Newsletter, July 2008

Events

Debating Club

The following email is from Mike Boyle:

“The times they are a’changin” was enthusiastically debated by six intrepid devotees of the noble art of verbal conflict in front of an appreciative audience well in excess of a dozen cheerers and jeerers (and one dog) on the Saturday afternoon of 31^st. May.

The end result was somewhat inconclusive as to which side actually won, and the consensus feeling was that  - “The times certainly are changing, but the more they change, they seem to stay much the same!”  (The dog’s vote eventually won the day, and that was a bone of contention!)

The debate was followed by a discussion session and then an enjoyable afternoon tea.

It was agreed that contact should be made with the U3A Sydney –Greater Western group and the Toast Masters Club to see if they would be interested in furthering the concept of ongoing debates, and both organizations have expressed their interest.

Discussions are now underway, and hopefully we may be able to announce an expanded debating competition shortly.  In the mean time it is important that we maintain a viable debating presence within our own U3A group, and to this end we are still looking to hear from for more people who may be interested in having an involvement in debating, as - an active debater, a strategist working in the background developing arguments and defenses, or as an audience.  Each category of supporter is vitally important to the development of a strong debating club.

Hopefully the next local debate will be announced shortly, and you will be advised of when and where.  If you think you may be interested in being involved, please don’t be shy in coming forward.

In the meantime, if anyone is interested in being involved in this exciting new expansion of the U3A activities (or in local debates), please contact Mike Boyle on 47514229 or email him on mwboyle@optusnet.com.au.  We need more people to keep the program viable.

Mike Boyle

NRMA Presentation on Driving

Frank Higgins on behalf of the NRMA, gave a very informative one hour presentation about Driving on Wednesday, 4^th 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, 36 members attended. If you missed out and are interested, Frank will be giving another presentation at the Penrith Seniors Centre, 86 Station St, Penrith at 10.30am to 11.30am on Wednesday 23^rd July 2008. Any Senior (50 years young and over) will be most welcome.

U3A Taken to Court

Brian Kearney, who tutors the Outline of Criminology course, took some members of his class on a tour of Penrith Law Courts on Friday 13^th June. We sat in on three cases in the District Court. It was interesting to see how the Courts function. Unfortunately, I think we all came away somewhat disillusioned and under-impressed with the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. But, perhaps they were just having a bad day – It was Friday the 13^th.

Education Expo at Rosehill Racecourse

Email from Tony Bayes about the Education Expo on Saturday and Sunday 14^th & 15^th June 2008:

“We have again participated in the annual Education Expo at Rosehill, over the weekend of 14th and 15th June, we were able to gain the assistance of the Sydney U3A. This we believe will be of great benefit to both of our chapters, as the more exposure we can gain the greater the number of prospective new members we can talk to. A significant amount of interest was generated in the U3A movement, although it was still surprising how many people were unaware of U3A. Don't forget to tell your friends and neighbours about us”.

U3A Excursion - Wednesday 10th September, 2008

Our U3A Committee has organised a combined bus trip and river cruise for our members and their families and friends. Maximum cost will be $50.00 per person. It may be slightly less, depending on numbers.

The bus will pick up passengers from Panthers at 8.45am and the northern side of the Penrith railway station at 9.00am.

The bus will travel to Glenorie for a visit to Balanced Essentials Aromatherapy, welcomed on arrival by your host with a terrific spread for morning tea. Then enjoy a presentation and information session on aromatherapy – try the products and you can purchase them at discounted prices.

We then travel into Wisemans Ferry to be welcomed aboard Leisure Lass Cruises for a two hour luncheon cruise. Sit back and be transported back in time with an historical commentary, hear the River Trade stories and of the local lifestyle, in fully air conditioned comfort with a fully licensed bar, panoramic windows and a delightfully experienced crew. Returning to Wisemans Ferry and our waiting coach, we then pay a visit to the Ferry Gallery and Visitors Information Centre, before rejoining our waiting coach for the leisurely journey home.

The trip includes air conditioned coach travel, morning tea, and Balanced Essentials presentation, two hour cruise. Lunch menu – roast chicken, salads, bread rolls, dessert, tea/coffee.

This trip is now fully booked. But you can ring the Office on 4722 3505 and put your name down on the Stand-by List.

Annual General Meeting at 2.00pm on Saturday 8^th November 2008 – Please note change of date

We have arranged for our Annual General Meeting to be held at the Mid Mountains Community Centre, New & Staple Sts, Lawson. We are holding the AGM in the Mountains this year hoping that our Blue Mountains’ members will be encouraged to attend. But we hope that there will be a good turn out of members from all areas.

If you wish to nominate for a Committee position, please advise our Secretary – Brenda Emerson - at least two weeks prior to the Meeting.

General Information

Committee News
 

U3A Handbook for 2009 - Photographic Competition

We would like a photograph to put on the cover of our U3A Handbook for 2009. The photograph can be of any topic but it must be able to be printed in black & white.

Please send your photographs – you can send as many as you want - to the Office, Attention Petr Malek. Petr, who is our Photography Tutor, will judge the best photograph for the cover of our U3A Handbook for 2009 and the winner will receive a one-year subscription to our U3A. What a magnificent Prize!

The competition closes at 2.00pm Friday 5^th September, 2008.

Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association – ASCCA

Similar to several other U3As, our U3A has joined ASCCA. As a member of ASCCA, there are a number of benefits for our U3A and our members:

• Access to training materials and software;

• Discounts on products, events and workshops;

• Annual competitions e.g. Digital Photography and Short Story Competitions;

• Exchange of ideas between clubs. There are 130 ASCCA clubs in Australia. 7 of these clubs are U3As;

• A monthly ASSCA email newsletter with computer tips and information on grants and government initiatives; and

• Additional publicity for our U3A and the 2010 NSW U3A Conference.

• The ASSCA website is www.ascca.org.au Check it out – there may be something in there that interests you. How about entering the Digital Photography and/or Short Story Competitions.

Treasurer’s Report

Our Treasurer – Linda Sinclair – reported that we should make a significant profit this year. In previous years, we have made very small profits and sometimes loses. Linda said that the improvement in our financial position was achieved mainly due to:

• Increased membership through increased publicity;

• A Grant for a new photocopier that allowed us to replace a very expensive old one; and

• Reduction in Postage costs because many members have agreed to receive their Term Newsletters by email. We only use one email address book now so, if you agree to receive our quarterly Term Newsletter by email, you will also receive our monthly Email Newsletter and the monthly ASCCA newsletter by email.

Newsletters

The closing date for submissions to the monthly Email Newsletter is one week before the end of each month. However, if you miss the date, your submission will go in the following month’s newsletter – if I remember. Submissions should be sent to the Office – Attention Curriculum Convener or preferably emailed to alanlees@y7mail.com

The closing date for submissions to the Term 4 Newsletter is Friday 5^th September 2008. Submissions should be sent to the Office – Attention Newsletter Editor or emailed to u3anews@bigpond.com

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