Well -- At least I know what I will not be doing until September 2
Jill Sparkes has provided: Above is a note from my 86 year old neighbour Pat Stone.
Pat still writes all her notes with a pen.
She is also an accomplished self-taught artist and runs our Oil Painting class at Fiddlers Green.
Jill - please pass on our thanks to your neighbour Pat
Ted Talks
Ted talks - for those who are not aware of Ted Talks click here - were presented on Zoom until recently, but, unfortunately the tutor could not continue.
We are looking for a leader for Ted Talks.
During this time of lockdowns - & beyond - to get immersed in a topic could be very helpful.
Assist your fellow members - become the leader for Ted talks - contact Lorraine Sterling - lorrainesterling@gmail.com - course coordinator & set up timing & procedure.
Casey Council are currently running a survey titled -
Casey U3A are well aware that the aged in the population of Casey will increase considerably over the next few years.
We are planning on improved facilities for CaseyU3A.
We approached Casey Council for assistance with premises that we could call our headquarters.
Casey Council presented a proposal -- very disappointing. They did not consider what CaseyU3A can & do offer the seniors of the jurisdiction of The City of Casey. CaseyU3A were basically offered community rates for use of council buildings with the use at no cost of a room that would not be available for an unknown period of time at a time still to be determined. Not a good working situation.
The committee has asked for a meeting with Noelene Duff - Administrator - to ascertain the Councils vision for seniors in the areas in which CaseyU3A excel - learning, activities & socialising.
Casey Council do provide some services for the aged, however, very little in the areas we excel in. We are awaiting a reply from Noelene Duff.
We will keep you informed as it is important we have a quality base to operate from for our members - current & future.
Many councils work closely with their local U3A & provide very good facilities for them. In turn, the local U3A provides services for the seniors in the council area that is of value to the council.
Historically, Casey Council has not provided services for the Aged to the standard of many other councils. CaseyU3A is prepared & willing to assist them.
In last weeks Bulleting I asked about classes, particularly Zoom classes due to the current lockdown.
Received the following from tutors -- thank you.
Look forward to receiving more information from tutors - especially if they can use Zoom to continue class contact during the length of the lockdown - & future lockdowns.
Response from Maxine Gardner
I note that you are curious as to how zoom classes are going.....
I have opted to continue my Tuesday classes on Zoom. I know that there are many members who have found this unsuitable and I am sad about that.
However, I am grateful for the u3a offering zoom as an alternative.
The Arthritis class has continued each week with around 9/10 members, a few of them continuing to the second class.
Some members live far away now and would be unable to attend face to face, so this option works well for them.
I would like to encourage any members to give it a go.
Judging from the consistent attendance and feedback, I feel they are benefitting and enjoying the sojourn into a nurturing peaceful 2 hours. I also benefit from sharing the meditative healing modalities I am experienced with and enjoy sharing a deeper and different, perhaps, perspective on life.
I wouldn't mind offering more sessions if that is possible? Perhaps Thursday morning also.
These times for all of us are stressful and I believe have not been handled with health and kindness in mind. It is very disappointing and deeply worrying.
A good solution is to turn off the TV. Turn on the music and spend some time in the garden.
Maxine's Classes
Qigong - Moving & Still Meditation
Members of this class learn an Eastern way of improving health of the body and mind. Members learn to combine breath, movement and mind intention to improve health on all levels of life. Qigong is gentle and complex, relaxing and energising. The list of benefits from practising Qigong are too many to list here, but can easily be researched on Google. Simply put - Life becomes more enjoyable.
Tue
weekly
Tutor: Maxine Gardner Enquiries: 0409 193 315
10:30am-12:00pm Zoom Zoom video Conferencing Berwick
10:30am-12:00pm Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House 21A Bemersyde Drive Berwick
Arthritis Exercises
Gentle Exercise is one of the main components to manage the debilitating effects of Arthritis. This class moves the body gently using both western and eastern systems of body work. Some seated exercise is combined with standing and movement. Qigong (Chigong) breathing and movement are involved to make this class both relaxing and energising.
Tue
weekly
Tutor: Maxine Gardner Enquiries: 0409 193 315
09:30am-10:30am Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House 21A Bemersyde Drive Berwick
09:30am-10:30am Zoom Zoom video Conferencing Berwick
09:30am-10:30am Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House 21A Bemersyde Drive Berwick
The Literature Class
The Literature Circle is currently Travelling with an Aunt and her nephew Henry. A wonderful book by Graham Greene that has so far taken us into the boredom of a totally suburban life, and the unexpected discovery that the person our Henry thought was his mother, was not; that his boring old father was a very active, shall we say, a ladies man; and his Aunt Augusta who can only be described as an outrageous courtesan who insists on her nephew sharing her various trips overseas. The book is full of comedy but posing many a significant question regarding the hunger for life.
We have just visited Brighton in England where she and her partner many years before, had established a church for dogs. It was extremely popular. It insisted there were to be no puppies outside doggie marriage (the mind boggles), that there was no divorce between dogs (the mind reels) and if the membership of owners was ripped off of significant sums of money, they were all satisfied and disappointed when the Vicar of the Doggie Church took the funds from the offering plate and disappeared. We have been instructed in the mysteries and codes of smuggling, have been shocked and amused by the mixing of Henry’s Step Mothers ashes with an urn of pot, and having stepped around the earnest but rather ineffectual London Detectives, we are currently heading to Paris with a view to picking up the Oriental Express and making our way to Istanbul.
If you wish to join this journey, whether you have read the book or not (but the first 100 pages would be useful [ Now don’t silly - you can easily do that, and I am sure you will enjoy it]) you can Zoom with us. Let me know at tjtrew@iprimus.com.au and I will send you the link.
Once we have completed our travels with Aunt Augusta we will visit the world of Shakespeare’s “Twelth Night”. Then we will digest the ways in which our times is both similar to, and yet different from, Huxley’s prophetic little book “Brave New World” before relaxing with the wonderful absurdities of Wodehouse in “Carry On Jeeves”.
You can usually get these books very cheaply on-line and we take our time to explore them. We gather on Zoom or in person on a Tuesday morning from 10am to Noon. We would be delighted to have some new members so if you are looking for a happy way to structure some enjoyable time during the lockdown, or even after the lockdown concludes, give us a try. Reading expands our world and enriches our understanding of ourselves, and makes us more aware of the wide diversity of human experience.
Terry Trewavas -- Tutor
The Literature Class details
For those who like to read novels, plays, poetry, and non fiction - and who enjoy the opportunity to raise questions and express opinions about meanings, themes, and interpretations. We include some classics as well as contemporary writing. Works are selected by the members of the group.
Tue
weekly
Open
Tutor: Terence Trewavas Enquiries: 0438 939 956
10:00am-12:00pm Fiddler's Green Retirement Village Craft Room 57 Gloucester Avenue Berwick
For more information or to book into the above classes - or any class - go to the website
FaceBook Can anyone help out with FaceBook?
New Members
Always looking for more members
Please forward this newsletter to interested friends, colleagues, etc.
There is a large range of classes that could be of interest.
