Well, they say no news is good news, but not in our case at U3A.  Council have no plans in the foreseeable future to reopen the building.

With the changes still happening daily, we can only continue as we have been for the last 3 months.

At a recent Zoom Committee Meeting we decided to get together for lunch in the gardens next to the Art Gallery on Wednesday 22 July at 12 noon. BYO lunch, tea/coffee, chair etc.  This will depend on numbers that can gather, and of course the WEATHER. 

Stay safe and sound and we will all survive.
​
Dorothy Webber,
President

I hope you are all safe and well, and not feeling too down by the quarantine.     At least now we can visit family and friends.    We still must practice social distancing.

I know a lot of you are missing the company of your U3A friends and are longing to be back together.

This newsletter contains news that some of the external groups are starting up, while some groups are using Zoom.  The Zoom groups are working well, and we may have more on the way.   Other contact with members is also happening, with some Convenors ringing and emailing their groups.

The Committee held its first Zoom Meeting recently. It was great to see everyone together, to catch up with Network and other news.

We have received a Community Grant from the Benalla Rural City to replace our old heavy Whiteboard with a light-weight magnetic whiteboard.

As I write, there is no news as to when the Council are going to reopen the building.  As you will understand, we cannot plan for restarting at this time because we don’t know what the rules will be in the future.

Dorothy Webber,
​President

What a trialling time we are all having. I must say I am up one day and down the next. Missing what was my normal life. I wonder if our old normal will ever return. 

I have been receiving a Newsletter from U3A Network Victoria each week, so we the Committee are keeping in touch with the Network’s recommendations.

A number of our Conveners are running their Courses by email, we have been having Zoom Meetings and some Courses have started using Zoom. Your Convener will contact you if this is one of your classes. Of course, this is not available to all. 

We may be able to run a future Meet n Mingle as a Zoom meeting.  We could listen to a guest speaker using the mute feature, so all we would hear is the speaker.

As we are all missing our families and friends, make use of Technology and be thankful we have it. If you need tech support, I may be able to help, no promises. 0421263071.

Stay Home and Stay Safe

Dorothy Webber
President

​Because of the situation with the Corona virus and the latest spatial requirements, the Committee has decided to shut down Benalla U3A.

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.
​
Dorothy Webber
President
21 March 2020

It is with great pleasure that I make my report for the last year.

We have had many social events this year:   A Benalla Rural City Sponsored Morning Tea at which the Recorder Group entertained us, was held in October.  On the same day we followed on with a Be Connected sponsored BBQ lunch, a busy day as both events had to be held that week.  The November Meet n Mingle was once again entertained by the Singing for Fun Group and the display of the work of the Patchwork Group  Our first evening event was held in February.  A good time was enjoyed by all with tasty Pizzas and a cake to celebrate Benalla’s involvement with Be Connected.

​We continue with our meetings with Council and other users of the building.  Looking to the future we were asked to put forward our suggestions for the redesign of the interior of the building.  We await what that decision will be.  My thanks go to Margaret Jenkins who put a very professional design together.  With a view to utilising the space more efficiently, the Thursday mornings Singing for Fun and Community Singing now meet in the auditorium.

The success of U3A Benalla is largely due to the wonderful Conveners who continually put themselves forward to lead sessions, and my wonderful Committee who have worked so hard for you this year.

The growth of the Benalla retirement community sees our membership growing.  Currently we have 341 members - 246 Ladies and 95 Gentlemen.  This is an increase of 66 from what we had last year.  Considering that we had 60 new members last year and so far 68 this year that is incredible growth.  We have 48 courses on offer in Semester 1. The future of Benalla U3A is looking very positive as we continue to grow our membership and courses.

Once again I have kept close relationship with the Network by attending the Regional Meetings. 
A two-day meeting was held here in Benalla at BPACC in April and a one-day meeting was held In Seymour in September.  Having myself and members of our committee attending and networking is beneficial to us and all U3As across our region.  Geraldine McCorkell regularly attends the meetings at the Network in Melbourne and keeps us updated.  My thanks to Geraldine for this service.
 
Once again my thanks to the Committee who have helped me no end over the last year.

Dorothy Webb
​President

​We have started the new year with plenty of enthusiasm and continue with new memberships daily. Our numbers are very impressive.   Of course, this is due to our wonderful Convenors and the courses we have on offer.

My biggest thank you to all the volunteers at the RedB4 Book Shop for handing out our Membership packs and handling the Registration Forms.

Benalla U3A’s Annual General Meeting will be held at Meet & Mingle on Wednesday 18th March from 10am to 12 noon. A Nomination form has been sent out with the March Newsletter and is available here. Give a thought to coming on the Committee. It is important to have new people with new ideas to keep our U3A growing in the future.

It has come to my notice that many Members aren't aware that they can claim Travel and Accommodation when they travel 100k or more to a Medical Appointment. One member only found this out after 2 1/2 years of travelling to Melbourne. Seems it’s one of those things you only find out about by word of mouth.
​
A wonderful Social Dinner was held recently in conjunction with the Be Connected program. Thanks to tBe Connected for the Grant that enabled us to enjoy a get together and meal.

​
​Dorothy Webber

​​Welcome to 2020!  May we all have a great start to the U3A year.

Our Summer School classes were well attended and enjoyed, with Community Singing now timetabled throughout the year.

We have some classes with large numbers, hopefully this will work itself out.

The Good Things Foundation have once again supported our Be Connected program with a grant. This will fund a Social Evening and Meal to be held on Wednesday February 26th following the Be Connected class. All members are welcome.

​Did you miss Enrolment Day?  Don't despair!  Enrolment kits are available at the RedB4 Book Shop (next to Hide's Bakery) and on the website.  Completed Enrolment Application/ Renewal Forms can be left at RedB4 for collection or posted with payment to The Secretary, U3A Benalla, PO Box 674, Benalla 3671.

U3A Benalla and District’s Annual General Meeting will be held prior to Meet and Mingle on Wednesday March 18th.  There will be more information in the next newsletter. 
​
Dorothy Webber, President

​Benalla U3A’s Summer School Program is now in its third year!  In December 2017 Dorothy Webber piloted a summer program with a session dedicated to Trivial Pursuit, and a second session ‘Morning Memories’ where stories and photographs were shared. In January 2019 the first ‘Tech Savvy Be Connected’ summer school program was offered by Jenny Sawyer and Margaret Jenkins.  In 2020, three summer school activities are being held in the U3A meeting room over the January break: 
 
Tech Savvy Be Connected   Tuesday 7, 14 and 21 January – 10am-11am 
Whether or not you attended previous sessions last semester, you are welcome to bring your portable devices to our summer school to extend your computing know-ledge & skills. Contact:   Margaret Jenkins 5762 6944 Jenny Sawyer 0409 545 182

Patchwork     Thursday 9 & 23 January - 10am-4pm
The Patchwork Group is continuing its tradition of holding day long sessions in January, increasing the number this year from one to two.    Contact:  Dorothy Webber 5762 2116 or 0412 263 071

Community Singing  Friday 10, 17 & 24 January - 10.30 am-11.45 am
Due to a kind offer by Brian Greed, Singing for Fun are running three Community Singing mornings in January.   Singing for Fun members and other members of U3A are invited to attend.  Each session will have a break for morning tea and is expected to finish about 11.45 am.   Contact: Margaret Jenkins 5762 6944
 
Life Ball    Recommences Monday 13th January  9.45 to 11.30am
Life Ball is also returning in mid-January at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre in Ackerly Avenue.  Weekly sessions recommence Monday 13 January.
Contact:  Max Powell 0423 525 565

​Did you miss Enrolment Day?  Don't despair!  Enrolment kits are available at the RedB4 Book Shop (next to Hide's Bakery) and on the website.  Completed Enrolment Application/ Renewal Forms can be left at RedB4  for collection or posted with payment to The Secretary, U3A Benalla, PO Box 674, Benalla 3671

Dorothy Webber, President

​As we rush headlong to the end of the year, l look back at the successful year we have had at Benalla U3A.

The new courses that started in 2019 have generated interest, and I hope the new courses for 2020 will do the same.

The two BBQs we had this year were a great social event and at the Morning Tea in Seniors Week we entertained 75 members and guests with a performance by our Recorder Group.

At the last Meet and Mingle the Singing for Fun Group performed to 58 members. The display from the Patchwork Group showed how many talented members we have.

Enrolment days will be held on Monday January 13th and Wednesday January 15th - both will be at the Seniors Community Building. Advertisements will be in the Ensign.  

The latest version of the 2020 Semester 1 ‘Month Overview’ Timetable has been sent out with the December newsletter. Membership renewal forms, program details and timetables will be sent out early in the New Year and be available on the website and at RedB4 Books.

As we move towards Christmas and the holidays, enjoy your time. Come back in 2020 with all your enthusiasm and once again we will have a wonderful year.
​
Merry Christmas to you all!

Dorothy Webber,
​President

Our Seniors Week Morning Tea was a great success!  Many thanks to all the workers who put it together, the Recorder Group for their performance and the Collectors group for displaying a broad range of collectibles for the pleasure of our guests.
 
Once again, thank you to the BBQ team from the Lion’s Club for our lunch.

On the 25th of October, 26 of our Convenors met and shared their experiences. Such a positive group of great people, we at Benalla are so fortunate that they share their expertise with us. On a personal note, many thanks go to Pauline Bailey for her words after the meeting.

The Program Committee have been working on the timetable for Semester 1 2020.  It is now almost ready to go to Benalla Council.

Our last Meet & Mingle for 2019 will be held on Wednesday 20th November. Once again, the Singing for Fun Group will entertain us and the Patchwork Group will display their work.

Come along and join us.

Dorothy Webber,
​President