On Friday 14 March a meeting of Convenors was held.  I am pleased to report that it was a very successful meeting, with lots of input and ideas floating between the participants.  Thank you to all those who attended.  There were a few people I had not met before, so it was great to get to know them and vice versa.   

Without the Convenors we would not have a U3A.  There were some interesting discussions amongst the group.  I liked the fact that everyone joined in with their thoughts and ideas.  I am sure a lot of convenors went home with new ideas and am looking forward to our next get together.

Anne Nelson
​Course Coordinator
0438 447 379 email [email protected]

Carole Marple, a member of U3A Benalla for 15 years, passed away on Friday, January 31 2025.  Carole had been living at Estia Health as an independent resident for several years, driving herself to U3A for her beloved classes in ‘Politics and Current Affairs’, the ‘History’ course of the day, and ‘Music Appreciation’, never missing a beat!  Carole is quite possibly still watching the ‘Politics and Current Affairs’ class from on high, suggesting points of clarification when considered appropriate. 

Carole co-convened the ‘Art Appreciation’ program at the Benalla Art Gallery with her husband Godfrey for several years.  Carole also worked with friend Joan Laing in piloting a new course ‘Hot Topics’, in Semester 2 2018. 

A founding class member of ‘Stock and Land’, Carole presented a memorable session reflecting on her role as Shadow Minister for Agriculture from 1993 - 1996.  

​Also a founding class member of ‘As Time Goes By’ (Memoir Writing), Carole’s Stories, written between 2015 and 2017, from stories about her childhood, including her father proclaiming ‘get back on’ when teaching her to ride, to her life as a unionist ‘I Was There – on the Picket Line’.  In ‘My Other Life’, Carole reflects on her role as a speechmaker, from speeches at school, to speeches as a politician, and later on to speeches to Benalla Council in the battle to get a new Library for Benalla.

A beautiful 'Vale for Carole Marple' written by Jaclyn Symes, State Member for Northern Victoria, appeared in the Ensign on Wednesday February 19.  Rest In Peace, Carole.

Work on the new Benalla Station precinct will commence in June 2025. U3A Benalla had a presentation by Inland Rail concerning this project on Tuesday 4th March 2025 in Room 1.

The information was presented by Adam Wiseman, Lead Engagement Advisor and Shannon Clark Stakeholder Engagement Advisor for Inland Rail. The Project Manager, Caitlyn Riley was also in attendance and answered some of the questions.

Two boards with options for the landscaping and the lift shaft decoration design were available for people who attended to choose which option they favoured.

A member of U3A Benalla pointed out to the presenters that the shadows were in the wrong direction on the majority of the slides, which was something that the presenters had not realised.

U3A Benalla thank Inland Rail for their presentation. They are certainly trying to inform the Benalla community of the alterations that will happen.

Margaret Jenkins

U3A Benalla are presenting to Councillors on Wednesday 2nd April 2025. Our aim is to get on the BRCC Council Plan 2025-2029 to increase our floorspace at Benalla Seniors Community Centre. We have been informed that our chances of getting on the Council Plan would be considerably strengthened if lots of members of U3A Benalla did the survey which is attached to the 2025-2029 Council Plan. 

For U3A members to participate in this survey go to Benalla Rural City Council at benalla.vic.gov.au then Have Your Say then Council Plan 2025-2029 and fill in the survey. Takes 5 to 10 minutes. (if you were able to put in a link that would be great)

Many thanks for your assistance. 


Margaret Jenkins
​President

​U3A Benalla and the Model Rules:  How it affects Elected Positions and the Committee at the AGM

Last AGM U3A Benalla changed from having a constitution to using Model Rules for an Incorporated Association as set out by Consumer Affairs Victoria using the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.

There are 77 Regulations set out in these Model Rules.

In these Model Rules it says that the Composition of the Committee shall consist of a President and a Vice-President and a Secretary and a Treasurer and up to 8 ordinary members of the Committee elected by the Members. In the old Constitution there was a position reserved on the Committee for the immediate Past President. There is no such position on the Committee in the Model Rules.

There are certain members who have undertaken specific roles for the benefit of U3A Benalla, and it is beneficial for U3A Benalla for the people who are undertaking these specific roles to be on the Committee. Examples here are the Publicity Officer, the Membership Secretary, the Newsletter Editor and the Website Manager.

Which leaves us with four elected members on the U3A Benalla Committee. In past years we have seen Committee members who have stayed on the Committee for 5 years or more. But times are changing.  U3A Benalla last year had 420 members, and each of these members has the opportunity to nominate for either President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer or a committee position if they wish to do so.

If current members of the Committee wish to nominate for the position of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer or for the Committee, they have the right to do so. There are provisions if there are more nominations for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer or for the Committee than there are positions available that elections can and will be held at the AGM. This is a healthy thing to happen for the benefit of U3A Benalla.

​If you wish to discuss any of the above, I can be contacted at 0424 454 313 or by email at [email protected].
 
Margaret Jenkins        

Members who selected Lifeball as a program for 2025 will be disappointed to hear that we are having to defer Lifeball until further notice due to the lack of a convenor. It will not commence on Monday 3rd March 2025.

We extend our apologies for the situation.  On Enrolment Day we were hopeful that a Convenor would be found.  However, no one has volunteered to be the Convenor of Lifeball, so unfortunately it cannot go ahead.
​
U3A Program Committee.

​U3A Benalla are pleased to offer their members a meeting with Inland Rail on Tuesday 4th March 2025 at 10 am in Room 1 of the Benalla Seniors Community Centre. 

Inland Rail are planning on commencing the Benalla Station Redevelopment in mid-2025 and wish to share their recent designs for the redevelopment with the Benalla community. 

The presentation team coming to U3A will include a member from John Holland, the contractor. The community is being invited to have their input on seating, landscaping, lift shaft decoration design and the position of the signal box. There will be ample time for questions. 

Please come along at 10 am on Tuesday 4 March, listen to the presentation and have your say. 


Margaret Jenkins

Lost – Box of U3A Archived Files

Box of U3A Benalla files containing documentation between 2006 and 2024. Originally this was located in the cupboard opposite the kitchen. Could anyone who has any information concerning the whereabouts of the box please contact Margaret Jenkins on 0424 454 313.
 
Position Vacant - Treasurer
​
Due to the retirement of Corrie Witlox, Treasurer of U3A Benalla, there will be a vacancy on the Committee for a new Treasurer as from March 2025. Corrie has done an excellent job as Treasurer and is retiring due to having held the position for several years. Contact Margaret Jenkins for a job description – 0424 454 313.

At the time of publication, U3A Benalla has 369 members, with more enrolments to come.

New courses Colour Mixing and Watercolour Techniques – Botanical, Mahjong, Come and Learn Croquet, Train Buffs and American History are all starting with more than 15 members. Car Torque, Exploring Writing Children’s Books and French at the Table are also well supported.

We had 22 participants enrol for Mahjong which was fantastic. However, it was obvious that the group was not going to fit into Room 2. After consultation with Kay Blore, Mahjong is moving into the Auditorium and will commence at 11.15 am each Monday immediately after Exercises for Fun for 1 hour.

Colour Mixing and Watercolour Techniques – Botanical also had more people wanting to enrol than was anticipated. Margaret Zaal has kindly offered to run two classes so that all the members who wanted to come to her group can. Both groups will be on the second and fourth Wednesdays, with the 10am group being in the Auditorium whilst the group commencing at 1pm until 3pm will be in Room 2 on the second Wednesday and Room 1 on the fourth Wednesday.

In recent group updates, Spanish is now commencing on Saturday 8 February – we do apologise if the change of class time and date caused problems for some new class members.   French at the Table with Carole Ruta is now commencing on Saturday 1 March. 

A reminder also that Birdwatching, Bushwalking – Easy Walks and Lifeball commence in March, and that Birdwatching and Photography usually take a break during June, July and August.
​
Convenors are encouraged to contact Anne Nelson, Course Co-ordinator, on 0438 447 379 or email [email protected], if they need any support.

​The Centre at Wangaratta is looking for participants for the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors scheme. This program brings volunteers together with elderly people in their homes or in care facilities to develop friendships that can be rewarding and valued. 

​Any U3A Benalla member who may be interested is asked to contact Emma Gerrett, Program Officer on 0429 295 475.

​Margaret Jenkins

Tomorrow Today’s Education Benalla Program is delivering multiple programs to improve the wellbeing and educational outcomes of Benalla and district’s children and young people. They have written to U3A Benalla to gauge interest in running lunchtime activities on a regular basis at Benalla P-12 College and FCJ College. There would be benefits for both cohorts from intergenerational mixing.

Lunchtime activities have been successfully run at Daylesford College. You will see a list of the types of clubs run here https://www.daylesfordsc.vic.edu.au/wellbeing/clubs-societies/.

Any U3A members interested in being a part of this program are asked to contact Sally Matheson, Tomorrow Today’s Education Benalla Program Manager on 0409 967 303.

Margaret Jenkins

Exploring Writing Children's Books is also new!
For more information - go to our 'Join Us' page, or click on the course pages from the top menu to find out more about particular courses!

​Car Torque is for people with an interest in cars.   Introduced for the first time in February 2025, it will be a broad forum and not over technical.  It will  not only be about cars.  It will be about all things associated with motoring, including but not limited to new road rules, road safety, car maintenance, trends in fuel types, car models and manufactures.

Members and guests will be invited to bring their unique or special car along to our U3A venue for bragging rights, to allow others to hear about their car's story and to soak up the visual enjoyment.

Maybe you would like to also share what's in your garage! 

Car Torque will aim to bring car buffs together to educate and indulge in all things cars and to share the interests, knowledge and enjoyment they have given to their owners.
 
​Convenor:  Doug Smith 0417 527 171; Thursdays 2 to 4 pm  Room 1

"If you can't draw it, you can't paint it", is a saying often heard with regard to painting flowers. So, we begin with drawing techniques and Watercolour colour mixing to grow the skills toward our future masterpieces. Composition and dimension will be discussed, demonstrated and practiced. Watercolour techniques will be developed and practiced as the course progresses. 

Materials are supplied at the beginning of this course, but there may be a need to purchase paper or other specific personal preferences later--you are welcome to bring along your own pencils, brushes etc.  A pot for water and a white china plate are the only materials needed to be supplied by the participants.

Convenor:  Margaret Zaal 0438 295 060   
2nd and 4th Wednesdays 10 am to 12 midday
Auditorium - tables near kitchen areas

​Golf croquet is a stellar choice for seniors. It's low impact so its easy on the joints, but still involves enough movement to keep you active. It allows for social interaction--playing in a group can help foster friendships and stave off loneliness.The strategic nature of the game keeps your brain sharp, honing focus and mental agility. Best of all, spending time outdoors boosts mood and general well-being. It's the perfect mix of exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction.

Over four weeks participants will learn:

• The basic mallet skills of croqueting, positioning and hoop running.
• The outline of the croquet court and direction of play.
• Some basic rules of Golf Croquet.
• Tactics involved to select the most appropriate shot to hoop or stymie opponents.

Morning tea will be provided after each session. No cost involved.

​Convenor:  Judy Amery   0427 037 140; Commencing Tuesday 25 February for 4 weeks 9 to 11 am at the Benalla Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Ackerly Avenue.

The Collaborative Children's Book Group is a 10-session program designed to bring together novice authors and illustrators to create and develop children s books. Each session is 2 hours long, featuring a mix of activities, discussions  

​Do you feel confident to talk about your French experiences, share recipes, food and stories from France in French? The goal is to continue to develop competence speaking French whilst having fun. A basic understanding of French is required--it is not a beginners' course. Whether your experience comes from school, university and/or travel, you'll find a welcoming environment to enhance your conversation skills.

​Convenor - Carole Ruta 0418 223 464; 1st Saturday 2.30 to 4.30 pm   Room 1

​Have you ever wanted to learn Mahjong?  This is a guided course at your rate of learning. 

Convenor:  Kaye Blore 0433 209 396; Monday mornings 10 to 12, Room 2.

Train Buffs is a course for members who love trains, from engines to train travel over time.  

​It aims to provide the opportunity for like-minded people to reminisce about, follow up interests and develop further knowledge relating to trains and train travel over time.  . 
​ 
Monthly sessions will involve classroom-based sessions and excursions

Convenors/Time and Place:   
Athol Graham 0419 113 105 and Anne Nelson 0438 447 379.
3rd Friday from 2 to 4 pm; U3A Meeting Room 1.

In 2024 the U3A Benalla Committee almost completed a two-year process of reviewing the Policies of U3A Benalla, drawing upon Policy Guidelines developed by U3A Network Victoria and U3A Lakes Entrance: 

U3A Benalla Policies

• Anti-Discrimination ​
• Bullying ​
• Code of Conduct ​
• Conflict of Interest
• Grievance ​
• Health & Safety
• Privacy
• Risk Management​
• Sexual Harassment

These policies are available via the links above, on the Our U3A drop down menu of the website and in the ‘Policies’ Folder located in the U3A Office. 


​U3A Benalla Executive Committee

In mid-2014, members of the Computer Committee who worked on the first U3A Benalla website built and managed by Terry Dillon (thank you Terry) were concerned at the effort being required to get content (stories and photographs) for it. It was also proving quite complex to learn.

Offering to help out as a new member of the Computer Committee, I experimented with Word Press and Weebly and, deciding Weebly was easier to use and more suitable, produced a number of possible designs for the committee to consider. 

Difficulties getting content were resolved in a ‘light bulb’ moment. Why not draw upon the stories that were already submitted by convenors each month for our Newsletter, produced at the time by Judith Borthwick? 

Since then, the Newsletter Editor and Website Manager have worked ‘in sync’, with Newsletter content uploaded to the website towards the end of each month and the Newsletter also published on the website as a PDF.  With the number of groups having almost doubled in 10 years, the end of the month means lots of problem solving and editing with current Newsletter Editor Heather Wallace before the newsletter is ready to go to press and the website updated.

There has also been ‘synchronicity’ with the volunteer ‘photojournalists’ who joined me as administrators on our FB page—currently Andi Stevenson, Bev Thornell and Rene Martens.  Their photographs on Facebook are downloaded each month and appear in both the Newsletter and Website.  Thank you for the work you have done to make our website such an engaging and informative resource for our U3A Community. 

Thank you also to all the convenors who have contributed newsletter reports over the past 10 years!

We now have an average of 200 ‘unique individuals’ visiting our website each week. Fortunately, we have been able to maintain the ‘theme’ for our website and the wonderful ‘blog’ pages for each course for 10 years.  We have our fingers crossed that major changes won’t be forced upon us in future. We realise that the website environment is changeable, however, and have a ‘back up’ plan if needed.

It has been a huge privilege to have been able to work on the U3A Benalla website for the past 10 years!  


Bev Lee, Website Manager

Over 60 U3A members and friends attended the session How to Live at Home for Longer on Friday 1st November 2024. The program, which was presented by Phillip Dermody for Latrobe Community Health Service, gave information about how to access My Aged Care, the Commonwealth Home Support Program, Home Care Packages: How to Access, Services and Equipment and other subsidised Government programs.

Phillip told the audience that to access My Aged Care either by a phone call or through the website the person you are calling about needs to have their Medicare card number with them, and that it is advisable to have a list of the medical conditions that the person suffers from as well as a list of medications the person is taking. From that phone call you will then receive an appointment for an assessment for a Commonwealth Home Support Package or a Home Care Package.

Home Care Packages come in four levels and we were told that after being approved for a package there was a waiting time before one became available. There were numerous questions after the presentation.

The Home Support Package Scheme is currently undergoing revision by the Commonwealth Government. It is expected that the number of different Home Support Packages will be expanded from 4 to 8 in July 2025.

In an area like Benalla with a large ageing population, this information was very important. U3A Benalla have asked Latrobe Community Health Service for a repeat presentation shortly after July 2025 when information about the expanded scheme will be available.

U3A Benalla would like to thank Bill Billman, President of the Benalla Senior Citizens for making the Auditorium available when it became apparent that we could not fit the presentation into the U3A Room 1.


Margaret Jenkins 

U3A members were saddened to hear of the passing of Faith Hicks on Tuesday 22nd October 2024. A member of U3A Benalla for 17 years, Faith had been a Leader at Singing for Fun for 14 years before retiring from this role in 2019. Faith was highly respected for her musical knowledge and the Singing for Fun group benefitted from Faith writing parts for several songs that they had sung. She also had a great alto voice.  Faith was a member of U3A Benalla for 17 years.

In her professional life Faith had been a music teacher for many years in Shepparton, and previous to that had taught First Nations children in the Northern Territory. She was an organist at St. Joseph’s Church in Benalla for many years.

Our condolences are extended to her niece and nephew in South Australia.

A service will be held to celebrate Faith's life on Thursday 7th November 2024 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church at 11:00am.
​
Margaret Jenkins 

Wonderful news – the ‘Cooking Solo’ short film produced by Val Whan’s film-maker granddaughter Nathalie Cerritelli has been selected as a finalist in the ‘Benalla Shorts’ Film Festival.  Congratulations, Natalie! 

​Award Winners will be announced at the Premiere Screening of Benalla Shorts at the Benalla Cinema on Sunday 10 November at 3.30 pm.

​There is a further public screening at 6.30 - tickets from the Cinema in Mair Street or the Benalla Cinema's web page.  

If you can't get to the Film Festival screenings, we will be screening ‘Cooking Solo’ during our annual Meet and Mingle concert on Wednesday 20th November at 10am. 

​U3A Benalla have been awarded a Social Inclusion Action Group (SIAG) grant to fund accommodation at the Hub at Cooinda from January to December 2025. The grant, awarded by the Department of Health and the Benalla Rural City Council, recognises that residents and staff from Cooinda are encouraged to join the Singing for Fun Group and the Community Singing group for their regular Thursday morning singing program. 

Margaret Jenkins, President

Are you a concession card holder? Did you know that you may be eligible for a reduced rate on domestic stamps.
 
With a free Australia Post Concession account, you'll pay just 60c per stamp, instead of $1.50 for ordinary domestic stamps, or 65c per Christmas stamp.  You can buy up to 50 concession stamps per year, in booklets of 5 for $3. You'll even get a free booklet of 5 concession stamps to get you started. 

Are you eligible?

The following Australian Federal Government concession cards are accepted as proof of eligibility for an Australia Post Concession account.

Have one of these cards? Apply today for your stamp Concession card.

• Pensioner Concession Card

• Health Care Card (all types)

• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

• Department of Veterans' Affairs Card

• Veterans' Repatriation Health Card 

                                                                              
To access concession stamps and other benefits:

• visit your local Post Office and ask for an Australia Post Concession application form, or
• check if you’re eligible and then download and complete the application form. Lodge the form at your local Post Office to validate your Federal Government concession card. Download application form (PDF 148kB)

At the Benalla West Post Office, Lindsay and Anne are more than willing to assist you process your Application for the Australia Post Concession Card.  All they will need is a pleasant smile and evidence of your eligibility, such as a Pension Card.  It’s free to apply.

On Monday 14 October at the Benalla Health Community Centre, 45 Coster Street Benalla there is a free workshop on “Know Your Scooter Know the Rules” presented by the Benalla Rural City Council, the State Government and Age Friendly Benalla.

The program starts with morning tea at 10.30 am followed by two talks about mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs.

There will be a couple of devices brought along for demonstration.

John Weinert from Goulburn Valley Road safe will be speaking about who can use a motorised mobility device and how following the road rules will make it safer for everyone.

Lunch will be provided at the end of the talks. Bookings can be made on 5760 2600 by Wednesday 9 October. 

​Benalla Health is pleased to be able to show the 2023 feature-film documentary
"Live the Life You Please"
We invite you to join us after the film for afternoon tea and to
ask our friendly Palliative Care team any follow-up or end-of-life questions.

When: Tuesday 8th October 1.30pm – 3.00pm (film); 3.00-3.30pm (Q&A).
Where: Benalla Community Care - Ray Sweeney Centre, 45 Coster St, Benalla
Bookings: visit https://www.trybooking.com/CVPXT for bookings
and for more information.

For enquiries contact Benalla Health Palliative Care Team on 5761 4207

The Program Committee will begin meeting before long to plan the timetable for 2025.  I am very keen to hear about courses in the ‘ideas stage’ or early stages of development.  
A number of new courses have already been submitted and discussed with me, including 

Drawing and Painting with Water Colours – Convenor:  Margaret Zaal
Course description:    The course will be once a month for a duration of 2 hours.   The Convenor is a Botanical artist, and the course will include colour mixing and water colour technique.

Exploring Writing Children’s books – Convenor: Peter Thompson
Course description:  The Collaborative Children’s Book Group is a 10-session program designed to bring together novice authors and illustrators to create and develop children’s books.   Each session is 2 hours long, featuring a mix of activities, discussions and presentations.

Train Buffs - Convenors:   Athol Graham and Anne Nelson
Course description:  The course will be once a month with the duration of 2 hours.  It aims to provide the opportunity for like-minded people to reminisce about, follow up interests and develop further knowledge relating to trains and train travel.  Monthly sessions will involve classroom-based sessions and excursions.

It is also the time for convenors to consider whether they will continue offering their course next year or perhaps take a break; suggest a name change or put in a bid for a different time/venue change in the timetable.
​
Anne Nelson 0438 447 379 email [email protected]