The Program Committee has been meeting to consider next year’s program and committee members have contacted some convenors to discuss their plans for 2024.  The Draft Program Guide for 2024 will be sent out in a few weeks by Len Jeffers for convenors to finalise and confirm course/activity descriptions and details.

At this stage it appears that some courses will be taking a break (Collectors) or ceasing in 2024 (In the Lap of the Gods and Jane Austen Book Group); others (Ukes4Fun and Photography) are adding a more advanced group; while others are changing their name (for example Tech Savvy Beginners – Android to Be Connected – Android).  The pilot Social Chess group is joining the regular timetable, while some new courses being considered for Semester II, such as U3A Network Victoria’s ‘First Nations’ course.  There are also some changes of convenors as courses are reshaped and succession plans are implemented.

It is never too late to suggest a course you’d be keen to see U3A Benalla offer– or to offer a course yourself!  There is an online suggestion box and downloadable Course Proposal form on the Program Suggestions page of the website, or you can contact Margaret Jenkins 5762 6944, Geraldine McCorkell 0408 522 662 with your ideas; Bev Lee if you’d like support in turning your idea into a course, or Len Jeffers for timetabling information.  Other members of the Program Committee you can chat to – Dorothy Webber and Julie McNeill.  

Program Committee

Pickleball is played either indoors or outdoors as singles or doubles, including mixed doubles. It’s played on a court similar in size and markings to a badminton court, but players often use an actual badminton court or mark out pickleball lines on a tennis court.  It would be flexible when numbers drop in winter as can work in groups of 4, 8, 12 for doubles, or 2, 4, 6 etc for singles. 

Interested in finding out more (perhaps even helping a group to be offered in the program)?
https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/
https://www.u3a.org.uk/learning/subjects/pickleball
https://u3asunshine.org.au/newweb/pickleball-outdoors-tuesday/
Rules of Pickleball - https://youtu.be/4vHhZ03O0PI

October is Come and Try Month. If you would like to try a new or different U3A course, please contact the Convenor of the course you would like to try, and go along to it.  TheTimetable with Dates for Semester 2 includes convenors' phone numbers. Tell your friends about U3A Benalla, and bring them along to something which interests them. There is no charge, and your friends may get the same enjoyment from U3A that you do.

The guest speaker for Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 18 October is Fiona Kleinitz from the Stroke Foundation.  This will be followed by morning tea.  At 11.30am Leading Senior Constable Lisa Atkinson will give a 30-minute presentation on ‘Scams’, after which we have a BBQ lunch as part of Get Online Week. This is supported by a grant we obtained from the Good Things Foundation.  Jenny Sawyer and Robyn Lukey will also be available to answer questions about the Be Connected programs they have been involved with.

Finally, two dates for your diaries. Wednesday 15 November at 10am is the U3A Concert and Patchwork display in the Auditorium. The program will feature the Recorder Group, the Ukelele Group as well as the Singing for Fun Group to entertain you. Please bring your friends as we want as many people as possible to enjoy the morning.

The second date for your diaries is Friday 17 November which will be our Christmas Lunch at the Red Stag at Myrtleford. Cost is $50 per head for the two-course lunch. There will be a bus leaving Benalla Bus Lines for those who do not wish to drive. Here is the link to the Christmas Lunch flier which contains further details.
​
Margaret Jenkins
​U3A Benalla President

A founding member of U3A Benalla and convenor of ‘Investment Group 1’ from 1996 to 2015, Graham Mitchell recently passed away in Geelong, where he had moved to be nearer his children.  Helen, Graham's wife, a founder of Benalla U3A, passed away in October 2019. 

In 1996, an enthusiastic group of likeminded people began to meet in the community to research and hone their skills studying the Australian share market.  This group, under Graham’s leadership, became an integral part of U3A Benalla, with Graham continuing in the role of convenor for its entire 19 years. 

Initially the group depended on data gained from investment journals and other sources, however over time began to employ computer programs in their research.  Under the name “U3A Benites”, the group was a regular contestant in the Sunday Age “Shares Race” competition, winning the competition on several occasions, much to Graham’s delight.

David Palmer
Publicity Officer.

President Margaret Jenkins presented a Life Membership Award to Terry Case at the 2023 Annual General Meeting:

"I would like to thank Terry Case for his outstanding contribution to U3A Benalla over many years. Terry was President from 2014 to 2017, past President from 2017 to 2021, Convenor of both Politics and Current Affairs and Australian History courses each for over 10 years, and a great supporter of U3A Benalla. For his outstanding contribution, the Committee have decided to award him Life Membership of U3A Benalla."

In his response, Terry affirmed the important part U3A plays in the life of its members.  He also reminded us that this role still retains importance to members when it becomes more difficult for them to continue at a level they had formerly managed with ease.

Beverley Lee
​Web Manager

An invitation has been received from the Benalla Croquet Club who are holding Come and Try days at its venue at the Tennis Courts, Ackerly Avenue, Benalla on Thursday 16th February and Tuesday 21st February, commencing at 9.00am.  

All you need to do is turn up wearing flat, comfortable shoes.  All the equipment that you will require will be supplied on the day. 

When playing croquet, apart from the social aspect and being with friendly people you will get exercise walking around the courts, exercise your brain by learning to judge where to hit the balls, whether you use jump shots, removing your opponent’s ball out of the way, as well as lining up and placing the balls in and through the hoops.  Another benefit is the exercise obtained when using the upper part of your body and arms when hitting the ball.  It is also a lot of fun.  

Contact:  Irene Clift 0475 200 427 or email benallacroquet@gmail.com. 

​Heather Wallace

The staff of the Benalla Art Gallery, under Gallery Director Eric Nash, offer a unique selection of quality and diverse events during the year. 

Coming up:  First Mondays: Deborah Kelly Artist Talk – 10am Monday 6 February; Masterclass with Deborah Kelly: Make a diminutive deity – 9am- 4.30pm Tuesday 7 February; Exhibition Celebration: Daniel O’Toole – Voices from the Void – 6pm Friday 17 February; Collective Discussion: Giacomo Boschi explores ‘What it means to listen’ – 3pm Friday 3 March; Concert: Alyce Platt presents ‘Someone’s Daughter’ – 6pm Saturday 11 March; Exhibition Celebration: Tony Lloyd – High Plains Drift – 6pm Friday 17 March; Film Screening: Journey Beyond Fear – 6pm Sunday 26 March. 

To register to attend phone 5760 2619 or email: gallery@benalla.vic.gov.au

Pamela O'Connor
​Friends of Benalla Art Gallery
​

Enrolment Day was held at the Seniors' Community Centre on the morning of Wednesday 11 January, however it's not too late to enrol!

​The Membership Application Form for new members, Program Guide 2023 and Timetables for 2022 are  available on the Join/Join Us menu above or in the 'kit' which can be collected from the RedB4 Bookshop,  Bridge Street (next to Hide's Bakery). 

Members enrolled last year can still return the individualised Membership Renewal forms emailed or posted to them.  Please print the form, make any corrections to your details, then add your program selections.

​​Return the signed form, with  required fee attached or evidence of EFT* payment noted, to:

1. RedB4 Bookshop - next door to Hides Bakery 
2. U3A Benalla, PO Box 674, Benalla 3671 (cheque only)\​
3. Scan or photograph then email the completed form to len.benalla@gmail.com 

​​* E.F.T. payment to Goulburn Murray Credit Union. (GMCU) Account Details: BSB: 803 078 Account: 137131  Use ‘Your Name’ as the Reference (Surname First).  Record the receipt number for your records. 

During the past ten days we have lost two U3A Benalla members.

John Ellis, who was in the Play Reading Group and was a member of Coin Collectors and the former Armchair Traveller Group, passed away in Melbourne on November 30th. John was involved in many organisations in Benalla including Legacy, the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Benalla Theatre Company. He also had many friends within the Catholic Church in Benalla. Our sympathy is extended to his wife Janice who is also a member of U3A Benalla.
​
Mel Jeffree passed away on 2nd December in Benalla. Mel for three years organised the music for his wife Helen’s Exercises for Fun, which has been conducted on a Monday morning since 2018. Mel always had a great smile and a few words for all the participants of Exercises for Fun, and readily joined in the frivolities of being saluted by the group as they went through the marching exercises. Due to ill health Mel has not been in charge of the music for the past 18 months. However, he did come to the Get Online lunch in October and enjoyed seeing everyone there. Our sympathy is extended to Helen on her loss of Mel.    

​Margaret Jenkins

Australian History 
Australian History replaces Armchair History in 2023 - "We'll range from local history through the intrusion of new settlers on original inhabitants' land, examine colonial office control of this British outpost and the myth of terra nullius  We'll look at gold and democracy, but balance it with some awkward truths.  Today we are still part of the struggle to share power and give all a voice."
Convenor:  Terry Case                       2nd and 4th Friday 2 to 4 pm    U3A Room 1

Be Connected - Managing Money Online 
A new course from the Be Connected team - "Not sure about managing money online?  This course uses Be Connected Modules to explore banking online - paying bills, setting up a banking app, using the bank website, checking balances and statements and transferring money.  We'll also look at PayPal and making online purchases.  Be Connected - Managing Money Online will run for one Semester Feb - June."
Jenny Sawyer/Robyn Lukey      2nd and 3rd Monday 11.30 - 12.30      U3A Room 1

'In the Lap of the Gods'
This course will explain Graeco Roman religion and mythology in the context of religion as a whole and differentiate it clearly from modern religions.  Convenor John Barry is keen to “infuse those attending with the same sense of joy that I had when I read my first book on Graeco-Roman mythology at the age of ten.”
Convenor:  John Barry              1st Friday 2 to 4 pm                           U3A Room 1

Jane Austen Book Club
Can you ever get too much Jane Austen?  Books, TV series, Films?
In this semester we will read Austen's 6 novels and have time for some films.  Teenagers running off with soldiers, your best friend marrying a dud, your mother impossible and haughty rich men ridiculing you!  Really!!!  Come and discover why Regency England was very similar to today.  Meets in U3A main room, unlimited numbers.
Convenor:  Meg Dillon                 2nd Tuesday 2 - 4 pm                              U3A Room 1

Photography
Are you interested in taking more interesting photographs?  Do you have a device - mobile phone, tablet - or a reasonably simple camera, SLR which you would like to learn to apply new skils on?  This course focuses mostly on the former, but hopefully will also help in developing confidence in using your camera, whether phone or other - to take creatively composed photographs.
Convenor:  Rene Martens             4th Thursday 10 am to 12 noon            U3A Room 1

Tech Advice
This is an appointment only technology problem solver session one on one with either Robyn or Jenny depending on your device, Android or Apple.  It will operate directly following the Be Connected classes and is available to all enrolled U3A members.  Tech Advice will run for one semester, Feb - June. 
Convenors:  Robyn Lukey (Android devices) Jenny Sawyer (Apple Devices)    
Times 2nd and 3rd Mondays  12.30 - 1pm                 Venue:     U3A Room 2

Wise Guys Book Group
We know that a lot of our male members enjoy reading, however suspect that joining 'Let's Talk Libros' and 'Page Turners' may be rather offputting as both are currently all female groups.  "The Wise Guys Book Group will cater for predominantly men's interests, with book titles drawn largely from non-fiction genres including 'Biography/Memoir', 'Exploration', Warfare', 'Spycraft', 'Mystery', 'Crime', 'Adventure', 'Politics', 'Farming' and more.  Titles might include Burke and Wills by Peter Fitzsimons' a Vietnam memori, Tunnel Rats, by Jimmy Thomson; Light and Shadow, Memoirs of a Spy's Son, the biography of journalist Mark Colvin; as well as books suggested by group members as the course progresses."
Convenor - David Palmer -            4th Wednesday 2 to 4 pm,             U3A Classroom 1

Cards '500'  - (previously Saturday Cards '500') will meet on the 3rd and 5th Wednesdays from 2 - 4 pm, with Doug Smith taking up over the reins as convenor.  

​The Demystifying Psychology Discussion Group has been added to the timetable,   

New!  Wildflowers of the North East     

​Investment Group members with their prized awards for the group's 2022 'Selection' competitions--John (Monthly)  and Nola (Long Term)

​Fortunately, the Seniors Community Centre Building was not damaged by the floods in mid-October, however it would have been impossible to park in the lower car park at the height of the flood.

​Music Appreciation and Armchair History did not go ahead on Friday 14th October, while Lifeball has been adjourned until after the Ackerly Avenue facility is assessed for damage. 

Heather Wallace and Bev Lee recently visited U3A Goulburn Valley's Ukes3A ‘Just Jammin’ Group in Shepparton.  The group meets every Monday from 12.15 to 1.15 'sharp', however smaller 'breakout' groups play in different parts of the building before and after the meeting.   

Greeted warmly and encouraged to sit in with the group, we watched as retired teacher and 'rock' guitarist John Canty worked with his class, ourselves supported by Geoff Holland, who John is mentoring to become an alternative group leader. ​ ​

It wasn't long before Heather, who has agreed to be convenor of our new Ukes4Fun guided self-help group, was sharing a music stand with Geoff and playing along with the group. 

John and Geoff willingly shared information about the establishment and operation of the group and are happy to provide us with support in future. ​

​Thank you so much John, Geoff, Elizabeth and other members of Shepparton's Ukes3A group, for making us so welcome!

​Bev and Heather

We are now heading toward the last weeks of our U3A program for 2022 and already planning for 2023.  Terry Case has put Tudor History aside and looking forward to some sessions on Australian History.  Claire Rudolph has already booked the U3A Meeting Room on the first Tuesday afternoon for The Sky’s the Limit, a course for aviation enthusiasts, whilst Jane Rushworth has some new ideas in the Psychology basket. 

We continue to investigate the possibility of a Ukulele class for some keen music lovers and a Photography class.  The trialling of some new online short course programs in 2023 is being looked at and the piloting of a semester-length book group for the men in Benalla U3A is being explored. 

The Program Committee is open to ideas or suggestions of courses and activities that members would be interested in, so don’t be nervous about suggesting new groups you would be keen to be part of.

At this time of the year, we also offer ‘taster’ opportunities.  Over the coming weeks, why not bring a friend along to one of the groups you are in or try a new one yourself to see if you like it.

Geraldine McCorkell,
​Programs Coordinator

Spring is here, bringing with it agricultural shows, festivals, jumble sales, art shows, concerts, exhibitions, luncheons, swooping magpies and daffodils!

It’s the time of the year when we invite friends interested in joining U3A to ‘taste’ our courses and activities.  Why not bring a friend along to one of the groups you are in or try a new one yourself to see if you like it. If you know anyone who is thinking of joining U3A next year, please let them know about this. People attending taster sessions just need to speak to the convenor beforehand and put their names on the attendance roll when they arrive, they don’t need to formally enrol.

October is Seniors Month. U3A Benalla’s Seniors’ Month activities include the launching of our new pamphlet at a street stall encouraging new members to join and the ‘taster’ opportunities mentioned above. Our Be Connected-funded ‘Try One Thing’ event is being held during Seniors Week, following Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 21 October at 11.45 am.   Jenny Sawyer will be guest speaker at a light lunch which is free to U3A members.

‘Building Back Better in a Post Covid environment' is the theme of this year’s U3A Network Victoria conference, which returns after a long break.  It is being held in Bendigo from the 2-4 October and our Vice-President, Anne Nelson, will be representing U3A Benalla. 

The Benalla Agricultural Show returns on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th October this year, with U3A Benalla one of this year’s sponsors in the Handicrafts section.

The Benalla Festival is back in November 2022. We are hoping to have an information stand at the Day in the Gardens Market, on Sunday 6 November.  If you would be happy to help set up and pack up on the day, we’d love to hear from you!

Our Singing for Fun, Recorder and Patchwork groups are currently working towards our annual ‘Meet and Mingle’ Concert, Quilt Exhibition and Morning Tea to be held in the Auditorium on Wednesday 16 November from 10 am to 12 noon.  All welcome!

Finally, Wine Appreciation convenor Nicole McFarlane has investigated and submitted possible venues for the U3A Benalla Christmas Luncheon, traditionally held in the 4th week of November.  More details in upcoming newsletters.  

There certainly is a lot to look forward to!

Our new course, The Sky’s the Limit, is for those with an interest in gliding, flying, the history of aviation, with past lives involving aircraft in some way, has been held over to the beginning of the year!

Sessions will include guest speakers with backgrounds in aviation and stories to tell, the occasional excursion and more. 

Class members will play an active role in suggesting & deciding upon monthly session topics/expeditions.  
  
Interested?  For information, contact Claire at rudolphclaire@bigpond.com.

Dr Margaret Ann (Mardi) Scharp OAM had a stellar nursing career. I knew her as a Registered Nurse (Sister), Nurse Teacher and Director of Nursing (Matron) at Prince Henry’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Mardi left Prince Henry’s when she was seconded to the Health Department Victoria to oversee the transfer of General Nursing Training from the hospital sector to the tertiary sector in the 1980s.

During her career she was heavily involved in nursing advocacy with the Royal Australian Nursing Federation (RANF), the Victorian Nursing Council (VNC) which oversaw nursing registration and statewide exams and the College of Nursing Australia (whic ran post graduate nursing degrees). .Many of her roles involved board memberships or Presidency. The VNC role also involved setting of and marking finals examination papers statewide.

Mardi traveled extensively, both overseas and locally, with her husband and other close friends.  She played the bagpipes and was a member of bands which played during Moomba and Anzac Day marches in Melbourne.

At U3A, Mardi was involved with Community Singing and Brain Games.

Mardi was on the original Steering Committee of Age Friendly Benalla in 2017, and remained as a Committee person of AFB until 2021

Mardi moved to Benalla to live in Cooinda, where she was near her brother John, participating in activities there such as managing the roster for The Hub.

To me she was a great friend and work colleague with a lovely nature and willingness to help and support her friends and family.

Vale, Mardi.

​Wendy Sturgess