U3A Benalla and District Inc.
  • Home
  • Benalla
    • Benalla
    • Benalla District
    • Who, What and Where? - Benalla Rural City
  • About
    • Our U3A
    • President's Page
    • Executive Committee
    • Convenors >
      • Convenors
      • Convenors A - Z 2022
    • Program Suggestions
    • Newsletter
    • Website
  • Groups
    • Groups A - Z
    • Recent Groups >
      • Armchair Traveller
      • Russian Literature
      • A Different View Of German History
      • Bushwalking - Mid-week Walks
      • Demystifying Psychology
      • German - Beginners
    • Archived Groups >
      • A - M >
        • Booker Reading Group
        • Comparative Religion
        • Facebook for Mentors
        • Google Apps/TS Plus
        • History - An Introduction to Western Civilization
        • History - Moments in Australian History
        • Investment I (1996 -2015)
        • Legal Matters (Short Course)
        • Making the Most of the Internet >
          • + Ian's Blog
          • + Links and references
      • O - Z >
        • On Target - Learning to Shop Online
        • Opera
        • 'Over There'
        • Rail and Tourism
        • Tech Savvy Apple Devices - Intermediate
        • Tech Savvy Community Projects
        • Tech Savvy Drop In
        • Travel Group
        • Zoom Short Course
  • A-Col
    • 'A Taste of Art'
    • Armchair History
    • Art Appreciation
    • 'As Time Goes By' >
      • Home
      • Ritual
      • Memories Treasure Chest
      • Our Stories - by writer
      • Our Stories - by topic
    • 'Be Connected'
    • Birdwatching
    • Brain Games
    • Bushwalking - Easy Walks
    • Chat n' Chew
    • Coin Collectors
    • Collectors
  • Com-G
    • Community Singing
    • Creative Writing
    • Exercises for Fun
    • Exploring the Universe
    • Family Research - Advanced >
      • Home
      • Graeme's Glossary
    • Family Research - Beginners
    • Film Discussion Group
    • Garden Appreciation
    • Garden Team
    • German - Advanced >
      • Home
      • Lessons
  • I-R
    • Investment
    • Let's Talk Books
    • Lifeball
    • Meditation
    • Meet and Mingle
    • Music Appreciation
    • Page Turners
    • Patchwork
    • Play Reading
    • Politics & Current Affairs
    • Recorder Group
  • S -Z
    • Saturday Cards - '500'
    • Singing for Fun
    • Stock and Land
    • Sustainability
    • Tech Savvy Beginners - Android
    • Tech Savvy Beginners - Apple
    • Tech Talks
    • The News - Fact or Fiction?
    • The Sky's the Limit
    • Wine Appreciation
  • Join
    • Join Us
    • Program Guide 2022
    • Membership Application 2022
    • Month Overview Semester 2 2022
    • Full Timetable with Dates Semester 2 2022
    • Venues and Maps
  • News
    • News - General
    • August Newsletter
    • Calendar 2022
    • Monthly Calendar
    • Website & Facebook
  • FB
  • Gallery
    • Gallery 2022
    • Gallery 2021
    • Gallery 2020
    • Gallery 2019
    • Gallery 2018
    • Gallery 2017
    • Gallery 2016 >
      • + Christmas Lunch 2016
    • Gallery 2015 >
      • Christmas Lunch 2015
    • Gallery 2014
    • Lifeball Video
  • Links
    • Resources and References
    • U3A Network Victoria
    • Seniors Online Victoria
    • U3A Albury Wodonga
    • U3A Beechworth (Indigo U3A)
    • U3A Bright
    • U3A Wangaratta
    • U3A Goulburn Valley
  • Contact

Right Here, Right Now - 'COVID in the country - Benalla Update'

24/8/2020

0 Comments

 
​The current infection status for Benalla is that we have had three cases reported in March/April so far this calendar year. We currently have no reported cases, or patients in hospital, all due to the diligence of our community members. Our township, and surrounding communities are complying with the regulations, however many of our businesses have closed, or are on limited trading programs, due to the restrictions.
​
Our service, community and social organisations have closed down their regular meetings and events with most being managed by their executive via the internet. Our senior citizens rooms, which are also utilised by over 300 members of our U3A, have been closed. As a result, almost all of the 47, U3A courses on offer this semester have been cancelled, or are being conducted remotely. The art gallery was to be opened for limited days and hours, but is still closed due to tighter restrictions. Our sporting clubs are doing what they can to retain interest in their activities, particularly for the junior members. Most of the regional leagues have now cancelled the 2020 season because of the uncertainty surrounding the restrictions easing.

Almost every day I hear of yet another regional event being cancelled, due to the uncertainty of restrictions being imposed and the current reluctance, given the risks, of many volunteers to participate. Why would people go to all the trouble to prepare these events only to have them shut down due to a sudden change in regulations, or by a reported case of COVID19? It should also be noted that insurance for these events is now almost unprocurable due to the uncertainty of compliance, or the sudden changes in regulations. In Benalla Rural City we have seen two large historic motoring events, SCRAP, Wall to Wall, various other community annual events and the Benalla Festival, cancelled because of uncertainty. These events are generally held annually and provide funding for local businesses and the not-for-profit community organisations to continue their community support work throughout the year. With these events now cancelled, substantial funding and program support will be lost to our community, for at least one year.
On a personal level we all need to wear masks whilst out and about. Please remember that when you smile at a person they cannot see you!!

Whilst on Zoom or Skype, remember to comb your hair and put a clean top on, it does not matter what else you are wearing, the others cannot see it!!

Have you gone through the cupboards to clean out all of the ‘stuff’ that you have not used for decades? What are you going to do with it? Vinnies is a good option, but please ring beforehand to check that they are still open. RedB4 bookshop is currently closed due to restrictions. Benalla Buy, Swap and Sell on Facebook, is a good option, because people do not have to travel far to pick up the item/s. The alternate is to store the items in a safe place until Vinnies or the RedB4 bookshop re-open.

Have you started writing that book you were always going to write? I have been busy and expanded on the background of our family trees, with three books that are almost complete.

Stay alert for the next episode of “Are We Having Fun Yet?’


Barry O'Connor
August 28, 2020
0 Comments

    'Right Here, Right Now'

    'Right Here, Right Now' - 'A time capsule of the present.  Write a story about a situation currently unfolding in your life, right here, right now'.

    Archives

    October 2021
    September 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020

    Stories by ...

    All
    Barry O'Connor
    Beverley Lee
    Beverley Morton
    Claire Rudolph
    David Palmer
    Helen Duggin
    Joy Shirley
    Judy Perry
    Margaret Nelson
    Maxine Gardiner
    Neville Gibb
    Valerie Dunin

    RSS Feed

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
Picture
News
​Newsletter
Facebook Page
​
Program Suggestions
COVIDSafe Plan
U3A Benalla & District Flier 2022
​Membership Application/Renewal Form 
​
Program Guide 2022
Semester 1 Timetable with Dates 2022
Semester 1 Timetable Month Overview 2022
Developed and maintained by members, this website showcases U3A Benalla & District. 
​Photographs - U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website; ​Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and State Library of Victoria