After 13 years as Convenor of Singing for Fun and Harmony Groups, Joyce Borschmann is retiring as Convenor of the groups at the end of 2018.
 
Joyce and her late husband Bob were original members of U3A Benalla when it commenced over 20 years ago. The Singing for Fun group started in Helen and Graham Mitchell’s previous home in South Street Benalla before moving to the CWA Hall for a few months. From there Singing for Fun and Harmony progressed to the Chapel at Cooinda before calling the Baptist Church in Bridge Street home for several years. Eighteen months ago Singing for Fun and the Harmony Group moved to the U3A room in the Senior Citizens’ building.

One of Joyce’s attributes is as a great organiser. She has successfully used this skill to allocate various tasks over the years to her willing band of helpers in the group. Joyce has a beautiful soprano voice and everyone will be delighted to know that Joyce is continuing as part of the soprano singers.

With a background in producing dramatic performances, Joyce has been able to impart some of her skills in this area to the participants of Singing for Fun.  The other skill she has is excellent communication. Joyce has used this very successfully encouraging new people who join the group to feel part of the group very quickly.

Singing for Fun is one of the larger groups in U3A Benalla.  We thank you Joyce for a great job over many years.
​
Margaret Jenkins

Our last Meet & Mingle on Wednesday saw 70 members attend. Singers,  recorder players and audience all enjoyed a lovely musical morning. Thanks to the singers for the delicious spread to have with our morning tea.
 
It has once again been a busy and successful year for Benalla U3A. Our membership is steadily growing and the courses we have on offer are attracting many new members.

The biggest of thank you's go to all the hard working and dedicated convenors. With out them Benalla U3A would not be as successful as we are.

On a personal note my thanks to the Committee for a great years work and all the support they give me.

I wish all members a Very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year. 

See you all happy & healthy at Registration Days in January.
​
Dorothy Webber:  President

This session, presented on Friday 30th November 2018 to 33 U3A participants, was the second in the series on Advanced Care Planning. 

Brendan Smith From Smith Dosser Accountants/Financial Planners, outlined and provided a copy of a framework for consideration of retirement and end of life issues. 

Damian Feehan from N J Todd Funeral Directors discussed the roles and responsibilities of funeral agencies and the need to preplan and communicate preferences prior to this stage of life.

Jo O’Brien and April Betheras from the Palliative Care Service outlined their roles and once again emphasised the need for people to record their care options/choices under certain scenarios when they are actively able to consider them.  They outlined how this can help care givers and families at a time when communication becomes impossible.

Useful Resources: 
From Palliative Care, Benalla Health:  https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/resources/case-studies/case-study-8-tips-for-living-and-dying-well?utm_source+facebook
From U3A member Judy Perry: http://cotavic.org.au

Wendy Sturgess and Margaret Walshe

A number of new courses are being offered in 2019.    There are alterations to times for a number of subjects, please check to see if times have changed for groups you enroll with! These changes are to enable us to run more classes.   Terry Case case.terence@gmail.com.au

A Night at the Opera – French Style   2nd Wednesday 7 pm  Presenter Meg Dillon

This season we will take a look at some of the great nineteenth century French composers like Berlioz, Debussy, Ravel and Poulenc who were interested in opera as a musical form. Lovely arias, tuneful music, great singers and performances.

As usual the group meets at the presenter’s house on a Wednesday evening at 7pm. Drinks and light refreshments are offered. Maximum of 10 participants can be seated.

Beginners’ Patchwork  2nd and 4th Tuesdays 1 to 4 pm   Presenter Heather Sloan

The course will cover the basics of patchwork and quilting whilst making a small panel. It is designed for people with no experience of patchwork, and does not require a sewing machine. By the end of the semester participants will have the skills to make a basic quilt.

Booker reading group   3rd Friday 2-4pm Presenter Meg Dillon

The annual Man Booker Prize is awarded to the novel deemed best by an extensive panel of judges in Britain. Writers in both America and post-colonial countries can also enter. Each year the search is narrowed to a Long List of 13 books, then the Short List of 6 from which the winner is chosen.

These novels are not for the faint hearted! They often explore contentious contemporary issues or the lives of families or individuals experiencing  the difficulties of modern life.

The judges said of the Long List:   All of these books – which take in slavery, ecology, missing persons, inner-city violence, young love, prisons, trauma, race – capture something about a world on the brink. Among their many remarkable qualities is a willingness to take risks with form. 

The 2018 winner of the Booker was The Mars Room  by American writer Rachel Kushner. You can google the 2018 Man Booker Long List to see the complete list.

If you are curious about some of the best contemporary fiction of the last year…please join us.

You will be expected to obtain your own copy of the books the group chooses to read, either by buying an e-book version, borrowing from a library, or purchasing a hard copy
.
German for Beginners  Mondays, 12 - 1 pm Presenter Pauline Bailey

This course should give you a good understanding for basic communication in German. There are no set texts, but a small German-English  dictionary would be useful. Notes will be provided at each session.

The first 10 weeks will provide the vocabulary and grammar underpinning the language. After a winter recess, we will resume for more advanced learning.

History

After the Victorians   3rd Tuesday 9.30-11.30 Presenter Terry Case
The 20th century saw enormous changes in the period from 1900-1939. From the Boer War and Federation in Australia we then look at the White Australia policy and the fear of Japan as a world power. Germany and the USA overtook Britain as the leading industrial and military power. The Bolshevik Revolution was a turning point not just in W.W.1, but in European history.  Socialism, Fascism and Communism challenged existing orders.  The British Empire reached its peak in the 1930s, but the belief that Britain had a right to rule was challenged by Gandhi and others.  DVD’s will be used to illustrate the sessions. 

An Introduction to Western Civilization  2nd & 4th Friday 2-4pm, Semester 1 Presenter Meg Dillon

History helps us understand some complex issues, even though it can’t and doesn’t predict future outcomes. Today our Western Civilization is strongly attacked as corrupt, militaristic and nihilistic.

But is it? How did it evolve and what aspects of should we embrace and be proud of?

These history sessions will look at the current situation, then briefly explore those past cultures that have created our complex Western world.
Ancient Greece: it all started with the Greeks and their vast cultural agenda. Art, sculpture, philosophy, science and much more was developed by this squabbling, argumentative but lively group of city states and colonies, known as the Greek World.
The Romans: masters of war, engineering and administration. Their Pax Romana (The Roman Peace) was spread across Europe in the largest ancient empire prior to the British Empire. The Romans would colonize and civilize other cultures but would brutally suppress any rebellion.
The Italian Renaissance: The rich Italian city states of the thirteenth century rediscovered the Ancient World of the Greeks and Romans through their discoveries of surviving sculptures and ancient manuscripts. The result was a reintroduction of many of the achievements of these cultures that had been lost in the previous 1000 years. The Italians built on this foundation advancing both the practice of the arts and that of diplomacy in an era that was fractured by minor wars between the city states and the Papacy.
The Reformation: In the early sixteenth century Martin Luther started a vast religious  movement protesting against some of the corruption and excesses that had developed in the Catholic Church. The succeeding growth of Protestantism turned many parts of Europe into mercantile hubs where vast wealth started to be made by a merchant class, while more austere religious and communal practices were adopted by whole populations in Northern Europe.
The Enlightenment: The age of science burst into being in the eighteenth century in England and France. Gentlemen ‘scientists’ started to look at the way the physical aspects of our world worked. In France the French Revolution in 1787 followed naturally from this development as the middle classes refused to accept the older corrupt  rule of King, Church and nobles. This was the start of our era in which science and government would dominate our thinking and lead to Western democracy as we know it and the vast scientific knowledge that has changed our world and lives.

Discussion and suitable video and other images will be used to convey some of the key attributes of these  major historical influences that have formed the Western world.

Meditation   1st & 3rd Monday 4-5pm. Presenter Caroline Sims

Attention to all members with portable computing devices

• smart phones
• tablets
• iPads
• laptops

During the summer break, there will be continuing Be Connected sessions.  If you weren’t able to attend any or all of the previous sessions last semester and you would like to extend your computing knowledge and skills we are running four sessions in January on Wednesday mornings at the U3A room.

Be Connected has added some extra modules to their course. They are:

• Online Hobbies
• Apps
• Games

 
Dates - JANUARY  Wednesdays 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th   Time - 10:00am - 11:00am
 
Jenny Sawyer     Phone 0409 545 182

​Festive table cloths, flowers, a delicious morning tea & an engaging presentation of bush poetry by Rhonda Tallnash - an excellent way to celebrate Seniors Month!

The following article appeared in the 'Adult Learner's Week' lift out in the Ensign on 22 August.

The U3A movement is a volunteer organisation providing education, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment for retired and semi retired and semi retired members of the community.

Benalla U3A has a room within the seniors building complex, which is used every day of the week for one or more programs.  

It also runs activities at the art gallery (Art Appreciation), Benalla Leisure Centre (Lifeball) and the library (eBooks and Let's Talk Books), as well as bird watching, visits to wineries in the district and garden visits.

U3A's 'Chat n Chew' activity is one of their most popular, having lunch at a different local eatery once a month.

Benalla now has 289 members, many of whom come and go through the year, after all, we are retired and holidays and family visits are an important part of life.  

It is one of 109 U3A groups representing 37,000 members across Victoria.

The U3A Newsletter is delivered by email or post each month to keep the public up to date with what is happening.  

Benalla U3A is happy to welcome new members.

So don't be shy, come and join in, make your retirement years full of learning and friendship, meet new people and enjoy what U3A Benalla has to offer.

​U3A Benalla is a participant in the nationally funded Be Connected program. This week is Be Connected's 'Get On-Line Week', with older people being encouraged By Be Connected to '#try1thing'.   

Our President, Dorothy, '#tried1thing' recently!  Dorothy added her credit card to her mobile phone so she can use it when making transactions. Dorothy offered to share with us how she learnt to do this.  Be Connected members brought along their devices and tried out Stocard with Dorothy's support.  Bev also demonstrated the Google Home Assistant to lots of laughs.

A delicious afternoon tea was followed by a group photo - with a little time left over for work on 'Be Connected' on line learning modules assisted by our mentors.

Inspired by the Patchwork group, showcasing the creativity of patchworker Heather Sloane and featuring contributions from various patchworkers' 'stashes' of materials, our eyecatching new banner now graces and enlivens the U3A Meeting Room at the Benalla Senior Citizens Community Centre.  It is a wonderful conversation starter.  Thank you so much Heather for developing such wonderful concepts in fabric for each of our groups!   

The Taungurung (Daung wurrung) people occupy much of central Victoria. Our country encompasses the area between the upper reaches of the Goulburn River and it’s tributaries north of the Dividing Range. From Kilmore in the west, eastwards to Mount Beauty, Benalla in the north and south to the top of the Great Dividing Range and boundaries with adjoining Aboriginal tribes are respected in accordance with traditional laws. Traditionally, our people lived a hunter/ gatherer existence. The various clan groups migrated on a seasonal basis through their territory dependent upon the seasonal variations of weather and the availability of food.
​
The Taungurung people are closely affiliated with the neighboring tribes, through language, ceremonies and kinship ties. We are part of an alliance with the five adjoining tribes to form the Kulin Nation. Other members of the Kulin Nation are the Woiwurrung, Boonwurrung, Wathaurung, and Djadjawrung. The Kulin Nation group shared common dreamtime ancestors and creation stories, religious beliefs, economic and social relationships.

The Taungurung Legacy

The Taungurung people shared a common bond in moiety affiliation with the other tribes. Their world was divided into two moieties: Waang (crow) and Bundjil (wedge tail eagle). Members of the tribe identified with one or the other of these moieties and it was their moiety which determined the pattern for marriage between individuals, clans and tribes and transcended local allegiances by obliging clan members to find spouses from some distant clan of the opposite moiety, either within or outside their own wurrung (language group). The Taungurung people consisted of nine clans. The Buthera Balug was located on the Upper Goulburn, as far down as Yea and Seymour. The Look Willam roamed the area on the Campaspe River, near Kilmore. The Moomoom Gundidj lived west of the Campaspe River, and northwest of Mitchellstown. The Nattarak Balug lived on the Coliban River and upper Campaspe River while the Nira Balug ‘Cave People’ bordered the Woiwurrung at the Great Dividing Range, and lived on creeks and hills near Kilmore, Broadford, Pyalong and westward towards Mt Macedon. The Warring-Illum Balug, (Warring being the name for the Goulburn River), lived on the Upper Goulburn River, at Yea and Alexandra and the Yarran-Illam were located on the east side of the Goulburn River, below Seymour. The Yeerun-Illam-Balug inhabited the area around Benalla and the Yowung-Illam- Balug lived at Alexandra, Mansfield and the Upper Goulburn River. Sadly there are descendants of only five of those clan groups that survive today. The nomadic nature of the Taungurung people enabled the people to utilise the resources available in their vast country.

Our ancestors had an intimate knowledge of their environment and were able to sustain the ecology of the each region and exploit the food available. A staple plant food was the mirniong (yam daisy) which provided a reliable source of carbohydrate. Other plants such as the bracken fern (food and medicine), the tree fern, kangaroo apple and cherry ballart were a valuable food source and can still be seen growing on Taungurung country today. Wangnarra (stringybark) was used to construct yilam (shelters) or to weave benak (baskets). Fibrous plants, such as buarth (tussock grass) were produced burrt-tean (twine) for garrt-girrk (nets) while other tree species were utilised for their timber to fashion malgarr (shields), gudjerrun (clubs), wangim (boomerangs), darnuk (water carriers) and gurrong (canoes). The rich resources of the permanent rivers, creeks and tributaries and associated floodplains enabled the Taungurung to have an abundance of fish and other wildlife. Fish were speared and trapped while water birds netted and the mirrm (kangaroo), gorbil (koala), and barraimal (emu) provided nourishing food. The pelts from the walert (native possum) were sewn together to form googarra ( cloak ) ideal for the often cold and wet conditions. Plants such as kurrajong provided fibers to weave garrt-girrk (nets) for harvesting the nutritious deberer (Bogong moth) in the summer. Taungurung would travel south during the deberer season and head northwards when the weather cooled.

When Europeans first settled the region in the early 1800s, the area was already occupied by Aboriginal people. From that time, life for the Taungurung people in central Victoria changed dramatically and was severely disrupted by the early establishment and expansion of European settlement. Traditional society broke down with the first settlers arrival and soon after, Aboriginal mortality rates soared as a result of introduced diseases, denial of access to traditional foods and medicines and conflict. At various times, Aboriginal settlements were established in the area by missionaries and governments at Michellstown, Acheron and Coranderrk however despite relative success were eventually dissolved through various government policies. The Taungurung and other members of Kulin Nation were deeply impacted by the dictates of the various government assimilation and integration policies. Today, the descendants of the Taungurung form a strong and vibrant community. Descendents of five of the original clan groups meet regularly at Camp Jungai—an ancestral ceremonial site. Elders assist with the instruction of younger generations in culture, history, and language and furthering of their knowledge and appreciation of their heritage as the rightful custodians of the Taungurung lands in Central Victoria.

Evidence of the Taungurung can be found in many places throughout Taungurung Country. Scar trees, rock shelters, rock art and even place names all indicate that we have been in this part of Victoria for thousands of years. While travelling through Taungurung lands you will be aware of the following towns. All these towns have a Taungurung origin. Benalla—benalta=big waterhole Delatite—Delotite, wife of Beeolite, clan head of the Yowung-illam-balluk clan, Murrindindi—murrumdoorandi = place of mists, mountain Trawool—trawalla = wild water, Nagambie—nogamby = lagoon.

Many Taungurung people still live on their country and participate widely in the community as cultural heritage advisors, land management officers, artists and educationalist and are a ready source of knowledge concerning the Taungurung people from central are of Victoria.
​
We are pleased to welcome you to our country—to enjoy the landscapes, the flora and fauna. The Taungurung will continue to care for this country and welcome those who share a similar respect.

Taungurung - A Brief History by Loraine Padgham
September 2011
​Originally Published in Taungurung Times http://taungurung.net/2011/04/taungurung_a_brief_history.html

​Benalla & District
Anzac Commemorative Committee

Invites you to

​A Concert of Songs 
Celebrating 100 years since the end of the Great War
performed by Benalla Theatre Company and the U3A Choir

11 November 2018
2.30 pm  Benalla Town Hall
Nunn Street, Benalla 

An Ecumenical Church Service 
to commemorate 100 Years since the end of the Great War 
and to honour those who have served in
all of Australia's wars

11 November 2018
7.30pm St Joseph's Catholic Church
Arundel Street, Benalla 
Light Supper to Follow 

An Exhibition of Memorabilia 
from the Great War
to commemorate 100 years since the end of that War

24th October to 12 November 
Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Learning Centre
Fawckner Drive, Benalla 
Open During Library hours

Following a successful session on Advanced Care Planning in October 2017 and requests from members, U3A Benalla is offering a single session course, Advanced Care Planning 2, on Friday 30 November between 9.30 am and 12 noon in the U3A Room at the Benalla Senior Citizens Community Centre. 

The session is designed to continue the conversation with professionals regarding pre determined care options, enabling people to better communicate their wishes with family and allied professionals. The  course is being offered in conjunction with Damian Feehan, Funeral Director, N.J.Todd; Brendan Smith, Smith Dosser Accountants; and Benalla Health’s Palliative Care and Loss and Grief Counselling services. 

​Enquiries regarding the session may be made by contacting Margaret Walshe on 5762 3906 or email margaretwalshe@bigpond.com

If you can fit all or part of 12 - 2 pm on Friday into your busy U3A calendar and can walk a full or half circuit of the lake, you might like to support the Walk & Wake Up to Dementia fundraising walk around Lake Benalla to help raise awareness of dementia. 

Start/finish registration in the Botanical Gardens - Cost:  $5 per person or $20 per team of 2 - 5 people. Stands in the registration area will contain information about dementia: what may help prevent it, how to communicate with people living with dementia. The event will raise funds for Cooinda and Alzheimers Australia. 

A BBQ will form part of the event.

Cost:  $5 per person or $20 per team of 2 - 5 people.

Contact: 03 5762 3300

Age-Friendly Benalla is a project between Cooinda, Hume Primary Care Partnership and Benalla Rural City Council supporting people over 55 years of age in Benalla and surrounding districts.

One of the Community projects supported by Age-Friendly Benalla is a Benalla Community Transport Forum which will be held on Tuesday 4th September in the Pat Claridge Room at the Benalla Library. Topics will include Community Transport Options and a Wellness and Reablement Plan. RSVP to Julie on 03 5721 3045 or access@gettingthere.net.au

Other projects supported by Age-Friendly Benalla to be held in September 2018 include the Goorambat and District Community Dinner/BBQ as well as the Wake Up to Dementia Walk which will be held on 21st September 2018.

On 4th October the Benalla Rural City Council are holding a Benalla Unpacked Bus Tour of Benalla and some surrounding districts. Please contact Sheree Brown on 5760 2600 to book your place as the first bus tour was booked out. Also in October Benalla Wide Action Community will be holding a High Tea.

There will be a Wisdom and Experience show case of older people’s art between 8th and 30th October at North East Artisans as well as a Woodies Exhibition and Open Day in October.  A free Seniors Festival Concert – Rubber Soul--which is a Beatles tribute, is scheduled for 19th October at BPACC with a Come and Try event sponsored by Bookspace being held on the 23rd October. 

Further information on any of these events may be obtained from Fiona MacPhee the Age-Friendly Benalla Project Coordinator at agefriendlybenalla@gmail.com
​
Margaret Jenkins
U3A Rep on AFB Steering Committee 

​If you have time available in the last week of the month, have efficient word processing  and internet skills and an interest in developing or maintaining skills in working on websites, please consider joining our ‘Media Team’. 

While a number of people are now able to back up as Newsletter Editor if required, we urgently need a volunteer prepared to train and work as a back-up person uploading newsletter reports and photos and updating the U3A Calendar for the website.  

If you are interested, please contact Bev on 5762 8171