Newsletter No. 60 November 2014 Kingborough Inc. Learning in Retirement for Pleasure and Leisure P.O. Box 479 Kingston 7051 Mobile Tel. 0405 327 071 Email: u3akingborough@gmail.com President: Julie Gardam Public Officer: John Culliton Vice-Presidents: Ian Nicholson & Marian Hearn Editor: Val Taberlay vtab167@yahoo.com.au Secretary: Janet Nicholson Woodbridge Representative: Jean Lea, Deidre Jarvis Treasurer: Robert Parsons Social: Coral Wilson & Eileen Robinson Publicity: Website: www.u3akingborough.org.au Committee Members: Jean Newton, Lyn Lowes, Jane Mays Programmer: Website: www.u3akingborough.org.au Message from our President What a term! Courses and classes in Term 3 have been proceeding as usual, thanks to our generous volunteer tutors, class reps and the great organising work of Lyn, Coral and Eilean who open up and pack up each day and who also organise computers and screens, signs on doors and noticeboards. However while things have been proceeding apace, behind the scenes there have been some shocks. First of these was being without a programmer. In lieu of a programmer the committee has been working on the program for Term 1 next year. We are happy that we have a very full program with some new courses to tempt the palate. More of that later. (What we do need is an individual or small group to put up their hands at the March AGM to do the program for terms 2 and 3 next year.) We were just getting our heads around programming, when …. We received an email from LINC forewarning us of an almost 55% increase in our rental costs for 2015. After looking at our costs and making some judicious prunings and what money-saving changes we think we can effect, we have regretfully agreed as a committee that we will have to increase fees for 2015 to $50 for the year. This $11 rise is approximately a 28% rise, the cost of about one coffee a term. We sincerely hope that this will not prove too much for anyone. (For the record our fee of $39 was set in 2008 and we have enjoyed eight years with no increases. Even this rise of 55%, while a large percentage increase, still gives us a very reasonable rental price and one which we would never get anywhere else, even if there were appropriate spaces available for lease locally – which there aren’t.) On top of that we discovered that we have no insurance for public liability. After initial alarm at the figures quoted by various insurance companies, further investigation showed that our best choice was to join the NSW U3A alliance and ‘piggyback’ on them. This enables us to get cover for much, much less cost than with any alternative. The committee decided to follow this course and by the time you read this we will all, tutors and enrollees alike, be covered for public liability. On a positive note: pencil in 12 noon, Friday November 28 in your diaries. It’s our End-of-Year lunch, organised by Coral and Eilean. In case it has somehow escaped your notice it’s at Southern Lights. The menu is on the noticeboard. It costs $30. Posters and invitations are also on the noticeboard. Over the summer holidays don’t forget Summer School for four weeks in January – February or the various Coffee Clubs that operate every week. ‘Newbies’ are very welcome. Another date to pencil in: Term 1 2015 will start on Monday March 2 (to avoid the annual confusion regarding the long weekend). Amongst the new tutors for Term 1: Menzies Centre researchers will give five lectures on their research projects and the Pharmaceutical Society five lectures in the area of medicines, Wayne Smith (Mr Place Names) will be presenting Heritage Highway: the history and stories of the Midlands Highway and Prof. Emeritus Harry Gelber five lectures on ‘Modern China: how it got there’ – but wait, there’s more – in the next Newsletter. Julie Gardam 1 U3A Kingborough Calendar End of Year Lunch Friday 28th November 2014 Southern Lights Hotel 19 Kingston View Drive Kingston Kingborough Summer Program Monday 12th January to Friday 13th February 2015 Hobart U3A Summer School Monday 5th January to Wednesday 4th February 2015 Kingborough U3A Term 1 Barbecue Friday 20th March 2015 Annual General Meeting Tuesday 24th March 2015 2015 Term Dates Term 1 – 2nd March to 15th May (Easter break – Fri 3rd April to Fri 10th April) Term 2 – 15th June to 21st August Term 3 – 21st September to 27th November 2 U3A KINGBOROUGH SUMMER PROGRAM 4 weeks from Monday 12th January to Friday 6th February 2015 Contact Marian Hearn for more details Tel: 6229 9071 or email: marianhearn@bigpond.com KINGSTON COURSES/ACTIVITIES Please enrol so that we know that we have enough people to run the course. Please leave enrolment form in the box on the wall in the corridor TUESDAY 10.00 - 11.00 Coffee with friends Gloria Jean's, Channel Court TUESDAY 11.30 - 12.30 Kaleidoscope Chair Marian Hearn THURSDAY 11.30 - 12.30 Exercise with Lyn Lyn Lowes THURSDAY 1.30 - 3.00 Thursday Films - Forsyte Saga cont. Chair Ian Nicholson SATURDAY 10.30 onwards Coffee with friends Timeless Way, Channel Court ............................................................................................................................................................ ENROLMENT FOR SUMMER SCHOOL 2015 First Name: ..................................................... Surname: ................................................................ Email: ..................................................................................................... Phone: ............................. Day Time Title TUESDAY 11.30 – 12.30 Kaleidoscope THURSDAY 11.30 - 12.30 Exercise with Lyn THURSDAY 1.30 - 3.00 Thursday Films - Forsyte Saga cont. X to enrol Please Note: Enrolment is not required for Coffee with Friends, come and join us on the day. Other activities may be running throughout the summer - such as Art and Walking. If you are part of these groups already, please consult with the leader. 3 2015 Membership Subscription Not due until next year. $50.00 p.a. (As explained in President’s Report) Your 2014 membership entitles you to the first newsletter in 2015. You will receive a membership subscription Form in the January 2015 Newsletter All Year Coffee Clubs Feel like a cuppa and a chat? Come and join us. Tuesdays at “Gloria Jeans”, Channel Court at 10:00am Thursdays at “The Beach”, Blackmans Bay at 3pm Saturdays at “Timeless Way”, Channel Court at 10:30am EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST!! Would you be interested in a weekday bus trip during the summer break to Russell Falls, National ParK? • Approx $20.00 per person • Take your Lunch • Bring a friend/relation • Toilet stops at New Norfolk • Leaving Senior Citizens, Redwood Road at 9.30am If you are interested please put your name on the yellow sheet on the table in the U3A kitchen. 4 Hobart U3A Summer Program Menu for a Taste of U3A Ten courses will be served over five weeks to feed and stimulate the intellect. 10 am to 11 am in the University Life Sciences Theatre No.1, Sandy Bay campus Convened by Astra Palkovs Monday, 5th January “In Retrospect” Paul Boam looks back on 50 years of his painting in Tasmania. Paul Boam Wednesday, 7th January “Journey to the Centre of the Stone” Arthur Clarke Arthur will show a DVD of his involvement with scientists investigating a unique limestone pinnacle karst in Madagascar. The film features a contrast between the arid hot surface environment on top of the limestone and the cooler dark environment of the caves. Monday, 12th January “Islands as a Destination” Heinz Vojacek th From Tasmania, the 26 largest island in the world, we will visit many islands around the globe, including those whose histories go back to ancient times (e.g. Samos, Kos), some exotic islands of the South Pacific and sophisticated islands to be found in some of the world’s greatest cities, such as Paris, Berlin and New York. Wednesday, 14th January “Food and Nutrition in Ancient Greece” Robin Alington Maguire Monday, 19th January “Life and Motorcycling in Antarctica in 1960” Dr George Cresswell Between 1960 & 1980 some thirty motorcycles were taken to the Australian Antarctic stations by young expeditioners from all walks of life. Weather permitting, or not, the bikes were ridden on the sea ice on Sunday afternoons by daredevils and used to tow skiers and sleds, sometimes on thin ice. The riders were lucky, with only two bikes lost through the sea ice. The long winter nights were also used to build some bizarre personal vehicles. George wintered at Mawson station with his beloved 1954 Velocette motorcycle in 1960. st Wednesday, 21 January “The Secret Life of Seaweed” Dr Catriona Hurd Seaweed forms hidden underwater forests along coasts. Catriona will reveal some seaweed secrets, explaining how the remarkable diversity of colour evolved, how we use seaweed in everyday life, how the >1500 bioactive chemicals they produce are used in defence against grazers, and how sea slugs can steal seaweed chloroplasts to generate their own solar power. 5 Tuesday, 27th January “Shene” David and Anne Kernke The historic Tasmanian property Shene at Pontville dates back to 1819. The homestead and stable complex were designed by Francis Butler (son of prominent English lawyer Gamaliel Butler), who also designed many iconic buildings in Hobart, but this Pontville property was a symbol of the wealth and power of the landed gentry. Thursday, 29th January Maureen and Roy Davies Memorial Lecture Dr Alison Alexander “Tasmania under Attack: Governor Bligh Fires at Collins, 1808” The one time Tasmania has been fired at was in 1808, when Governor Bligh descended on Hobart, shooting at those who opposed him. Monday, 2nd February “The Isle is Full of Noises” Robert Jarman From the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles right down to Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, dramatic writers have used islands as settings for stories of exile, experimentation and redemption. This session will look at the way islands are used in theatre, and particularly at how Tasmania’s status as an island has influenced the way it has been presented on stage. Wednesday, 4th February “Born Bad: Original Sin and the Making of the Western World” Dr James Boyce According to the Doctrine of Original Sin, humans are born bad and only God’s grace can bring salvation. In this lecture, historian James Boyce will argue that these ideas have shaped the Western view of human nature right up to the present. He will propose that the legacy of original sin takes many forms, including the distinctive discontent of Western people – the feelings of guilt and inadequacy associated not with doing wrong, but with being wrong. The University’s Life Sciences Theatre No.1 is on the upper side of Churchill Avenue. If catching a bus from the city, get off at stop 13 or 14 and cross Churchill Avenue via the pedestrian overpass. Turn left to enter the Life Sciences Building. Voucher parking on campus is available in the main university car park. The only free long-term parking on campus is in French Street. Items of Note: • Visitors are welcome to attend our U3A courses. Please inform the course Rep when you bring a visitor. • Don’t forget to keep your eye on the U3A Notice Board for upcoming events etc and members’ literary contributions. • Please be aware of new members to U3A and make them welcome. A friendly greeting can make a difference. 6 U3A Network Queensland Inc. and U3A Asia Pacific Alliance 31st October, 2014 International Conference 28th & 29th & 30th May 2015 Dear U3A Members, U3A Network Qld is proud to be the host of the 2015 Asia Pacific Alliance International Conference which will be held at Brisbane City Hall on the abovementioned dates. The organising committee is pleased to advise that plans are well under way. A conference website has been constructed where you will find information on our confirmed Guest Speakers and other useful information on the conference and Brisbane. Further details will be added as they come to hand and registrations will open on December 1st. Delegates from France, England, India, Singapore and Mauritius have already confirmed attendance. Several U3A World Leaders will be Guest Speakers. The 2015 conference will be a three day event. Thursday 28th & Friday 29th May will be held at Brisbane City Hall and will be two days of interesting International U3A Speakers, local speakers and an opportunity to meet our overseas colleagues. Saturday May 30th will be hosted by U3A Brisbane at their Queen Street premises and the Qld Network AGM and the inaugural Qld Presidents meeting will be held. The conference is open to all U3A members, not just management committees. Please share this message with all of your members, all will be welcome. Please contact myself or any member of the Conference Organising Committee if further information is required. Website: http://www.u3aqldconference.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/U3A-Network-Qld-and-Asia-Pacific-Alliance-InternationalConference/701731619908005?ref=hl Twitter: https://twitter.com/u3aqldconf Rhonda Weston U3A Kingborough wishes to thank Catryna Bilyk, Senator for Tasmania, for her generous support in the production of this newsletter. 7