1. education

U3A
ACT
NEWS
NEWS
Newsletter of Canberra’s
University of the Third Age
www.u3acanberra.org.au
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
Volume 26 Number 5
CONTENTS
2
From the Editor
Around the courses
5
Film Group News
6
Courses sub-Committee
8
Reminders
9
Obituaries
— Ralph Elliot
— Sue Dooboy
— Jack McDonnell
11
Travel Opportunities
Canberra’s Centenary
13
Lunchtime Forums
14
Presenter Profile
— Garth Mansfield
15
Positions Vacant
16
U3A ACT contact details
Presidential Musings
It is probably difficult for the average U3A
member, attending a few courses per year, to
grasp the sheer amount of effort that our
many volunteers – course leaders, committee
members, office holders, those who maintain
our systems and records, those who keep our
two offices open, etc. – consistently and willingly contribute to ensure the surprisingly smooth running of our
very large organisation – now approaching 4,000 members.
Recent achievements have included the upgrading of teaching aids
at Hughes, including fitting blockout blinds to facilitate audiovisual presentations. We have now enlisted outside help to assist
us with the review of our website, and anyone with suggestions
for improving its usefulness is invited to contact Jim Nichterlein
on 6282 1372. We are also reviewing our printing and publishing
processes to ensure that our newsletter and prospectus are produced and distributed more efficiently, with least cost to members.
Another task is to build upon the success of 2011 with an even
better Christmas Party this year at Cook. Please reserve the date –
Thursday 13 December.
Elsewhere in this newsletter you will see mention of proposals to
celebrate the ACT Centenary next year and to respond to members’ demands by staging a more comprehensive forum, with
COTA, on the housing options available to older members.
The sad news is that, after years without change, we have found it
necessary to increase the room rental for those undertaking
courses at Hughes and Cook from $1.20 to $1.50 per person per
session. This will bring income a little closer to outgoings, but
won’t take effect until next year.
You will also see quite a few requests in this newsletter for persons to fill important vacancies. They include a replacement for
our Desktop Publisher and a search for several persons with the
skills necessary to support the widening of our publicity and communication efforts in recognition that over 80 per cent of our
members have Internet connections. One such need is for someone to become the post box for information items and to allocate
them, as appropriate, to our printed and electronic newsletters and
to our website. We are also seeking an Editor for our emerging EBulletin.
If you feel you can assist with any of the above, please make
yourself known! These are situations where silence is no longer
regarded as golden!
Editor: Fred Roberts
— Garth Setchell
Design: Greg Ramsay
Printed by: Elect Printers, Fyshwick
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 1
From the Editorial Desk
Lois and I had a marvellous holiday. First, three weeks exploring Spain and Portugal on a coach tour, with a brief
hop over the French border to see Biarritz, then 10 days in a lovely little Scottish village where we had hired a
cottage and ending up with another coach tour of remoter parts of Scotland, including the islands of Orkney and
Skye.
In Spain it was very hot, especially in the south, where we struck 43 degrees one day in Seville and high 30s were
the norm. In Scotland, as expected, the weather was much kinder. We were surprised to see people in the Orkney
Islands in shorts and tee-shirts. We didn’t think it was quite that warm, but it was a very pleasant change for us all
the same.
Back home to midwinter in Canberra – a shock to the system! It’s been quite a relief to be sitting indoors at my
computer putting this Newsletter together and seeing the bleak conditions outside. But being home among our
friends reinforces that Canberra is a great place to live.
Sadly, in this edition there are three obituaries of U3A pioneers whose contributions in various ways to our wonderful U3A ACT will never be forgotten.
The final Newsletter for 2012, the November/December number, will come out on 31 October. Please let me have
your contributions by 7 October. — Fred Roberts
Around the Courses
Limit 6 – 12.
Student Materials: Students are encouraged to provide
copies of the texts where possible.
Starting: Thursday 20 September 2 - 4 pm at a private
Using Microsoft Word 2007:
home in Evatt and continuing until 8 November.
Leader, Les Fielke
CS014.07
Contact: Julia, juliae@grapevine.com.au (preferred) or
Learn how to use Microsoft Word 2007 to produce varion 6166 0352.
ous kinds of documents such as letters, invitations, recipes or even your own novel! We’ll learn how to create,
Favourite Extracts from Novels, Essays, Plays and
edit, format, save and print documents, insert tables and
Poems: Leader, Maureen Bettle
ELL063.02
pictures, headers and footers and create indexes and
The class will discuss extracts from various sources
tables of contents. We will assume you will have had no
supplied by the convenors and chosen by class memprior experience with Microsoft Word but will be familbers.
iar with using Windows-based computers, Email and
Limit 6 - 12. Room rent, photocopying costs
Internet (e.g., you have completed the Introduction to
Student Materials: Extracts to be provided by members
Computers course).
if they wish to do so.
Limit 4 - 12. Room rent plus photocopying costs.
Starting: Monday 15 October 2 - 4 pm and continuing
Student Materials: You will need to have a copy of Miuntil 19 November at Hughes Community Centre Rm 2.
crosoft Word 2007 installed on your home computer to
Contact: Maureen, on 6287 7827 or 0439 602 029 or at
complete homework.
mbcw@homemail.com.au
Starting: Wednesday 10 October 10 am - 12.30pm and
Enrolments from 1 October
continuing until 14 November at Cook Community Hub
Room 1
Writing Poetry:
Contact: Les Fielke at les@fielke.com
Leader, Phillip Ibbotson
ELL068.01
Enrolments from 25 September after 9 am, by email
A personal voyage through poetry. The personal source
only
of poetry. Why the poetry of great poets is memorable.
Elements of poetry – the music of words and playing
Jane Austen Discussion Group:
with them. Group reaction to poetry written by memLeader, Julia Ermert
ELL045.03
bers. The course seeks to unlock the poetry within you
This is an ongoing course intent on studying Jane Ausfor your own satisfaction and is non-judgemental; few
ten’s novels and her contribution to the development of
poets publish except to their family and close friends.
the novel in English. This term we are studying her JuLimit 5 - 8. $2 copying and refreshments.
venilia and her unfinished novels. Included in particular
Starting: Thursday 12 September 10 am – noon and
are Love and Freindship (sic), Lady Susan, The Watsons
continuing until 17 October at a private residence in
and Sanditon. More detailed background notes availHughes.
able.
Additional and new courses
(not in 2012 Prospectus)
2 — U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012
Could start one week later if necessary.
Contact: Phillip (Phil), on 6281 3415 or email
pibbotson@ozemail.com.au
The People on our Money Bills:
Leader, Campbell Egan
H051.03
The course examines the paper and polymer series of
the Australian decimal money bills, with particular reference in a general sense to the people depicted. Limit
Plutarch, Montaigne and Shakespeare’s three Roman plays: Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra and 6 - 23. $25, includes room rent.
Starting: Tuesday 23 October 10 am – noon and conCoriolanus:
tinuing until 18 December at HCC Room 2
Leader, Kevin Walcot
ELL069.01
This course stems from the recently finished Montaigne Contact: Campbell, on 6249 1349.
course: ‘How to Live’. Plutarch influenced Montaigne Enrolments from 8 October
who also influenced Shakespeare, especially his Roman
plays Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra and
J S Bach Short Course of Musical Delights and InCoriolanus. We will read the plays and discuss them
sights: Leader, Garth Mansfield
M072.01
and also view some sections on video. Maximum parA course of five sessions on JS Bach including a diverse
ticipation is encouraged.
selection of solo and ensemble works for instruments
Limit 20 - 30. Approx $20 for 11 sessions.
and voices in the context of his life and times. This is
Student Materials: i) Essential: A copy of the three
not a repeat of previous courses.
plays; ii) Useful: a copy of Plutarch’s Lives (Penguin) Limit 25 - 100. Course fee $20 including all costs.
also James Shapiro’s: A Year in the Life of William
Student Materials: A notebook would be useful. There
Shakespeare: 1599 (Faber)
will be a Course Booklet.
Starting: Friday 28 September 10 am – noon and conStarting: Thursday 8 November 9:45 am – noon and
tinuing until 7 December at Baptist Church, Groom St, continuing until 6 December at Wesley Music Centre,
Hughes.
Forrest.
On Friday 2 November the class will be held in Room 3 Contact: Garth Mansfield at mansg@bigpond.net.au
(preferred) or 6248 6230
at Hughes Community Centre from 1 to 4pm.
Contact: Kevin, on 6249 6688.
Enrolments from 10 September
Ancient Greece: from Earliest Times to Roman
Times: Leader, Peter White
H008.02
This course traces the history of the ancient Greeks
from the Minoans/Mycenaeans through until the time of
the Roman takeover. We visit the ancient Olympic
Games at Olympia, Delphi, an Athenian family of the
Classical Age, and many famous ancient sites. Further
information can be sent to enquirers.
(Repeat of course run from June 2012)
Limit 20 - 50. Copying of handouts, room rent and afternoon teas $20 for the 10 weeks.
Starting: Saturday 29 September 2 - 4 pm and continuing until 1 December at Cook Room 3.
Contact: Peter, at pkwhite@netspeed.com.au (preferred)
or on 6258 9354
The Spanish Civil War:
Leader, John Harris
H047.03
The Spanish Civil War broke out on 17 July 1936 and
ended on 1 April 1939. It was a struggle between Spaniards with radically different views of the direction to be
taken by Spanish society. Germany, Italy and the Soviet
Union intervened with arms and men, while other countries, notably Britain and France, opted for the path of
‘non-intervention’.
Limit 10 - 13. Room rent.
Starting: Wednesday 17 October 10 am – noon and continuing until 21 November at HCC Library.
Contact: John, at buck.smith32@gmail.com (preferred)
or 6281 5219 after 2.30 pm weekdays.
Enrolments from 17 September
Lawn Bowls for Seniors:
Leader, Terry Bell
R015.06
Friendly relaxed outdoor garden setting at central
Turner. Learn to play this challenging sport whilst making new friends (proven method). Helps to improve personal fitness levels. Our coaching staff includes successful former U3A graduates.
Limit 24. Inclusive registration cost $45, payable first
day at host club.
Student Materials: Lawn bowls available free, several
sizes. Flat sole shoes required, available at Bowls Shop
on premises.
Starting: Friday 26 October 10 am – noon and continuing until 30 November at Canberra North Bowling
Club, Cnr McCaughy and Condamine Streets, Turner.
Contact: Terry, at terrybellbird@gmail.com (preferred)
or on 0427 292 298
Successful Ageing:
Leader, Bryan Furnass
SHE012.03
This short course will comprise informal group discussions on the nature of physical, emotional and social
health, wellbeing and happiness as we grow older. It
will range over optimal lifestyles, coping with adversity,
environmental and climatic changes, relationships with
health professionals, and coming to terms with chronic
illness, dying and death.
Limit 20. Room rent.
Student Materials: Your experience, wisdom and ideas.
Please bring a mug for tea.
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 3
Starting: Tuesday 18 September 10 am – noon and con- Mindfulness Practice Group:
tinuing until 16 October at HCC Room 2
Leaders, Helen Halliday and Judy McPherson
Contact: Bryan, at bafurnass@grapevine.com.au
SHE042.01
(preferred) or on 6281 3244 after 10 am..
This group is for those who preferably have had some
introduction to Mindfulness to come to practise together, to share their resources and experience in mindfulness in order to support their practice.
The Digital Age:
Starting: Monday 10 September 2 - 4 pm and continuLeader, Grahame Hellyer
SHE030.04
For those who feel swamped by the new consumer tech- ing until 10 December at Cook Room 3. No class on 1
nology – digital TV, radio, smart phones, tablets, com- and 8 October due to public holidays.
puters, GPS, DVD, Blu-ray, I-pods, etc. The course is
Contact: Helen, at hhalliday@bigpond.com (preferred)
for those who know absolutely nothing, but would at
or 0413 580 295; Judy, at mcpherson.judith@gmail.com
least like to know what people (including their grand(preferred) or 6286 3133.
kids) are talking about, and how it affects them.
Limit 20 - 40. Room rent plus approx $2.50 for printed
notes.
Past Lives and How do They Influence Our Lives
Starting: Friday 5 October 1 - 3 pm and continuing until Today?: Leader, Roseline Delue
SBS015.01
2 November at Cook Room 3.
Have you ever heard or done a past life regression?
Contact: Grahame, at ghellyer@pcug.org.au or
Roseline Deleu has researched and has lived interesting
6251 3379.
experiences that are leading her to write a new book on
this topic. Health and emotional challenges can come
from a past life and can be healed today. Come along to
listen, learn and share your opinion too!
Digital Age Catch Up:
Limit 20. Room rent.
Leader, Grahame Hellyer
SHE041.01
This is a course for those who have done the previous
One session only on Wednesday 24 October 2 - 4 pm at
Digital Age courses and would like to know what has
HCC Room 2.
happened in the meantime: smart phones, tablets, smart Contact: Roseline, at roseline@fengshuisteps.com
TVs, cloud computing, etc.
(preferred) or 0412 717 454
Limit 20 - 40. Room rent plus $1.50 (approx.) printed
notes
Starting: Friday 9 November 1 - 3 pm and continuing
The Three Words that Changed my Life:
until 23 November at Cook Room 3.
Leader, Roseline Delue
SBS016.01
Contact: Grahame, at ghellyer@pcug.org.au or
It is never too late to change. During these two hours
6251 3379.
together we’ll be playing with the words we use on a
daily basis. Discover the words and idioms that you always say and… yes, you too, can change your outlook
on life as you constantly listen to your thoughts and
Energy in the Home: Your Costs and Where You
words.
Might Save: Leader, Jack Cornell
SHE040.01
This course takes the participant through the energy use Limit 20. Room rent.
and the overall costs of the use of heaters, hot water and One session only on Monday 17 September 2 - 4 pm at
a wide range of appliances in a Canberra home. We will HCC Room 2
then discuss what you can do to monitor and reduce
Contact: Roseline, at roseline@fengshuisteps.com
your energy costs. Further information can be sent to
(preferred) or 0412 717 454
enquirers.
Limit 10 - 20. $10 copying cost plus $10 for room rental Your Body is Talking, are You Listening?
and refreshments.
Leader, Roseline Delue
SBS017.01
Student Materials: Course notes and calculation work
What if you started to listen to what your body is telling
sheets will be provided for each part of the 10-week
you? De-code its messages. A ‘dis-ease’ often appears
course. It is recommended that each participant have a after an emotional shock. Its stress could be stored in
calculator.
your bodies and turns into aches and pains. Today, learn
Starting: Tuesday 9 October 10 am – noon and continu- easy tips how to help you release them.
ing until 18 December at Cook Room 3.
Limit 30. Room rent.
Contact: Jack, at jack.cornell.japan@gmail.com
One session only on Thursday 25 October 10 am – noon
(preferred) or on 0407 202 338 between 9 am and 5 pm. at HCC Room 3
Enrolments from 10 September.
Contact: Roseline, at roseline@fengshuisteps.com
(preferred) or 0412 717 454
4 — U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012
Feng Shui for Beginners:
Leader, Roseline Delue
SBS018.01
Let’s demystify Feng Shui, this Chinese art of placement. Learn what our homes reveal about us. Two
mornings with international Feng Shui Master and author Roseline Deleu to lead you (with humour) and create a happier surrounding and a nice environment to
enjoy your daily lives.
Limit 30. Room rent.
Student Materials: U3A Members will have the opportunity to buy Roseline’s Feng Shui books at $A 20 per
book
Two sessions only, on Mondays 15 and 22 October 10
am – noon at HCC Room 3.
Contact: Roseline, at roseline@fengshuisteps.com
(preferred) or 0412 717 454
Vacancies
Inviting Expressions of Interest
Robert Pearson is looking to see if there would be interest in attending a course on the stock market and the
values of companies. The purpose of this course would
be to help people understand the terms used in the stock
market, to gain some understanding of the technical
models of stock prices and to be able to understand different methods of attempting to value a company and its
shares.
The aim is to provide an understanding of advice from
professionals, and will not suggest strategies or companies. Some understanding of mathematics and numbers
would be needed. The course would be run early next
year, probably at Cook, perhaps on Wednesday afternoons.
Advanced Italian Conversation and Literature
(L26.04) has a few vacancies. The course, which is not
suitable for beginners, is designed for people who want
to practise their existing conversational skills. The
course, held in Belconnen on Wednesdays, 2 – 4 pm,
includes reading an Italian novel and translating it, taking turns.
If you might be interested in attending such a course, or
co-operating in running one, contact Robert on 6241
9037 or pearson@netspeed.com.au (preferred).
Contact the leader, Christine Campbell, on 6251 1473
or email crisjon@internode.on.net
Introductory computer courses are run throughout the
year at Cook, in 7 sessions of 2 ½ hours, based on demand. These cover the basics of using a personal computer, including how to create and store documents and
will introduce Internet and e-mail usage. No previous
experience is necessary but attendees must have access
at home to a computer with Window (7, Vista or XP)
and Microsoft Word or Works.
Cancellations of advertised courses
ELL50.02 – The Poetry of John O’Brien, led by Michael Dwyer, insufficient enrolments.
H108.01 – Prime Ministers of Australia, from Federation to date, led by AJ Steer.
Introductory Computer Courses CS002
Contact: Viggo Pedersen on 0406 376 811 or email
L061.01 - An Approach to Dante Alighieri La Divina pedersen@pcug.org.au
Commedia, led by Magda Damo, insufficient enrolments.
FILM GROUP
Film Group
Screenings every Wednesday
at 1.45pm at the Southern Cross Club, Woden.
Note: a term fee of $15 applies
5 September
Winter Of Our Dreams (AU. 1981, 90 mins) Bryan Brown, Judy Davis.
12 September
No Film
All films courtesy of the National Film and Sound Archive
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 5
From the Courses Sub-Committee
Update on Preparation of the Prospectus Notifications of Course Cancellations
By the time you receive this Newsletter, all existing
course leaders should have had a letter from their
Course Coordinator inviting them to run their
course or courses again in 2013. If you have not received such a letter, can you please contact the Course
Coordinator for your area to arrange for the relevant
documents to be sent to you (contact details are on the
back page of the Newsletter).
If for any reason a course leader needs to cancel a session of a course:
•
the course leader (or their nominee) should
advise participants of the cancellation as soon
as possible
•
the course leader should also notify the relevant U3A Office to enable the Office Volunteer to respond to any enquiries. However,
there is no obligation on the Office Volunteer
to contact participants to advise them of the
cancellation, though they will refer enquirers
to the course leader (or their nominee).
As advised in the previous Newsletter, the closing date
for course proposals is 28 September. Proposals that
miss that date will be published in the January/February
2013 Newsletter.
Choosing Wisely When Selecting Courses
With the preparation of the new 2013 Prospectus now
the Committee’s primary focus, it seems timely to remind members to choose their courses carefully to minimise any risks to themselves, particularly if they have
physical or medical conditions to consider. Just as we
include a General Disclaimer in relation to the travel
opportunities published in our Newsletter, we need to
remind members from time to time that a number of
other courses and activities carry risks and that these
should be taken into account when considering which
courses to choose.
However, if a leader cancels an entire course they (or
their nominee) should also advise the relevant Course
Coordinator so that the course data base can be
amended accordingly.
Requested New Courses
A number of members have expressed an interest in
courses which provide practical, hands-on training on
how to use e-bay, I-phones and I-pads, so if you are
skilled enough to teach others the practicalities of using
these effectively, you might like to consider offering
courses to those less skilled than you.
Room Rents Review/Changed Fee Collec- Starting New Courses
tion Arrangements for U3A Rooms at Naturally, we very much welcome new course leaders.
However, if you are uncertain about how to go about
Hughes and Cook
becoming a course leader, please contact the Course
All U3A’s rooms (including the HAGSOC room) are
currently charged out at the rate of $1.20 per person – a
rate which has applied for some time. However, the
General Committee has decided that, to better reflect
current costs, the room rate at its facilities in Hughes
and Cook (including the HAGSOC room) should be
increased to $1.50 pp, effective from 1 January 2013.
Coordinator for the area in which you wish to run a
course as listed on the back of the Newsletter. They
would welcome a call from you.
The General Committee has also decided that, from
January 2013, room rent for U3A rooms should be collected in full within the first two weeks of each term
rather than on a weekly basis (as currently applies in
some cases), regardless of participant absences whether
planned (holidays) or unplanned (illness). The objective
is to better ensure that the full costs for each room are
met by course participants, whether they attend all sessions or not. If a course folds for any reason, participants will be refunded the relevant amount.
Introduction of Weekend Courses
There is also a general Guide for Course Leaders on the
website, under the Course Leaders tab, which provides
useful information on the role of course leaders.
In an innovative move, one of our course leaders, Peter
White, is proposing to trial a weekend course. His enquiries suggest there might be considerable interest in
such courses. This is a commendable initiative and
seems to have attracted a good response. Thank you,
Peter. Perhaps there are others among our membership
and prospective leaders to whom weekend courses
might appeal.
Tea and coffee arrangements will stay as they are. That Opportunities for Other Innovations
is, they will remain the responsibility of the participants
Other innovations might include the establishment of a
in each course.
6 — U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012
Forum-like series or other activity in Belconnen to increase northern suburb members’ access to an activity
akin to, but distinct from, our Forum program and run in
the first half of the year so as not to clash with the current Forum series.
Lanyards to be Made Available to Course
Leaders (On Request) for Sale to Their
Course Members)
At the last General Committee meeting it was agreed
that lanyards for membership cards could be supplied to
course leaders (on request) for sale to their course members. The intention is to make it easier for members to
obtain a lanyard, should they want one. For those wishing to avail themselves of this facility contact membership@u3acanberra.org.au
the 55 Plus Club, which has very pleasant facilities
down by Lake Tuggeranong, would very much welcome new members from among our U3A members. At
the same time, we are exploring with them the opportunities for extending U3A courses and activities to their
facilities, thus making U3A more accessible to our
members in the Tuggeranong Valley.
Courses Selector: The Easy Way to Find
the Courses on Offer
Possible New Venue for U3A Courses
Have you tried our course selector? If not, you might
like to experiment with the Course Selector function
available on our website, www.u3acanberra.org.au.
Under ‘Courses’ there is a heading ‘Course Selector’
which offers the box shown below. The selector is updated as new courses come on stream, so it is therefore
a very convenient way to check what courses are available.
Members of the General Committee have met with the
55 Plus Club in the Tuggeranong Town Centre with a
view to our working together to expand the opportunities available to our respective members. For example,
— Robyn Beetham
Chair, Courses Sub-Committee
Keeping Fit
Keeping up with exercises can be one of the hardest
things for older people to manage. In Canberra that’s
where the YMCA (the ‘Y’) can perhaps help.
For a long time now, the ‘Y’ has been running classes
for older people in various centres around town. They
cater for people who’ve even had their 90th birthday,
providing they are reasonably fit. However, it’s not so
widely known that the ‘Y’ also runs courses for those
who are either disabled in some way or who simply feel
that other classes are beyond their limited ability. These
people may use walkers, even wheelchairs, or simply
feel that they couldn’t keep up with those who might be
described as being ‘fit as a fiddle,’ despite their age.
Check with the ‘Y’ to find the nearest location to you if
you’re interested.
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 7
Reminders: Courses starting in the next couple of months
11 September
H007.01 The Pacific War - Enemy at the Gate
Leader: Bob Coombs
2-4 pm Cook Community Hub Room 3
13 September
H042.02 Wartime
Leader: Geoff Baker
2-4 pm Hughes Community Centre Room 3
18 September
AF004.01 Improve Your Photographs
Leader: Bob Hay
10am-12 noon Cook Community Hub Room 2
3 October
H098.02 Deep Time and Archaeology: Aboriginal Australia before 1788
Leader: Peter White
1:30-4:00 pm Cook Community Hub Room 3
12 October
H104.01 Royal Families: The Tudors
Leader: Lois Dennis
10.15-12.00 Canberra Raiders Club, Cnr. Gozzard and
Hibbertson Sts, Gungahlin
20 September
SBS007.04 Continuing with Numerology, Astrology
and Hand Analysis
Leader: Janis Butt
10-12 noon Hughes Community Centre Room 2
16 October
SHE027.02 Living a Healthy Life with Long-term Conditions
Leader: Virginia Rasheed
1:30-4:00 pm Cook Community Hub, Meeting Room
27 September
SHE021.02 Anthropogenic Climate Change
Leader: Robert Pearson
2-4 pm Cook Community Hub Room 3
H059.03 The Great Game
Leader: Bob Dunstone
10-12 noon Hughes Community Centre Room 3
2 October
CS004.01 U3A Macintosh Chat Group (Intermediate)
Leaders: David Raff and David Wilson
2-4 pm Hughes Community Centre Room 3
18 October
M067.01 Swan Lake Plus
Leader: Lois Dennis
10-12 noon Private home in Gungahlin
Government House Open Day
The Recorder Orchestra
The Recorder Orchestra invites all recorder players to
join them at their annual Combined Recorders Playing
Afternoon.
This is an opportunity to participate in recorder orchestral playing, with all eight sizes of recorders. Imagine
playing Handel, Lully, a symphony by an early German
composer, and a modern English piece! Sheer recorder
joy!
Parts will be provided for all levels of ability.
Date: Wednesday, 26 September.
Place: Hall 1, Woden Seniors' Club, Corinna Street,
Woden.
Time: 12:30 - 4 with two breaks for scrumptious refreshments.
Cost: $5 (rent of hall) plus $3 for music (visitors).
Bring: Recorder(s), stand, 2B pencil, name tag.
Contact: Margaret Wright on 6286 2428 or email
recorderteacher@hotmail.com by 12 September.
The Recorder Orchestra Chamber Group will play at
Government House during the afternoon of Sunday 30th
September to entertain guests for Open Day. All welcome.
— Margaret Wright, Conductor.
Brindabella U3A Orchestra
Brindabella U3A Orchestra will give a concert of works
by Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Bizet and Saint Saens at the
Uniting Church, Rutledge St, Queanbeyan on Sunday 9
September at 2 p.m.
The orchestra is famous for its good music and delicious
afternoon teas.
Admission is by donation.
— Margaret Wright, Second Violin.
8 — U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012
Obituaries
Changing his name to Elliott in 1943, he subsequently
graduated and first lectured in medieval English language at St Andrews. He came to Australia in 1959 and
Long standing members will recall with great respect
Professor Ralph Elliott who died at the end of June. The a distinguished academic career followed. He published
numerous academic works, the last being Chaucer’s
90 year old ANU academic and former Master of
Landscapes (2010). Regrettably, there’s not room to
ANU’s University House was a good friend of U3A
cover it all here but some of his story is told in A Kilted
ACT in our earlier days. He was also a good personal
Kraut,
the sub-title of which was perhaps typical of his
friend of a number of our members.
delightful sense of humour.
A noted humanities academic, he was described in The
His many achievements led to his being made a MemCanberra Times obituary as an English expert who
ber of the Order of Australia in 1990 and in 2001 he
helped shape Canberra’s cultural life. He certainly did
was awarded the Centenary Medal for ‘service to Austhe same for U3A in the ‘90s.
tralian society and the humanities in the history of the
In our May/June 1999 Newsletter we announced that he English language.’
had ‘retired’ – again – from his position as visiting Professor in the Department of English and Theatre Studies Professor Elliott will be remembered by many academat ANU. It wasn’t for the first time. He retired in 1986 ics and other people, both Australians and overseas visitors and from his time as Master at University House
but his students refused to allow him to go.
which sometime later became one of U3A’s part-time
He had by that time clocked up 50 years of university
‘homes.’ Older members will remember him for his
teaching, let alone the many contributions he had made generosity in giving us so much of his time.
to ANU and the wider city, including U3A where he ran
a number of over-subscribed courses. He also gave sev- — Dorothy Braxton
eral ‘occasional lectures,’ as the lunch time forums were
then called, and he was the keynote after dinner speaker
Vale Sue Doobov
for the 1995 conference.
Just before the close of copy for this newsletter, it came
A direct descendant of Martin Luther, Professor Elliott to our notice that Suzanne Rose (Sue) Doobov passed
was born in Berlin in 1921. His name then was Rudolph away in Jerusalem on 5 August, aged 69 years, after a
Ehrenberg, but as he described in his memoir A Kilted
long battle with cancer.
Kraut, which he subtitled The Recollections of Rudolf
Sue is generally accepted as having been responsible for
Ehrenberg as Narrated by Ralph Elliott, it was not a
bringing about the establishment of U3A ACT in 1986.
good time to be born into a distinguished family given
At the time, she was Executive Director of the Council
the social and economic period in that country.
on the Ageing (COTA) in Canberra, and was convinced
He attended the Bismarck Gymnasium from 1931 until of the need to develop more stimulating activities for
1936 when the family was experiencing increasing anti- Canberra’s ageing population. After gaining a degree in
Semitism. At the age of 14, just before the start of
sociology and economics, Sue joined COTA and soon
thereafter met Cliff Picton of Latrobe University, who
WWII, he was sent to live in Britain where he was
had been one of those instrumental in establishing Auslooked after by relations including the Nobel Laureate
physicist, Max Born, who had many scientific contacts tralia’s first U3A in Melbourne in 1984.
Professor Elliott would always remember ‑ people like
It was Sue who lodged the advertisement in The CanAlbert Einstein and Max Planck.
berra Times for a public meeting on 16 September
He went on to study English at St Andrews University 1986, which resulted in the formation of the steering
but was detained as an alien in 1940 and spent time in a committee that led to the establishment of U3A ACT.
camp on the Isle of Man and then in Canada. That only Sue sat in as a consultant in early U3A committee meetlasted a short time and he returned to England where he ings and for many years COTA, under her direction,
joined the Aliens Pioneers Company. That led to his
served as U3A’s answering machine and mailbox.
being offered a place at Sandhurst where he won their
Sue Doobov joined us (from Israel) as a guest of honour
Sword of Honour. Because of a shortage of metal at the
at our 25th Anniversary Luncheon at the Yacht Club on
time he was given only a medal and, according to his
16 September last year.
obituary in The Canberra Times, that and his father’s
WWI German Iron Cross are held in the Australian War — Garth Setchell
Memorial. Ironically perhaps, he served in the British
army in Germany and was wounded in 1945.
(Continued on page 10)
Ralph Elliott dies
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 9
(Continued from page 9)
... and Dr Jack McDonell
learning activities such as ALA, Adult Learning Australia, of which he was a highly respected Board member,
and for which he was made a Member of the Order of
Australia, AM.
Just as this issue was going to press we received the sad
news that Dr Jack McDonell of Melbourne had died.
Often regarded as ‘the father of U3A in Australia,’ Jack
was a founding member of U3A in Melbourne and over
the years, especially in the ‘90s, was arguably the best
known personality in the organisation.
He will also be remembered as one of the three foundation members of U3A Online. He became its first president back in 1998 when it was originally known as Isolated Bytes and was a world first in its particular sphere
of online learning, particularly where people isolated by
disabilities or geographic circumstances were conHe was associated with U3A ACT in a number of ways. cerned. Jack remained an important member of its ComFor example he played a major role in the Canberra
mittee of Management for several years before semi1995 conference while his last appearance here was
retiring. He then stayed on as a senior advisor until quite
when he and his wife, Win, were guests of honour at our recently.
25th Anniversary Luncheon.
At Jack’s request there was to be no funeral service but
Jack and Win travelled widely, often visiting various
a celebration of his life was held in the J.A. McDonell
U3As and their events where he made many friends,
Room at Monash University on 30 August.
particularly in the UK.
— Dorothy Braxton
For many years he was involved with various lifelong
Warrani Chorale News
Black Mountain Wildflower Ramble
Our members have returned from the mid-year break full of
enthusiasm and energy to tackle a new semester of singing.
We extend a warm welcome to two new members who have
Belconnen Way entry, just before Caswell Drive turnoff (look
joined us.
for the balloons).
Unfortunately though, we have lost one member who has
Celebrate the diversity of spring wildflowers in the 41st angone into care and have at least two others courageously batnual Burbidge/Chippendale walk with Peter Ormay, Laurie
tling serious illness. The choir members as always have ralAdams, Isobel Crawford and Jean Geue. Following the tradilied round to assist in whatever way they can to ease the load
tion set by Nancy and George, this will be a social occasion
on the families.
with a morning tea break (BYO), relatively easy grades and
Significant dates for us during the semester are as follows:
good company. It may also be sponsored by NPA, U3A,
ANPS and Field Nats.
Saturday 22 September at 2.30 pm followed by afternoon tea,
Who knows what spring will bring this year in this very spe- City Uniting Church, (please note time change from that
cial reserve? It's always fascinating to see how diversity and given in the last Newsletter). All are welcome.
abundance differ. And there's been strange flowering this
Sunday 11 November at 9.30 am, Yarralumla Uniting
year.
Church, as part of the church service.
All welcome. Bring your friends, especially those who are
Wednesday 13 December – U3A Christmas Party. There is to
new to plant identification. BYO morning tea, hat, sunblock,
be an exciting new format for this concert – watch this space
water and stout shoes.
for further details. — Robyn Laird
Contact Jean Geue on 6251 1601 or RSVP friendsofblackmountain@gmail.com so we know numbers.
Conchordia Catch-up
Saturday 13 October: 9.30 am sharp to 12 noon
This term Conchordia has welcomed some new members to
the choir. We hope they enjoy singing with us and participating in the ‘gigs’. The choir has a busy schedule planned for
this term, again entertaining residents of local retirement villages and nursing homes.
Potential members, if you are not sure, please come along to a
couple of rehearsals to see if you’d like to join. If you come,
you are welcome to sit in or to join in.
Conchordia choir meets every Wednesday from 1.30 to 3 pm
at the Uniting Church Complex, Kippax. After rehearsal anyone free to do so meets for coffee at the local coffee shop.
— Robyn Johnson
10 — U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
General Disclaimer
Most activities involve some element of risk. Bushwalking, in particular, is an inherently
dangerous activity and requires an appropriate level of fitness. While both U3A ACT Inc. and the
National Trust (ACT) maintain public liability insurance and will endeavour to protect your safety, they cannot
remove all the dangers. Both organisations must also assume that participants, by booking, consider themselves to have appropriate levels of fitness and mobility. Those undertaking activities should therefore be aware
that they participate at their own risk.
The following activities are part of U3A’s own walks and tours program
Sunday 21 October
Tuross Falls and The Big Hole
Please note the changed date (occasioned by the ACT
Election on Saturday 20 October).
Places are still available on this self-drive activity which
will guide you to two great natural attractions on the
edge of the Southern Tableland – the Tuross Falls and
Cascades (about 45km east of Cooma) and The Big
Hole (a stunning 100m deep by 50m diameter natural
subsidence about 40km south-east of Captains Flat).
The activity will involve quite a lot of driving – about
315km from central Canberra, with about 80km unsealed –and a moderate amount of walking, mainly on
track – about 6km at Tuross Falls and Cascades in Wadbilliga National Park, and about 4km, including a shallow river crossing, at The Big Hole in Deau National
Park.
Appropriate fitness is therefore essential, although it
may be possible to arrange lifts for some participants
who dislike unsealed roads. Daylight saving having
commenced, the 7.45 am start and 6.30 pm return
(depending where you live) won’t seem too bad and will
give you time for morning tea at Cooma, your own picnic lunch at Tuross Falls and even an end-of-day celebration, the cost of which is included in the $20pp price.
The activity could be deferred to 27 October if wet.
To book, or for more information, phone the leader,
Garth Setchell, on 6290 1100.
Thursday 15 November
Spanish Guitars
Some places also remain on this one-day return coach
tour to the Sydney Opera House, offering a rare opportunity to attend a matinee subscription concert with the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra that explodes with Spanish colour. The soloists, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet,
are making their Australian debut and will perform in
the Concierto Andaluz by Rodrigo and in their own arrangement, for guitar quartet and orchestra, of Manuel
de Falla’s ballet El Amor Brujo.
The program also includes Symphony No 2 by Chavez,
Lollapalooza by Adams and Four Dances from Estancia
by Ginastera. Michael Stern will conduct.
The cost of $140pp includes A-Res seats, return coach
travel and both morning and late afternoon refreshments. Coach pick-ups will be from Deakin, Civic and
Ainslie between 7.30 and 8 am, returning between 8 and
8.30 pm.
To book, and to receive a leaflet, phone Garth Setchell
(6290 1100).
Payment in full is required by 20 September. Those who
have previously paid the $20pp deposit must also pay
the balance by 20 September.
U3A and the Canberra Centenary
Canberra Conversations, a series of five forums, is being organised as U3A’s contribution to marking Canberra’s 100th birthday next year.
Canberra Conversations will provide a unique opportunity to think about our city, its past and future. The forums will enable us
to learn more about our city and to discuss the way our lives have been influenced and shaped by living in it. Topics include city
planning, the bush environment, the public sector ethos, the arts and sport in Canberra and our governance. Invited speakers will
introduce topics and open discussion.
The forums are planned for Monday afternoons February 11; April 8; June 17; August 12 and October 14 next year. The cost
will be a gold coin donation.
If you would like to join a group planning one or more topic, please let us know by emailing centenary@u3acanberra.org.au.
— Chris Paterson
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 11
The following activities are part of the program offered by the National Trust (ACT)
The National Trust (ACT) reserves a few spaces on each of its tours and events for U3A members, who are entitled to book
for these activities at the same price as Trust members. Non-members of either organisation must pay the non-member rate.
U3A ACT Inc advertises these activities in good faith but accepts no responsibility for their outcome. Please make cheques
payable to National Trust (ACT) and do not send payment to U3A.
Persons wishing to book or to obtain further information can do so by ringing the National Trust office (6230 0533) during
business hours. Leaflets, giving all necessary information about each activity, are posted to applicants prior to the event.
Payments can be made by cash, credit card or cheque to National Trust (ACT), PO Box 1144, Civic Square ACT 2608. If
paying in person, the office is on the First Floor, SE corner of North Building, Civic Square. When booking, please ensure
that you give your full name, address and home phone number, any dietary/mobility/pick-up requirements plus the names of
others you may be booking for.
Blandfordia 5
Sunday 14 October, 1 - 4pm
Enjoy strolling through the meandering streets of this
heritage enclave. Distinctive early Canberra houses are
set amidst private gardens and public parks which are at
their best in spring. Hear the stories of the area and then
join together over coffee and cake. Tour leader: Brendan Priess.
Meet: The Lawns, at the Canberra Tracks sign, Bougainville Street, Manuka
Cost: $25 NT and U3A members; $35 non-members
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at
www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under
Events and Meetings tab.
1970s. Was it successful? Come and join Paul Cohen as
we visit Charnwood and Curtin. An afternoon tea at
Curtin will top off the afternoon.
Meet: End of Leycester Place, Charnwood, UBD Map
27 D14
Cost: $25 NT and U3A members; $35 non-members.
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online
www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under
Events and Meeting tab.
Cooma Capers
Thursday 15 November, 8 am – 6 pm
Join caper coordinator Robert Abell to discover some of
the rich history of Cooma. On reaching our destination
in a comfortable chartered coach we will have morning
tea in Centennial Park followed by a heritage tour of the
7th Reid Open Houses and Gardens
town led by Suzanne Hill from the Cooma Information
Sunday 28 October, 1.30 – 4.30 pm
Centre. This will be followed by a guided tour of the
This popular event is to be held again in collaboration
with the Reid Residents’ Association. The program fea- Corrective Services Museum. Our next activity will be
an inspection of the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre
tures a guided walk and visits to three houses and gardens in this heritage-listed residential precinct, which
which will also be our lunch stop. The day will conhave been selected for their sympathetic restoration or
clude with a visit to the Cooma – Monaro Railway herirenovations. There will be an introductory talk on Reid tage precinct which also includes a short return train trip
and its heritage significance by a heritage expert and the to Bunyan and afternoon tea.
opportunity to hear the owners provide a short talk on
Knowledgeable local guides will be available throughtheir homes and gardens which can then be inspected at out our visit. There will be some easy walking but participants will need to get on and off the coach/train durleisure. A delicious afternoon tea will be served at the
Reid Pre-school.
ing the day. A BYO lunch is recommended, although
Meet: Corner of Dirrawan Gardens and Currong St,
light refreshments can be purchased from the coffee
near the Reid Tennis Club Pavilion. A guided walking shop at the Hydro Discovery Centre.
tour with a total distance of approx. 1.5 kms (return).
Meet: Canberra Railway Station (Kingston) car park,
Cost: $25 NT and U3A members; $35 non-members
for departure at 8am sharp.
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online
Cost: $70 NT and U3A members; $80 non-members
www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at
Events and Meeting tab.
www.nationaltrustact.org.au -click on Bookings under
Events and Meeting tab.
Radburn Housing Design
Sunday 4 November, 1 – 4 pm
Bulls Head Border Walk
Through the segregation of pedestrian and vehicular
Saturday 1 December, 10 am - 3.30 pm
movement and the inclusion of communal spaces and
This is an another opportunity to join this walk, postparkland area, the Radburn design concept has left its
poned back in March due to wet conditions. Historian
mark in Canberra. The NCDC attempted to amalgamate Matthew Higgins will lead us as we continue our series
bush capital planning with Radburn planning philosoon the border walks. Morning tea will be provided at
phy and a move to medium density housing in the
Bulls Head before we continue down the road to view
12 — U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012
one of Harry Mouatt’s border mile trees—many were
burnt in 2003. A walk up to the summit of Mt Franklin
after looking at the shelter built on the site of another
casualty of the 2003 fires. We will conclude with Bendora Arboretum – a survivor. Bring a packed lunch, water, sturdy shoes and a warm jacket.
VIEWS
Meet: Bulls Head, Mt Franklin Road. Allow 45 mins
from CBD. Approx 15km dirt.
Cost: $25 NT and U3A members, $35 non-members.
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at
www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under
Events and Meetings tab.
I N FO R MAT I O N
FUN
Keep that grey matter ticking
Join your friends of U3A and COTA at this year’s LUNCHTIME BYO FORUMS
Every Tuesday in September and October 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.
Main Hall, Hughes Community Centre
Attendance fee gold coin donation. Free tea and coffee provided. Please bring your own cup!
There is a hearing loop in the hall - people with hearing aids should adjust them to the 't' position.
11 September
Medicare for Millionaires - Was it really supposed to be like this?
Producer: Raoul Middelmann
Presenters: Dr Ron Wells (former Chairman of Capital Territory Health Commission and of U3A) and Dr John
Deeble AO, (former professor, ANU and ‘Architect of Medicare’)
18 September
Let’s talk about Burma
Producer: Gabrielle Watt
Presenters: Dr Nicholas Farrelly, Research Fellow, School of International Political and Strategic Studies,
ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, and Mr Trevor Wilson, former Ambassador to Burma 2000/03.
25 September
Volcanoes and Earthquakes in our Neighbourhood
Producer: Raoul Middelmann
Presenters: Dr Phil Cummins Professor, Natural Hazards. Research School of Earth Sciences ANU, Dr Wally
Johnston, Consultant in Applied Vulcanology and Visiting Fellow ANU and finishing a book on the history of
volcanic disaster in New Oceania and Dr Trevor Allen (Geoscience Australia)
2 October
As we age - What is the best way to learn?
Producer: Rosemary Ganly
Presenters: Jim Nichterlein, Vice President U3A, and Ms Linda Hort, A/g Director of the Continuing Education Centre ANU
9 October
Mounting a Blockbuster at the National Gallery of Australia
Producer: Robyn Duncan
Presenter: A speaker (TBA) from the National Gallery of Australia.
16 October
Coal Seam Gas – What is all the fuss about?
Producer: Gabrielle Watt
Presenter: Dr Trevor Powell, retired Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Geoscience Australia.
23 October
E-Health ‑ what does it mean for you?
Producer: Paul Flint
Presenters: A speaker (TBA) from National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) and Mr Ric Lord, an EHealth user and pharmacist
30 October
Revisiting housing options as we age - what should we consider? (See also note on p. 15)
Producer: Paul Flint
Presenters: Helen Taylor, Housing Options Advisor COTA and some practical decision making , Rosemary
Ganly, U3A.
For further Information: Rosemary Ganly, 6251 7972; email: rosemary.ganly@bigpond.com
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 13
Presenting the Presenter
This is the second of an occasional series profiling some of our course presenters.
Garth Mansfield says he is not ‘a career musician’. It’s pretty
hard to swallow that modest claim, if you consider his 50 years
as church organist and musical director at two of Canberra’s
largest churches, his 1994 Order of Australia Medal for
‘service to church music’, his role at the Wesley Music Centre
– and his seven courses on Bach for U3A.
Garth began leading U3A members in 2009 on highways (and
byways) in the life, music and times of Johann Sebastian Bach.
He says he wanted to share his passions about Bach after visits
to Germany and in particular to two Leipzig Bachfests in 2008
and 2010. He did six months of reading and listening to records
after the first visit before feeling ready to start a U3A Course.
‘The value of U3A in keeping people learning is obvious,’ he
says. And for him the value is that he has an enthusiastic audience for his continuous research on his hero, Bach – and that
his students keep him learning.
Word on the quality of his U3A courses has obviously spread:
25 people took his first course in 2009, the numbers grew with
each new course until earlier this year for the sixth course of 10
sessions there were 75 registered.
Garth says quite a number of those attending courses, all held
in the Wesley Music Centre, have been to each one. Many are
musicians; some would not know how to read a note. There is a
lot of interest in the historical and social setting in which Bach
lived and worked.
Clearly his students admire Garth. One recent student wrote a poem about the course and its leader; another has
produced, with modern technology, a portrait with Garth’s features, wearing Bach’s wig.
Garth says his two-hour sessions usually involve ‘half-talk, half-listening’ to recordings of Bach’s music. ‘I’ve
talked for a lot of hours now!’ he says, ‘I’m absorbed by it. There are often interesting questions and insightful
comments from members.’
He spices his talk with fascinating anecdotes; one centres on a wacky theory that Bach, having written a cantata a
week for three years (1723-1726), simply stopped, because he had become an atheist. Hardly, the modern researchers say. Says Garth: ‘He was probably just tired of writing cantatas, although composing them was his idea.
He was also keen to explore new avenues of creativity for his boundless energy.’
Garth provides resource books with his courses, which include music and reading lists, texts, selected recordings,
a glossary of musical terms, and more.
Garth’s professional life ranged from being a secondary school teacher of geography and economics for four
years, a public servant for 30 years and a financial adviser for 18. In between, he found time to play the organ for
many hundreds of services and weddings. He began organ lessons when he was 11, studied with a leading professor of organ at the Sydney Conservatorium and attended courses in Princeton, US.
In his last course he surveyed what members would like for any future courses. He found that there was interest
across the board in the universe of Bach’s music as well as his life and times.
For his next course of five sessions, he could think of nothing better than choosing a diversity of music for sheer
enjoyment and inspiration. It’s called JS Bach: A Short Course of Musical Delights and Insights. Given the demand, it seems advisable to register interest early.
For further information on Garth’s new course, which begins on November 8, check future editions of this newsletter.
14 — U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012
Positions Vacant
Desktop Publisher Required
U3A invites expressions of interest from members who might be willing and able to take over as layout editor for
the Newsletter and Prospectus and undertake other minor desktop publishing jobs as required.
Our present layout editor, Greg Ramsay, will be available to assist with training and backup from time to time as
required.
Anyone with desk-top publishing experience – or with good word processing skills – would be capable of doing
the job.
If you are interested, please contact Fred Roberts editor@u3acanberra.org.au or Greg Ramsay on 6286 1564 or
gramsay@grapevine.com.au to discuss.
Impending Vacancy on the Courses Sub-Committee
A member of the Courses Sub-Committee will leave the Committee at the end of the year. We are therefore inviting expressions of interest from members interested in joining the Committee.
The Committee plays a critical role in that it is responsible for the generation and support of courses for U3A
members. This encompasses, among other things:
1 assisting and supporting, as necessary, both current and prospective course leaders in developing and presenting courses;
2 compilation and publication of the Annual Prospectus supported by on-going processing and advertising of
new course proposals in the Newsletter throughout the year;
3 continually refining the Committee’s policies and processes to increase its effectiveness in supporting course
leaders and our members and helping to keep U3A fresh and flexible in responding to changes in the nature of our
membership and our operating environment;
4 encouraging members and others to run courses for U3A.
The Committee meets once a month, alternating between U3A’s Hughes and Cook facilities, and transacts much
of its business electronically. It is a convivial group to work with and new members will be welcomed and nurtured through the process as necessary to help them settle into their role. For further information please contact
Robyn Beetham: 6290 1899; or sec560@ozemail.com.au.
Help Needed
Can you spare three and a half hours once a month to mind the office at Cook or at Hughes?
No expertise is required, although rudimentary computer skills are an asset. Training in our usual routines will be
offered.
Please contact Jocelyne for Hughes ‑ 6281 4471 or Sue for Cook ‑ 6258 3042.
Revisiting housing options as we age.
Following a well-attended presentation on 10 July on ‘What are all the things I should think of before I move out
of my home?’ there were a number of unanswered questions.
The Tuesday Lunchtime Forum has decided to revisit this issue on Tuesday 30 October under the title Revisiting
housing options as we age - what should we consider?
The session will be chaired by Paul Flint, Executive Director of COTA ACT, and the presenters will be Helen
Taylor, Housing Options Advisor COTA, and with some practical examples, Rosemary Ganly, Coordinator of the
Tuesday Lunchtime Forums.
If U3A members have urgent questions about housing options, COTA has advised that Helen Taylor is available
in the COTA office to discuss these issues with you ‑ she can be reached on 6282 3777 during normal office
hours or by e-mail using the address housing@cota-act.org.au.
— Rosemary Ganly, Coordinator, COTA/U3A Tuesday Lunchtime Forums
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 15
Committee Members & Office Holders — 2012
NOTE: The U3A ACT Office (ph. 6281 6998, PO Box 5550, Hughes, ACT, 2605) is in the Hughes Community Centre, and is
usually open Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 4.30. All enquiries should be directed to this office.
(The Cook facility, located in the Cook Community Hub, 41 Templeton Street, Cook, has the same opening hours and has its
GENERAL COMMITTEE
President
Garth Setchell
6290 1100
Vice President and Coordinator Communications
Jim Nichterlein
6282 1372
COURSES SUB-COMMITTEE
Chair:
John Rosser
6161 6598
Secretary
Marlene Dixon
6286 5209
Coordinator, Support Services
Les Fielke
Richard Groves
(Belconnen, Gungahlin and Yass)
Paul Ratcliffe membership@u3acanberra.org.au
(Membership Secretary)
0423 164 777
6262 8454
Member:
OTHER U3A CONTACTS
Archivist
Eleanor Whelan
6257 7749
Assets Officer
Tony Elliott
6278 4190
Banking Liaison
Kathy Bretz
Computer Training
Viggo Pedersen
Desktop Publishing
Greg Ramsay
6286 1564
Equipment Bookings
Mike Burr
6161 5422
Hospitality Officer
Denise Seddon
6258 4809
6286 9547
Maurice Sexton
(Hughes, Room 3)
6288 3699
Trevor Bruhn
(Hughes, Hall and Library)
6282 1214
Libby Campbell
(Woden)
6259 1080
Lyndall Kerins
(Weston Creek and Tuggeranong)
6231 2418
Wendy Fitzgerald
(Canberra South and Queanbeyan)
6161 7608
Peter Pearson
6295 3878
Room Bookings (Hughes & Cook):
Barbara Scott
EMAIL ADDRESSES
Membership Secretary
Sue Gavin
6258 3042
E-bulletin Editor
Jocelyne MacLeod
6281 4471
Public Officer
Jim Nichterlein
6282 1372
Publicity Officer
Colin Blair
6281 6934
Purchasing Officer
Alby Robinson
6288 8132
Secretary
Special Events
Chris Paterson
6282 8454
U3A Online
Technical Support Manager
Dennis Millar dandl@aapt.net.au
Tours Officer
Pam Behncke
6248 6682
Tuesday Forums
Rosemary Ganly
6251 7972
U3A Online
Dorothy Braxton
6259 2407
Webmaster
David Briese
6286 3479
Office Manager, Cook
Office Manager, Hughes
courses@u3acanberra.org.au
Internet – U3A ACT Website
6281 3681
Fred Roberts
6259 0090
Courses
Newsletter Editor
Newsletter Editor
6251 1885
Ella Beer
(Hughes, Room 2)
6287 2552
0406 376 811
6251 0406
Allie Wiseman
6161 9147
(University House and Canberra North)
6288 3699
Chris Paterson
6231 5509
Patricia Woolcock
6251 1246
(Cook Room 3 & Cook Community Hall)
dandl@aapt.net.au
Jane Allen
Sheila McAlpine
Mary Ann Bandharangshi
(Cook Room 2 and Meeting Room)
6248 6682
Maurice Sexton
6286 1545
Viggo Pedersen
0406 376 811
(Computer courses – Cook Room 1)
Committee Members
Dennis Millar
Jenifer North
Course Coordinators responsible for liaising with leaders in
specific locations and enquiries about offering new courses:
6259 0090
Pam Behncke
(Minute Secretary)
6290 1899
Course Data Compilers:
Vice President and Coordinator Courses and Activities
Robyn Beetham
6290 1899
Treasurer
Robyn Beetham
President
Publicity Officer
www.u3acanberra.org.au
membership@u3acanberra.org.au
editor@u3acanberra.org.au
communications@u3acanberra.org.au
president@u3acanberra.org.au
publicity@u3acanberra.org.au
secretary@u3acanberra.org.au
enquiries@u3aonline.org.au
U3A Equipment Bookings
equipmentbookings@u3acanberra.org.au
U3A Room Bookings
Webmaster
16 — U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012
roombookings@u3acanberra.org.au
webmaster@u3acanberra.org.au
The Extra Page
September/October 2012
Film Group
Southern Cross Club, Woden, each Wednesday at 1.45 pm
5 September
Winter Of Our Dreams
12 September
No Film
COTA/U3A Lunchtime Forums
11 September Medicare for Millionaires - was it really supposed to be like this?
18 September Let’s talk about Burma
25 September Volcanoes and Earthquakes in our Neighbourhood
2 October
As we age - What is the best way to learn?
9 October
Mounting a blockbuster at the National Gallery of Australia
16 October
Coal Seam Gas – What is all the fuss about?
23 October
E-Health ‑ what does it mean for you?
30 October
Revisiting housing options as we age - what should we consider?
Walks and Tours
Sunday, 9 September ‑ Booroomba, Braeside and Blythburn
15 September – 14 October ‑ World Heritage Tour of Italy and Sicily
Sunday, 14 October ‑ Blandfordia 5
Sunday, 21 October ‑ Tuross Falls and The Big Hole
Sunday, 28 October ‑ 7th Reid Open Houses and Gardens
October ‑ Tour of Turkey
House sitter available
U3A member available as a house sitter. I am retired and can walk your dog, feed your cat/fish/chooks, and
water your garden while you are away. References can be provided. Available after mid-October. If interested, please phone Irene on 0432235171.
Garage space sought
Is there any U3A member out there who has space in their garage and would like to rent it out as a small
storage space? If yes, please phone Irene on 0432235171.
U3A ACT Inc. Newsletter — September/October 2012 — 17