Armchair Travel (2nd

Mon. of month) 1.30-2.30pm Golden Wattle

Downton Abbey Appreciation Class (fortnightly) 2.00-4.00pm Private Home

History of Healesville (Term 4 weekly) 2.00–3.00pm Library Hub

Movement for Life (2nd

& 4th of month) 1.30-3.00pm Senior Citizens

Roman History (weekly) 10.30-11.30am Maroondah Retirement Village Hall

Scrabble (weekly) 2.00-4.00pm Private home

Tarot (2nd

Mon. of month) 9am-12 noon Golden Wattle (Weekly then monthly)

TUESDAY

Arts & Craft (weekly) 1.00-3.00pm Lions Club Hall

French Conversation (fortnightly) 10.00-11.30am Maroondah Retirement Village Hall

German Conversation (fortnightly) 10.00-11.30am Private home

Mahjong (weekly) 1.30-3.30pm RSL

Ukulele (fortnightly) 11.00am-12 noon RSL

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WEDNESDAY

Choir (weekly) 3.00-4.00pm Golden Wattle

Exercise to Music (weekly) 1.30-3.00pm Lions Club Hall

Garden Lovers (2nd

Wed of month) 10am-12 noon Everywhere

Meditation (weekly) 9.15-10.15am Comely Bank

THURSDAY

Arvo Tea (3rd

Thursday of Term) 2.00-3.30pm Senior Citizens

Australian Hearing (1

st Term - 2 Sessions) 1.30-3.00pm Senior Citizens

Bicycle Riding Group (fortnightly) 9.30am-1.00pm Everywhere

Line Dancing (weekly) 10.30am-12 noon Senior Citizens

Scrabble in the Library (weekly) 10am-12 noon Library

FRIDAY

Book Club (3rd

Fri. of month) 10.30-12 noon Yarra Glen Hall

Bushwalking (1st

Fri. of month) 9.00am-1.00pm Everywhere

Day Travel (1st

Fri. of month) 10.00am Black Spur Nursery

Floral Arranging (3rd

Fri. of month) 1.30-3.00pm Lions Club

Laughter (weekly) 11am-12 noon Queens Park

Writing for Fun not Profit 10am-12 noon Maroondah (weekly 3

rd Term) Retirement Village Hall

Writing Your Own Story 10am-12 noon Maroondah (weekly 2

nd Term) Retirement Village Hall

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ALPHABETICAL LIST OF ALL COURSES FOR 2017

A DAY AT THE THEATRE ― Leader: Jennifer Adams, 5962 4915

AFTERNOON TEA ― Leader: Heather Higgs, 0418 315 879

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL ― Leader: Terry Green, 5962 5351 ARTS & CRAFT GROUP ― Leader: Bernie Schnull, 0490 496 510 AUSTRALIAN HEARING – TALK & ASSESSMENT ―

Contact: Heather Higgs, 5962 3772 BICYCLE RIDING GROUP ― Leader: Keith Wade, 5962 1882 BOOK CLUB AT YARRA GLEN - Leader: Joan Barlow, 5962 5083 BUSHWALKING GROUP ― Leader: Wendy Veitch, 5962 6274 CHOIR ― Leader: Nan Francis, 5962 6371 DAY TRAVEL GROUP ― Leader: Margaret Farthing, 5962 6969 DOWNTON ABBEY APPRECIATION CLASS ―

Leader: Glenice Liston, 5962 3508 EXERCISE TO MUSIC ― Leader: Dianne Kaufmann, 5962 1872 FRENCH CONVERSATION ― Leader: Suzette Nassl, 5962 5635 FLORAL ARRANGING ― Leader: Beth Schilling, 5962 1822 GARDEN LOVERS CLUB ― Leader: Heather Higgs, 5962 3772 GERMAN CONVERSATION ― Leader: Ursula Heinsen, 5962 3096 HISTORY OF HEALESVILLE ― Leader: Bryn Jones, 5962 4697 LAUGHTER WORKSHOP― Leader: Val James, 5962 2237 LINE DANCING ― Leader: Cheryl Barwick, 9730 1171 MAHJONG ― Leader: Gianna Esposito, 5962 2213 MEDITATION ― Leader: Marion Wasley,5962 3570 MOVEMENT FOR LIFE ― Leader: Jeni Conquest, 5962 1127 ROMAN HISTORY ― Leader: Martin Dix, 0412 002 234 SCRABBLE ― Leader: June Slater, 5962 2005 SCRABBLE IN THE LIBRARY ―

Leader: Dorothy Carter, 5962 1869 TAROT ― Leader: Terry Green, 5962 5351 ULULELE ― Leader: Doug Fudge, 5962 6274 WRITING YOUR OWN STORY―Leader: Di Anderson - 5962 3242

WRITING FOR FUN NOT PROFIT ― Leader: Di Anderson – 5962 3242

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FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF NEW CLASSES FOR 2017

AUSTRALIAN HEARING ― TALK AND ASSESSMENT

Session 1: Hearing Aids and the Hearing Industry in Australia

The hearing industry can be full of confusing information and pitfalls. This session aims to clarify the paths toward effective hearing help in Australia (both through public funding and private access) and will also provide information on hearing aids and assistive listening device options. Free hearing checks will be offered after the session.

Session 2: Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Approximately 60 per cent of people over 60 suffer from hearing loss in Australia. The various expressions of hearing loss can have profound effects on communication, socialization and safety for those individuals and families affected. Research also suggests that 30 per cent of the population suffers from tinnitus, with 15 per cent suffering constant annoyance as a result of the condition. For many tinnitus sufferers the condition can have devastating effects on the quality of their daily lives. This session aims at elucidating the facts about hearing loss and tinnitus and what might be done to help. Free hearing checks will be offered after the session. This will be a two hour session over two weeks:

1st

term Thursday ― 16th

February and Thursday ― 2

nd March 2017

Senior Citizens Hall 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Contact: Heather Higgs ― 5962 3772

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A DAY AT THE THEATRE

We have made a tentative Group Booking for 20 people to see Aladdin performed live on stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Exhibition Street in the city on Wednesday April 26

th, 2017.

Tickets are $70.00. We save $30.00 by booking as a group. We will require a $20.00 deposit by February 20, 2017. For an extra $30.00 each, we may also hire a bus to take us from Healesville directly to the Theatre.

To book, please ‘phone Jennifer Adams – 5962 4915. Tickets will be selling fast.

Summary

Show: Aladdin Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre, Exhibition Street, Melbourne Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Time: 1.00pm Cost: $70.00 ($20.00 deposit required by February 20, 2017) Transport: Bus is an option – Cost $30.00

If this event proves popular, we will organize another Theatre trip later in the year.

AFTERNOON TEA

All U3A Members are welcome to come along to Afternoon Tea at the Senior Citizen Club. This is FREE. Tea and coffee will be served along with some sweet or savoury treat. You may even be entertained by one of our U3A classes. This is an opportunity for you to meet new people and make some new friends outside of the class that you normally attend. Afternoon Tea will be held on the third Thursday of each term. Leader: Heather Higgs – 0418 315 879 Dates are: 1

st Term February 23

rd 3

rd Term August 3

rd

2nd

Term May 4th

4th

Term October 26th

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DOWNTON ABBEY APPRECIATION CLASS

For all those Downton Abbey fans. Come and watch and discuss the episodes. Leader: Glenice Liston –5962 3508 Weekly, Monday 2.00-4.00pm – Private Home FLORAL ARRANGING

Beth is a qualified florist and will present a monthly Floral Arranging class. We have 4 sessions planned. You will be asked to bring some flowers, greenery and vase and Beth will guide you in the “Art of Arranging”. Leader: Beth Schilling – 5962 1822 3

rd Friday of Month 1.30 - 3.00pm - Lions Club Hall

MAHJONG

This is a new class starting in 2017. A group of players has been learning the game and now feels ready for other people to join and be taught. The game is very easy to learn. Scoring is a little complicated. You will be taught just the game to begin with, then progress with the scoring. All welcome. Leader: Gianna Esposito – 5962 2213 Weekly, Tuesday 1.30-3.30pm RSL

MOVEMENT FOR LIFE

Mindful movement for relaxation, meditation, gaining flexibility, agility and strength of bones, joints and muscles ― there will be a wonderful variety of music to support, enrich and inspire you and time for fun and sharing. No previous experience necessary and suitable for all levels of fitness. We will create a safe space together.

Jeni has been running movement groups for 25 years and recently attended the inaugural MOVE – muscle, bone & joint health Conference (the new voice of Arthritis), an exciting Victorian Active Ageing Partnership which includes Monash University, Victoria State Government and Fitness Australia.

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An initiative to find Pathways to Participation: Engaging Older People in Physical Activity. One of the many presenters on the day was U3A, sharing the great variety of programs we offer. Leader: Jeni Conquest – 5962 1127 2

nd and 4

th Monday of Month

Senior Citizens Hall - 1.30pm -3.00pm TAROT

1. Understanding Tarot Part 1: For beginners – 4-5 sessions, each of three hours’ duration.

Conducted during 1st

Term

2. Understanding Tarot Part 2: Continued – 6 sessions, each of three hours’ duration.

Run monthly for remainder of the year

Leader: Terry Green – 5962 5351 Weekly then Monthly Monday: 9am - 12noon Golden Wattle

WRITING YOUR OWN STORY This course is designed for you to tell your own story for posterity - sometimes challenging, often insightful, but always fun. Leader: Di Anderson – 5962 3242 2

nd Term

Weekly, Friday, 10am - 12 noon Maroondah Retirement Village WRITING FOR FUN NOT PROFIT

A creative writing course for the slightly silly ― a new course! Come and be experimented on, produce your own little booklet of your own musings, and be prepared to be a little silly. It will be good for the soul.

Leader: Di Anderson – 5962 3242 3

rd Term

Weekly, Friday, 10am - 12 noon Maroondah Retirement Village

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U3A Healesville Theatre Group presents

A VARIETY REVUE

When: Saturday, 19th November at 2.00pm

Where: Healesville High School,

Camerons Road, Healesville 3777

Cost: $5.00 Tickets available at the door

or can be purchased from

Val James, Tel. 5962 2237

Members of the Garden Lovers Club enjoying a day out

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SUMMARY OF EXISTING CLASSES

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL

Armchair travel is currently offered to Golden Wattle for their senior people and U3A members are welcome to join. The sessions are approx. 1 hour once a month at the Golden Wattle. Leader: Terry Green – 5962 5351.

ARTS AND CRAFT GROUP The Arts and Craft Group share an interest and passion in many forms of artistic visual expression. Members currently practise water colour, acrylic and oil painting, pastel and pencil drawing and even quilt making. The range of skills varies, from beginner to semi-professional. Nobody is excluded and everybody is welcome to join and share their skills and ideas.

It’s amazing to see the results achievable with a bit of assistance and encouragement. We also encourage our class to try new and unfamiliar mediums. Who knows what hidden talent you may discover? The most important part is to have fun and enjoy yourself for a few hours a week in a friendly, social environment.

The group is seeking to accommodate more members and all are welcome. Leader: Bernie Schnull – 0490 496 510

BICYCLE RIDING GROUP

The aim of this group is to bring people together to enjoy cycling and also to improve fitness as a part of a healthy lifestyle. The group needs a minimum of three people to make it worthwhile. The group will concentrate on the 1

st

and 4th

terms – the shorter days and wintry weather in the middle of the year are not conducive to pleasant cycling. Leader: Keith Wade – 5962 1882.

BOOK CLUB AT YARRA GLEN

This friendly group meets monthly to discuss a book which members have received during the previous month. We read a wide range of books over the year and our discussions are always interesting. Leader: Joan Barlow – 5962 5083

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BUSHWALKING GROUP

Wendy will co-ordinate a bushwalking group. Bushwalkers walk at least 10km on bush tracks. Leader: Wendy Veitch – 5962 6274 CHOIR

If you love singing (especially in parts), then join the group for one hour a week in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The choir is always keen to recruit new members. Leader: Nan Francis – 5962 6371 DAY TRAVEL GROUP

Join Margaret and the group on the 1st

Friday of the month at the Black Spur Nursery café to discuss the next outing. The Group travels by public transport and has a wonderful time, often exploring new places. Leader: Margaret Farthing – 5962 6969 EXERCISE TO MUSIC

This very popular class is self-explanatory and continues in 2017. With Gwendoline Shields’ retirement, the class will now be lead by four people. Leader: Dianne Kaufmann – 5962 1872 FRENCH CONVERSATION The aim of this course is to get together and talk French and so it is assumed that participants have some knowledge of the language. Leader: Suzette Nassl – 5962 5635 GARDEN LOVERS CLUB This is for people who like gardening, who like looking at gardens. You do not need to know a lot of technical information to join this group. It is purely for GARDEN LOVERS with always a cuppa afterwards. Contact: Heather Higgs – 5962 3772

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GERMAN CONVERSATION This group has knowledge of the German language and we get together to speak German and so enhance our skills. Leader: Ursula Heinsen – 5962 3096 HISTORY OF HEALESVILLE This 8 week course will look at the development of Healesville from 1860 to the present day. For example in Weeks 1 & 2 we will look at New Chum; Coranderrk; beginning of tourism; arrival of the railway and the boom and depression of the 1880s-90s. This course is open to flexibility, according to people’s interests. TERM 4 ONLY. Leader: Bryn Jones – 5962 4697 LAUGHTER WORKSHOP What can I say about this! Except that I know it’s good for your health as well as being lots of fun. Leader: Val James – 5962 2237 LINE DANCING It’s great exercise for body and mind and with the lively company of other fun loving people it’s a great hit. Come along and give it a go! Leader: Cheryl Barwick – 9730 1171 MEDITATION A small group of like-minded people gather together for an hour with a view to stilling the mind, in order to generate peace, health, happiness and mindfulness. Chairs will be available, or bring your own cushions and mats if you prefer to sit on the floor. Leader: Marion Wasley – 5962 3570 ROMAN HISTORY

Often misquoted, mainly because the original was not as clear, is the adage: ‘’Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it’’.

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Really that is the major reason for us to know more about Roman History. The civilisation that rose in Rome created a society that we still emulate today. Much of our societal structure, its politics, has been borrowed from Rome; many Roman words now adorn our language. How our society is run? Again Rome is the inspiration. Struggles that Rome had to overcome as it grew are mirrored in what we see here, yesterday and today. To learn more about Rome is to learn more about ourselves, where we came from and where we are going.

In the end Rome fell, and when it fell, it fell totally. Yet, we, and what we have created, are still its children! Leader: Martin Dix – 0412 002 234 SCRABBLE Exercise those brain cells! This is an enthusiastic group of players and new members are most welcome. Contact: June Slater – 5962 2005 SCRABBLE IN THE LIBRARY Without the use of help lists, have fun using the letters to make words, hopefully with the use of triples! Leader: Dorothy Carter – 5962 1869

UKULELE If you feel the need to play music, the ukulele has several points in its favour: it is cheap to buy and easy to learn and I guarantee you will come away from lesson one with a song to play. For beginners and advanced. Leader: Doug Fudge – 5962 6274

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NEW CLASS CO-ORDINATOR

You may already have heard that our Class Co-ordinator of many years, Heather Higgs, wishes to retire from this position. She wants, and thoroughly deserves, a break. This means we need a new Class Co-ordinator. Heather has set up all the courses for 2017 including the timetable and venues as per the information in this newsletter.

Thus someone coming in will be off to a flying start. For practical reasons we must have a new Class Co-ordinator in place by mid next

year at the latest. This is very important.

Without a new Class Co-ordinator we will not be able to run in 2018.

Please give serious thought as to who might be good at this

position. It could well be a shared position. Heather says that it is not technically difficult and is a great way to meet all sorts of

people ― not just in U3A ― but in the Healesville community as a whole. She has thoroughly enjoyed doing it but just needs a break. Talk to her about it if you are interested or willing to take on this

role.

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR CURRENT OFFERINGS

at www.healesvilleu3a.org.au

Details of courses, maps of class locations

and much more is on our site.

For those of you receiving this Newsletter by post,

check the website for the colour version!

Don’t forget internet access is free at the local library.

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CLASS ATTENDANCE – U3A MEMBER RESPONSIILITY 2017 MEMBERSHIP BADGES Members are expected to wear their membership badges when they attend a class. This assists with identification and allows new class members to learn others’ names. It also shows the leader that the attendee has current membership. There are also insurance implications. TOTAL FIRE BAN DAYS In the event of a total fire ban day, some leaders may not be able to take their class as they may have to make other plans for that day. In this case it is important for students to contact the leader prior to attending a class. Some classes may choose to have a standing arrangement for such days. CLASS PHONE TREE Class members are encouraged to develop a ‘phone tree’ which shares the load of notifying class members in the case a class has to be cancelled. UNABLE TO ATTEND A CLASS If, for any reason, you are unable to attend a class, please notify your leader as the leader may decide to cancel the class on that day if numbers are very few. ATTENDANCE SHEETS AND CLASS ENROLMENT Members should make sure they are listed on the relevant class list(s) as this is important for insurance. Members please do not attend a class for which you are NOT ENROLLED.

U3A TUTORS AND U3A / VMIA INSURANCE Leaders and tutors, please ensure your student attendance sheet is up to date as U3A VMIA Insurance requires accurate details of student attendance. Please advise the U3A office of any additions or changes. U3A volunteers are covered by U3A Network / Victorian Government VMIA insurance cover. This is not a substitute for member personal insurance. MEDICAL/HEALTH INSURANCE AND AMBULANCE COVER (if applicable). Members are encouraged to make sure their medical health care insurance and ambulance subscriptions are current when undertaking classes. You are responsible for you own health care and safety.

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MEMBERSHIP DETAILS U3A membership IS $50.00 for an individual per calendar year, $80.00 for a couple. Pro-rata rates apply. Membership entitles members to participate in any or all available courses. 2017 membership renewal, course information and enrolment will be available at the Registration Day on Thursday 24th November, 2016 (see p.2).

If you are unable to attend on that day, membership forms are available at the Office or from the website. Send the completed form and fee to the Office and your membership badge will then be forwarded to you. To enrol, just „phone the class leader (details on pp.9-17), or Class Co-ordinator, Heather Higgs 5962 3772.

If you are a current member of a U3A outside of the Yarra Ranges, you can join as an associate member for a fee of $20. As a registered Healesville U3A member, you are entitled to attend classes in all participating U3As in the “Combined U3As of the Outer eastern Region” for an additional $10.00. There are five U3As in the scheme: Healesville, Lilydale, Mount Dandenong, Sherbrooke and Yarra Junction.

U3A Healesville Committee Members President : Julian Higgs

Secretary : Don Macdonald

Vice-President : Gianna Esposito

Treasurer : Julian Higgs

Class Co-ordinator : Heather Higgs

Committee members : Jenny Adams : Jeni Conquest : Faye Hempenstall : Anne Willems

U3A Office Contact Details The office is in the Senior Citizens‟ Hall, cnr. Green and River Streets, and is attended most Wednesday afternoons between 1.30pm and 4.00pm. Phone: 5962 1990 (please leave a message if unattended);

Mail: PO Box 1017, Healesville 3777;

E-mail: Healesville.u3a@bigpond.com