As we are all aware by now, U3A Benalla has closed its classes, due to the current Corona Virus-19 restrictions currently in place.

It is proposed to commence classes in June, but as you will all be aware this will be dependent on Government restrictions and the current state of health of all residents in Australia.

Now that there is closure of so many daily activities we participate in,  we are able to stop and relax somewhat and there will be many hours of solitude for each of us.   What are we going to do to fill in our day???    A concern with the current isolation restrictions is that U3A members may miss their monthly reading of the Newsletter and the ability to keep in touch with each other during this period.   Following a number of requests it is proposed to send out a Newsletter each month, though not be in the current format of monthly reports.
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If Convenors wish to give an update on their courses, if members have information of books they have read, have any tips on the growing of vegetable/plants, a ‘funny thing happened…’ story, or info of how they are coping with the isolation which my help other members, all will be welcome.

I will start this off with something that happened to me during our compulsory isolation.   Hope you don’t mind…..
 
On 30th March my Granddaughter, Brooke, turned 18 which she was unable to celebrate with her friends.   Her older brother, Callum, had returned to Melbourne from University in Carolina, USA the week before, hence the family being in isolation.

I received a Facetime call at 8.00pm and ran over to her other grandmother Rae,  who happens to live opposite me, and we joined our family in singing Happy Birthday to Brooke.    We were so thrilled to be included in her celebrations.   The wonders of the modern world and Mobile phones.
 
If you have anything you wish to share please send it to me at newsletter@u3abenalla.com and where possible I will try to include it in our Newsletter.    

Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

21 March 2020:  Further Update:  ​The following email was released by email on 21 March

Corona Virus - U3A Benalla to close until further notice 
Because of the situation with Corona Virus and the latest spatial requirements the Committee has decided to shut down U3A Benalla.

We will review this decision at the end of Semester 1. This  decision includes all off-site Groups.

We hope that when we resume you are all fit and healthy. Stay safe.
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Dorothy Webber
President

20 March 2020:  A number of courses and activities being held in external settings have been cancelled in accordance with the decisions made by the organizations involved in relation to COVID - 19.  Group Activities have been cancelled by the Library until further notice; the First Monday's Art Appreciation session at the Art Gallery has been cancelled; a group gathering such as Chat 'N Chew has also been cancelled according to restaurant protocols re government guidelines.

Classes at the Seniors Community Centre and outdoor activities will continue with if Convenors are comfortable in doing so. If anyone does not want to lead their class that class will close down.  The situation may change again if the Council or Government close the building down -- however until then courses and activities can continue operating if the convenor wishes to proceed.

Decisions about whether to continue classes are now being made on a rolling basis.Easy Walks convenors Margaret Walshe and Wendy Sturgess have decided that Easy Walks will be discontinued until further notice.  

We will be able to advise members about changes from April on in the Newsletter and on the website.  Please let Bev (0478 607 838) know if you are making changes before April 7 so that they can be included on the website's calendar before the next newsletter comes out.  

Bev Lee
Media Team/Website Manager

A notice to members This April newsletter is last newsletter for members who have not paid their 2019 membership.

A notice to Convenors and Newsletter Correspondents

• The email address for newsletter reports is now newsletter@u3abenalla.com. 
• Please make sure  the new address is in your contacts list & remove previous addresses as they are no longer operational.

A reminder to convenors  and newsletter correspondents - if reports are not received by the newsletter deadline it will generally be assumed a report is not required for that month.

​If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Newsletter Editor Heather Wallace newsletter@u3abenalla.com  or 0418 353 244.

Each month a report is placed in the Newsletter by either the Convener or their nominated person, giving a brief outline of the activities undertake by their group during the previous month.  As a limited number of pages can be folded comfortably in an envelope to be mailed to members who do not have Email access, it is suggested that these reports are concise but informative.  This is not possible in some cases, but please keep it in mind when presenting them for the Newsletter.
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If you have any dates or times that you wish to notify your groups of upcoming activities, please include this information.    This information is then used to keep the calendar on the website up to date, keeping members informed.

Photos are also welcome, but a limit maybe placed on the number used in each edition as these take up megabytes and therefore the final Newsletter is above the required size for emailing out to members.   These photos are also passed onto the calendar convenor/website manager who uses them to update the webpage.

If a report is not received in time, it will be either left out of the Newsletter or a short summary may be inserted by the Editor, depending on information available from members.

The timeline for receipt of Newsletter reports, preparation and printing/emailing is as follows:

• Reports from conveners to be received by 25th day of each month.    Please forward report to newsletter@u3abenalla.com.   If you have the Email in your contacts on your computer/ipad please check that it is the correct email address for the Newsletter.    Old Newsletter addresses are no longer operational.
• Collating reports and setting up Newsletter to be completed by the last day of month.
• Calendar for the following month updated from reports at end of month, formatted ready for printing with Newsletter - this calendar will include the 1st week of classes in the next month.   e.g.  the upcoming April Newsletter has reports of March activities conducted.   Calendar is for April classes plus first week of May activities and attached to the rear of Newsletter.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Newsletter Editor Heather Wallace
newsletter@u3abenalla.com Phone: 0418 353 244

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 would like to find a volunteer prepared to train and gradually begin to 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

After trialling a copy deadline of 28th day of the month for two months, along with the decision to change the publication detail to the upcoming month, we've decided upon a new deadline - the 25th day of the month at midday.  

This provides us with the time needed to prepare and carefully edit the newsletter and put upcoming dates mentioned in the newsletter reports into the website calendar and 'What's On' page. 

The extra days will mean we will be able to publish the newsletter in a more timely way for the upcoming month.

As a general rule the only groups likely to fall on or after the 25th are Wine Appreciation and Garden Appreciation - these groups generally provide details of their next two to three months excursions in each newsletter report. 

Newsletter/Website Team

Last month some U3a members advised that they did not receive their April Newsletter. On further investigation it become apparent that users with “bigpond.com” addresses appeared to be most affected.

​It was also discovered that a few people who thought they had not received their Newsletters were looking for the May edition.

With the advent of the What’s On page and a later date for publication it has been decided to update the heading to the month of issue. You won’t miss out on a newsletter as there will now be a December edition. Hopefully this will avoid any further confusion.

The monthly 'What's On' calendar attached to the Newsletter is for the next month for your information and planning.

Heather Wallace
​Editor

At the AGM held in March, I offered to edit the Newsletter for U3a.    I have been a member of U3a for 3 years and am very impressed with the variety of areas that members can enjoy, learn and discuss.

I love to receive my Newsletter and I know I have a hard ‘act to follow’ from how Judith Borthwick and more recently Freida Andrews and Terry Dillon have produced it in the past.
As with many things, a change of Editor can also be a time for changes to be made in the production of the Newsletter.   The basic format of the Newsletter will not change.

Previously Convenors reports were due in the day after Meet and Mingle activity, which could be the 15th of the month to the 21st of the month.   This was ideal when the reports were handwritten and were required to be typed up.    However, in these days of computers that is not necessary.

I would like to receive the Convenors’ Reports on the 28th day of the month, which means that Convenors can give a full month’s report.

This will enable me to look at the reports and place them into the Newsletter in similar format, ready for forwarding to members in the first week of the month.

The Calendar for the upcoming month will also include the first week of the following month’s activities so that you will have up to date information.

We will give this change a try over the next two months and, if it works, look at adopting in the future.
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Heather Wallace, Newsletter Editor

We are very pleased to welcome Heather Wallace to the busy role of Newsletter Editor.  Heather is already in the midst of producing her first newsletter, bringing to the role many years of experience working with businesses and organizations and skills in producing documents and newsletters.  We really appreciate Heather's willingness to take on this role.  Thank you Heather, and 'Good Luck'! 

Terry Dillon has played a key role as acting editor of the Newsletter since May 2017.  During this time, in addition to immersing himself in newsletter production and meeting deadlines in a very timely way, Terry has developed a style sheet to assist in the formatting of the newsletter by future editors and instigated the 'What's On' listing of events for the coming month on the last page.

It has been enjoyable working with Terry checking details, suggesting photographs and proofreading as I update the website calendar and upload reports to the website.  It seems that producing the newsletter is rather like having a baby, we forget how much focus and energy is required as soon as we give birth - until next time!   

Terry is already very busy as U3A membership officer and in computer and equipment roles. Hopefully relinquishing the acting newsletter editor role will give him more time to pursue his many other hobbies and interests, including 'The Year of Music' he and Meg are pursuing.  

Thank you so much Terry for filling in and for working so thoughtfully and effectively as our  acting newsletter editor.  
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Bev Lee
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​Website Manager
Newsletter Team Member

With the Newsletter not due until the last Monday of this month, a News Page was sent out earlier this week with information about sessions coming up before the next newsletter is mailed.  

A shorter Newsletter is being sent out this month which contains the President's report; some reports from late November early December activities and a number of notices to members.

Accompanying this is the detailed Program Guide; a New Membership form and the monthly overview of the timetable.  

We look forward to seeing you at one of our Enrolment Days - 15th January 9.30 - 11.30 at Cooinda; 17th January, 9.30 to 11.30 am at the Benalla Senior Citizens Community Centre.

Geraldine and Lorraine are the editors of the August and September newsletters, with Terry taking the helm again supported by Lorraine later in the year.  It was almost complete - then seemed to disappear, twice!  Bev helped out in the final stages.

Convenors and newsletter correspondents are now almost all in the swing of sending their reports and photos to the new newsletter centralized address - newsletter@u3abenalla.com . Next  newsletter deadline - 20 September at midday.

Terry Dillon and Lorraine Knox have produced the May and June newsletters and will produce the July Newsletter.  Terry has been working on developing a style sheet which Lorraine will be able to use while he is away in August and September.  He's also set up a new newsletter email address, newsletter@u3abenalla.com.  

Terry's new style sheet is producing a fine looking newsletter and this month there was less confusion with clear instructions about the use of a single email address.  However, as some convenors will be aware there have been some teething problems which have required patience!
The team has  already or are working to resolve these in a commitment to 'continuous improvement'.  Please let Terry know about any problems you have come across - 5762 6558.

​Bev Lee

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Our Newsletter team is expanding.  Thanks to Bev for editing the February Newsletter, to Judith for the March and April Newsletter, and to Terry and Lorraine for the May and hopefully the June and July Newsletters.  

Terry has emailed members providing information about formats emailed and is keen to hear back from anyone who hasn't been able to access a version which meets their needs.  Phone Terry on 5762 6558 if this applies to you.  

The timetables were included with the posted version and as attachments/links in the emailed versions.  Website viewers can open the links to the timetables hereon the updated links in the Join Us page.  

The next newsletter deadline is midday on Wednesday, June 21st.  

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Thanks go to Judith Borthwick, who came out of retirement after seven years of editing the newsletter,  to edit the March and April Newsletters.    

​Geraldine McCorkell has agreed to be acting editor for the May newsletter.

Please forward newsletter items for the May newsletter to Geraldine by Wednesday 17th May at midday.  Email:  gmccorkell@activ8.net.au  Phone:  5762 2134 or 0408 522 662.

The deadline for articles to be in to Newsletter Editor has been brought forward.  As from next month the date will be the third Wednesday of the month (Meet and Mingle Day).  Next month this will be 19th April, at noon.  Items for the April Newsletter to be forwarded to jlborthwick@bigpond.com by this date.

Telephone number for Secretary Geraldine McCorkell is 5762 2134 Mobile: 0408 522 662, email gmccorkell@activ8.net.au

The Publicity/Media team has made the following arrangements for Newsetter Editor until Jane Parris, who happily agreed to be the editor, is able to take up the reins.  We will keep you updated about future arrangements.

The February Newsletter will be edited by website manager Bev Lee, who assisted Freida with the Newsletter in 2017.  Send reports to bevlee47@gmail.com or to u3abenallanewsletter@gmail.com by midday on Monday February 27th.  Reports sent to Jane or to Freida's email address will be forwarded on. 

The March Newsletter will be edited by Judith Borthwick, our Publicity Officer, who regularly writes our articles for the Ensign and was editor of the Newsletter for many years.  March Newsletter reports can be sent directly to Judith at jlborthwick@bigpond.com or sent to u3abenallanewsletter@gmail.com 

Terry Case will provide editorial liaison and support to the acting editors.

​At recent executive meetings the committee has considered whether there is a need for expansion in the priority given to member ‘welfare’.   Inspired by guest speakers at a recent regional U3A meeting, president Terry Case asked the question ‘Do we need an expanded role for welfare – with a procedure written up relating to following up and visiting members who are unwell, support provided in assisting them to gain transport to classes, and more?’ 
 
Executive currently has a portfolio for ‘welfare’.   The role includes meeting our ‘hunger’ needs during coffee breaks by stocking copious supplies of biscuits and other supplies in the cupboard in W4 and the sending out of get well, condolence, congratulations cards to members who are experiencing ill health, grief and loss or positive acclaim.  
 
Executive considered Terry’s question from many angles – the need to be conscious of member privacy and independence was paramount.  At the same time there was awareness of a duty of care and concern to prevent members ‘falling through the cracks’.  
 
There seems to be general agreement that U3A is at the ‘preventative’ rather than ‘acute’ end of the welfare or ‘social health’ spectrum – that our mission is to foster wellbeing through encouraging social connectedness through learning and shared activities rather than setting and meeting expectations of higher levels of care.  At the same time there was clear concern that we need to look out for one another & awareness that convenors play an important role in watching out for & following up newer members who may not have established friendship networks in Benalla.  
 
At this stage the committee would like to remind members that Pat Gardiner is the first point of call if any of us feel that a member would appreciate a card if they are unwell or have either sad or happy news to report.  Pat will arrange for a card to be sent to them from U3A.  Pat’s phone number is 0407 848 534.
 
The committee would also like to reinforce the important role individual convenors and tutors play as ‘front line’ workers in promoting and monitoring social health, as some members come to U3A to follow up particular interest areas in activities such as Lifeball and Singing for Fun which do not meet in W4.  
 
Executive is still discussing the issue and would be interested in hearing feedback from members. 
 

Last week’s Census was somewhat limited in the way in which it considered the question of voluntary work.  There was one question which required a simple Yes/No answer related to volunteering –‘In the last twelve months did the person spend any time doing voluntary work through an organisation or group?’  with a note which indicated ‘voluntary work for sporting teams, youth groups, schools or religious organisations’ could be included.
 
Many U3A members don’t just do voluntary work, we do quite a lot of voluntary work, often across a number of organisations!  Our U3A executive and convenors put in many additional volunteer hours, particularly those who are both on the U3A executive and convene one or more course activities.   It was therefore most surprising to find there was no opportunity to estimate the number of volunteer  hours we do. 
 
The question relating to ‘Unpaid Work At Home’ distinguished between ‘No’, ‘Yes, less than 5 hours; ‘Yes, 5 to 14 hours; ‘Yes, 15 to 29 hours’ and ‘Yes, 30 hours or more’.  Perhaps volunteer work could have been measured in this way as well.
 
Then there is the question as to how the ABS would value each volunteer hour spent if they used an imputed cost to measure the value of the volunteer work by U3A members in the census.  A recent U3A related paper which looked at this issue imputed a value of $20 an hour.  
 
Most of the unpaid work U3A members do as volunteers is not routine work, however, with members of the executive in particular carrying out complex roles  requiring managing programs, budgets and carrying out a range of negotiations.
 
The past year has seen our committee members, in particular President Terry Case, Past President Geraldine McCorkell and Vice President Dorothy Webber, responding to the insecurity engendered last year when the Centre suddenly abandoned its Barkly Campus and the role it had played in relation to U3A.  Terry, Geraldine and Dorothy have spent many, many hours considering and engaging in negotiations looking towards a more secure accommodation for U3A Benalla over the longer term.   This has not been without complications, but hearing about accommodation issues facing other U3A’s at regional, statewide and national conferences, we are clearly not alone. 
 
Negotiations are continuing and have been complex.  Whatever the outcome, it is important to value the efforts which have been made by Terry, Geraldine and Dorothy (who are also convenors of course activities) in recent negotiations, and the long history of committee members who have worked on accommodation issues in the past.  If we imputed the value of their efforts in terms of a paid work amount, the amount in dollar terms would be staggering.
 
Even if the census hasn’t prioritized valuing volunteer work and the many hours spent across the organizational structure of U3A, we should.                                                              
 
Thank you Terry, Geraldine and Dorothy for all your hard work.                               
 
*Bev Lee prepared this editorial on behalf of the Newsletter/Website team. Terry Case will
return with his President’s Message next month. 
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Please check your Newsletter and the calendars, group reports and timetables on the website for updates and changes to scheduled meetings.

The next newsletter deadline is on Monday 22 August at midday.

​Newsletter reports will be uploaded to the website at the end of that week. Additional photographs for the web can be sent to bevlee47@gmail.com.

Freida Andrews, Newsletter
​Editor Bev Lee, Website Manager