When reading the last Newsletter, I was struck by the huge variety of activities that our U3A Benalla groups provide. Congratulations and thank you to all our Convenors for all the thought and effort you put into arranging these activities and outings. The fact that our members enjoy these activities so much was further cemented when a member asked me what was happening over the Christmas break.
The Program Committee, consisting of Geraldine McCorkell, Bev Lee, Len Jeffers and myself met in late October and have endorsed a number of new programs for 2023. The first of these is “The Sky’s the Limit” which will be convened by Claire Rudolph who has a background as a glider pilot. Sessions will include guest speakers with a background in aviation and stories to tell.
Heather Wallace, who has a background in music, will convene “Ukes4Fun” in 2023. This weekly hour-long session will provide instruction on the ukulele including how to hold, tune and play simple chords. You will need a ukulele of reasonable quality, a music stand and a tuner. After basic instruction the group will go onto playing tunes and jamming sessions.
“The Wise Guys Book Group' is a Men’s book group which will be starting in 2023. The book titles will be drawn largely from non-fiction including Biography/Memoir, Exploration, Warfare, Spy craft, Mystery, Crime etc. David Palmer, who has run Stock and Land very successfully for a number of years, will be convening this Men’s Book Group.
Another group which is set to start in 2023 is a Photography group. This monthly class is for instruction, hands on participation and social fun. Members will learn about better picture taking and editing techniques. They will have the opportunity to engage in friendly competition and have their pictures appraised by an experienced teacher. We are very pleased to announce that Rene Martens has agreed to convene the six sessions of this group in Semester 1.
Another new course for 2023 is ‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ which will be convened by Meg Dillon and held in our U3A room. Books will include “Sense and Sensibility”, “Pride and Prejudice”, “Mansfield Park”, “Emma”, “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion”.
We are also pleased to announce a ‘Tech Savvy Help’ group for 2023. The course is meant for those participants with rusty skills who feel overwhelmed and would like access to someone to actively assist them through problem solving over a current hurdle. Jenny Sawyer and Robyn Lukey have agreed to guide participants through their particular problem.
We also have an offer from Julie McNeill of a new course titled ‘Wildflowers and Fungi of North East Victoria”. Julie observed the need for this five-session course when she saw the keen interest of Easy Walk’s members in wildflowers. The course will include trips to the Reef Hills and Warbys as well as the occasional guest speaker and is planned for second semester.
Jane Rushworth will also be offering the five-session 'Demystifying Psychology' course in semester two.
What a line up for 2023 to go with our current varied courses.
For the immediate future can I remind you of our special Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 16th November at 10am when there will be a concert by both the Recorder Group and the Singing for Fun group as well as a display by the Patchwork group, which is always worth seeing. Please bring your family and friends for this fun filled morning.
Finally, a reminder about our Christmas lunch to be held at the King River Café on Wednesday 23 November. A bus will leave Benalla Bus Lines at 11am for those who wish to travel by bus. Forms, which were part of last month’s Newsletter, and money can be left at the RedB4 bookshop by 7th November 2022 - don't forget to put your name on the envelope.
Hope to see you at the King River Cafe!
Margaret Jenkins
The Program Committee, consisting of Geraldine McCorkell, Bev Lee, Len Jeffers and myself met in late October and have endorsed a number of new programs for 2023. The first of these is “The Sky’s the Limit” which will be convened by Claire Rudolph who has a background as a glider pilot. Sessions will include guest speakers with a background in aviation and stories to tell.
Heather Wallace, who has a background in music, will convene “Ukes4Fun” in 2023. This weekly hour-long session will provide instruction on the ukulele including how to hold, tune and play simple chords. You will need a ukulele of reasonable quality, a music stand and a tuner. After basic instruction the group will go onto playing tunes and jamming sessions.
“The Wise Guys Book Group' is a Men’s book group which will be starting in 2023. The book titles will be drawn largely from non-fiction including Biography/Memoir, Exploration, Warfare, Spy craft, Mystery, Crime etc. David Palmer, who has run Stock and Land very successfully for a number of years, will be convening this Men’s Book Group.
Another group which is set to start in 2023 is a Photography group. This monthly class is for instruction, hands on participation and social fun. Members will learn about better picture taking and editing techniques. They will have the opportunity to engage in friendly competition and have their pictures appraised by an experienced teacher. We are very pleased to announce that Rene Martens has agreed to convene the six sessions of this group in Semester 1.
Another new course for 2023 is ‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ which will be convened by Meg Dillon and held in our U3A room. Books will include “Sense and Sensibility”, “Pride and Prejudice”, “Mansfield Park”, “Emma”, “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion”.
We are also pleased to announce a ‘Tech Savvy Help’ group for 2023. The course is meant for those participants with rusty skills who feel overwhelmed and would like access to someone to actively assist them through problem solving over a current hurdle. Jenny Sawyer and Robyn Lukey have agreed to guide participants through their particular problem.
We also have an offer from Julie McNeill of a new course titled ‘Wildflowers and Fungi of North East Victoria”. Julie observed the need for this five-session course when she saw the keen interest of Easy Walk’s members in wildflowers. The course will include trips to the Reef Hills and Warbys as well as the occasional guest speaker and is planned for second semester.
Jane Rushworth will also be offering the five-session 'Demystifying Psychology' course in semester two.
What a line up for 2023 to go with our current varied courses.
For the immediate future can I remind you of our special Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 16th November at 10am when there will be a concert by both the Recorder Group and the Singing for Fun group as well as a display by the Patchwork group, which is always worth seeing. Please bring your family and friends for this fun filled morning.
Finally, a reminder about our Christmas lunch to be held at the King River Café on Wednesday 23 November. A bus will leave Benalla Bus Lines at 11am for those who wish to travel by bus. Forms, which were part of last month’s Newsletter, and money can be left at the RedB4 bookshop by 7th November 2022 - don't forget to put your name on the envelope.
Hope to see you at the King River Cafe!
Margaret Jenkins
