U3A MessagestickU3A Yarra Ranges Inc. ABN:

76566223684 Reg. No: A0030434B

TERM ONE: 29 th January – 29 th March 2018

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

On Tuesday 5th December U3A Yarra Ranges members gathered for their annual Christmas luncheon at Chirnside Park Country Club. With Christmas crackers snapped and heads adorned with paper hats, everyone enjoyed a three course meal and chatted with old friends and new. Thank you to the organisers for another wonderful end of year celebration.

Everyone was treated to a display of the quilts made by members to donate to children at Royal Children’s Hospital.

For more photos follow this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/olibrcD9aCDkUp7t1

More Christmas Celebrations

Some happy Wednesday walkers braved the heat for a get together bbq at their leaders place last week. Hosts Paul and Clare (the boss) welcomed the walkers who enjoyed great food, drinks and of course great company which is what it is all about. Naturally the more we rehydrated, the louder we got and thank goodness we didn't sing....or did we!!! Our cuisine started with lots and lots and lots of dips and bickies, Page | 1 Our web page www.u3ayarraranges.com.au

then second course consisted of yummy snags and meats cooked to perfection by "chef" Paul. Of course "my kitchen rules" helper Clare arranged the desserts and we all 'dug' in. What a great arvo and we thank Paul and Clare for their hospitality and many thanks for the misty mist which Paul concocted to keep us cool. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Term One

Visit to the Public Record Office of Victoria

North Melbourne

On Thursday November 23rd 2017 ten members from the Thursday Genealogy Class travelled to the Public Records Office in North Melbourne

We car-pooled which made the trip in (and home) enjoyable. There were two of us who had never been before and it was surprising just how much information was there.

Thank you to Kaye for helping those who were not sure where to start. We took our own lunch and thermos’ as the little café in the foyer was closed. The tables were still there for patrons’ usage and it was good all having lunch together. A good day was had by all. Carmel Thoma

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Welcome back to the start of a new year. I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas with family and friends and now we are ready to start a year of activities and learning opportunities.

The new online membership system is a learning curve for all, but seems to have been accepted well by a good number of our members, with quite a few doing their own enrolments online. Registration day at Japara was also a busy day with members getting used to the new system.

Our website has a new revamped look and I would encourage all members to check in on the site from time to time to keep updated on the latest news. www.u3ayarraranges.com.au

All classes are set for Term 1 with good numbers enrolled and some classes at capacity. Unfortunately we lost a couple of classes this year, notably 1 Yoga class. This has presented problems trying to accommodate everyone. We are working through our options but the ideal solution would be another class, so if anyone knows someone who might be interested in taking a class, please contact Sharon, our Class Coordinator.

We have a new class this term for all the Railway and Transport enthusiasts, so if you have an interest in this area, why not join the group and see where it takes you.

Classes resume from Monday 29th January in the majority of cases, but please check with your class leader if you are unsure.Page | 2 Our web page www.u3ayarraranges.com.au

Thank you to all class leaders who generously volunteer their time to enable our members to engage in a variety of activities and learning pursuits.

Enjoy your chosen classes, make new friends and have fun.

Ann Brickell

Enrolment Day

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There are still some copies of “Autumn Leaves” available. Hurry to get your copy from the Japara Office. $10.

MOVIE/THEATRE Group Is anyone interested in leading a movies/theatre group once a month? If so please contact Sharon on 0422 228737

The Mary Mackillop Institute for Health Research is looking for any males aged 55 plus who would like to participate in research. You must be willing to wear 4 small devices monitoring physical activity, sleep, sitting and location over 7 days. Anyone interested should contact Vera Costa on 0413 427990.

“Volunteers needed for office duty on Wednesday Roster

10 am – 1pmNo office experience required

Contact Marie Sutton 0402262417”

27% of Victorian Seniors Inactive, VicHealth Report

More than a quarter of Victorian seniors consider themselves ‘inactive’ and do less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week.

And men (43%) are more active than women (32%), according to a VicHealth report.

Research commissioned in 2015 shows:

27% of seniors are ‘inactive’ (less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week) 36% are ‘somewhat active’ (one-three days of 30-minute sessions a week) 37% are ‘active’ (four-plus days of 30-minute sessions a week).

VicHealth found there were six major trigger points for retirees to increase physical activity. The most successful came at times of change, when seniors were reflecting on their life. 

The six major trigger points were:

Start of retirement Birth of grandchildren Moving house/downsizing Injury Bereavement Season/weather

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Class Leader’s meeting on Thursday 25th January at 10.30am and because Friday is Australia Day there will be no Pre term lunch.

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Join one of U3A Yarra Ranges walking groups and enjoy some exercise with a happy group of friendly people. There are walking groups to suit a variety of abilities. See the timetable and give the leaders a call to find which group is best suited to you.

The ladies at craft and folk art have once again been rather successful at the Lilydale Show. Congratulations ladies.

Relative ValuesWhen people trace their family tree,

So often, it appears to me,They find a noble lord or lady,

Or someone spooky, dark and shady,Or at the very least a mention

Of Someone’s wonderful invention!

Well, I’ve been on the web all day,And I am very sad to say

No royal folks are lurking there.In fact, as far as I’m aware

There is no-one of note at all,No claim to fame, however small.

But then I think, well, does it matter?It’s true, my ego it might flatter,

But all these people laughed and criedWere loved in life, mourned when they died,

And through the years they speak to meA witness to humanity.

Deborah Mercer

If you are interested in researching your family tree there are two genealogy classes available; Thursday with Kaye Crettenden and Friday with John Sebire. Both have extensive knowledge in the field and will provide you with the tools and knowledge to discover your ancestors……famous or not!!

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U3A Yarra Ranges - Class Timetable 2018Day / Class Time Venue

Class Leader Contact No

Monday  Beginning French 10.00am - 11.30am Japara Centre Frances 97301262Social Outings ( Various ) 1st Monday of month Various Brian 97272721Tai Chi For Health-Beginners 10.00am-11.00am Court House Louise 0423193661Feldenkrais 10.45am - 11.45am Japara Centre Jenni 97379945Photography 11.15am - 12.45pm Lilydale Com. C Ray 97362483Travel Group 2nd & 4th Monday 11.45am-1.15pm Court House Barb 0422086536Music Appreciation 1.00pm-3.00pm Japara Centre Gerald 0419592339Patchwork by Hand 1.00pm - 3.00pm Japara Centre Sharon 0422228737Tai Chi for Health - Advanced 1.30pm - 2.30pm Court House Louise 0423193661

Places of Interest & Lunch3rd Monday of month Various Carole 0409804814

      Aileen 97796234YOGA -NEW CLASS 1pm - 2.30pm Japara Centre Simone 0411 681 843Bike Riding on trails 2nd & 4th Monday Various Paul 97267719Tuesday        Tuesday Walking Group Start 9.00 am Various John 97354754Creative Writing-Ways With Words 10.00am -12noon Lilydale Com.C Sue 97264353French -Advanced 10.00am -12noon Lilydale Com. C Jean 97370430"Steady as you Go"/ No Falls exercise 9.30 am -11.00am Court House Ann 97394473Karaoke 11.15am - 1.15pm Tapscott Centre Thelma 97275296Creative Writing - Beginners 1.00pm-3.00pm Lilydale Com. C Sue 97264353IPAD BEGINNERS COURSE 1.30pm - 3.00pm Court House Jan 97297593French -Continuing 3.00pm -4.30pm Japara Centre Frances 97301262Wednesday        Soul Dancing 9.30am-11.00am Japara Centre Robyn 97363145Folk Art 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Japara Centre Gloria 97796348Wednesday Walking Group Start 9.00am Various Paul 97267719Table Tennis 9.00am-11.30am Coldstream C.C. Thelma 97275296ART - Drawing & Painting 1.30pm-3.00pm Bridge Studio Teresa 97282322ART - Appreciation-1st Wed Monthly 1.30pm -3.00pm Bridge Studio Teresa 97282322Thursday        Thursday Walking Group Start 9.15am Various Sue 97370347Book Club Week I of month 10.00 am - 12.00 am Lilydale Library Sue 97264353Thursday Genealogy 9.00 am - 11.00 am Lilydale Com. C Kaye 97229626Intermediate Italian 9.30am - 11.00am Court House Tonina 97284964Advanced Italian 11.30am - 1.15 pm Court House Tonina 97284964Beginners Italian 1.30pm - 3.15pm Court House Ingun 0413313902Railway Enthusiasts - NEW 1st & 3rd weeks 9.00am Various Steve 0421442155Craft 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Japara Centre Gloria 97796348Friday        Staying Steady 10.00am - 11.30pm Court House Val 97270027Genealogy 9.00 am - 10.30 am Japara Centre John 97354754Computor Operators Group 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Japara Centre Ann 97234843Philosophy-An examined life 10.00am 12noon Lilydale Com. C Adriana 97770735

Dine-out Luncheons ( 2nd Friday of month) 12.30 pm onwardsVarious Locations Cheryl 97249382

German 2.00pm - 4.00pm Bridge Heinz 59642110Saturday        Patchwork - Week 1 of month 10.00am - 4.00pm Japara Centre Bev 97275998Patchwork - Week 3 of month 10.00am - 4.00pm Japara Centre Bernadette 97283081Movie/Theatre     Marion 97361136VENUES :        The Bridge 49 Durham Rd Kilsyth Lilydale Library Box Hill Institute LilydaleJapara Centre 54-58 Durham Rd Kilsyth Colstream Com C. 12 Kelso St ColdstreamCourt House 61 Castella St,Lilydale Tapscott-Milbourne Centre-  Lilydale Com. Campus John St, Lilydale 320 Cambridge Rd Montose  Class Enquiries : Contact Class Co-ordinator - Sharon Bartley - 0422 228 737 - OR shaste47@gmail.com

Assistant Class Co-ordinator : Tonina Lombardi - 97284964GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Please contact Membership Secretary - Judith Gunstone 9728 1808

……and a bit of humour to finish

Three elderly sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, shared a house together. One evening, the 96 year old sister went upstairs to take a bath. As she put her foot into the tub, she paused. Then she yelled down to the other two sisters and asked, "Was I getting in the tub or out?"

"You dern fool," said the 94 year old. "I'll come up and see." When she got half way up the stairs she paused. "Was I going up the stairs or down?"

The 92 year old sister was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea and thought, "I hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood." She shook her head and called out, "I'll be up to help you both as soon as I see who's at the door."

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We would like to thank

The Office of Christine Fyffe MP, State Member for Evelyn

143 Main Street Lilydale.

The printing of the Message Stick is funded from the Parliament's Electorate Office and Communications budget.

christine.fyffe@parliament.vic.gov.au

We acknowledge the support given toU3A Yarra Ranges by the

Yarra Ranges Shire

Thank you to all our wonderful contributors to this edition of our Messagestick.I welcome your input and contributions; a story, a photograph, a description of something you’ve done in a class or activity or even an amazing experience whilst holidaying.LEADERS….please send me something from your class…use this opportunity to promote your class.Many thanks again for your supportKerry Ferroni Messagestick Editorkferroni@bigpond.net.au (please include your contact details)