Benalla U3A celebrated its annual Christmas break up on Tuesday 23rd November at the beautiful King Valley's Chrismont Winery. Established by two generations of the Pizzini family, it follows the typical history of Italian immigrants arriving in the King Valley to grow tobacco, then switching to vineyards...and the rest, as they say, is history.

Chrismont prides itself on its Italian hospitality and fine dining. Arriving at the Restaurant by bus or car, 63 U3A members enjoyed dining in style: a 2-course meal, naturally accompanied by Chrismont wines, which are top quality. Our hosts, Arnie Pizzini and his bubbly wife, Jo, made us all welcome, in spite of being run off their feet. They did find time to make Claire's 80th birthday a special one.

Originally organised by Heather and Keith Rogers, who found themselves unable to attend, Corrie Witlox completed the task of organising the event. Meg Dillon and U3A President, Dorothy Webber, thanked all members for attending and our hope for another successful U3A year ahead, hopefully one not interrupted by constant lockdowns!

Thanks to the capable treasurer, Corrie Witlox, Meg Dillon and of course our affable Benalla Bus Lines driver, Rod Farmer, we all agreed the Chrismont Christmas breakup was a great success.

Salut!

Bev Thornell. 

The application forms/monies are due on Wednesday 10th November - this Wednesday!  You can download the details/ application form below. 
​​

The following Information Page was emailed to current members on October 21, 2022.
 
ATTENTION TO ALL U3A BENALLA EXISTING AND PROSPECTIVE 2022 MEMBERS
 
U3A MEMBERS COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
 
Benalla U3A Committee, on advice from the U3A Network Melbourne, wish to impart the following information to U3A Benalla existing members and new members in 2022.

• In line with State and Local Government requirements it will be mandatory for U3A Benalla members attending U3A activities to produce evidence of being fully vaccinated.
• Any unvaccinated member of U3A Benalla will not be able to attend, this includes members unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons.
• U3A members MUST NOT attend classes if they have any symptoms that might suggest they have COVID-19.
• Your privacy in this matter will be fully respected.
• The Committee will continue to update our COVID Policy to reflect current directives.

It is our Duty of Care to provide this protection to our Convenors and members.
​
If you have any queries do not hesitate to ring Geraldine 0408522662 or Margaret 5762 6944

Over 20 U3A Benalla members attended the Be Connected lunch held on the veranda of the Senior’s Centre on Wednesday 20 October 2021. This was part of the Get On Line week celebrations supported by the Good Things Foundation who run the Be Connected course for the Federal Government.

There were many pleasing aspects of the lunch. First the food from Hides Bakery was delicious, and the outlook from the veranda of the Senior’s Centre was magnificent. U3A Benalla has never used this as a venue before, but on a beautiful sunny October day the setting worked very well.

We also welcomed three new participants Joy Campbell, Terry Campbell and Trish Saker who wish to join our digital classes.  We were pleased to see our Android Convenor Robyn Lukey joining in the fun.

 Another pleasing aspect of the lunch was the interaction between members who were able to share their skills of attaching a vaccination digital certificate to the Services Victoria App for other members who needed assistance. We also distributed a photocopy of the method for attaching the vaccination certificate to the Services Victoria App to several other members.

The lunch ran until Jenny Sawyer’s Apple class commenced, everyone voting that it was a very enjoyable way to celebrate Get On Line week.
​
Margaret Jenkins  

1. Update your Service Victoria app at the App Store (External link) or Google Play Store (External link).
2. Open the Service Victoria app and click on ‘Add certificate via myGov’. If you don’t want to add your COVID-19 digital certificate right now, you can tap ‘Close’ and add it another time.
3. Log in to your myGov account. If you don’t have a myGov account, get one at myGov account (External link).
4. Scroll to ‘proof of COVID-19 vaccination’ and tap ‘Go to Medicare’.
5. Tap ‘View History’
6. Tap ‘Share with check-in app’.
7. Tap ‘Service Victoria’.
8. Once you’ve read the conditions, tap ‘Accept and share’. You’ll see the message: ‘Sending certificate’.
9. Once you see your COVID-19 digital certificate, tap ‘Add certificate’.

Your COVID-19 digital certificate is now added to your Service Victoria app and linked to the QR code check-in function.

You can also add your certificate using the Express Plus Medicare app, if you have it installed – and if you don’t have Medicare, you can add your certificate using your individual identifier in myGov.

If you are having difficulty you can contact the Commonwealth Government’s hotline 13 23 07.

If all else fails, carry a copy of the certificate that was issued by the clinic that administered your vaccine doses.

Barry O'Connor

The U3A Victoria Network website/other policies are reviewed and customized regularly by the Benalla Executive Committee drawing upon Policy Guidelines developed by U3A Network Victoria:
  

• Privacy Policy  (Note – model for customisation by local U3A’s)
• Sexual Harassment Policy
• Code of Conduct Policy
• Bullying Policy
• Risk management Policy
• Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Health and Safety (Serious Injury and Incident) Policy
• Conflict of Interest Policy

(These links were last accessed 18/10/2021)

The Network’s website contains other policy related resources and handbooks which may be useful.

The U3A Benalla and District Policy Guidelines will be reviewed in the coming year.

Hello Everyone
 
Benalla Council have informed U3A Benalla that a maximum of 20 people are allowed into the Benalla Senior’s Centre at one time from Monday 13th September 2021.

​Our COVID Safe Plan Version 5 has been lodged with the Council.
 
This means that the majority of our classes can recommence from tomorrow with the exception of Exercises for Fun.

We will have Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 15th September as recent numbers have been less than 20 people.
 
The Hub Committee at Cooinda have informed U3A Benalla that a maximum of 10 people are allowed in the Hub at one time at the moment.

Therefore, unfortunately, U3A Benalla groups will be unable to meet at the Hub at present.
 
Dorothy Webber (President)

Program Changes

Program changes caused by changing pandemic regulations are updated regularly on the front page of the website.   At the time of publication all groups and activities, other than those conducted by Zoom or the sharing of work by email, have been cancelled for the duration of the lockdown.  Hopefully this restriction does not have to be extended.   Our Covid Safe Plan is continually being revised.

Monday Games has been discontinued, while The News Fact or Fiction will return to meeting at the Seniors Community Centre on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

At this stage, all other courses and activities will stay the same when we open again.

New Courses and Activities for 2022

Do you have an idea for a new course or activity?  If so, talk to a committee member who will raise it for you at the next executive meeting.  If you would like some help developing a program proposal, contact Bev Lee on 5762 8171 or bevlee47@gmail.com.  One idea which we’d like to follow up is a Ukelele group – could you, or do you know anyone who could, teach Ukelele? 

Learn how to Join or Host Zoom Meetings
​
Would you like to learn how to join or host Zoom meetings?  We’ve added some ‘self help’ resources to the website -  https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/using-zoom.html - offer individual mentoring and are planning to offer a Zoom short course of two sessions in future.  Interested?  Call Margaret on 5762 6944 or fill in the on line form on the website - https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/news/are-you-interested-in-learning-how-to-attend-zoom-meetings.

Online Energy Saving Workshop

Members keen to save on electricity and gas bills and members on Centrelink Pensioner or DVA Veteran Concession Payment (or card) interested in accessing the $250 Power Saving Bonus are invited to a free 30-45 minute online workshop on Monday 27 September at 1pm.
​
The workshop is being offered by the Independent Energy Info Hub and Council of the Ageing (COTA), in partnership with Victorian Government, to support older people to control their energy bills and apply for the $250 Power Saving Bonus.   

To express interest in attending, RSVP Beverley Lee on 0478607838 or bevlee47@gmail.com by 20 September. 
   
You will then receive an email invitation with a link to use to join the meeting on your chosen device at home.  If the Seniors building is open, we will also screen the meeting to people who would like to attend in a group setting. ​

​We are closed, then open, then closed again... then open, again!  ​

With the relaxation of restrictions in regional areas on Monday 9 August from 11.59pm, classes in the U3A Meeting Room will resume at 2pm on Tuesday 10 August with Tech Talks, while classes at the Hub will recommence with the Harmony Group on Thursday 12 August at 10am.  All relevant guidelines are to be followed.  Outdoor activities which can be run in separated groups each of 10 people (including convenor) can recommence from Wednesday 11 August.  Facemasks are mandatory indoors and outdoors.

Our Covid Plan is continuously being revised - click here to read Version 4. Remember, it is most important to sign in to all venues with the QR Code using the Services Victoria App.  A Sign in sheet is also available.  

Dorothy

Would you like to learn how to use, or refresh your skills in using, Zoom?  We are looking at offering a number of options, including 

• providing online resources for you to work on at home followed by at least one 'practice' zoom meeting with a mentor
• a Zoom ‘mini’ course of two small group sessions at U3A plus two practice zoom meetings at home. 
• a refresher session for people who have used Zoom in the past, but feel 'rusty'.

Interested in finding out more?  Call Bev on 0478 607 838 or fill in the on-line application below:.  

Check out these links to the ‘Victoria Together’ website at https://www.together.vic.gov.au/ for engaging resources grouped under the following categories: 
​ (click on the category to go to the resources)

Art
Children
Dance
Design
Film & Literature
Fitness & Wellbeing
​Games
Music
Nature & Wildlife
Science & Technology
Sport
Theatre

U3A Member Nina was introduced to this site by her daughter, thinks it's fantastic, and highly recommends it.  We do, too.  Enjoy!

1. There is a QR code at the Benalla Senior’s Centre which must be used when entering the Benalla Senior’s Centre. There will be a manual sign in sheet for those members who require it. The Convenor or a person designated by the Convenor will act as Sign in Marshall to ensure all U3A Members are signed in.      
2. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class will be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue will be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes. If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
3. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
4. Maximum group size for U3A members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions is 10, at a density of not more than 1 person per 4 square meters of floor space. Each group of 10 must stay the same and cannot change or mingle.
5. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors if this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
6. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A. Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.
7. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.  
8. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.

 
Dorothy Webber, President
30 July 2021  

Message to all U3A members
 
Due to this afternoon's lockdown announcement we are cancelling all groups and activities, other than those conducted by Zoom, for the next five days.

Hopefully this restriction does not have to be extended.

Keep safe.
 
Dorothy
President

​Thursday 15 July 2021

Please note:  Our COVID Plan has been updated and is available on the Convenors' page.

Demystifying Psychology – A five session semester long course with a first session common to the Semester I course, but with different content in sessions 2 to 5 to enable last semester's students to rejoin the class.  The first session is on Friday 16 July, 1 to 3pm, at Seniors’ building Fawckner Drive. The timetable and topics are on the U3A Demystifying Psychology website page. Queries and/or enroll by contacting Jane on 0437 621 575 or janerushworth2101@gmail.com
 
Other Course News

A Taste of Art – ‘A Taste of Art’ is taking a winter break in July and August while the Broken River Painters busily prepare for their major exhibition of work Swanpool during the SCRAP art festival.  A Taste of Art will recommence in September.  New members are also welcome!  Contact Carole Perry on 5762 2373 or 0438 111 057.

Coin Collectors – Coin Collectors’ new convenor Doug Smith is keen to contact members from the pilot program in 2019 and the Co-vid disrupted class of 2020 to discover if a later time slot on a Monday might suit them.  Coin Collectors currently meets from 10 to 12 on the third Monday, a time which clashes with both Lifeball and Exercises for Fun.  Coin Collectors could meet later in the day on the third Monday, possibly between 1.30 and 3.30 pm, if this suited members.  Please contact Doug Smith on 0417 527 171.

Garden Appreciation – will be taking their annual winter break in August.

German is taking a semester break during July, resuming on Tuesday 10 August. Anyone with an understanding of the German language is welcome to join then. Contact Pauline if you are interested.

Tech Savvy Beginners (Android) will resume in August with more sessions and a changed time slot.  The class will now meet on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursday morning from 10 am to 12 noon in the U3A Meeting Room.  Classes will commence on Thursday 5 August.  New students are welcome to join. For more information, please call convenor Robyn Lukey on 0403 164 931. 

​Interesting to hear from a Wine Appreciation group member that Warrabilla Wines has introduced beautiful locally made red gum tables for wine tastings - no standing at the bar these days!

Unlike most years, there are no new courses/activities in Semester II this year.  However, it is possible to enrol in units which interest you in Semester II.     Please let the convenor know about your interest in enrolling in their unit and add your name to the new roll if it is not already included – newly listed names will be added to the printed roll at the end of July.   If you did not attend a course chosen in Semester I your name will be taken off the roll for Semester II.

Demystifying Psychology – a five session semester length course - is opening its enrolments for Semester II with an introductory session for new students on Friday 16 July, and will then continue with new content enabling current students to rejoin.  For more information, check the Demystifying Psychology report. 

There are also some seasonal adjustments and mid year breaks to note–
A Taste of Art will be taking a break in July and August, resuming in September
Birdwatching takes its winter break in June, July and August – resuming in September.
Garden Appreciation will be taking it’s traditional annual break again in August. 

If Covid restrictions remain in place, it is likely that Demystifying Psychology, Investment, Sustainability, and Family Research will move to Zoom; Easy Walks and MidWeek Walks will adapt to changes in restriction levels;  and As Time Goes By, Creative Writing, Film as Literature, German and Music Appreciation will return to sharing content through email, the website or other innovative means.  

Convenors will make contact with their groups, and details will be included in upcoming newsletters. 

Convenors and all course/activity class members are reminded of the importance of signing in to each session and recording attendance on class rolls.  Even though we might seem to be a bit remote from a Covid-19 outbreak this could change in an instant.

​Bev Lee and Len Jeffers

It was with regret many of the participants of Helen’s book groups learned of her passing after a long illness.

Helen organized the original  CAE Bookgroup for U3A. This later became the E-Book Group as we adapted to kindles and other devices and said goodbye to heavy boxes of books from CAE. Last year it refreshed with a name change to Page Turners.

Helen led our groups with her wit and wise words. Her insightful comments were most welcome and encouraged participants to read books they may not have chosen for themselves.

​All who knew Helen will miss her but be glad they had the good fortune to get to know her.

Stephen, please know that you have our love and support at this sad time.   
​  
Meg Dillon

John Avery loved classical music and shared this love with U3A members who attended his Music Appreciation class.  These photos were taken with class members, who had a tradition of sharing Frieda's Christmas cake with a class of select wine!

​​U3A Benalla member Judith Borthwick worked with John Avery at Dookie Agricultural College for many years and later edited the U3A Benalla Newsletter during much of John’s incumbency as U3A Benalla’s President.  Judith searched the old newsletter files on her computer for a photo and article she remembered being sent to the Ensign at the time of John receiving his Life Membership award in 2012.  She was delighted to find them and be able to share them in this newsletter.  As Judith commented, John’s excitement and pleasure in receiving the award is clearly evident in the photograph.

“At U3A’s annual Christmas function held at Whitfield on 28th November (2012), a delighted and surprised John Avery was presented with a Life Membership Award and an Outstanding Service Certificate for his outstanding service in fostering the aims and objectives of U3A in Benalla Rural City.

In congratulating John, President Geraldine McCorkell stated that this award is not given lightly, John is the first person to receive such an award in the club’s 20-year existence, and it is well deserved.

John was president of U3A Benalla for seven years and it is due his tireless efforts that the club has grown and is in a sound financial position.  John still continues to be a member of the U3A executive and serves on several committees.”
 
 
If you would like to contribute your reflections to an article on John’s contribution to U3A Benalla, please forward them to Newsletter Editor at newsletter@u3abenalla.com.

President - Dorothy Webber
Vice President – Margaret Jenkins
Secretary – Geraldine McCorkell
Treasurer – Neville Gibb
Membership Officer – Len Jeffers
Publicity Officer – Wendy Sturgess
Newsletter Editor – Heather Wallace
Welfare Officer – Lorraine Knox
Terry Case
Julie McNeill
Anne Nelson
Corrie Witlox

Standing: Neville, Lorraine, Margaret, Len, Wendy, Corrie, Heather;
​Sitting: Julie, Anne, Dorothy, Geraldine.  Apology - Terry Case.  

​Alex, 

Thank you so much for inspiring and establishing the Coin Collectors group at U3A Benalla.  Your understanding of coin collections and collectors and the way in which you have engaged and followed through with group members, have resulted in an ongoing group of keen coin collectors.  Your personal coin collection and passion for coin collecting proved inspirational!  We wish you and Annette well in your return to Echuca, where you both grew up,  Perhaps you might set up a Coin Collectors group there.  You will be missed.   

Bev Lee, Programs Committee

COVID Safe Plan for U3A Benalla Version 2
 

1. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions, are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
2. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to be at a density of not more than 1 person per 2 square meters of floor space.
3. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors providing this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
4. Hand sanitizer is to be provided at the entrance to the Seniors Community Centre building, to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A.  Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.
5. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.  
6. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class is to be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue is to be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes.
7. When entering the Seniors Community Centre Building:  There is a QR code for the building at the entrance and on the display board next to the door to the U3A Meeting Room.  If possible, please use this code, otherwise provide details on the form on the table next to the QR Code and hand sanitizer at the entrance to the building in addition to ticking the attendance record.  
8. If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
9. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.
10. Close contact of members in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla is to be avoided in accordance with COVID restrictions. 

 
Dorothy Webber and Margaret Jenkins,  Monday  1 March  2021​