CLASSES & EVENTS

This course allows participants to explore their own interests and experiment with their own creativity, while working in a supportive environment.

This course allows participants to explore their own interests and experiment with their own creativity, while working in a supportive environment.

This course is for those with little or no knowledge of French and will focus on developing basic skills in the language and an understanding of French culture. It will be adapted to suit the needs and interests of the participants.

Come and join us in sharing the latest book which has captured your imagination or maybe you wish to recommend an old favourite. This will be an opportunity to enable you to discover new authors and exchange different perspectives in a friendly atmosphere. The group will choose specific genres and themes to focus on throughout the term.

Both beginners and those with some previous experience are welcome to join this class. Participants who are beginners are advised not to purchase any tools prior to discussion at their first session.

Circle Dance includes traditional dances from Europe encountered in International Folk Dance groups, e.g. from Greece, Romania, the Balkans and the Middle East. It includes dances inspired by these traditional dances but danced to contemporary music, and many also have stories associated with them. In Circle Dance we predominantly dance in a circle holding hands, but sometimes the circle is open, or we have alternate A's and B's interacting with each other round the circle. In this class you will experience traditional folk dances taught by Angela Komzak, and contemporary dances taught by Krista Sands. They will be representative of Circle Dance, with some having challenging rhythms, some slow and meditative, and some will be more up-beat. We‘ll start simply, and vary the program according to the group.

Come and learn about the hidden gems that are in Cambridge – the Gateway to Tasmania. Lots of unknown facts about this area including WW 2 bombs, Llanherne House and hear about Dr Murdoch. Riveting – exciting – informative. Seven weeks discovering Cambridge and three weeks exploring the Mornington/Warrane and Rose Bay areas.

Have you ever wondered why people write? What motivates them? What do authors do in their private lives? Who is the person behind the pen……… or nowadays the computer keyboard? I plan to share the backgrounds of 5 writers – an Alaskan, an Australian, a travel writer, a crime writer and one yet to be decided – so many to pick from. People like Dana Stabenow, Thea Astley, Simon Reeve, Lynda La Plant, maybe A. A. Milne or Mary Grant Bruce or ???. Come along and find out who I have decided to share with you.

This series of five talks explores the connections between Norfolk Island, where we’ve spent quite a lot of time, and Tasmania.  Both are former convict colonies with a dark convict past.  Each evolved its own unique history, but their stories often interconnect with each other. In this series of talks, we’ll tell you some of these stories. The five talks cover:

1. Abel Tasman: A Very Able Navigator. The story of Abel Tasman and the Dutch East Indies Company he worked for.

2. Elizabeth Fry and the Rajah Quilt. The story of the Rajah Quilt, made by convict women on board the Rajah on its way to Van Diemen’s’ Land.

3. Norfolk Island: From Island Paradise to Convict Hell. The early story of Norfolk Island, from the early explorers to the Colonial and Penal settlements established there by the British.

4.      Norfolk Island: From Mutineers’ Haven to Tourist Paradise.  The story of the Mutiny on the Bounty, and how the descendants of the mutineers and their Tahitian wives ended up living in Norfolk Island.

5. The Sloop Norfolk: A Little Ship with a Big Story. This talk highlights some of the connections between Norfolk Island and Tasmania.  The sloop Norfolk was built in Norfolk Island, against the Governor’s instructions.  It became the boat that Bass and Flinders used to sail around Van Diemen’s Land, proving it’s an island.

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This is for those who have studied French in the past and would like to build on their skills. There is more emphasis on everyday French, listening and conversation, rather than writing and grammar.

Enjoy some fun and competition with friends playing board games such as Mexican Trains and Rummy-O. Great for concentration and developing memory skills; once learned they are also fun to play with friends and grandchildren.

A different speaker each week drawn from among U3A members and the wider community. Members enjoy a wide variety of topics provided by guest speakers.

A four week introduction to (lawn) bowls will be held at the Indoor Bowls Centre which is located at the Howrah Community Centre, 9 Howrah Rd.

This will be on Fridays, 10am-11am for four weeks.

March 7, (no U3a week commencing March 10), 21, 28 and April 4.

Members will need to wear flat shoes with clean soles; socks or bare feet are OK.

The first session will be free, following sessions will be $10 per person, this will cover the cost of coaches, rink hire and playing equipment. The $10 will be payable (cash or card) on the day at the Bowls Club.

The bowls building is located next to the tennis courts; there is ample parking.

There is a coffee machine, $2 per cup, at the premises and a coffee shop a short distance from the bowls centre.

A discussion group designed to encourage members to explore a different topical issue each week, these may be political, social, economic, ethical, technological or a mixture of these. Participants will take turns in choosing a published article or articles for the group to read (a ‘position paper’) in order to acquaint themselves with different viewpoints, facts etc before the discussion.

Simple line dancing to a variety of music. Suitable for people who just want to have fun moving, singing and perhaps laughing at their own mistakes. This class is not for beginners.

Simple line dances for those who already have some experience with this form of exercise.  Suitable for all those who want to have fun moving, singing, making plenty of mistakes and laughing at them.

New players are welcome. You will be taught the game of Mah Jong and given help by other knowledgeable players to learn how to play an effective game. You may stay for one or two (or three) hours.

New players are welcome. You will be taught the game of Mah Jong and given help by other knowledgeable players to learn how to play an effective game. You may stay for one or two hours.

(1) A lot has changed with our two large neighbours - China and India - in the last few years, so this course explains these changes and the personalities involved in these developments. 

(2) President Putin claims that Ukraine is part of Russia but the borders of Russia have shifted and changed dramatically over more than a thousand years so this course explains these changes and how they came about.

Indonesia - our large neighbour - is a more modern construct but again there are problems with its borders, so how did the world’s fourth largest country come into existence - what made modern Indonesia ? 

The photography class of 2024

In this series of 5 lessons we will look at how to approach photographing the world around us; be it nature, people or the urban environment.  Lessons will include finding inspiration, how to 'work the scene' to get the best photograph at the time, pointers on composition and framing, what works and what doesn't.  It doesn't matter what you use to take photographs with.  It is what you 'see' when you look through the viewfinder that matters. 

Sessions: March 19th and 26th and April 2nd, 9th and 16th.

If you have ever attended a play that you really liked, come and join in re-creating the sometimes hilarious, sometimes mysterious but always fascinating and fun masterpieces of the theatre. There will be plenty of parts to suit everyone. Our tutor has worked in theatre and brings a wealth of knowledge to the course.

Join Chris and other poetry enthusiasts in an exploration of poetry through the ages. Sessions include a range of poets and poetry. Some members bring along and share their own poetry. No previous knowledge is required.

This course will seek to track the leadership & politics (successes plus mistakes) & where possible, the lives of the political leaders of Tasmania, beginning with Mr Champ in 1857 & concluding with the current premier 'Rocky' Rockliff.

New to Clarence U3a ….
 Come along for a fun morning learning to play Quiddler. An interesting, increasingly popular word game using specifically designed cards. 

Tai Chi evolved as a Chinese martial art practices for defence training as well as various health benefits and meditation. Its sequences of slow, controlled movements are beneficial for strength and flexibility. This class follows a DVD.

This course deals with the lives of the people of the period - including their  lifestyle, homes, clothing, food, literature and music    It will also cover overseas expansion and some of the noted personalities of the age.

An opportunity for those who enjoy writing or who would like to begin writing more often to share their efforts in a friendly atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement. 

This is for those who enjoy comedy on screen and for those who feel like a mid-week laugh. Enjoy some funny TV episodes and full-length movies, both old and newer; American, British and Australian. Having a good laugh will make you feel good for the rest of the day.

Work in a team to test your brain, memory and deductive powers. Three sets of questions and a variety of other puzzles each week.  $3 is collected by the tutor for photocopying and incidentals during the first two weeks of term.

Walks will be no longer than 5km and will be on Thursdays  leaving at 10am.  The first three walks will leave from Kangaroo Bay, meet opposite the toilet block.

Members should wear a sun hat, appropriate clothing and footwear and bring water, sunscreen, a snack and a rain jacket.

Walk 1, Thursday March 6:  Kangaroo Bay to Howrah Beach and return.

No walk March 13.

Walk 2: Thursday March 20: Kangaroo Bay to Rosny Hill and return.

Walk 3: Thursday March 27: Kangaroo Bay to Montagu Bay and return.

Details of walks for the remainder of the term to be advised. 

In the case of inclement weather prior to a scheduled walk, contact one of the group leaders, Judith Holmes 0407 230 735 or Toni Hill 6247 6537.

A modified version of Zumba designed specifically for seniors. There is a seated form of the exercises as well as the regular dance-like moves. As a fitness program it involves both cardio and Latin inspired dance. The “tutors” will be on a screen and participants will be encouraged to begin slowly and build up fitness and strength. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.