My first year has seen U3A move from The Benalla College to our home here at the Seniors’ building. Our thanks go to the Flexible Learning Centre for our time with them and the coffee on moving day.   The move in day was the easy part. As you all know we have had and continue to have many ups and downs.

Currently we have been asked by Benalla Council to provide a submission for the use of the Rest Room and former Red Cross area in the kitchen for our Office and storage.  The Executive is in the process of doing this and it will be submitted by the due date April 13th.

The noise issue also requires a submission along with a proposed solution. A suggestion is that a wall be erected at the end of the corridor as a starting point. As it stands the building is not suitable for multiple uses at the same time.
 
In June we had a display at the Library in their display cabinet. The range of activities on show was very well received, with lots of comments as to the diverse range of courses on offer.

In the 2nd semester of 2017 membership reached 250 for the 1st time this year. We now have 275 and are a growing and vibrant U3A.

I have been thrilled with the way the first semester was up and running in such a professional manner. All the new convenors have settled in well. I can’t thank you enough. Without you and all our existing convenors, Benalla U3A could not be such a success.

I have been to a number of groups and interrupted them with an emergency evacuation procedure.  I feel this is an important exercise and it has shown me that if we stack all the chairs along the wall next to the piano we then have full access to the doorways. When stacked correctly the chairs all fit in this space. This also will give the cleaners a clear access and allows us room to move freely around when members are seated at the tables.

Bev Lee and Judith Borthwick have both resigned from the Committee and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their service to U3A.

Judith has been our Publicity Officer for many years and has been responsible for all the ads and articles seen in The Ensign. She has also been a very capable Newsletter editor for many years.

Bev’s work in helping to establish our Tech Savvy Courses has seen her put in many hours of work and her work on Benalla U3A webpage has resulted in one of the best websites to be found. I thank you ladies for a job well done.

I would also like to thank the members of the Committee for their work during the last year. They have been a tremendous help to me. What they have achieved is truly amazing. I hope the new Committee will go from strength to strength and make Benalla U3A one of the best, if not the best, in the state.

Over the past year we have lost a number of our long term members.  I will not try to name them as I would hate to leave anyone out but I must acknowledge the passing of Life Member Su Hughes. Su was a past committee member and was tireless in her work for U3A Benalla.

Finally, I am very pleased to announce the awarding of a Life Membership to Louise Doddrell. Louise started the Wine Appreciation Grooup 21 years ago, ran it for many years, and has put together a wonderful album of photo memories. Louise is very happy that it has been such a success and finds it hard to believe that the group is still so popular.

​On this happy note I will finish and wish all our members happy U3Aing.
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Dorothy Webber:  President

One month in and wonderful to see and hear that all groups are doing well.

We still have a noise problem. My hope is next week’s meeting with Council will get a solution (Fingers crossed).

Changes are still happening in our room with the installation of the Overhead Projector, bought and paid for by U3A.

The AGM is in March at our Meet & Mingle. This is an important meeting to attend as this is when the election of your office bearers will take place.

Dorothy Webber
​President

What a fantastic start to the year. So many happy members, new and old, enjoying the existing and the new courses. Once again, a big thank you to all our convenors.

Congratulations to our members who were nominated in the Australia Day awards. The winners were all well-deserved.

Keep hydrated and cool as we face another hot spell.

Just a reminder that our March Meet ‘n’ Mingle on March 21 is our Annual General Meeting.

Dorothy Webber
​President

Welcome to 2018 to all our Members new and old.

Our two Enrolment Days were busy with the buzz and excitement of seeing everyone looking refreshed and ready to sign up to the existing and new Courses on offer.

Each day more enrolments are coming in via mail and the RedB4 Book Shop.  Enrolments forms maybe obtained from the Book Shop.

Classes start February 1st.

Enjoy!

Dorothy Webber

​As I come to the end of 2017 I think back on what an exciting and challenging time the last six months have been. What we have achieved with the move to our permanent home is stability for the future which is a must have if we as an organisation are to continue to grow.

I want to thank all our convenors for the efforts they put into their courses and hope that they know that their time and effort is really appreciated. Without you there would be no Benalla U3A.

On a personal note I would like to express my appreciation to your Executive Committee, without whose advice and guidance I would have found my first nine months as President extremely difficult.
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I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year and may we all return refreshed and raring to go in 2018.

Dorothy Webber, 
President ​

On Monday 13 November around 60 people witnessed the launch of the refurbished Seniors Building. Cathy McGowan MP and Elsie Mutton, U3A Network President, were complimentary about the space we have and the outlook from our room.

The Program Committee has been working on some new and exciting courses for 2018.

Courses and activities that will run in December include:
Fri 1 1.30 – 3.30 Investment
Mon 4 1pm Trivial Pursuit 1980
Tues 5 10.00 – 12.00 E-Book Group at Benalla Library 2.00 – 4.00 Let’s Talk Books
Wed 6 9.45 – 12.15 Play Reading
Fri 8 1.30 – 3-30 Armchair History
Mon 11  9.45am Morning of Memories (Share Photos and Holiday Stories) 1.00 – 2.15
Creative Writing Workshop
Tues 12 10.00 – 12.00 Bill’s Railways (The New River Steam Train)
Mon 18 1.30pm Christmas Sing-along.

More detailed information can be obtained from the website

Dorothy Webber,
President 

The opening of the re-furbished Seniors Building will be on Monday, 13th November from 3pm.U3A members are encouraged to attend. Bring a plate of Afternoon Tea to share. Please, Please wear your Name Badge.

A Defibrillator has now been installed by the kitchen door and we will organise to run the training DVD in the near future.

Meet ‘n’ Mingle this month was our first session with the TV raised. There was a positive response. Unfortunately we are still having problems with the computer which we are trying to sort out.

Thank you to Bill Parris for approaching U3A Network to change the colours from Yellow and Blue to Yellow and Black. Unfortunately this was not passed by the committee. Go the Mighty Tigers, Premiers in 2017.

I am looking forward to seeing you at our Christmas luncheon at Whorouly on 22nd November.

Dorothy Webber
​President​

​On the 12th September, Geraldine, Lorraine and I attended a U3A Regional Meeting in Kilmore which once again showed us what a small but very active U3A we have here in Benalla. A huge thank you goes out to all our Convenors who run such an interesting and diverse set of courses. Without you we wouldn’t be so successful.

The Guest Speaker, Gerard Mansour, Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention spoke on the rights of seniors and how to reduce the risk of abuse.

​There was also a presentation from Travellers Aid which now offers a service at Seymour Station.

A convenors' meeting will be held on Monday 9 October at 2.30pm.  This will provide an opportunity to discuss how we are settling in.

Finally, we have a date and time - Monday 13th November from 3 pm - for the opening of the Benalla Senior Citizens Community Centre renovation.  More information in the October newsletter. 
​
Dorothy Webber, President

I am still recovering from my recent surgery. Thank you for all the good wishes.

Keep the afternoon of Monday 13th of November free for the opening of the Senior Citizens Community Centre Renovation at 3.00pm.  It has been  arranged by Benalla Rural City Council at a time which will allow Cathy McGowan MP to join us.  More information will be provided in upcoming newsletters. 

At the convenors meeting in early July the convenors were given a demonstration on how to operate the tables, however people have experienced problems with them.  If you need a refresher demonstration for your class please let me know.  While the wifi modem works well, we have been advised to turn it off and unplug it after use to avoid overheating the charger.    We have asked the Council to investigate the boiling water problem in the kitchen as there has not been enough boiling water for the larger classes.  The urn can be used if necessary.  We are also investigating raising the television.  

​Hopefully our teething problems will sort themselves out soon.

Dorothy Webber, President

At long last the move to our shared premises, the Senior Citizens and Community Centre, has taken place. I thank the Executive for the packing up of W4 and the unpacking into our new rooms.

Thank you does not seem enough for the great amount of work Terry Dillon has done setting up our computer.
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We are going to enjoy the wonderful back-drop to our room in every season. We have had some interesting feedback about how the room is working. All feedback is welcome but no changes will be made until we have had time to settle in.

Possible new courses for 2018 include:

• Recorder for Beginners (Convenor required)
• Easy Exercising (Convenor required)

Please consider if you have the expertise to help with these courses.

Government House runs tours and if there is enough interest I will arrange a tour. Tour is free but there will be cost for the bus. (35 people maximum)

There will be a formal opening of our new premises when the Council finds a suitable time.


Dorothy Webber
​President