Newsletter, May 2008

Events

Afternoon Tea for Tutors & Volunteers
The Committee invited all tutors and volunteers for afternoon tea at the Penrith School of Arts on Saturday 12th April. Brenda Emerson catered for the 60 that had accepted the invitation. But we had some last minute cancellations because of the school holidays. About 40 tutors and volunteers attended – so there were heaps of sandwiches, cakes and fruit. Hedi Roggeveen – Vice-President – welcomed us to the afternoon tea and thanked all the tutors and volunteers for their work. She also gave an impassioned plea for members to join or support the newly formed Debating Club. Even if you do not want to do any talking, you can help by doing research for the topics or even by being part of the audience. If interested, please contact Mike Boyle on 4751 4229 or mwboyle@optusnet.co.au.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea 11.30am on Thursday 22 May 2008 at Penrith School of Arts
After last year’s Biggest Morning Tea success it’s on again. Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea helps the fight against Cancer. The money raised will aid education programmes, research and support services for individuals diagnosed with cancer and their families. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer so please bring your friends, a small plate of food and a donation. Tea and coffee will be provided.

NRMA Presentation on Driving – 11.00am on Wednesday, 4th June 2008 at Penrith School of Arts
Frank Higgins will give a one hour presentation about Driving on behalf of the NRMA. The topics covered are: 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.
Everyone is welcome including non-members – so bring your friends - and tea and coffee will be provided.

Education Expo – Rosehill Racecourse
To be held on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 2008 at the Exhibition Centre, Rosehill, Sydney, from 9am to 4pm daily. U3A will have an information exhibit at this Expo and we are seeking volunteers to assist in manning the stall on either of these days.

Access is easy and there is a café and plenty of room to move and park. There is unlimited free parking. The M4 motorway is close by and Rosehill has its own railway station.
EVERYTHING EDUCATIONAL will be on show including educational institutions, learning resources, education services, careers, apprenticeships, new products, government agencies and education specialists. In addition to hundreds of booths there are e-learning demonstrations, try-a-trade, non-stop stage performances, free canteen samples, a chess challenge and mind games.  Public entry and parking are free.
You will find U3A at Site Number H03

Trains to Rosehill Station You can catch a train right to Rosehill.
Change trains at Parramatta for Clyde (three stops past Parramatta)
Change trains at Clyde for the Carlingford line
Trains arrive at Rosehill from Clyde at 9.55am, 10.55am, 11.55am, 12.55pm etc.
Trains depart Rosehill to Clyde at 10.22am, 11.22am, 12.22pm etc. NOTE – Trains arrive and depart from Platform 2 (the Exhibition side platform)
Entry is FREE!   Parking is FREE!   The Expo programme is FREE!   All Expo activities are FREE!
If you can assist in manning the U3A stand on either of these days, please leave your name and phone number with the office on 4722 3405 or with Anthony Bayes on 4739 2661.

2010 U3A NSW State Conference
We are still looking for a suitable venue in the Nepean District or Blue Mountains to hold the conference as our initial venue was a lot more expensive than we anticipated. We are also seeking ideas on how to entertain and enlighten our guests, with workshops and vibrant guest speakers etc. We have been given

New Courses

Starting in Term 2 of 2008: You can still join any of these classes. But, to be absolutely sure, please contact the tutor.

A View of Mathematics
Blackheath Community Centre, commencing Monday, April 28, 10.15am to 11.45am with Ron Andrews tel: 4753 6114 or rand2774@bigpond.com.
Ron is 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 unraveling the mysteries of calculus; we will also have fun with numbers along the way. 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.

Japanese for Beginners
Commences Monday, April 28 at Leura from 10.30am to 12 noon with Beryl McAdam tel:4784 1877 or bcmcad@tadaust.org.au
Yokoso – Welcome to those who enjoy the challenge of something different. Useful vocabulary for travel. Notebook and pens needed, photocopies supplied at minimal cost.

Undertaking a Building Project
Penrith School of Arts from 11.30am to 1.00pm commencing Monday, April 28 with Michael Boyle tel: 4751 4229 or mwboyle@optusnet.com.au
This course will interest people who are about to undertake building or renovating. It includes the basic essential steps for successful ‘project management’ of the building, including some background on contracts.

What is Good Design?
Penrith School of Arts, Monday April 28 from 2.00pm to 3.00pm with Michael Boyle tel: 4751 4229 mwboyle@optusnet.com.au
‘What Constitutes good Design?’ Participants will discuss and debate their views of the design elements of various items, selected mainly by group members. The influence on design of culture, history, fashion and economy will all be considered within the workshop process. No previous experience or knowledge is required other than an inquisitive mind and the ability to enjoy active discussion and good-natured constructive debate.

Developing a Culture of Dialogue
Friday 2nd May at Our Lady of the Nativity Parish Meeting Room, Lawson at 10.00am to 11.30am with Phill Hill tel: 4739 4810 or j_phill@bigpond.net.au
Practicing ‘Dialogue’ leads to open sharing of ideas in small groups. The aim of this short course is to find procedures and principles that will give people ‘space’ to talk and especially to overcome ingrained habits and convictions; to become aware of competitive systems that promote ‘defend and attack’ rather than seek ‘common ground and compassion’. David Bohm pioneered such work in this area to create a ‘Dialogue Culture’ that leads towards a climate of intellectual and compassionate empowering, sharing and co-creation of ideas.

Philosophy
Friday, May 2, Penrith School of Arts from 9.30am to 10.30am or 11.00am to 12 noon with Hedi Roggeveen tel:4731 2978.
An interactive class. We explore the history and value of ideas and their relevance today. Recent philosophers will also be included eg. Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, John Stuart Mill and others.

The Fundamentals of Financial Statements
Monday 5th May at Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre from 9.30am to 12.30pm with Robert Coombs tel: 4787 8162 or robertcoombes1@gmail.com

Information on Other Courses

Yoga
The start time of the Yoga class at the Penrith School of Arts on Tuesdays has been moved back to its original time of 11.30am.

Energy at Springwood Neighbourhood
Alain Plaine-Lepine has cancelled his Term 2 course due to the small number of students.

Lapidary
Last term Blaxland Gem and Mineral Club provided a one term course in Lapidary for our members at their Club house at Valley Heights. Ruth Todd very much enjoyed the course and advises that the club will offer a similar course in the first term of next year.
Nepean District Lapidary Club has also offered to run a course for our members at their Club house in Penrith at any mutually agreed time. They not only give instruction in Lapidary but also Silver work, Jewellery making, Casting and Fossicking. There would be a small additional fee of about $3 per class to cover equipment and material costs. If anyone is interested in taking a course at the Nepean District Lapidary Club, please contact Alan Lees tel: 4736 5541 or u3acurriculum@yahoo.com.au

Bonsai
Jim Tiberi has offered to run a Bonsai course at the Penrith School of Arts on Wednesday mornings. Jim said: “The bonsai lessons will be designed to be an enjoyable, hands-on experience.  
You will learn to appreciate the methods, styles and care of your bonsai. At the end of the course you will have bonsai plants that you will be able to care for and love for a long….long…time.”
Anyone interested in taking the Bonsai course should contact: Jim Tiberi  tel: 4735 1981 or jtiberi@optusnet.com.au

Tai Chi - Xing-Yi Staff
Tutor: Christie Wood – tel: 4735 2827 or crispeny@bigpond.com.au
I am thinking of teaching the Xing-Yi Staff in term 3.  If it starts, it will be for one hour either on a Tuesday at 1pm or on Friday at 1pm.
Those who are interested please let me know during this second term and we will see which afternoon it can be, but it can only be one or the other. 
It would only interest those that have learnt Tai Chi before or those that have the basics of Tai Chi.  It is very good for toning the body, perfecting your balance and co-ordination and once learnt it is your own Gym work-out for life and, in the process, you can have lots of fun learning the four sections of the form.
We will be doing it in the park beside Penrith’s Judges Car Park entrance which has the police youth centre behind it and it will only be on if it is not raining or too windy.  You can buy a cane stick from Bunnings for $2.50 and just cut off a slopey end.  The staff should be level with your eye brows when you are standing.

General Information

Auction
Thanks to the generosity of one of our U3A members, Helmut Ullrich, we have a number of items that we can offer for auction to our members. The starting bid price for any item is $10.00 and all bids MUST be recorded through the U3A office on 4722 3405 or by Email on u3anepoff@pnc.com.au.
All proceeds will be put towards the 2010 State Conference Fund. We are responsible for hosting the 2010 U3A State Conference in the Nepean - Blue Mountains Region.
You can make as many bids as you like for the item or items of your choice, with the highest bid being the winner. You can make a single bid or place a maximum bid if you do not want to keep phoning up for progress of your bid. Your bid will be $1 higher than the next bid up to your nominated maximum bid.

Very few bids have been recorded and bidding will close on Friday 16 May 2008 at close of business (2pm) and the person with the highest bid will win the item(s) selected.   The decision of the Management Committee will be final in determining the winning bidder.

Walking with a Touch of History in May:
Details of all Walks for Terms 1 & 2 are shown on the website. U3A Members can join any Walking Group. But Group A is for “Strong walkers”, Group B is for “Medium walkers” and Group C is for “Gentle walkers”.
Details of the walks can be found by clicking HERE.

Committee News

Old Maps
In a cupboard at the Penrith School of Arts, we have found some old maps of the World, Australia and NSW that were probably hung on a school wall back in the 1960’s. If anyone can give them a good home, please contact the Office.

The next Committee Meeting will be at 1.30pm on Tuesday 13th May 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