Bev’s recount of how a backyard incinerator consumed a cherished set of university lecture notes led us again into a fascinating and engaging labyrinth of memories, reflections and nostalgia.
With a death-defying leap across windowsills in Earl’s Court, Neville’s life would be changed forever while, on the continent, Delfina’s 1969 gap year, with peak experiences delightfully catalogued for us, nurtured her emergent respect for history and for storytellers.
Lost and never found was John’s beloved ‘4 on the floor’ HR Holden. Gleaming white with black panels! We shared John’s anguish as he discovered it stolen from a prime parking site in Melbourne.
Told that an album of precious photos and documents had been destroyed, twenty-five years later Barry was delighted to realise, ‘that which had been thought lost’, was in fact intact and returned to him.
Immediately identifiable, if not from actual experience, certainly through imagined fear, was Heather’s experience of losing a three-year-old toddler in a large shopping center. Found in the gardening section, this young nephew brought relief and horror as he revealed himself covered in soil and the plants of his choosing.
‘A paean to the sixties’ was in fact a nostalgic lament to an age that is Delfina’s ‘light on the hill’. Can a siren call us again to a kinder and more tolerant Australia? Where might Delfina find hope? Ray brought us home to the kindness and care that he found in Benalla. Special relationships for him are the key to a happy life.
Phil’s return to Lady Northcote’s Children’s Farm, with a much older former resident who is also a member of Benalla U3A, was an unexpected yet enjoyed revisiting which Phil would otherwise not have sought.
Aceh in 1961, Carmyl was introduced to a very different lifestyle and diet. Rising to the challenges she and Don embraced a new language, a new diet and new friends. These experiences would infuse a life of community service. Finally, Max returned us to Victoria and good days with good friends.
As we have explored and shared our life stories within the ATGB, we have been gifted opportunities for remembering, healing and reconciliation. Thank you, Bev!
The details of our September topics – ‘Relationships’ and ‘Someone Who Shaped Me’ - are available below, in the topic guide and will be included in the reminder email for our next session on Monday September 16 at 2pm.
Graham Jensen
With a death-defying leap across windowsills in Earl’s Court, Neville’s life would be changed forever while, on the continent, Delfina’s 1969 gap year, with peak experiences delightfully catalogued for us, nurtured her emergent respect for history and for storytellers.
Lost and never found was John’s beloved ‘4 on the floor’ HR Holden. Gleaming white with black panels! We shared John’s anguish as he discovered it stolen from a prime parking site in Melbourne.
Told that an album of precious photos and documents had been destroyed, twenty-five years later Barry was delighted to realise, ‘that which had been thought lost’, was in fact intact and returned to him.
Immediately identifiable, if not from actual experience, certainly through imagined fear, was Heather’s experience of losing a three-year-old toddler in a large shopping center. Found in the gardening section, this young nephew brought relief and horror as he revealed himself covered in soil and the plants of his choosing.
‘A paean to the sixties’ was in fact a nostalgic lament to an age that is Delfina’s ‘light on the hill’. Can a siren call us again to a kinder and more tolerant Australia? Where might Delfina find hope? Ray brought us home to the kindness and care that he found in Benalla. Special relationships for him are the key to a happy life.
Phil’s return to Lady Northcote’s Children’s Farm, with a much older former resident who is also a member of Benalla U3A, was an unexpected yet enjoyed revisiting which Phil would otherwise not have sought.
Aceh in 1961, Carmyl was introduced to a very different lifestyle and diet. Rising to the challenges she and Don embraced a new language, a new diet and new friends. These experiences would infuse a life of community service. Finally, Max returned us to Victoria and good days with good friends.
As we have explored and shared our life stories within the ATGB, we have been gifted opportunities for remembering, healing and reconciliation. Thank you, Bev!
The details of our September topics – ‘Relationships’ and ‘Someone Who Shaped Me’ - are available below, in the topic guide and will be included in the reminder email for our next session on Monday September 16 at 2pm.
Graham Jensen
Next Month’s Stories - September 16
Suggested for continuing students - ‘Relationships’
Remember and describe a relationship between two people which has been important to you, perhaps in modelling the things you learnt to apply, or learnt to avoid, in relationships. How did the people in the relationship meet, what do you remember about their relationship, what did you learn from it and your relationship with them? OR
Reflect on a time when establishing boundaries was important in your life, whether in personal relationships; family relationships, at work or in other settings. It could be as simple as establishing boundaries with a pet. Share your story in 500 words.
Suggested for new/newer students - ‘Someone Who Shaped Me’
How did you become who you are? Think about someone who has influenced your life and get started!
Bev Lee
Suggested for continuing students - ‘Relationships’
Remember and describe a relationship between two people which has been important to you, perhaps in modelling the things you learnt to apply, or learnt to avoid, in relationships. How did the people in the relationship meet, what do you remember about their relationship, what did you learn from it and your relationship with them? OR
Reflect on a time when establishing boundaries was important in your life, whether in personal relationships; family relationships, at work or in other settings. It could be as simple as establishing boundaries with a pet. Share your story in 500 words.
Suggested for new/newer students - ‘Someone Who Shaped Me’
How did you become who you are? Think about someone who has influenced your life and get started!
Bev Lee
