U3A Benalla and District Inc.
  • Home
  • Benalla
    • Benalla
    • Benalla District
    • Who, What and Where? - Benalla Rural City
  • About
    • Our U3A
    • President's Page
    • Executive Committee
    • Convenors
    • Courses and Activities - Suggestion Box
    • Newsletter
    • Website
  • Groups
    • Groups A - Z
    • Archived Groups >
      • Booker Reading Group
      • Brain Games
      • Comparative Religion
      • Facebook for Mentors
      • Google Apps/TS Plus
      • History - An Introduction to Western Civilization
      • History - Moments in Australian History
      • Investment I (1996 -2015)
      • Legal Matters (Short Course)
      • Making the Most of the Internet >
        • + Ian's Blog
        • + Links and references
      • Opera
      • 'Over There'
      • Rail and Tourism
      • Tech Savvy Apple Devices - Intermediate
      • Tech Savvy Community Projects
      • Tech Savvy Drop In
      • Travel Group
  • A - B
    • A Different View Of German History
    • 'A Taste of Art'
    • Armchair History
    • Armchair Traveller
    • Art Appreciation
    • 'As Time Goes By' >
      • Home
      • 'Triggers'
    • 'Be Connected'
    • Birdwatching
    • Bushwalking - Easy Walks
    • Bushwalking - Mid-week Walks
  • C - F
    • Chat n' Chew
    • Coin Collectors
    • Collectors
    • Community Singing
    • Creative Writing
    • Demystifying Psychology
    • Exercises for Fun
    • Exploring the Universe
    • Family Research
    • Film as Literature
  • G- N
    • Games
    • Garden Appreciation
    • Garden Team
    • German
    • Investment
    • Let's Talk Books
    • Lifeball
    • Meditation
    • Meet and Mingle
    • Music Appreciation
    • News - Fact or Fiction?
  • P - Z
    • Page Turners
    • Play Reading
    • Patchwork
    • Politics & Current Affairs
    • Recorder Group
    • Singing for Fun
    • Stock and Land
    • Sustainability
    • Tech Savvy Beginners 2021 (Apple)
    • Tech Talks
    • Wine Appreciation
  • Join
    • Join Us
    • 2021 Membership Application/Renewal Form
    • Program Guide 2021
    • Semester 1 Timetable Overview
    • Semester 1 Timetable with Dates
    • Venues and Maps
    • Website & Facebook
  • News
    • News - General
    • January Newsletter
    • Calendar - Covid break
  • FB
  • Gallery
    • Gallery 2020
    • Gallery 2019
    • Gallery 2018
    • Gallery 2017
    • Gallery 2016 >
      • + Christmas Lunch 2016
    • Gallery 2015 >
      • Christmas Lunch 2015
    • Gallery 2014
    • Lifeball Video
  • Links
    • Resources and References
    • U3A Network Victoria
    • Seniors Online Victoria
    • U3A Albury Wodonga
    • U3A Beechworth (Indigo U3A)
    • U3A Bright
    • U3A Wangaratta
    • U3A Goulburn Valley
  • Contact

On being 'Shaped by Childhood'... coming up, 'Faking It'

31/5/2016

 
​Our May topic ‘Shaped by Childhood’ resulted in the sharing of thought provoking stories on how influences such as particular teachers; attending ballet classes and recognition of sporting prowess have shaped our lives. 
 
The topic for the 20th June session, ‘Faking It’, is rather quirky and relates to the saying ‘Fake it till you make it’.  It involves writing about a time when you had to appear more accomplished or at ease with something than you actually felt!   Here is the brief for ‘Faking It’  from the ABC’s 500 words project:  Have you ever inflated your credentials to land a coveted job, told a silly lie to save face in front of a new acquaintance or felt well and truly out of your comfort zone when you tried something new?Perhaps faking it helped you gain the experience or tools necessary to bring about real change, whether you were pretending to the world or just deluding yourself.How did you feel at the time, and how do you feel about it now?  Did your fakery ever get found out?  Did you surprise anyone, even yourself?  Alternative topics include an unpresented topic; a topic from the alternative topics sheet; ‘The Year that Made Me’; or ‘Desert Island discs’ – describe five pieces of music you would like to have with you if you found yourself alone on a desert island and why. 
 
Our next cafe catch up will be on the 6th June from 2.30 to 3.30 pm in the back room of ‘Somewhere’ cafe,  next door to the new Council offices.  Bring along ‘alternative topic’ stories; unshared stories (e.g. if you wrote two versions of one topic); stories from missed sessions; writing of your own you would like to share/discuss.  At our last meeting we agreed that if we find our selected cafe is not open when we arrive, we will meet at Rustick cafe.  

June topic - 'Faking It'

17/5/2016

 
​Monday 20th June 1.30 to 3.30 pm W4

Topic  ‘Faking It’    


Have you ever inflated your credentials to land a coveted job, told a silly lie to save face in front of a new acquaintance, or felt well and truly out of your comfort zone when you tried something new?

Perhaps faking it helped you gain the experience or tools necessary to bring about real change, whether you were pretending to the world or just deluding yourself.

How did you feel at the time, and how do you feel about it now? Did your fakery ever get found out? Did you surprise anyone, even yourself?
 

Alternative 500 word topics -  a topic from the alternative topics sheet; for new workshop members, ‘The Year that Made Me’; or ‘Desert Island discs’ – describe five pieces of music you would like to have with you if you found yourself alone on a desert island and why.

Cafe catchup
– (optional).   Our next catch up will be on the 1st Monday in June (6th June) from 2.30 to 3.30 pm at the cafe next door to the Post Office.  Bring along ‘alternative topic’ stories; unshared stories (eg. if you wrote two versions of one topic); stories from missed sessions; writing of your own you would like to share/discuss. At our last meeting we agreed that if ever we find our selected cafe is not open when we arrive, we will go to Rustik. 

From 'My other life' to 'Shaped by Childhood'...

2/5/2016

 
​Our April ‘ABC Open 500 words’ topic ‘My other life’ resulted in the sharing of fascinating stories of unexpected other lives by a mathematician/knitter; engineer/wood craftsman; mother/Grand Prix motor sport scrutineer; journalist/dumpster diver; nurse/motel manager; teacher/politician; wool classer/Anzac Fellowship holder; mother/ SES operative and natural therapist; book seller/ghost story writer.

Ian spoke of his other life as a story teller, sharing his local second prize winning story of droving a massive movement of cattle from central Victoria to Melbourne cattle markets during wartime.   Pat, a U3A member unable to attend class who loves to write, submitted an intriguing story about her other life as a ‘four leaf clover finder’ directly to ABC Open online.  
 
Next month’s topic is  ‘Shaped by Childhood’        ‘Describe one formative experience from your childhood, and how it helped shape the person you grew up to be. It could be a treasured family ritual, an early friendship, an influential teacher or your first experience of losing a loved one.   Think about an experience that’s influenced you and share it with us.’  Alternative topics are ‘Anzac Day’; a topic from the alternative topics sheet or for new workshop members, ‘The Year that Made Me’. 
 
Our first cafe catchup session will be held on the 2nd May from 2.30 to 3.30 pm at the Benalla Art Gallery cafe.  Bring along ‘alternative topic’ stories; unshared stories (e.g. if you wrote two versions of a topic); stories from missed sessions; or other writing project/s you would like to share and discuss.  
    'Our Stories'

    About  'As Time Goes By' 

    'As Time Goes By' provides an outlet and support for members keen to write about their lives and to tell stories their families may not get around to asking them about.  Writing tasks are reminiscence oriented and set as monthly ‘500 Words’ writing topics.

    'In Isolation'

     While we were 'in isolation' in 2020 monthly topics were  shared as collections on the website.

    ​March: Making Waves
    April:  Winging It/Taking the Plunge
    May:  Anzac Day or Turning Point 
    June:  'I grew up in...'

    July:  'Car Stories' and 'Ideas Piggy Bank'  
    August:  'Right Here, Right Now'
    September 'Out of the Blue'
    ​
    October 'This Life'
    November 'Triggers'
    ​
    December 'One Moment, This Year' - (2020) (due in Feb)

    Meeting Times

    4th Monday 2 - 4 pm
    ​U3A Meeting Room - or during Covid-19, this is the time to emailed stories to Bev to be shared online.

    Contact details

    Convenor
    Beverley Lee
    5762 8171
    ***Master list of  500 word story topics from 2015 to end of 2020!***

    Past topics 

    All
    2018 Topic List
    '23 Words'
    'A Friendship Tested' //
    'A Love Letter To Travel'
    'A Turning Point'
    Australian Writers Centre
    'Car Stories' //
    'Easter'
    'Experiences Of The Unexplained'
    'Fish Out Of Water'
    'For Better For Worse' //
    'Good Vibrations'
    'Grandparents' //
    'Heartbreak'
    'I Broke It'
    'Ideas Piggy Bank'
    'If Only'
    'I Quit!' //
    Life Matters 'Life In 500 Words'
    'Lost And Found' //
    Making Comments
    'Making Waves'
    'My Other Life'
    'One Moment
    'Stand Up Comedy'
    This Year'
    'What Happened In Vegas'

    Links

    'Tips for Writing your 500 word stories'
    Life Matters​ 500 words writing projects

    Australian Writers' Centre

    ​Wheeler Centre

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

Picture
News
​Newsletter
Facebook Page
​
Program Suggestions
U3A Benalla & District Flier 
​Membership Application/Renewal Form 
​
Program Guide 2021
Semester 1 Timetable with Dates 2021
Semester 1 Timetable Month Overview 2021

Developed and maintained by members, this website showcases U3A Benalla & District. 
​Photographs - acknowledgment to U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website;
​Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and
State Library of Victoria