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Welcome back to our Spring Term 2017
We are starting our spring program. As well as our usual activities some members will be heading to Shene and others look forward to tours of TMAG.
At the end of the term we will be celebrating our Christmas Luncheon on Monday 27th November.
I often find it amusing that I can still be surprised by the variations in the weather and deceived by one warm day into thinking winter has finished. Saturday 2 September was a lovely warm and sunny day and we had morning tea sitting on a friend’s porch. The rest of the week brought me back to winter. As Charles Dickens said in Great Expectations: “spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade”.
Spring cleaning is best left until next year when it will again be considered. I have always avoided herculean efforts to clean the whole house in one burst.
Ah, but spring in the garden is a different matter! Daffodils, hyacinths, flowering rosemary and magnolias lift our spirits. Annuals planted adjoining the Clarence Council Chambers and the verges around the Hobart Roundabout give a lovely splash of colour. I appreciate them because my resident wallabies and rabbits just think I plant annuals as their spring greens.
We have been fortunate to be visited by over two dozen Black Mountain Yellow Tailed Cockatoos recently. We used to see them occasionally in twos or threes and only in the coldest winter weather. They are very partial to Banksia cones; they eat the seeds from the cones but also, for some reason, cut off the last couple of feet from the branches. Admittedly I intended to prune the Banksia this year but they have reduced an eight foot high shrub to a six foot straggly mess. The other tragedy is that they have eaten all the flower buds on the adjacent magnolia which previously bloomed every year since planted by my sister in 1977.
In addition the rosellas eat the buds on my flowering cherry. So we will have little in the way of spring blooms this year. It is just as well that I have a sense of humour.
We are lucky with our birds, not only these big cockatoos and rosellas, but also butcher birds, magpies, native hens, plovers, sulphur crested cockatoos, galahs and the charming native noisy miners. These are like a tribe of jealous fish wives constantly trying to ward off intruders and claim the garden for their own.
The harm they do to my plans for the garden is offset by the delight of their company.
Hoping you find much to enjoy in our program this term and, hopefully, some warm weather.
Jocelyn Head
President U3A Clarence
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Update to Members - August 2017
The original concept of U3A was to extend the intellectual learning life of older individuals. U3A Clarence does indeed provide intellectual stimulation with a varied program of lectures.
There are no defined age requirements but is usually for those 50 to 55 and older. All are welcome regardless of interests and backgrounds.
Like other universities we also enjoy social activities, art and physical exercise sessions. Unlike universities for the young there are no exams. Nor are there any competitive components, except perhaps in Mah-jong. We get together to exercise our minds and bodies at entirely our own pace, just cooperation, enjoyment and mutual support.
Our varied activities cover lectures and discussion groups on geography, science, history, art and issues of topical interest.
For our physical wellbeing we have Tai Chi, line dancing and art and language courses.
As we enter spring and the days grow longer it is easier to take part in the activities of U3A Clarence.
Our autumn program is now available and is as varied as usual. I am sure there is something of interest for both long term members and newcomers.
New members receive a warm and comfortable welcome. You may choose to simply attend the sessions you are interested in. But we hope you will join us for morning tea.
This term we look forward to a trip to Shene House for 5 October. We will also be visiting the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) for a talk by their staff. Finally we are looking forward to our end of year Christmas luncheon on 27 November.
So enrol in classes for stimulation and join us in meeting like-minded people in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Jocelyn Head
President
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Update to Members first term 2017
Well first term is over and it’s true to say that it’s been challenging one for you new Committee. Unfortunately Jocelyn our President had a lengthy spell in hospital and on your behalf I wish her a speedy recovery. We also have had a number of resignations for various reasons . A copy of the current Committee structure is attached here.
However we have a group of new enthusiastic Committee Members who together with some experienced members have met the challenges that 2017 has presented us with. Find out more about your committee members by checking out their bios on our website.
I hope you all enjoyed Term 1 We offered a mix of established programs and some new ones. I particularly enjoyed the Discussion Group sessions which were well facilitated by Carol Rossendell, We certainly covered some diverse subjects and I found it stimulating to hear fellow member’s views on different topics.
We welcomed a number of new members to U3A Clarence in first term and to those people we hope you not only enjoyed the Program but found us friendly and welcoming
The Program for Term two is out now and looks to be a very interesting mix to suit all tastes. It’s now over to you to make your selections and send in your enrolment.
In Term two we are planning a fun filled Trivia afternoon on Thurs July 20 to be held at the Howrah Recreation Centre (see attached flyer) Please come along and support this function, Even if you not a trivia expert you will enjoy the social side of things and of course the afternoon tea
Finally a thank you to my fellow committee members, to all our dedicated Tutors and class representatives, to the set up crews for all their early morning work, to the dedicated morning tea group and to you the members for your ongoing support.
Looking forward to seeing you in term 2
Chris Bishop
Vice President
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President's Message
Happy New Year to all our visitors to this site. May 2017 bring joy and good health to all.
This will be my final message for our web site. In February I hand over the reins to a new President who will, I am certain, carry U3A Clarence onto newer and better heights.
As always I encourage you to peruse our program and if you are not already a member please give serious consideration to coming along and joining us. We offer something to feed the mind and the body and the social butterfly inside. I believe strongly that we are meeting the needs of almost everyone and our only criterion for joining is retirement or semi-retirement from the work force. There is no age limit, though most of our programs are aimed at the over 50s and our annual membership fee is very reasonable at $45 per annum.
Also, despite our title, there are no academic criteria to meet for joining nor are there any tests, assessments or exams. This is learning for the sake of learning! It is designed to be enjoyable and interactive.
Coming up we have an Enrolment session on February 15th between 10 and 12, you can register and pay your membership fee at the same time if you want.
Then on Wednesday February 22nd between 1.30 and 3.30 we are holding our A.G.M., offering afternoon tea and having a guest speaker.
This year I have invited Chris Downs, Cartoonist to come along and talk with us. I gave him a broad theme of "the development of a political cartoon". I am looking forward to hearing Chris.
I want to thank every member of U3A Clarence for the support I have had over the last three years as your President. I feel honoured to have filled the role and I believe I am leaving a strong organisation for the next President.
Kind Regards
Jane Hall
January 2017
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President's Message
This, my final term as President of U3A Clarence, has presented a very mixed bag of events.
Sadly, many of us joined the sick lists, either because of acute illness or because of surgery. I am discovering that the older we get the more replacement parts we seem to need, be they heart valves, blood vessels or joints. I am sincerely wishing all the best for future health for all those who have been ill this term.
As occasionally happens, we are losing a couple of highly respected and valued members as they move to live in warmer climes "overseas". They leave us at the end of our term, hopefully we won't lose touch with them.
As usually happens, we are gaining so many new and enthusiastic new members. This means we continue to be a large and happy 'family' of people all devoted to the idea of learning something new - whether it be intellectual or practical - and to making new friends, leading a fulfilling and full life in other words.
I look at our programs and the planning already underway for next year and I am reassured that we continue to offer something to meet the needs of a very broad range of people.
My thanks for the smooth running of our group must, as usual go to the very supportive Committee members, to our set up and clean up crews who prepare the rooms for classes and put them back when we are done, to our morning tea ladies who ensure a hot drink and a nibble is there for all to enjoy in a very sociable environment and to our tutors who continue to present very high standard classes.
Please look through our site, look at what we offer, follow the registration and enrolment instructions and come and join us next year. I guarantee you won't regret it.
Jane Hall
President.
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President's Message
I sit here thinking about my message for the end of Term 2 and it dawns on me that I have written some sort of message for this spot several times over the past two and a half years!
I always wonder how I manage to find the words to express what the essence of U3A is, how I manage to express my admiration for all those wonderful people who help keep us functioning.
Perhaps the essence IS those wonderful people who give so freely to our organisation, people like our set-up and clean-up crews, our tutors, the people who organise morning tea and our tireless Committee members.
Perhaps the essence is the members themselves and the friendships and bonds they form. The caring for each other demonstrated in word and deed, the enthusiasm with which they attend classes.
Perhaps it is our ability to find such a wide range of topics and tutors to present them.
Perhaps it is a combination of all the above?
Whatever it is I am reassured that ours is a friendly and welcoming group of people who will work hard to make any new member feel like they belong from day one.
If you peruse our site, check our courses, like what you see then please feel free to come along for a visit, if you are still happy with what we offer then join us - I guarantee you won't regret doing so!
Regards
Jane Hall
President.
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President's Message
Well, another term is nearly over and it has all run to plan.
I really am impressed by the amount of time and energy is devoted by a few people to keep U3A running as smoothly as it does.
As always my thanks go to the Set-up Crews, the Morning Tea Managers, the Clean-up Crews, the Tutors and all the Committee Members who take on tasks such as Program Development, Registration and Enrolments and Social Activities.
By having such dedicated people we are able to truly meet the needs of our members.
This year I have again introduced something new and have added to the repertoire on this web site. This is a weekly Blog or bulletin/newsletter which is designed to keep anyone using our site informed on a fairly regular basis. Most of the changes I have introduced have been "digital" which fits with preparing U3A for the influx of Baby Boomers as they retire from work.
For anyone who looks at our web site as a non-member please feel free to look around, come along and sample a class or two before making the commitment to join. I feel confident we will have something you are interested in on offer.
Our winter term will soon be on us and so our numbers will be temporarily depleted as several members fly off to warmer climates! I must say I love our seasons (all of them) and I am quite happy staying put! Travel for me is simply reaching a destination in order to visit family interstate or overseas.
Please peruse our site, read some stories, look at some photographs, read our newsletters but above all, consider joining us in person.
Jane Hall
President
We are nearing the end of the term now.
The new newsletter is available, also our new program for Term 2.
I suggest you peruse the program and choose something which interests you. You can enrol here on the website as well.
If you are not already a member you can join here as well - it is inoirtant to have registered as a member before enrolling in a course
When enrolling on line it is important to note two things
First, when indicating the classes you wish to attend you MUST also check the box for no session in the other class time slots. For example, if you wish to attend a class in session 1 on the Monday, then class 3, but you don't want to do anything in the middle. You must check the box for no class in the time slot(s) you are not coming to a class..
Secondly, you must then scroll down the page to the "submit" button and click that. You will then get confirmation of your enrolment.
If you don't do the "submit" then the enrolment will not have gone through.
Enough technical stuff.
Right now I have a dog lying at my feet waiting for her evening meal.....15 minutes to wait! Honestly, this dog has such an affinity with food, it is the centre of her world!
Next week we have our final morning tea for members to enjoy. This is always special. It is our opportunity to say thank you to all those who keep us going, especially the Tutors...more on that next week.
I am looking forward to our three week break, I am also looking forward to greeting members back in Term 2.
I am keen to greet new members as well, I think there is something for everyone on the program, whether you want to get physical, enjoy a singalong, learn a language or increase your General Knowledge.
Cheers
Jane
My picture this week......"it isn't Tasmanian" you say.
"It is" I say
It was taken in my kitchen and it is a lemon I was given - it was grown here in Tassie - it was huge as you can see and it yielded half a cup of juice. I was impressed!
I seem to be running late this week, everything is a day or two behind my usual schedule - why? I have absolutely no idea, I wish I did!
Perhaps it is just that I am moving a little more slowly than usual due to the wet weather? You know, our old friend "Arthur" has paid me a visit. ("Arthur" = Arthritis).
it has been a full week as usual. On Wednesday Ann Frith and I went to the Clarence Council reception for representatives of volunteer organisations. It was held at the Tasmania Golf Club and there were about 100 people there, representing some 50 organisations. The guest speaker was a 12 year old boy who, at the age of nine asked his mother (on Christmas Eve) if they could take gifts to the children in hospital. His mother suggested that it would be a huge task considering the day it was and the fact that they had only just finished shopping for the family. He then told us he has eight siblings.
He then asked his mother how many days there are in a year and so began Project 365. He decided to learn to sew and, using his own money he purchased materials and began sewing toys - one a day for the whole year! The project has continued and he has just turned 12. To date he has made over 500 teddies and similar toys and over 500 other types of toy. He had three different teddies with him as examples and he told us various stories about the distribution of his toys. He also puts together bags for babies "born too soon" as he said. By my reckoning (as he told us his birthday is in March) he has done this in about two and a half years.
What an amazing and inspirational boy. I take my hat off to him.
Our Newsletter will be on the site within the next few days. I have had a sneak preview of the courses on offer and I am impressed. As always there is quite a mix for us to choose from.
The visits to Government House are going smoothly and I think people are really enjoying them. We also had an offer made to members before it went out to the public to take advantage of. It was nice that the organisers at Government House thought of us that way. The offer was to attend a charity black tie event. The cost is a donation of $80 which is going to charity. I sent it out to all members for whom I have an email address, I wonder if it was taken up by anyone?
Planning is under way for our annual Trivia afternoon in July. That is always fun and for $10 members get a good afternoon tea, the chance to win a prize and a lot of fun. These afternoons are enjoyed by all, they are not serious at all and the quiz masters always love what they are doing. I do feel I can now call it our "annual" event as this is the third year we have run it.
Here are my best wishes to you all for the rest of this week. I hope to manage my time a little better next week and be writing on Wednesday again.
Jane
another week gone! Time to write another screed for anyone who may stumble into this site.
I have had a bit of feedback over this last week regarding the overall running of U3A and most people seem happy with what is going on. I know that often silence is golden in that if people are not saying anything they must be happy, I also know one should let sleeping dogs lie, but I have a need to know if the needs of others are being met properly - it is the nurse in me I think. I am also aware that many times people will not "go to Management" with an issue, they prefer to mutter about it to one another. Still, the general feeling that comes through is one of satisfaction with the way things are going.
Our social calendar is looking good with visits to Government House organised and our annual Quiz afternoon into the planning stages. This is planned for 14th July so come along singing the French National Anthem! We are keeping the cost at $10 per person which covers the cost of hiring the venue as well as prizes and afternoon tea. I think it is really good value. Our Quiz Masters love doing the job which makes it easy and we usually have a lot of fun. Do think about coming along, the notice with the fine details is on the notice board.
I have been forwarded information about the upcoming census - see below
2016 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS, JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN TASMANIA
Tuesday August 9 is Census night. The Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is now looking to employ up to 800 enthusiastic Field Officers from across Tasmania to make sure everyone gets counted this Census.
If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding job, with flexible working hours, then look no further.
Census Field Officers:
· Are casual positions, with flexible working hours
· Earn $21.61 per hour (inclusive of 25% loading)
· Must be comfortable using a computer, mobile or tablet device
· Will be responsible for making contact with households to make sure everyone can complete the Census.
Desired skills and experience for the role:
· High levels of motivation, a positive attitude and reliability.
· Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills.
· Reasonable level of fitness.
· Ability to work independently in the field.
· Moderately tech savvy.
Job seekers from diverse backgrounds, including non-English speaking backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are encouraged to apply.
Digital Banners
(See attached file: 590 w x 144 h Field Officer Recruitment Banner 2.png)(See attached file: 300 w x 250 h Field Officer Recruitment Tile 2.png)
Apply online now for Census 2016 jobs, at abs.gov.au/careers
I am often thinking about "stuff" and lately that has been about the next President and the qualities they'll need to bring to the role.
As you are probably aware, members of the generation known as the Baby Boomers are beginning to retire. This generation, unlike their forebears did not live through war, rationing, depression and other things like that.
They held a very different attitude to women, especially in the workforce. Also women were freed from not being able to plan their families because of the innovation of the contraceptive pill. Thus they were more able to work and add to the family income. This all led to consumer demands going higher, expectations of needs being met sooner, desire for more consumer products, demand for better and more consistent service. As the media changed they changed with it and embraced the technology as it developed.
This is the generation which will form the future of U3A so the management, represented and led by the President, needs to be in tune with the needs of the Baby Boomer. We need to continue moving forward, not be looking back at what was, not holding the attitude that what was good enough for the previous generation will be good enough for the next. Someone has said to me that the Boomers will expect it all on line and not be physically going to U3A but I disagree, so many people come along for the social aspects of our organisation and for the activities which cannot be achieved on line. Maybe the more "academic" areas will go to online only but there will always be a need for an actual U3A as well as a digital one.
My ramblings for the week!
Jane
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