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Visit to NSW State Parliament on Wednesday 14th November
Karyn Paluzzano (State Member for Penrith) and her Personal Assistant gave 16 of our U3A group morning tea in the gardens of State Parliament House. They told us the history of the Parliament and took us for a tour of the two Houses of Parliament, the Members’ offices (including Karyn’s own little office), the roof garden, library and dining rooms. It was a very informative and enjoyable day for which we thank Karyn Paluzzano. We also thank Brenda Emerson (our U3A Office Manager) for her part in organising the tour.
Community Forum on Ageing at Penrith City Council – 11am to 1pm on Monday 10th December
Karyn Paluzzano has invited U3A members to a Community Forum. “This will be an opportunity for community members to put forward their ideas about what could be done in the future to meet the challenges and opportunities of population ageing. Discussion will focus on the Ageing 2030 themes of Prevention and Early Intervention, including ageing well and maintaining independence; Livable Homes and Communities, and Economic and Social Engagement”.
To register, please contact Karyn Paluzzano’s office on 4722 8660 or email Penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au as numbers are limited. More information about Ageing 2030 can be found at www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au
U3A Christmas Party
Our U3A Christmas Party will be held between 1pm and 5pm on Saturday 15th December at the Penrith School of Arts, 3 Castlereagh St., Penrith. Come whenever you can (better early than late) to join in some Christmas Cheer during the afternoon. No charge. Just bring yourself (and a partner, your own or someone else’s, if you wish), a happy smile and a plate. For any new migrants, this means bring a plate with FOOD ON IT. I remember my first invitation to an Aussie party in 1970 and being told to “bring a plate”. I thought the hosts must be short of plates. It never occurred to me that I was supposed to bring a plate with FOOD ON IT. You are only allowed to make that mistake once.
End of Term 4 and U3A Office
End of Term 4 and U3A Office closes on Friday 14th December until Term 1 of 2008 starts on Monday 4th February 2008. Even the telephone answering machine will be turned off during the holidays so please do not try to leave messages. But why not pay your membership fee $30 for 2008 before the Office closes on Friday 14th December and save standing in a queue on Enrolment day. You can pay at the Office or by post. But you do need to complete and sign a Membership Application Form. Membership Application Forms are available from the Office, our website and 2008 Handbook. If you do not have your 2008 Handbook now, it should be delivered by post before 7th December.
Ancient Egypt – the 18th Dynasty
A special 2 week course will start at 10am to 12noon on Friday 7th December in the Penrith School of Arts. On Friday 7th December, Lucy Bantermalis will give a talk for 90 minutes with a break in the middle. On Friday 14th December, Lucy will give those interested, a two hour tour of the museum at Sydney University with a hands-on session of Ancient Egyptian artifacts.
For more details, contact Lucy on 0414 914 463 or just turn up at 10am on Friday 7th December at the Penrith School of Arts.
U3A NSW State Conference 2008
All members of our branch of U3A are invited to attend the U3A NSW State Conference 2008 to be held at the Warilla Bowling Club, Warilla NSW on Tuesday 11 March, 2008.
The day will commence at 9.00am with a welcome by the Minister for Ageing. The Keynote speaker for the morning from 9.30 - 10.30am will be Dr Barry Jones AO. Then there will be a break for morning tea between 10.30 - 11.00am. A workshop follows between 11.00 - 12.00, and a further choice of two workshops. Lunch will follow from 12.30 - 1.30pm. The speaker for the afternoon will be Peter Treseder AM between 1.30 - 2.30pm. Afternoon tea will follow.
The committee is organising a bus for those members who would like to attend the 1st day of the conference. Registration fees, lunch and bus travel will cost $50.00 per person.
If you would like to attend, the registration fee of $28.00 must be paid before registrations close on 15 February, 2008. The balance of the $50.00 ($22.00 for bus and lunch) must be paid a week before the day of attendance.
In the year 2010, we will be holding the U3A NSW State Conference here in Penrith. Come along next year and see what it’s all about. Please ring and request a registration form from the office as soon as possible on 4722 3405.
Additional information is available on www.nsw.u3anet.org.au and for any further queries, please contact Brenda on 4721 1735 or brendae@tpg.com.au.
Walking with a Touch of History – in December:
Group "A" will be co-ordinated by John Massar 042-479-4450 – but telephone only between 4.00 and 7.00 pm, please.
Group "B" will be co-ordinated by Reg Grace 4739-4843 and Yvonne Hardiman 9670-3649.
The full program for these groups appears elsewhere on this web page. CLICK HERE to read it.
The Daily Schedule of Classes is now on our website www.u3anepean.org. The website shows several changes and new courses that were arranged after the 2008 Handbook was printed.
Changes:
Japanese for Beginners will now start at Leura on Monday 28th April at 10.30am to 12 noon.
Yoga will now start at Penrith on Tuesday 28th March at 11.30am to 12.30pm.
New Courses – additional details are shown on the website:
Running a Volunteer Organisation will start at Blackheath on Wednesday 30th April at 9.30am to 10.30am;
Growing up about America will start at Blackheath on Wednesday 30th April at 2pm to 5pm;
Introductory Photography will start at the Henry Lawson Club, Werrington on Thursday 7th February at 1.00pm to 4.00pm;
Conversations in French will start at Blackheath on Thursday 7th February at 1.00pm to 4.00pm;
Spanish for Beginners will start at Blackheath on Friday at 2.00pm to 3.00pm.
Future Courses at Blackheath that are still being arranged:
The Fundamentals of Financial Statements; Digital Photography; Latin and possibly others.
Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre (BANC)
If you are interested in attending U3A courses at BANC in 2008, please (if you can) register your name at BANC in Gardiner Crescent, Blackheath Tel: 4787 7770. Please note that BANC will be closed for 3 weeks over the Christmas period.
Introduction to Lapidary Course
The Blaxland Gem and Mineral Club Inc (that is situated in The Valley Road, Valley Heights) has offered to run an Introduction to Lapidary course for U3A members in Term 1 of 2008. Participants will be provided with an overview of minerals and rocks, their characteristics, how they are formed and where they can be found in Australia.
Demonstrations will show how to cut, shape, polish and facet stones and all participants will be given a piece of stone and shown how to make a cabochon; a stage at which it could be used in a piece of jewellery.
Because the club’s workshop consists of various pieces of cutting, grinding and polishing machinery, an $18 fee will be charged to cover the club’s membership and insurance.
If you are interested in taking this course please advise Alan Lees u3acurriculum@yahoo.com.au or the Office.
Email from Marie Kocek – Marie is one of our founding members
Marie Kocek is my name, Membership No 23. I am in Jim Tulip’s class at: Lawson Fire Brigade Hall. Despite rumours that it will be demolished it is not in the near future. My information from a Brigade member is not before seven years or so. Anyway whenever the time comes you will be given plenty of warning.
Email from Beryl MacAdam
I have some bad news -I am due to have a hip operation (third time) on Jan 18th so will not be able to start the Japanese class until about March. Maybe it would be better to start in second term? Anyway I hope to be at the enrolment in Lawson on Jan 16th when I can speak to anyone interested, and take their phone numbers.
Email from Dave Evans:
U3A chess tutor, Ken MacGillivray, notched up another victory in November when he won his grade of the Rooty Hill Chess Club Championship. One of the biggest chess clubs in Sydney, Rooty Hill always draws strong fields for this annual tournament, and this year was no exception with Ken's division being hotly contested. Going into the final round, Ken shared the lead with two other players on 4.5 points from 6 games played but he outplayed one of them on Board 1 while his other rival was defeated on Board 2. Congratulations, Ken.
Ken invited me to sit in on one of his classes last year and I really appreciated his teaching technique. He began by playing through and explaining the moves from a famous grandmaster game before pairing people off to play each other, giving instruction where it was needed. If you would like to learn the game, or improve your technique, Ken's class meets at the School of Arts every Friday afternoon at 1.30.
Email from Mike Boyle:
Unfortunately only one member has contacted me about the Debating Club, and is very interested, both in debating and helping in organising. Unfortunately she has been called away interstate due to family problems. I am awaiting her return.
It is difficult to make any arrangements until there is some indication of interest and possible tentative numbers. I hope that at the registration days, I may be able to attract some interest, and to that end I am thinking about advertising handouts that I could supply to interested members.
I had thought it may be appropriate to lodge an advertisement in the local papers. This would increase awareness generally of the U3A activities, and may also attract additional members. I submit that as a suggestion that may be considered.
I am preparing a list of activities and a programme to be put in place, assuming that there is a future response from the registration days.
I will keep you informed.
So Come on you debaters. Contact Mike Boyle 4751 4229 or mwboyle@optusnet.co.au and let’s get this Debating Club going.
Email from Elly Byrne:
Conquer Your Computer only $19.95 – http://www.getmega.com/megamall.php
This is the only computer book I ever recommend. It is not too expensive $19.95. It can be bought over the internet or in a bookstore.
2008 Handbook, End of Year Newsletter, and Membership Application Form
Many members were involved in the preparation and distribution of these documents. Helen Mayhew was responsible for preparing the contents and arranging the printing of the Handbook. Tony Bayes produced the Newsletters and Membership Application Forms and (with the assistance of our Office Manager, Brenda and several volunteers) collated, folded, inserted into envelopes and distributed or posted nearly 800 copies. A BIG job, well done!
U3A Conference 2010
The nucleus of our sub-committee to plan our U3A Conference 2010 will be set-up at our Committee Meeting at 1.30pm on Tuesday 11th December 2007 at the Penrith School of Arts. If you are interested in being on this sub-committee or even assisting the sub-committee, please advise the Office or Brenda on 4721 1735 or brendae@tpg.com.au.
The next Committee Meeting will be at 1.30pm on Tuesday 11th December 2007 at the Penrith School of Arts.
Disclaimer – Articles contributed to this Newsletter and published as a service to members; do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of this association. Articles are intended as opinions and items of debate only and should not be acted on without expert advice
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