1. art and entertainment
2. books and literature

Port Macquarie—Watonga U3A Inc.
Term 1 - 2015
Patron:
Dr Mary E White
A
27th January - 20th March 2015
Presidents Message
s 2014 draws to a close I'm
pleased to relate that we have
had a successful year, with good attendances at our courses, book clubs,
coffee mornings, dining groups and our new activity "Let's Do!" Currently we have in excess
of 100 members.
Course Convenor Reports
Evolving Earth
We will continue to explore the geology of our
planet with a focus on Australian Geology and
how the place we call home has evolved and
developed using the Text "Shaping a Nation"
which was published by ANU and GeoScience
Australia in 2012. In addition we continue our
visits to some of 36 Geological Wonders of the
World through the DVD lectures of Prof. Michael
Wysession and our learning of Introductory Geology through the DVD lectures of Prof. John
Renton.
Mid-Year your committee decided to hold an
information session to allow members to socialise and for course convenors to convey information among the membership and to visitors.
Because the trial was a success another session
was held later in the year and this again was
successful, so the committee has decided that
Convenor Bob
2 Information Sessions will be held each year.
Next year all our current courses and activities
will continue and a new course will be offered - Staying ahead of Technology
Rodney Neasbey will convene an Astronomy
Due to other commitments there will be only
course.
four sessions in Term 1, that is, the first 2 and
Should you have any suggestions, for improv- last two weeks of the term. The course fee will
ing what we do and how we do it, or any issues therefore be $15.00.
that we need to address please contact me on
On the basis of course members’ requests we
6584 9455 or at rmmgt@bigpond.net.au
I am grateful to the work our committee has will continue with what we covered in term 4,
done this year and am pleased to say that the 2014 including word processing and spreadnew members of committee continue the good sheets. We will of course try to answer those
questions on technology which crop up frework on your behalf.
quently at our classes and if there is time we
I wish you and your families a Safe, Healthy
will cover some basic aspects of photography.
and Happy Christmas and holiday season. I
look forward to enjoying another year of learning and fellowship with you in 2015.
Convenors: Harry and Brian
Bob
continued on page 2
THURSDAY
MAH-JONG
Introduction to Amateur
Astronomy
Mahjong continues to be popular, with a lot of
chat and laughter as well as competitive play
by some of us. Afternoon tea seems popular
too, a time to catch up with everyone. We
were saddened by the loss of Colleen Rawson,
who was one of our founder members of the
group, joining us for the first lessons we gave.
She will be missed for her bright personality,—
and her favourite expression when faced with a
dilemma, “Tricky”. We also missed Brian and
Sue for a lot of the term, as he battled health problems, so it was good to see
them back at the tables, and in good form. Veronica has appeared briefly too, after her extended break in Malta. She didn’t forget too
much about the game.
Convenors: Chris Nunn and Audrey Bryant
MAGIC
OF
ART
Through our meetings in Magic of Art we have
become familiar with many of the paintings
produced during the mid to latter years of the
nineteenth century. Each painter/painting has
presented a story on canvas for us to ponder
about. By delving into several art works, we
have become more appreciative of the thought,
technique and magic that each can provide as
well as understanding how works of art can reflect the history of the times.
Better known to us as the Impressionists, the
Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors and
Engravers has provided us with many works of
art to study. In the past few months the group
has not only viewed works of art by well known
artists such as Monet or Renoir but also discovered the achievements of less famous painters
such as Caillebotte or Morisot. In 2015, this
study of the Impressionists will continue, with
the aim of moving on to the Post Impressionists . Thanks go to the group members for support and involvement in the past year.
Note: This term will be six weeks course commencing on 11th February. Course fee $15.00.
Convenor: Jacqui Krawitz
(This new course to be held on Mondays between 10am and 12 noon on starting in Term
1)
The presentations cover discussions on the following topics, Each Solar System object, objects outside our Solar System but within our
Milky Way Galaxy, objects outside the Milky
Way Galaxy, a history of astronomical observation, including pioneers in the science. Means
of observing the sky, Space Exploration, invention and development of telescopes, mapping
the sky with Constellations, signs of the Zodiac,
Celestial Navigation and its practical application, current news in Astronomy and Space Exploration, other astronomical related topics.
Convenor: Rodney Neasbey who can be contacted on 0265844368 or 0437760035.
Current Affairs Discussion Group
This group has been operating for many years
and our format has remained the same since
conception. We meet every Tuesday at 09.30
until 11.30 am and the first half of the morning
is dedicated to a general discussion on events
that have occurred during the week. After tea/
coffee break in 10.30 we then discuss a subject, not necessarily current affairs, which the
members have elected to talk about from the
previous week. As can be expected our political
viewpoints are varied but unlike Parliament
Question Time we allow varying points of view
to be discussed, while remaining polite and
courteous. Allowing for the odd illness and holiday absences we are currently at strength
commensurate with seating and room size.
However, if a member shows a desire to join
the group, they are welcome to attend, on a
one off basis, as an observer.
Convenor: Maureen Johnston
WAGTALES
As we look forward to revisiting Brave New World to complete our reading year, we can reflect on the variety of literature discussed during 2014.
The year appears to have been dominated with historical fiction, beginning with the Queen series by Philippa Gregory, closely followed by an old classic North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell which provided some
nostalgia for members from the UK. Possibly the most favoured read was based in Australia-- The Light
Between Oceans by M L Stedman. Other reads were not always as successful, but nevertheless provided a
variety for members to critique. Some had mixed feelings about the ”darkness” of Burial Rites but could
still admire the writing style.
Wagtales has also purchased our third set of books for the Hastings-PM Library for the use of other book
groups.
All in all, it was another successful year for readers and we look forward to different genres/texts in 2015.
Convenor: Jacqui
Bookworms
2015 will see an opportunity for U3A ladies to join our book club as 3 or more vacancies have
opened up. So, if you are an avid reader who plays nicely with others and wants to share opinions about
literature, give us a try.
Last year was a smorgasbord of plots and settings, history, religion and emotion. We travelled the globe
vicariously meeting all sorts of characters and shared our reactions, experiences, knowledge and thoughts
with each other – freely strengthening the bonds of friendship that our group has formed. We visited wartorn Germany in “The Book Thief” by Australian author Markus Zusak; northern New South Wales in
“Watercolours” by Adrienne Ferreira; through Spain, Italy and former Yugoslavia, the settings of which
were described in “People of the Book” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks; and on to England in a suspenseful “The Chimney Sweeper’s Boy” by Barbara Vine/Ruth Rendell – and these were just a
few of the many great works we read. We talk, we opine, we argue, we laugh – and will be doing so again
in 2015.
Convenor: Janey
Proposed Singles Dining/Lunch Group.
The committee has been approached to run a singles dining or lunch group to meet at different restaurants in town. All we need is names and we can get organised and plan the first outing. Group
members then select suitable locations, times and dates for future outings. A volunteer is required to
convene the group.
Initial enquiries to Secretary Robyn 6584 9455.
Why not suggest another Activity or Group
Can you suggest a subject for a course or activity? The choice is yours, it could be conversational
language, e.g. French, German, Italian etc. Remember it is good for our ageing brains. Perhaps you
would like something a little more strenuous, so what about a walking group?. It would be even better if someone would put their hand up to run a small group, no expertise required just a willingness
to help. If you have some ideas please speak to a committee member.
Term 1 - 2015 - Open Day
Coffee and cake morning will be held on
Thursday 22nd January 2015
—
10am - 12 Noon
at the Emerald Downs Community Centre.
Come along, meet fellow members, find out what is going on in your U3A, learn about
and enrol in Term 1 courses or activities, bring a friend to join our U3A and have fun with friends
over coffee and cake. New members welcome.
2015 Term 1 Courses and Activities
27th January - 20th March 2015
All courses are $25.00 per term — Courses shown with an asterisk * = no course fee
Members who register for courses by Thursday 12th January will benefit from an early-bird discount of
$5.00 for each course.
Term 1
0930—1200
Monday
Tuesday
* MONDAY MAH-JONG
CURRENT AFFAIRS
DISCUSSION GROUP
Maureen Johnston
(65820056)
0930—1130
(Mac Adams Centre)
(Audrey & Harry’s
home, gold coin)
No
Vacancies
10.00-12.00
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
* COMMITTEE MEETING
(Third Friday at
President’s home)
EVOLVING EARTH
Convenor: Bob Morgan
Introduction to
Amateur Astronomy
Convenor: Rodney
Neasbey
(65844368)
Emerald Downs
Community Centre
(Tel:6584 9455)
(Emerald Downs
Community Centre)
* TEA/COFFEE & CAKE
MORNING
(2nd Friday
(Rainforest Cafe Sea
Acres)
Monthly Book Club
3rd Wednesday.
Convenor Jane Gladwin
(65839732)
10.30-12.30
(members’ homes)
1.30-3.30
* WAGTALES
Monthly Book Club
3rd Tuesday
(Jacqui’s home)
Ph: 6582 2719
2.00-4.00
STAYING AHEAD WITH
TECHNOLOGY
Harry—6582 4036
(Port Macquarie Library)
First 2 and last 2 weeks
only.
Fee: $15.00.
MAGIC OF ART
IMPRESSIONISTS TO POST
IMPRESSIONISTS
Convenor: Jacqui Krawitz—6582
2719
(Emerald Downs
Community Centre)
6 week course starts on
11 February—Course fee
$15.00
MAH-JONG
2.00-5.00
6.30
Convenors: Chris
65820154) and Audrey
(65824036)
(Mac Adams Centre)
* WAG D
INERS
GROUP
(4th Tuesday
Venues TBA)
Convenor: TBA
Enquiries to Secretary
Robyn 65849455
(2nd Wednesday Venues
TBA)
Convenors Bridget Earle
(65833657)/Jacqui Krawitz
PORT MACQUARIE WATONGA U3A - 2014—15 COMMITTEE
President: Bob Morgan: 6584 9455
Vice President: Harry Bryant—6582 4036.
Secretary: Robyn Morgan— 6584 9455
Treasurer: Gayle Rovere. 0421 319 067
Publicity Officer: Lorraine Jose 6582 3453.
Course Coordinator: Anne Williams — 6584 7127.
Welfare Officer: Pat Hurdle: Tel: 6582 2619.
______________________________________________________________________
PMWU3A Postal Address: PO Box 9461, Lighthouse Beach LPO, Port Macquarie 2444
Website: http://portwatonga.u3anet.org.au/
Email: secretary@wagu3a.com
PORT MACQUARIE-WATONGA U3A IS A MEMBER OF U3A NETWORK
NSW
For further ‘Network’ information, including News and Quarterly
newsletter visit the website: http://www.nsw.u3anet.org.au/
GUESTS AND VISITORS may attend any group once without payment of
course fees, subject to
accommodation
being
available.
New
members are required to complete an ‘Application for Membership’
form.
Members may also attend courses on a casual basis, for which they are
not registered. The fee for this attendance is $5.00 per session.
DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is provided ‘As Is’ without warranty of any
kind. Each reader of the Port Macquarie-Watonga U3A Inc. Newsletter
assumes complete risk as to the accuracy and subsequent use of its
contents.