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Enrolment Days
at Lawson on Wednesday 16th January and at Penrith on Friday 18th January were a success with many new members joining and many courses with maximum student numbers. Membership for this year will exceed 1,000.
Congratulations to Janice Poulson, who should be “happy”, having won the mountain bike in the raffle. Janice is a psychologist and teacher who tutors the course “The Art & Science of Happiness’. One of the segments of the course is “The Luck Factor”. Mmm…might be worth taking that course.
Lost Property: A hat was left at Lawson and a pair of spectacles at Penrith School of Arts. They can be retrieved by contacting the Office Tel: 4722 3405.
Yoga Play for Kids
was run on each Tuesday of January at our Penrith School of Arts by our Yoga tutor – Carmen Ceniza. Our U3A Yoga classes will re-start again at 11.30am on 4th March. There are still places available and, if you want to join, contact Carmen 0406 765 012 or lilayoga1@gmail.com
Afternoon Tea for Tutors & Volunteers
With a view to getting to know our tutors and volunteers better, the Committee wish to invite all tutors and volunteers for afternoon tea at the Penrith School of Arts between 2.30pm and 4pm on Saturday 12th April.
Christmas Party Alternative
Because our Christmas Party was poorly attended – possibly because there are so many other commitments at that time of year, the committee wondered if U3A members would prefer to hold a party at the Winter Solstice (Saturday 21st June). If you have any comments or suggestions, please post or email them to the office.
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 has organised 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 and see what it’s all about.
If you would like to attend, please ring and request a registration form from the Office Tel: 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.
Term 1 of 2008 starts on Monday 4th February.
There are several new courses that were arranged after the 2008 Handbook was printed and there are always courses being added or changed - so keep checking out our website.
Philosophy – Plato’s Republic:
Lloyd Reinhardt has postponed this course until later in the year.
Closed Courses
Tutors are unable to take more students for the following courses and in some cases have started waiting lists:
Creative Writing, Kitchen Gardening in Our Third Age, How to Trace Your Ancestry for Beginners, and Spanish for Beginners at Penrith.
Courses Seeking Students
Most courses (except those listed above) can take additional students – check with the tutors. However, the following courses need additional students to make them really viable:
Tai Chi – Single Fan, The Fundamentals of Financial Statements, many Computer Courses, First Aid for Seniors and Introductory Photography.
A View of Mathematics (at Blackheath)
This mathematics course will start at Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre in Term 2 on Monday 28th April at 10.15am to 11.45am and will be conducted by Ron Andrews a retired Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at Macquarie University.
The course will contain a collection of topics designed to create an interest in mathematics, achieve understanding and success, and to instill enough confidence to enable participants to help others. Topics will range from basic algebra and coordinate geometry to an introduction to calculus. No prior knowledge is assumed.
The course may be compared to a car trip exploring a foreign country Mathland. We shall travel around the country, sightseeing, briefly stopping at places of interest. On occasions we shall spend time at some of the more important towns and cities, taking guided tours of the recommended attractions. When the opportunity presents itself we will treat ourselves by visiting some of the local amusements. We will acquire some of the language of the country. We will always travel at a leisurely pace, hopefully leaving no one behind on the way.
If you are interested in joining this course, contact Ron: Tel 4753 6114 or rand2774@bigpond.com .
Singing
If you wish to join an U3A Choir (you do not have to be a good singer – just enjoy singing), contact Marie Stewart Tel: 9832 7190 or mar-stew@bigpond.net.au .
Dancing
We have had several enquires about Dance classes. Is there anyone who can teach dancing – Ballroom, Rock & Roll or Line Dancing?
Introduction to Lapidary
The Blaxland Gem and Mineral Club Inc (that is situated in The Valley Road, Valley Heights) will run an “Introduction to Lapidary” course for U3A members in Term 1. The course will start on Thursday 7th February. If you are interested in taking this course please contact Michael Wilde Tel: 4754 1436.
Walking in February
We have three Walking Groups now. Even if you have not enrolled with a Group, as a U3A member you can still join any walk - just turn up at the starting place (or check with the coordinator, if you wish). You can also change from one group to another each week, if you wish. Details of all Walks for Term 1 are shown on the website. You can see them by clicking HERE.
Debating Club
Mike Boyle is still recruiting. If you are interested in joining the U3A Debating Club, Contact Mike Boyle 4751 4229 or mwboyle@optusnet.co.au
Vacancies on the Committee
The two positions of Vice-President – Blue Mountains, and Social Secretary are vacant. Any member wishing to apply for these positions, should advise the office or a member of the Committee.
The next Committee Meeting will be at 1.30pm on Tuesday 12th February 2008 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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