U3A Benalla and District Inc.
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September - 'Bucket List' and 'It's Never Too Late'

26/9/2022

 
Our icebreaker activity this month built on a chapter in Martin Amis’s memoir ‘Experience’ relating to the slice of life ‘experiences with teeth’! Members were asked to talk in pairs about a ‘slice of their life’ relating to ‘teeth’—while faces appeared quite unimpressed when given the topic, the room was soon resonant with a quiet buzz of memory sharing; with moving recollections of ‘experiences with teeth’ later shared by each of our two ‘Heathers’. 

The topic “Bucket List” proved popular, with nine stories shared and now available on the website.  Few told of a catch-all ‘bucket list’, however most explored goals, dreams, places and aspirations which have been achieved, some highlighting those which remain to be achieved.  Carmyl wrote of not having had a bucket list, “I can only think that, for me, I lived the life that came along”, while Graham titled his beautifully written contribution ‘There’s a hole in my bucket list, dear Liza’.

Barry’s ‘It’s Never Too Late’ story was triggered by watching the Australian comedy ‘Never Too Late’ while in covid isolation in Perth a few months ago, while Graeme shared two ‘It’s never too late-two vignettes’, one on missing a train that was four hours late, the other about an aunt who proved it’s never too get late to get a PhD when she was 81. 
 
Bev’s catch-up story, ‘No One Left in Limbo’, was triggered by a photograph of a community ‘social causes’ banner containing the letter M she created for the versatile Daylesford Community Banner in 1982. 

Inspired by the Australian’s Weekend Review column which publishes original submissions of 450-500 words, ‘This (….) Life’ is one of our topics for October.  The Brief:  “Create and develop a concept for a story drawing on something which is happening now or reflects on memories from the past”, for example,  ‘This (Downsizing) Life’ by an 80+ year old about planning to farewell loved home; ‘This (Number 8) Life’ about growing up as ‘Number 8’ in a family of nine children.  Stories ‘This (Adventurous) Life’ and ‘This (… Fear of Heights) Life’ are among those written last year and available on the website. 

Once the Benalla Festival’s Writing Competition details have been released – usually around 8 October – I’ll email everyone the details of the second topic for October.  You may also decide to enter the Competition!
​
Beverley Lee

Icebreaker - 1961 - what did Australians travelling to England expect to find?

26/9/2022

 

What sort of thing did Australians expect to find in England? □#OnThisDay 1961: Alan Whicker interviewed some Aussies just before they set sail from Melbourne to Essex. pic.twitter.com/GdgXJOSqwN

— BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) August 27, 2022
    Our Stories
    Our Stories - by Topic

    'As Time Goes By' - Memoir Writing

    A memoir captures a meaningful slice of life—a memory, a lesson, or an experience that stands out.

    In our sessions, members come together to share short, reflective stories (up to 500 words) inspired by a new theme each month.

    As Time Goes By is not a writing skills class, nor is it about creating a full autobiography.

    ​It’s a space for those who want to record the stories that future generations might never think to ask about—a place to remember and share treasured moments in a welcoming, supportive environment with others who are also telling their stories.

    Convenor & Contact details

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    Beverley Lee
    0478 607 838
    Thank you to our outgoing Newsletter Correspondent - Graham Jensen ...
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    "Thank you Graham for writing such wonderful reports of our sessions over the past two years!"

    Meeting Times

    3rd Monday 2 - 4 pm
    ​U3A Meeting Room

    Resources

    2025 ATGB - Course Introduction
    'As Time Goes By' Topic List for 2025 
    'Tips for Writing your 500 Words Story' (ABC Open)  
    Writing a story in 500 words - approaching the topics 'Failure'  and 'Heart Break'    (ABC Open)
    Memoir Review - Frameworks for Analysis
    Master list of  500 word story topics from 2015 to end of 2020
    Icebreakers - List from inception in 2021 to end 2023 (PDF)

    Links

    Australian Writers' Centre

    Victorian Writers' Centre - Writers' Victoria

    ​Wheeler Centre

    The Memoir Writing Club - On Line Courses

    Past topics 

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    2018 Topic List
    '23 Words'
    'A Friendship Tested' //
    'AI'
    'A Love Letter To Travel'
    'As Time Goes By'
    'A Turning Point'
    Australian Writers Centre
    'Car Stories' //
    ChatGPT
    Course Description
    'Easter'
    'Experiences Of The Unexplained'
    'Fish Out Of Water'
    'For Better For Worse' //
    'Good Vibrations'
    'Grandparents' //
    'Heartbreak'
    'Home Libraries'
    'I Broke It'
    'Ideas Piggy Bank'
    'If Only'
    'I Quit!' //
    Life Matters 'Life In 500 Words'
    'Lost And Found' //
    Making Comments
    'Making Waves'
    'My Gap Year'
    'My (Life Event)'
    'My Other Life'
    'New In Town'
    'One Moment
    Orientation To ATGB
    Right Here
    Right Now
    'Stand Up Comedy'
    'The (Season) I ...'
    This ... Life
    This Year'
    'What Happened In Vegas'

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    '1945'
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
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U3A Benalla & District Flier 2025
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Semester 1 Program Guide 2025
Semester 1 Timetable with Dates 2025
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​Photographs - U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website; ​Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and State Library of Victoria
Photo from foundin_a_attic