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Curriculum Reports—2008
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Curriculum Report – January 2008
Enrolment Days
Emails and Letters have been sent to all tutors encouraging them to attend on Enrolment Days.
Enrolment Forms and Notices will be prepared for each course.
The Email Newsletter for January 2008 was sent out on 28th December 2007.
Ancient Egypt – the 18th Dynasty
Dave Evans has put a report on our website of our U3A members’ visit to the museum at Sydney University.
Term 1 Courses 2008 (4th February to 11th April)
The Daily Schedule of Classes is on our website www.u3anepean.org . The website shows several additional changes and new courses that were
arranged after the 2008 Handbook was printed. There are so many changes that we should hand out a revised Schedule of Classes at our Enrolment
days.
Changes:
Lloyd Reinhardt has postponed his Philosophy course at Blackheath until he returns from overseas in September 2008.
New Courses – additional details will be shown on the website:
Introduction to Lapidary at the Blaxland Gem and Mineral Club at Valley Heights.
Architecture, The Fundamentals of Financial Statements and Latin at Blackheath.
Debating Club
Mike Boyle has advised that he has been contacted by about a dozen interested members.
U3A Choir
Marie Stewart has offered to start a U3A Choir. We should publicise it in our Newsletters.
Tutors’ Email Addresses
Some tutors that have their email addresses on the website and on the Schedule of Classes have notified me that they have had unwanted Spam
mail. I will email tutors and ask if they wish their email addresses removed from the website and on the Schedule of Classes.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – February 2008
Start of 2008 Courses:
Courses started on Monday 4th February and I have not heard of any problems. I will try and contact all tutors next week to check if there were
any problems and in the Email Newsletter for March 2008, I will encourage all members to tell me how their courses are going.
Ruth Todd said that she very much enjoyed her first class in the Introduction to Lapidary course.
Changes:
Due to an accident, Silvia Gee – Spanish Tutor at Penrith – has delayed starting her class until Friday 7th March.
Due to insufficient students, the course at Blackheath on ‘Running a volunteer Organisation’ has been cancelled. Adrienne Kailofer has offered
to run an intensive one day course at Penrith on ‘Running a Volunteer Organisation’. Would Committee Members be interested in attending
such a course – possibly in the holidays or on a weekend?
Email Addresses:
Approximately, 470 members and tutors have recorded their email addresses on their Enrolment Forms and indicate that almost half of our
members/tutors have email addresses. This will almost double the number of Email Newsletters sent out each month.
Tutors’ Email Addresses
Some tutors that have their email addresses on the website and on the Schedule of Classes have notified me that they have had unwanted Spam
mail. I have emailed tutors and asked if they wish their email addresses be removed from the website and the Schedule of Classes. Only two
Tutors have asked for their email addresses to be removed.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – March 2008
Courses for Term 2 of 2008 (28 April to 4 July) are available on the office computer under “Curriculum”.
Courses Starting in Term 2 of 2008:
1.Japanese for Beginners at Leura;
2.A View of Mathematics at Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre;
3.The Fundamentals of Financial Statements at Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre;
4.Undertaking a Building Project at Penrith School of Arts;
5.What is Good Design at Penrith School of Arts;
6.Energy at Springwood Neighbourhood Centre;
7.Calligraphy at Mt Victoria;
8.Developing a Culture of Dialogue at Our Lady of the Nativity Parish Meeting Room, Lawson; and
9.Philosophy at Penrith School of Arts.
Courses Finishing at the end of Term 1 (11 April):
1.Pre History of Blue Mountains/Riverlands at Our Lady of the Nativity Parish Meeting Room, Lawson;
2.Introduction to Lapidary at Valley Heights;
3.First Aid for Seniors at Penrith School of Arts; and
4.Art & Science of Happiness at Penrith School of Arts.
History – 175 Years of the Mechanic School of Arts course has been cancelled.
U3A Website
Dave Evans has improved the Membership Application Form that can be downloaded from the Website. I have also asked Dave to put the Class Role
Forms on the Website so that Tutors can download the forms whenever they want them.
Course Notes are available from U3A Network.
Philosophy, Creative Writing etc.
Do we wish to purchase them?
CDSE Grants from Penrith City Council close on 4th April
Could we make an application for a Lap-Top Computer and a Data Projector?
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – May 2008
Email Newsletter for May 2008
This newsletter was emailed out at the end of April to about 520 email addresses. However, there was a bit of a problem. Yahoo only allows
about 100 emails to be sent out in any one hour. Subsequent emails did not have the attached Newsletter and I had to re-send some emails.
This resulted in some members receiving more than one email.
Yahoo probably thinks that I am sending out “spam” because I sent out so many emails and has closed down my email address
u3acurriculum@yahoo.com.au My new email address is alanlees@y7mail.com But in future I will send out Email Newsletters using the Office
computer and it’s Outlook Express Address Book.
NRMA Presentation on Driving
Frank Higgins will give a presentation that will be open to the public at 11am on Wednesday 4th June. I would like to provide tea, coffee and
biscuits and hopefully we can encourage some more people to join U3A.
Bonsai
Jim Tiberi will start a class on Bonsai in the Hall of the Penrith School of Arts at 9.30am on Wednesday 25th June.
Italian
Peter Caldalano has advised that, due to family commitments, he will not be able to continue his Italian class after Term 2.
Art Tuition: drawing & Painting
Harold Arndt at Woodford has cancelled his class because of the small number of students.
Basic Computing at Penrith Library
The Computer Room at Penrith Library will be closed until the end of this term. However, we have been given accommodation next door in the
Community College of the Plaza Complex. At this stage, Penrith Library is unable to advise us on how long this arrangement will last.
Blue Mountains Representation
With Kerry Speak’s resignation from the Committee we need to increase our efforts to recruit members from the Blue Mountains to assist U3A
activities in the Blue Mountains. I will mention this in the next Email Newsletter.
Introduction to Lapidary at Penrith
Penrith Lapidary Club has offered to run a class for U3A. However, I have been advised of only one interested member so far.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – June 2008
Email Newsletter for June 2008
This newsletter was emailed out at the end of May using the email addresses recorded on the U3A Office computer. Unfortunately, some members
reported not receiving the newsletter. However, we hope to rectify this problem when we send out the Email Newsletter for July. The monthly
Email Newsletters and the Term Newsletters will in future use the same email address book. We may be able to persuade members to receive
their Term Newsletters by email as this will allow them to also receive the monthly Email Newsletters.
Debating Club
“The Times they are a Changing” was debated on Saturday 31st March at the Penrith School of Arts. After the debate, we had a meeting and
decided that there was insufficient support from members to continue organizing debates on a monthly basis. But we would continue with our U3A
Debating Group and try to organize debates with other organizations (e.g. Other U3As, Probus, Toast Masters, etc) once per term. We have
asked Frank Higgins to enquire if Toast Masters would like to debate our team and we are awaiting a reply!
NRMA Presentation on Driving
Frank Higgins on behalf of the NRMA, gave a very informative one hour presentation about Driving on Wednesday, 4th June. The topics covered
were: Roads and road rules - cars and car safety, safer driving tips, pedestrian issues, health issues, mobility alternatives, the older driver
license tests, the impact on fellow road users, amongst other issues.
Despite the very heavy rain, more than 30 members attended.
U3A Taken to Court
Brian Kearney, who tutors the Outline of Criminology course, will take members of his class and any other U3A members on a tour of Penrith Law
Courts on Friday 13th June. Unfortunately, for U3A the Law wishes to avail itself of Brian’s services again and he will be unable to
continue giving his existing 3 courses after the end of Term 2 i.e. Outline of Criminology, Politics in Our Lives and Current Events. We hope
Brian will return as a U3A tutor again at some time in the future.
Bonsai
Jim Tiberi will start a class on Bonsai in the Hall of the Penrith School of Arts at 9.30am on Wednesday 25th June.
Introduction to Lapidary at Penrith
Penrith Lapidary Club has offered to run a class for U3A. 4 members have indicated interest so far.
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association – ASCCA
I would like to recommend that our U3A – like several other U3As - join ASCCA. Some of the benefits of joining ASCCA are attached.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – July 2008
Email Newsletter for July 2008
This newsletter was emailed out at the end of June. There are still a few problems with email addresses. Some members say that they have not
received them. I have received one email asking not to receive it and one irate email saying that they no-longer live in the area and have
already told us to remove their email address from our address book.
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association – ASCCA
Our U3A has now joined ASCCA and our websites have links. Details of our U3A are shown on the ASCCA website – see attached. However, I would
like to put more details about our U3A e.g. the date that our U3A was formed, how many members at start and how many there are now,
Information about the 2010 Conference etc. Would someone like to give me a write-up to put on this website?
The ASCCA Newsletter for July was emailed to members with information on Term 3 New Courses – see attached.
I recommend that we ask Nan Bosler (ASCCA President) to be a Guest Speaker at the 2010 Conference. She is an excellent interesting speaker and
I am sure ASCCA will give our U3A and the 2010 Conference very useful publicity.
Course Changes for Term 3
Calligraphy: Dorothy Meldrum has postponed her class to Term 4.
Italian: Peter Caldalano has decided to have a break and Jim Tiberi will take this class in Term 3.
Current Events: Brian Kearney is taking a break and Peter McNeill will take this class in Term 3.
Politics in Our Lives: Brian Kearney is taking a break.
An Outline of Criminology: Brian Kearney is taking a break.
U3A Courses Handbook 2009
During this month, we will send letters to current tutors asking them to supply details about next year’s courses for the U3A Courses Handbook
2009. In the Email Newsletter for August, we will also encourage members to volunteer to run new courses in 2009.
In order to be incorporated in the Handbook, details of 2009 courses will have to be received at the Office by Friday 5th September 2008.
U3A Dance
I would like to organise a U3A Dance on Saturday 2nd August from 7.30pm to 11.00pm in the Penrith School of Arts Hall.
The Dance would be free to all U3A members, their partners, family and friends. However, we would ask for a “Gold Coin Donation” to cover the
cost of tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine (?) and finger food.
The old time ballroom music would be provided on a professional CD player and speakers by John Morehead. But members would be encouraged to
bring their own CDs.
We can all enjoy the music and the company and have a dance - if inclined.
If the Dance proves a success, we could hold one each month or term or year or whenever.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – August 2008
U3A Email Newsletter and ASSCA Newsletter for August 2008
The U3A Email Newsletter was emailed out at the end of July and the ASSCA Newsletter at the beginning of August.
U3A Courses Handbook 2009
We have posted letters to current tutors, who do not use Penrith School of Arts, asking them to supply details about next year’s courses for the
U3A Courses Handbook 2009. Tutors, who use Penrith School of Arts, will be given their letter.
Ball Room Dancing for U3A Members
A U3A Members Social Dance was held on Saturday 2nd August from 7.30pm to 11.00pm in the Penrith School of Arts Hall, 3 Castlereagh Street,
Penrith.
The dance was for all U3A members, their partners, family and friends.
The old time ballroom music was provided by John Morehead and Dancing Teachers – Allan & Bev Bond gave us some demonstrations and lead us in
some of the dances.
Starting on Friday 5th September, Allan & Bev will provide the music and teach Ball Room Dancing between 1.00pm and 3.00pm on Fridays in the
Penrith School of Arts Hall.
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association – ASCCA
10th Australian Computer Conference for Seniors at the Powerhouse Museum , Darling Harbour, Sydney at 9.30am – 3.30pm on Wednesday 27th &
Thursday 28th August 2008.
Registration Fees: $50 for One day or $80 for Two Days. This includes: attendance at all sessions; morning tea; hot/cold buffet lunch;
conference packs.
I think it would be a good idea for one or two of the 2010 Conference Committee to attend this conference at our U3A expense with a view to:
Asking ASSCA for assistance in publicising our 2010 Conference;
Gaining information on how a Conference can be run; and
Obtaining technical information that would be useful to our U3A.
The program will include keynote speakers and breakout sessions.
Peter Blasina – Gadget Man
Peter Cullen – US based Chief Privacy Strategist and Senior Director, Microsoft
Department of Health and Ageing, Health & Technology
Blogging The magic of words
Family History Clubs Speak out! (with question time)
Trade Shows Spotlight on Clubs
More information is available at www.ascca.org.au/conference2008/index.html
ASSCA has supplied the Office with: An ASCCA Club Information Manual and a Security on the Internet manual with CDs. These may be borrowed from
the Office.
There are also Raffle tickets for an ASCCA Fundraiser: $2 per ticket or $5 for 3 tickets
1st prize: Dell 19” Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor (Value $260)
2nd prize: 12.1” Black acrylic LCD digital frame (Value $205)
3rd prize: Logitec QuickCam for Notebooks (Value $80)
Tickets are available from the Office.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – September 2008
U3A Email Newsletter and ASSCA Newsletter for September 2008
The U3A Email Newsletter was emailed out at the end of August and the ASSCA Newsletter at the beginning of September.
U3A Courses Handbook 2009
We have received many replies from tutors regarding their 2009 courses. Next week I will start chasing up those tutors who have not replied.
We have also received some photographs. Petr Malek says that he wants the Committee to decide on the winning photograph.
Helen Mayhew, because of eye problems, has withdrawn her offer to compile the Handbook for printing. Brenda Emerson and I will compile the
Handbook for printing.
Ballroom Dancing for U3A Members
U3A Members Social Dances were held on Saturdays 2nd and 30th of August from 7.30pm to 11.00pm in the Penrith School of Arts Hall, 3 Castlereagh
Street, Penrith.
The dances were for all U3A members, their partners, family and friends.
The old time ballroom music was provided by John Morehead and Dancing Teachers – Allan & Bev Bond gave us some demonstrations and lead us in
some of the dances.
Allan & Bev started teaching Ballroom Dancing to U3A members between 1.00pm and 3.00pm on Friday 5th September in the Penrith School of Arts
Hall.
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association – ASCCA
Jim Percy, who organises all our U3A computer courses, attended the ASCCA Conference on behalf of U3A and intends to put the knowledge gained
into a U3A computer course. We have reimbursed Jim for his entrance fee of $50.
U3A On-Line Photographs
David Evans has set-up a Google on-line photo album where we can display photographs of U3A people/classes/functions. You can find it by
clicking the link on our U3A website home page.
If you would like to add your photographs to the site please email them, WITH CAPTIONS, to footloose@tpg.com.au, and David will be happy to post
them for you.
Ursula Zdenkowski
Ursula will be retiring from tutoring at the end of the year. It is suggested that we should present her with a scroll, at the Tutors &
Volunteers Afternoon Tea, thanking her for her contribution to our U3A.
Ursula has been with U3A since its inception. She attended the inaugural meeting (her husband called it "Freda Whitlam's School") with the
intention of attending a class so that she could learn something new. When asked if she could teach anything she said that she spoke German and
was immediately asked to be a tutor. That was in 1989 and she has been teaching German ever since.
Her first class was for beginners but since then she has also taught Intermediate and Advanced German. Her present course, Conversational German
, is aimed at people who already have some background in the language.
Three years ago Ursula was made a U3A life member.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – October 2008
U3A Email Newsletter and ASSCA Newsletter for October 2008
The U3A Email Newsletter was emailed out at the end of September and the ASSCA Newsletter at the beginning of October.
U3A Courses Handbook 2009
Julie Ackland won the prize for the best photograph to put on the front of the Handbook. Tony Bayes and I took the draft of the Handbook and
some U3A photographs to Penrith Art Printing Works (PAPW) on the 2nd October. We received the First Proof on the 8th October. Unfortunately,
PAPW said that some of our photographs were not sufficiently clear to use and they picked the best. Next year we will have to make sure
that the photographs are of a better quality and give more definite instructions on where to insert the photographs in the text. However, the
quality of the text appears excellent and PAPW have been most helpful.
The First Proof has been emailed to all Tutors, Committee and Curriculum Sub-Committee Members who have email addresses. We also gave Tutors at
the Tutors & Volunteers’ Afternoon Tea on Friday 10th October the opportunity to view and make changes. Some minor changes have made
and Tony Bayes and I will take the First Proof back to the printers on Wednesday 15th October.
Ballroom Dancing for U3A Members
A U3A Members Social Dances was held on Saturday 4th of October from 7.30pm to 11.00pm in the Penrith School of Arts Hall, 3 Castlereagh Street,
Penrith.
Natural Therapy Course
I have received the following emails regarding organising a U3A course on Natural Therapy. What are the views of the Committee?
I shall forward an email I received today with the offer of a tutor in Natural Therapy. It could be a good idea. Best wishes, Marie Standen
From: "Stewart Thorpe" stewjanthorpe@optusnet.com.au
Date: 16 September 2008 9:44:11 PM
To: "Marie Standen" mstanden@pnc.com.au
Subject: Hello & How are you.
Hi Marie,
How are you going, have not seen you since Deep Pass, hope you are well, and getting back to normal.
Do you still have anything to do with the U.T.A? I was at a meeting of the Natural Health Society the other night and it was brought up about
getting the word of Natural Health out to more people. I immediately thought of you and when you first met me and suggested that I could run
one of the courses on Finance etc. nothing ever came of it, however Roger French (Executive Director and Education officer of The Natural
Health Society) is a very capable speaker and educator and would be very happy to run a course on Natural Health or one of several associated
courses. Do you think there could be an opportunity to run one or several courses over a term? We are a not for profit organisation and our
main purpose is to educate people on the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding the many common pitfalls of modern living and
fast foods etc.
If you think there could be an opportunity, we at the Society would be very interested, hope to hear from you soon, you can either contact me or
phone directly to Roger French on 47215068. By the way Roger helped me lead a walk many years ago when we went down to Vera Falls, you may
remember.
Regards, Jan Thorpe. 9634 7509
My thought on the Natural Therapy Course is this. It is good that it is a not for profit organisation as this "fits in" with U3A. However, are
products to be sold. This then makes it more of a commercial enterprise. I had several people wanting to give free lessons with the proviso
that their products could be sold. When told this could not be done they declined to give free lessons.
Helen Mayhew
A natural therapy course could be interesting on its own. But if they are going to sell products then it is beginning to sound like a
Tupperware party.
Elly Byrne.
I agree with Elly Byrne there must be no selling, recommending and advertising of products
Marie Standen
Also not keen on this course. Its not what we are all about and definitely a commercial avenue. Cheers, Tony Sherry
I think many people in U3A would be interested in a course on Natural Therapy. I think it would be out of character for products to be on sale
at the lectures. I am unaware of the qualifications of the proposed lecturer. We would need to be convinced of her/his competence.
Kate Litchfield
I think that we should make it clear that selling of products is not allowed and invite the proposed tutor to apply to run a course on Natural
Therapy.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – November 2008
U3A Email Newsletter and ASSCA Newsletter for November 2008
The U3A Email Newsletter was emailed out at the end of October and the ASSCA Newsletter at the beginning of November.
U3A Courses Handbook 2009
2,000 U3A Courses Handbooks have been printed and delivered to the Office. I think that Penrith Art Printing Works have done an excellent job
and that we may use them again in future years.
Ballroom Dancing for U3A Members
A U3A Members Social Dances was held on Saturday 1st of November from 7.30pm to 11.00pm in the Penrith School of Arts Hall. Some U3A members
are becoming more enthusiastic about a Social Dance and we may make it a monthly event, if the Hall is available. Some U3A members would also
like to continue Ballroom Dancing during the holidays. If there is a U3A member willing to take responsibility, some other social
activities (e.g. Canasta 5, Scrabble and Mah Jong etc) may also wish to continue during the holidays.
Food and Nutrition for the Good Life
Roger French from the Natural Health Society of Australia has offered to run a fortnightly course on
Food and Nutrition for the Good Life in Term 1 – see attached application form.
I think that many members may be interested in this course and recommend that we accept his offer. A brief description of the course should be
printed and inserted into the U3A Courses Handbooks before their distribution.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
Curriculum Report – December 2008
U3A Email Newsletter and ASSCA Newsletter for December 2008
The U3A Email Newsletter was emailed out at the end of November and the ASSCA Newsletter at the beginning of December. The ASSCA Newsletter
contained details of a Federal Government initiative to set-up 2,000 free internet kiosks in community centres and clubs used by seniors
throughout Australia – see attached sheet.
The Australian Government has committed $15 million over three years, to provide computer hardware and software, broadband service and training.
The kiosks, which will provide computers, internet connections and training, will be available to both pensioners and self-funded retirees. .
Recent statistics indicate that only one in five Australians over the age of 65 are currently using the Internet and this National Broadband
for Seniors initiative aims at making it easier for seniors to get online.
NEC Australia has won the contract to provide the technology, nationwide network and management for the project. They will do this as part of a
consortium which includes Adult Learning Australia, the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association and U3A Online.
The first stage of the project will be to select appropriate sites within communities to locate the kiosks. NEC is calling on local community
centres, organisations that are currently running computer services for seniors and anyone else that is interested in hosting kiosks, to
register their interest.
On behalf of our U3A, I have registered our interest and have received an acknowledgement of registration. As previously discussed with Reg
Grace, Room 2 in the Penrith School of Arts would be suitable to set-up a small Computer facility.
We now wait and see if we get accepted.
U3A Courses Handbook for 2009
U3A Courses Handbooks for 2009 have been posted to members. Comments received so far have been favourable. However, some tutors have said that
they did not receive a copy. Some members received the Membership Application Form instead of the Membership Re-application Form that has
the registration form for our Computer Courses.
Ballroom Dancing for U3A Members
U3A Members Social Dances were held on Saturday 29th of November and on Saturday 6th of December in the Penrith School of Arts Hall. As only
small numbers attended, starting on 9th January 2009, we will change the time of the Ballroom Dancing classes from 1.00pm - 3.00pm on Fridays
to 7.30pm - 11.00pm on Fridays and provide an hours Ballroom tuition followed by 2.5 hours of Social Dancing.
Line Dancing
Many members want a Line Dancing course. June Malloy recommended that we ask Rosco Hutchison if he knows anyone willing to tutor a course and
Rosco has agreed to ask some of his friends.
Food and Nutrition for the Good Life
We accepted Roger French’s offer to tutor this course and inserted details of the course into the U3A Courses Handbooks for 2009 before their
distribution.
Table Tennis
Kay Barlow has suggested that we introduce Table Tennis to our U3A. I think we could have one or two collapsible Table Tennis Tables at the
Penrith School of Arts. But it would be difficult in other locations, unless we combined our resources with other Community Organisations. I
will ask in the next Email Newsletter if there is any interest in Table Tennis.
Donation to Our Lady of the Nativity Parish at Lawson for use of their room
Lloyd Fell has requested that we make a small donation to Our Lady of the Nativity Parish for use of their room in 2008.
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener
BROADBAND FOR SENIORS
On Thursday 27th November the PC Users Group (ACT) was the venue chosen for the launch of
Broadband for Seniors which will establish up to 2,000 free internet kiosks in community centres
and clubs used by seniors throughout Australia. Jenny Macklin MP - Minister for Families, Housing,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and Annette Ellis MP, Member for Canberra announced
that the Australian Government has committed $15 million over three years, to provide computer
hardware and software, broadband service and training.
The kiosks, which will provide computers, internet connections and training, will be available to both
pensioners and self-funded retirees. Recent statistics indicate that only one in five Australians over
the age of 65 are currently using the Internet and this National Broadband for Seniors initiative aims
at making it easier for seniors to get online.
The choice of the 900 member strong Canberra PCUG which has been an important part of the
Canberra community for 25 years and was the first Internet Service provider in Canberra was an
inspired one for the launch. Canberra PCUG is one of the larger non-profit community groups in
Canberra, and has a motto, "USERS HELPING USERS" that all ASCCA Club members can relate to.
(See more about PC Users Group (ACT) on Page 3 of the Newsletter)
NEC Australia has won the contract to provide the technology, nationwide network and management
for the project. They will do this as part of a consortium which includes Adult Learning Australia,
the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association and U3A Online.
David Cooke, Group Manager, NEC Australia said: “The background research that we have done
suggests that many seniors across Australia who do have access to the internet and online courses
have been able to live fuller and more rewarding lives.”
Adult Learning Australia president, Mr Greg Peart said: "Broadband access will do much to break
down barriers, build human capability, and strengthen our family and community capacity.
Continuing to learn through what broadband internet services can provide is now recognised as not
only a panacea for loneliness but as one means to sustaining a healthy lifestyle."
Nan Bosler, OAM, our ASCCA President said: “It has been shown that older Australians are
disadvantaged if they can’t use a computer and the internet. The Australian Seniors Computer
Clubs Association is thrilled to be a part of the consortium to help to empower seniors through this
valuable Government initiative. Establishment of these kiosks will provide the opportunity for many
more Australian seniors to learn how to use modern communication skills.”
Dr Rick Swindell AM, co-founder of U3A Online said: “It’s great that the government has recognised
the need to get more seniors online. The Internet provides enormous potential for increased social
participation by older people.”
The first stage of the project will be to select appropriate sites
within communities to locate the kiosks. NEC is calling on local
community centres, organisations that are currently running
computer services for seniors and anyone else that is
interested in hosting kiosks, to register their interest, subject to
certain criteria, at the following website:
http://www.necseniors.net.au or via phone: 1300 795 897.
Jenny Macklin MP - Minister for Families, Housing, Community
Services and Indigenous Affairs and Annette Ellis MP, Member for
Canberra with Craig Norton GM Marketing, NECA at the launch.
Curriculum Report – AGM 2008
2008 Courses
We started many new courses in 2008 that will continue in 2009:
German for Beginners
Judaism
Creative Writing
Japanese
Tai Chi – Single Fan
Tai Chi Staff
Gentle Walks
English Classical Music 20th Century
Bonsai
Lapidary
Singing for Fun
Photography – Analog & Digital
Canasta 5
Ballroom Dancing
Architecture at Blackheath
Current Events at Blackheath
Spanish for Beginners at Blackheath
Conversations in French at Blackheath
New Courses for 2009
St John’s Gospel
History of Space Flight
Living Simply in the 21st Century
Exploring the Law
Ageing Gratefully
Applied Maths & Mechanics
Atlas of the Universe
Writing Your Personal History
Ancient Egypt – 6 weeks course
Our Language - English
Italian Theatre in Translation at Blackheath
Solving Cryptic Crosswords at Blackheath
U3A Email Newsletter and ASSCA Newsletter
In 2008, we continued sending out the U3A Email Newsletter and started emailing the Australian Seniors Computing Clubs Association (ASSCA)
Newsletter to all members who have recorded their email addresses. Almost half of our 1,000 members have recorded their email addresses with
U3A.
U3A Social Dances
We have introduced Social Dances for U3A members and their guests in the Penrith School of Arts and we hope to continue them in 2009.
Visits & Presentations in 2008
We had a NRMA Presentation on Driving.
We had visits to: Penrith Law Courts
Penrith Lapidary Club
Alan Lees – Curriculum Convener