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October 2019 Newsletter

Editorial

Our ANNUAL FORUM will be held on the 25th No-vember at the Heidelberg Golf Club. This year’s top-ic is ‘Social Media: Real Solutions for Real People’ presented by Dr Paula Swatman. Enrolments are now open and close 11 November. See page 2 for more information.

There is a report on page 3 about our recent AGM.

Read about the Creative Knitting Group on page 4.

The Victorian and Banyule Seniors Festivals take place throughout the month of October. See pages 2 & 6 for further information.

Our Member Profile this Newsletter is of our new Course Coordinator, Janice Kelly, written by Bronwyn Porter, see page 5. Be sure to read about Janice’s fascinating life.

Membership Renewal opens on Monday 4 No-vember. For more infor-mation see page 2.

Information regarding our new Committee of Man-agement for 2019/20 can be found on page 6.

REPORT FROM NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT JOAN LEARMONT

A very warm hello there to all our U3A members - 701 of you and may-be more by the time this goes to print. As my role of President has only just begun, I would like to start off by saying how privileged I feel to be elected at the AGM as President of our wonderful U3A Banyule. At the same time, I would personally like to thank Helen McKinnon, our Presi-dent for the last 3 years. Helen’s leadership was exemplary and in her term of office we have grown not only in numbers but in many other ways as well, particularly in technology and professionalism. Helen’s friendly, open and gracious manner endeared her to us all.

Janice Kelly is our new Course Coordinator and now, along with her team, she is busily preparing the 2020 semester 1 timetable. Janice has taken on this large and time-consuming role with enthusiasm and I am, as the past Course Coordinator, to say the least, delighted. Fortu-nately, our classes are well attended which makes the program plan-ning very rewarding.

The hall was packed on July 12th for our annual Music Gathering. The musical ability of our choir, Audacity, was very much appreciated and Nancy Cornwallis, the leader, deserves much praise. The choir will be singing at Federation Square, Deakin Edge, on Sunday 6th October, 11.30am. as part of the Seniors Festival. Also at Federation Square will be a U3A Banyule marquee with a display of knitted items by the knitting group, a variety of artwork from our Pencil and Paint class and a Mahjong Exhibition. Please support all these activities by attending Federation Square on Sunday, 6th October.

This year we are opening up 7 of our classes in October to the public as part of the Banyule Seniors Festival. If you see new faces in your class, please introduce yourself and make them very welcome. Over this coming month you might also see 2 young faces joining our clas-ses. We have 2 students from La Trobe University undertaking a com-munity-based project as part of their Bachelor of Education degree. They have mapped out their own program of which classes they would like to attend to assist in meeting their goals of looking at diversity and inclusiveness.

October also sees us with only 8 weeks of our program left for the year. Enjoy it to the full and stay safe until our November newsletter.

Warm regards to you all,

Joan

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REPORT BY COURSE COORDINATOR JANICE KELLY

I am very pleased to introduce myself as the new Course Coordinator. As you all know I have taken over this challenging position from Joan Lear-mont, our new President.

As Spring approaches, there are many talks, ex-cursions and new courses to enjoy. For example, in October members can delight in a Shake-speare Part 2 course, Yoga Nidra and a Science Study group. The semester will conclude with the popular Annual Forum. The topic this year is So-cial Media.

Planning is well underway for next semester fol-lowing a brainstorming session with the very en-thusiastic Course Coordination team. They are now busily engaged with confirming speakers for single talks on Mondays and Wednesdays and short courses for Thursdays as well as excur-sions.

My main role is to preserve the vibrancy of the ongoing courses. I am pleased to report that al-most all tutors are continuing which is a great credit to their endurance and dedication to our U3A.

I have ideas to expand the scope of physical ac-tivities to give members greater opportunities to build strength and remain physically active. Look out for these in the 2020 program.

Plans are underway to extend the range of aca-demic courses. U3A Online offers over 60 cours-es, divided into units with downloadable notes written by experts in the field. These courses are designed for older learners and are perfect for a group of students to explore a subject together. I am especially looking for a facilitator for a four-unit Botany Course. If you are interested in Bota-ny and taking on this role, please contact me or call the office. My email is:

jmk67026@bigpond.net.au

SENIORS CELEBRATION DAY

Sunday 6 October, Federation Square,

10.30am - 4.00pm Celebration Day takes over Federation Square and is for older Victorians, their friends and fami-lies. There will be music, dancing, ‘come and try’ activities, roving performers and more. Of spe-cial interest our U3A choir Audacity will be performing in Federation Square at Deakin Edge at 11.30am. There will also be a marquee where knitted items from our Knitting Group will be on display, where our Mahjong players will be demonstrating how to play Mahjong and where our Pencil and Paint Group will have their artwork displayed.

ANNUAL FORUM 2019

25th NOVEMBER, 2pm-4pm HEIDELBERG GOLF CLUB,

8 MAIN ROAD, LOWER PLENTY

This year's topic is: 'Social Media - Real Solu-tions for Real People' presented by Dr Paula Swatman.

Paula has been an Information Systems academ-ic since 1988, focusing on information communi-cation technology/e-business and the impact of new technology over 30 years. Her forum presentation will focus on how social media is increasingly becoming a part of every aspect of daily life. She will break it down into three classes of social media:

• the good: useful and even valuable. • the bad: amusing or irritating time-wasters. • the truly ugly: the dangerous side of the web.

The session will combine overviews of a range of social media opportunities with the chance to question and discuss controversial topics. Partici-pants can raise issues associated with social me-dia sites or activities in which they have an inter-est.

Cost: $10 which includes a delicious afternoon tea. Drinks at bar prices.

Enrolments open on 9 September and close on 11 November. This is an Enrol and Pay event.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL OPENS MONDAY 4 NOVEMBER

· 2020 Annual Fee for individual members is $45 and for associate members is $25.

· 2020 Membership Renewal opens Monday 4 November and continues throughout the year.

Note: Payment of fees is a prerequisite for course enrolment.

The renewal process can be made online or through the U3A Office

Renew online via the MEMBER LOG-IN link at our website u3abanyule.org.au. Please ensure your contact details, including your emergency contacts, are current when you renew your mem-bership.

Renew via the Office by attending between 10am and noon from Monday 4 November - Friday 13 December when the office closes for 2019. Office hours will be extended on Monday 4 and Wednesday 6 November from 10am-1pm

You can renew or join at any time throughout the year and enrol for courses as long as there are places available. New Members can join online via our website u3abanyule.org.au using the JOIN US link which is located on the Member-ship page. For those without an email address, a membership form can be obtained from the Office.

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2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING REPORT

Over 115 members and guests and four Council-lors attended U3A Banyule's AGM, which was held on Thursday 15th August at 10am in the U3A Hall. The Annual Report and Finance Report were presented to members and elections for the 2019-2020 Committee of Management were held. A full transcript of the Annual Report is available on the website (see News and Events, Our News) and the new Committee of Management is listed on page 6.

Outgoing President Helen McKinnon and in-coming President Joan Learmont

The outgoing President, Helen McKinnon, was acknowledged as having made an outstanding contribution to U3A Banyule over the past three years and a presentation was made by Vice President, Russell Scoular, on behalf of mem-bers.

Diana McCormack spoke about the work of the Creative Knitting group, and the money raised through sales of their craft work, prior to making presentations to two worthy charities. There was a stall of hand made goods for sale and a raffle conducted for a hand-crocheted blanket which was won by Mara Kobec. To round out the morn-ing a delicious morning tea was enjoyed by the members and guests present.

Russell Scoular presenting Helen McKinnon with a bouquet in appreciation of her time as

President.

THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA

As we come into spring it is timely to look at the subject of thunderstorm asthma, according to the De-partment of Health and Human Services. In a recent communication the Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma team within the Department outlined the background to thunderstorm asthma and listed re-sources available to the community:

Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events are thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm with strong winds, causing a large number of people to develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time. Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events don't happen every year but when they do, they happen during grass pollen season, which is normally from October through December. It is important for those with asthma or hay fever to see their doctor or pharmacist to review their current medication, update their asthma action plan/hay fever treat-ment plan and learn asthma first aid.

The Victorian government has launched the 2019 public health campaign to ensure that all Victorians, and in particular people with asthma and/or hay fever, are as prepared as they can be should another epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occur. The epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecast will be issued throughout the grass pollen season from 1 October 2019 to 31 December 2019. You can access the forecast via the VicEmergency website or app, the Health.Vic website or the Melbourne Pollen website or app.

If you have further questions on thunderstorm asthma please call 1300 761 874 or email etsa@dhhs.vic.gov.au.

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THE CREATIVE KNITTING GROUP

This was formed in 2013. Meeting fortnightly, and donating skills, time and materials, the Crea-tive Knitting Group’s underlying philosophy is to make things that somehow benefit the communi-ty we live in. To that end the first stall of knitted and crocheted items raised funds for the Olivia Newton John Centre, and the Cancer Council the following year.

Some time ago the Creative Knitting Group’s leader, Diana McCormack, saw an item online about “Fiddle Mitts” and, coming from a nursing background, recognized the potential for the Mitts to engage people with cognitive decline. It is of-ten difficult to treat these patients in a hospital

One of the Knitting Group’s “Fiddle Mitts”. The

variations in texture, and attached ornaments,

engage the restive fingers of hospital patients

with cognitive decline and/or special needs.

environment as they can become distressed and restless. Diana recognized that the Fiddle Mitts had the potential to help keep these patients calm and less likely to attempt removing intravenous cannulas, catheters, nasogastric tubes, PICC lines and the like as the alternative sensory stim-ulation, delivered via a knitted item constructed with variations in texture and with additional items sewn onto it, could engage them and occupy their restive fingers. The first consignment of Fiddle Mitts was delivered to Dandenong Hospital and proved to be a huge success.

Diana McCormack (centre) and volunteers at a

community market.

Members of the Group regularly set up stalls at community markets, special U3A events, Seniors Week (Federation Square), and similar venues/events, to sell items and raise funds for various charities as decided by the Group. As well as donating finished goods to various charities, the Group has raised, and donated, over $15,000 in cash since its inception

Flowers, knitted and crocheted by members of

the Creative Knitting Group, decorate a column in

the Watsonia Library.

SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEMESTER

November 4th Membership renewal for 2020 opens

November 5th Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday (Office closed. No classes.)

November 18th Semester 1 2020 course information available for preview on website

November 25th Annual Forum (No Afternoon classes.)

November 29th Semester 2 ends

December 2nd Enrolment for 2020 opens on MyU3A and in the Office

December 13th Final day for Office then closed for 2019

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MEMBER PROFILE: JANICE KELLY

BY BRONWYN PORTER

The inner left forward for Peterborough County Grammar School for Girls hockey team in the early sixties was Janice Kelly. She represented both the school and the County in hockey and the school in tennis. Janice loved school, learning and sport and during any spare time could be found riding her bike around the small market town of Peterborough Northamptonshire UK where she was born and raised. A keen bush-walker, these days the school hockey team may find her expertly swinging a hiking pole on the regular walking holidays she and Len enjoy.

After matriculation, Janice continued on to Uni-versity in 1964, the first in her family to do so. She spent four years at the University of Leeds reading the emerging science of Biochemistry, linking her two loves – biology and chemistry. She then completed a Masters degree in Protein Chemistry at Edinburgh University and during the first few weeks there became friends with another student, one Len Kelly. The rest as they say is history.

Leaving Edinburgh, the newlyweds embarked on what they describe as their “peripatetic” lifestyle – moving back to Leeds for 1 year, to Vancouver Canada for 2 years, back to Sussex for 1 year, to Berkeley California for 6 years, to Dundee Scot-land for 1 year, then as a grand finale, Janice, Len and their two daughters arrived in Melbourne in 1984, a close knit nuclear family.

While in California, the couple were known for their Scottish themed New Year’s Eve parties. Janice showcased her baking skills with short-bread and other goodies and Len and a friend featured as a guitar duo. They had a lot of fun and still keep in contact with friends from that time. “Len and I grew up in California” Janice says, laughing.

Employed as a research scientist in Biochemistry, Janice worked in the field of molecular biology and eventually immunology, part time when the children were young, then full time later on in Australia. She spent her final ten working years at Peter MacCallum Research Institute, always a member of a successful research team, especial-ly at Peter Mac and always successful in obtain-ing grants.

Janice’s interest in and love of science is all en-compassing. She describes it thus: “Science is always challenging, always aware of new ideas, there is no time to be bored, it is very creative, very frustrating, sometimes solitary and you need to be so careful you don’t make errors. Science is

a very satisfying occupation as it never stands still. You are constantly learning and need lots of resilience.” Other interests are the arts, politics, bushwalking and her three grandchildren.

Retiring at 60 Janice joined U3A the following February, became a committee member after 1 year, organised the Public Lecture series, was president for four years and is now Course Co-ordinator. As well, she tutors the Philosophy course. “Science drove me into Philosophy, it is the biggest driving force in my life and I’m so grateful to have an active group of U3A people who are willing to share it with me”.

With enthusiasm Janice describes her time at U3A. “It is a terrific place for me, as during my working life I had no chance to volunteer; I am naturally a good organiser and self- motivated and wanted on retirement to be a full member of the community. Volunteering at U3A gave me this opportunity.” Challenging, meaningful volunteer situations, where she is able to make a difference in her own way appeal to her. In 2016 Janice’s commitment was recognised by Banyule Council with an Individual Volunteer Award. In 2018 she received the honour of Life Membership of U3A Banyule.

Enthusiastic, energetic and multi-talented, Janice Kelly lives the vitality that emanates from her. We are indeed fortunate to have Janice as part of the U3A Banyule community.

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BANYULE SENIORS FESTIVAL OCTOBER 2019

Banyule Council provides a jam-packed program of Council and community-run events (mostly free or low cost), throughout October. A list of activities can be seen at banyule.vic.gov.au/seniorsfestival or collect the Banyule Seniors Festival ‘get into it’ booklet from the U3A Hall or from other community facilities (such as libraries or Council Service Centres). U3A Banyule is opening up 7 of our classes/sessions to the public throughout the month.

Our Pencil and Paint Group are displaying a variety of their artwork in our U3A Hall from Wednesday October 9 to Wednesday October 23.

NEW COMMITTEEE OF MANAGEMENT

The new Committee was welcomed at a brief meeting following the AGM on 15 August. They have been

provided with an induction kit with copies of the Constitution, Policies, 2019 Timeline, Position Descrip-

tions and more. Some of these documents are available from our website or copies of all documents are

available on request - please email info@u3abanyule.org.au.

The Committee generally meets on the third Friday of the month.

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT

2019-2020

Office Bearers

President – Joan Learmont

Vice President – Christine Morrison

Secretary (and Public Officer) - Milena Maranville

Treasurer – Brendan Quirke

13 Ordinary Members of the Committee

Course Coordinator – Janice Kelly

Communications Coordinator – Margaret Miller

Course Information Manager - Margaret Fievez

Volunteers Coordinator - Jan Ramp

Office Manager - Valerie MacPhee

Bi Monthly News Editor - Cheryl Pritchard

MyU3A Administrator - Dianne Williamson

Network Representative – Jim Murphy

General - Jack Ings

General – Michael Maguire

General - Bryce Phillips

General – Russell Scoular

14 Off Committee appointments adopted by the Committee of Management

Assistant Treasurer - Lois Maguire

Community Wellbeing Officer - Pat Amor

Ivanhoe Learning Hub,

Council Liaison - Janice Kelly

Health and Safety Officer - Alan Marks

La Trobe Coordinator - Sue Beshara

Membership Manager - Julie Marshall

Newsletter Editor and Equipment Coordinator - MaryAnne Bennie

Office Volunteers Coordinator - Pat Gropel

Public Lectures Coordinator – Maria Axarlis-Coulter

Publicity Officer - Toni Tyers

Social Organizer – Fiona Wood

Technical Advisor – Mary Wilson

Tutor Coordinator - Helen Walker

Website Manager - Penny Braybrook

Representatives on External Committees

Banyule Seniors Network - Maxine Marks

Banyule Age Friendly Advisory Committee – Sheila Colls

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AVAILABLE COURSES, LECTURES, EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Available courses and activities starting or continuing in Semester 2 are listed below. For further details, please consult our website: Click on the Courses tab, then on Course Infor-mation.

Important Reminder: If you have enrolled in any course and are now unable to attend, please take the time to let the Tutor know so that places can be offered to those on a waiting list. This can be done via the website.

Please remember to wear your name badge to all classes and excursions.

PUBLIC LECTURES 4TH Friday of the Month

Reminiscences, Highlights & Looking For-ward - 28 October, Speaker: Jenny Macklin

Jenny will share some of her personal highlights and memories as the longest serving woman in Federal politics

EXCURSIONS

Tour of Melbourne General Cemetery (Repeat) – 13 November, 10.30am-12pm

Enrolments open 30 September and close 30 October. This is an Enrol and Pay Event. Fee: $7

SINGLE SESSIONS (in date order)

All sessions held at U3A Hall.

G.K. Chesterton and his Orthodoxy - Thursday 3 October, 9.30am-11.30am

History of Bible Translations - Monday 7 Octo-ber, 2pm-4pm

James Redfield & his "Celestine Prophecy" - Thursday 10 October, 9am-11.30am

History of Heidelberg District - Monday 14 Oc-tober, 2pm-4pm

The Queen Mother - Art Patron and Collector – Wednesday 16 October, 2pm-4pm

Trivia Afternoon - Monday 21 October, 2pm-4pm

The Origins of Remembrance Day and Local Service – Monday 11 November, 2pm-4pm

Line Dancing Display: Tuesday 12 November, 1.30-3pm The Nets Stadium, Macleod

Water Safety for Seniors: Monday 18 Novem-ber 2-4pm

SERIES (two or more sessions, in alphabetical order)

Astronomy and Cosmology: Short Course: Thursdays 24 October – 21 November. 9.45am-11.30am U3A Hall

Book Group 2: Thursday week 4, 10am-12noon

Book Group 3: Wednesday week 1, 1:30pm-3pm

Creative Knitting: Wednesday weeks 2 & 4, 1pm-3pm Watsonia Library

Croquet - an introduction: Wednesdays 1.30pm-3.30pm. Commences 25 September

Cryptic Crosswords: Friday weeks 1, 3 & 5, 10am-12noon

Current Affairs: Thursdays 1:30pm-3pm

French Level 1: Fridays 12.15pm-1.45pm

French Level 2: Thursdays 1.30pm-3pm

French Level 3: Thursdays 11:00am-12:15pm

French Level 4: Wednesdays 1:30pm-1pm

French Level 5: Mondays 12noon-1:30pm

German for Beginners: Wednesdays 1.30pm-3pm

German Grammar – an exploration: Wednes-day weeks 1 & 3, 10am-11:30am

Irish and Scottish Descant Recorder: Tues-days 1.30-2.30pm

Italian Level 2: Thursdays 11.45pm-1.15pm

Jane Davies - History Classes: Thursdays 3.15pm-4.45pm

Lawn Bowls for Fun: Wednesdays 1:15pm-3:15pm

Line Dancing (Continuing): Tuesdays 1.30pm-3.30pm Nets Stadium Macleod

Line Dancing for Beginners: Tuesdays 1.00pm-1.30pm Nets Stadium Macleod

Lingering Lunch - Friday 6 December, Venue to be announced. Enrolments open 31 October & close 22 November. This is an Enrol and Pay event.

Mahjong 1: Fridays 1.00pm-3.30pm, Watsonia Library Mahjong 2: Tuesdays 1pm-3pm, Rosanna Li-brary Mahjong 3: Thursdays 1pm-3pm, Rosanna Li-brary

Continued ...

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Monday Cinema: Monday week 3

My Life Story – Writing Course: Friday weeks 2 & 4, 2pm-4pm

Pencil and Paint: Wednesday weeks 2 & 4, 1.30pm-4pm

Scrabble Friday weeks 2 & 4, 10am-12pm, Watsonia Library

Singing for Pleasure: Tuesdays 1.45pm-3.30pm

Social Bridge for Experienced Players: Fridays 1pm-4pm

The Joy of Shakespeare Part 2: Mondays 11am-12.30pm

The Music of History: Wednesday 30/10, 6/11 and 20/11, 2pm-3.30

Yoga Nidra - Gentle Flow: Fridays 10:30am-11:30am 10 October – 29 November (excluding 8 November). St George's Church Warncliffe Road, Ivanhoe East. Tutor Marisa de Stefano.

Diana McCormack and some of the members of the

Creative Knitting Group at work