Sue Bradshaw took this video of an Emu that decided to walk with the U3A Bushwalking Group on a Tuesday morning.
There’s a new Saturday Morning Class with Ian Cran that will exercise your brain and challenge your memories.
Be part of a friendly, interactive, social group gently exercising their brains by challenging their memories, improving their vocabulary, and increasing their general knowledge on a wide range of topics using a crossword format. The group interacts using their combined knowledge, and each answer gives a toehold on the others. A dictionary, and a thesaurus are recommended, and the Internet can also be used.
General Knowledge Mental Exercise
Course Code: 21LEC422
Time: Saturdays, 09.30 – 11.30am
Tutor: Ian Cran, cranian66@gmail.com
Venue: U3A Lecture Room
Duration: 6 weeks, commencing 23 October, 2021
Please enrol via the U3A website or contact the U3A Office Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 12.00pm on 5430 1123.
The Queensland Government has released updates to its Roadmap to Easing Restrictions. Stage 3 is now in place, which covers public gatherings, mask wearing and a number of other updates. Tutors and those attending U3A sponsored classes are encouraged to become familiar with and follow the updated guidelines.
The Queensland Government has released updates to its Roadmap to Easing Restrictions. Stage 3 is now in place, which covers public gatherings, mask wearing and a number of other updates. Tutors and those attending U3A sponsored classes are encouraged to become familiar with and follow the updated guidelines.- See Stage 3 – all of Queensland from 10am Tuesday 28 September 2021 — mask restrictions are in place for the Brisbane City, Gold Coast, and Moreton Bay Local Government Areas.
- Read more on restrictions in place in South East Queensland — including mask wearing requirements.
A brochure detailing all stages of the Roadmap to Easing Restrictions may be viewed and downloaded here.
In our President’s monthy report, Glyni Cumming outlines some significant recent issues and events including: Progress on our new Strategic Plan, Term Break, to ‘Vax’ or not to ‘Vax’, U3A Merit-Based Equity Bursaries, Lifestyle 55+ Expo in October, and Stay Safe in Term 4. The President’s report follows:
Progress on our new Strategic Plan
As reported in our August e-Voice, we were very pleased to have members Andrea Douglas and James Fowler offer their assistance to help us develop our new Strategic Plan at a ‘Stakeholders Workshop’, representing members, tutors, office volunteers, and the Management Committee on Tuesday September 14th.
Drawing on their considerable professional experience, Andrea and James skillfully led us through an efficient process to gather thoughts and ideas to assist the MC in updating and developing our next 5-year plan. Please read my report on the Workshop here.
Term Break – for some tutors
I trust that you have all enjoyed your classes in Term 3 and are now enjoying a holiday break – except for some 20 tutors who decided to keep going, running their classes to make up for those weeks lost to Covid shutdowns.
I have loved attending my classes and have found them fascinating: Marie Farr’s ‘Art for All’ intrigues and provokes discussion, like the posthumous tribute to environmental artist Christo, the fabric-wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. And the new Australian literature class run by Elizabeth Woolaston stretches our minds and challenges us to look at our own history and poetry in a new way.
To Vax or not to Vax? Is that really the question?
It is extraordinary to consider our good fortune – that we have been able to continue our normal lives, in almost complete freedom of movement, unlike our southern neighbours. Those extra weeks of freedom in Queensland from lockdowns, shutdowns, curfews and solitary isolation mean one of two things: either we have been lulled into a false sense of security, that no harm can possibly come to us here in our sunny state – or we have grabbed the opportunity to get vaccinated.
Among the news from down south, we can clearly hear the words “vaccinations to become mandatory”. There’s no southern state pressure here on our health services – yet! And we all have friends who feel very strongly that they will refuse to vaccinate, some citing legitimate health reasons. However, we do need to remember that U3A is a voluntary organization, run by volunteers. Our volunteer tutors are not obliged to perform their free services. They have a right to their good health, in fact they have a right to their lives, minus the threat of long term illness – or sudden death. Please take advantage of this lull before our own storm inevitably comes, to get vaccinated.
I am really proud that our entire Management Committee has had their vaccinations. Yes, there are some legitimate health reasons for not getting vaccinated; however, the last thing on earth that we want is that our laziness, or our cowardice, or our truculence, or our conspiracy theories, might bring about the illness or death of an elderly U3A member, or closer to home: a member of our own beloved families – a son, a daughter, or a grandchild with their whole life yet to be explored in front of them.
U3A Merit-Based Equity Bursaries
Every year U3A provides three USC students in need with an annual bursary of $2000 each. It is one way of showing our appreciation to the University of the Sunshine Coast, who provides us with a classroom, a computer room, an office, and all the necessary telecommunication connections, as well as many other services. Pictured above are our Bursary winners in 2020: Abbey Abdul, Amy Stephenson and Leo Wiles.
Our U3A bursary is currently advertised on the USC website and if you’d like to see it, just click on this link: U3A Merit-Based Equity Bursary.
This is such a worthwhile gift, especially in today’s economic situation and we are always rewarded with the students’ genuine gratitude, expressed in their visit to the Management Committee and / or to the AGM where they receive their award.
New Date for the Lifestyle 55+ Expo!
Please note on your calendars and in your diaries, and tell your friends who may not yet know about U3A, the new date for the Lifestyle 55+ Expo will be Wednesday October 13 at the Nambour Showgrounds.
All the other details remain the same: U3A will have a very strong presence, as we’ve been given a prime double site in front of the stage area, and 17 wonderful members have volunteered to come along during the day, from about 9am to 4pm, to promote the benefits of “Life, Learning and Laughter” to the wider public.
There will be plenty of yummy food stalls, and live entertainment, from the Bronte Band, the Kitty Kats, and the Buderim Male Choir. Performances will include our own stars: Pamela Woodrow’s Tap Dancers, Wendy Turton’s Sunshine Chimes, Joanna Teazis’ Belly Dancers, Lorraine Quinn’s Ukulele players. And even Lynne Charsley’s newest group of Line Dancers will be kicking up their heels on the day.
About 130 exhibitors will present a huge range of services and products to meet a wide variety of needs and desires, targeting our age group’s specific interests. Exhibitors cover areas like: health, travel, recreation and fitness, employment and education, financial and retirement planning, clothing, fashion, accessories, beauty services, aged care, government services, independent living products, holistic living options, and community groups!
As well, there will be radio broadcasting live and magazine representatives on site, and the Sunshine Coast Council.
Entry is free, and there’s ample parking in the Showgrounds, available for a gold coin donation in support of the Rotary Club of Nambour.
So do make a note of the day and come along to show our volunteers your support, any time from 9.30 am to about 4 pm.
Reminder to Stay Safe in Term 4
Not one person in Australia has died from the flu in more than a year! That’s because if we do get sick, we are staying at home to cough and sneeze until we are well again. We are wearing masks when we are out, we are sanitizing our hands, and we are maintaining our social distances.
So please, let’s still be cognizant of our personal safety when we recommence classes in Term 4. Remember to use the QR – the Quick Response Code – when you attend class, and sign on (or be signed in by your tutor).
Do check out the new Term 4 courses on offer, and enjoy your chosen activities!
Glyni Cumming
President U3A Sunshine Coast
U3A Sunshine Coast Vice-President John Saint-Smith attended July’s ‘Ageing in Place’ Conference held at the USC Innovations Centre, with 140 aged care professionals, researchers, local practitioners, residential and in-home aged care providers. VP John’s report on the conference follows:
“The 60-80 year old, physically and mentally active retired/redundant demographic are among the most numerous and valuable volunteer workers in any age group,” John Saint Smith said.
A major theme of the conference was the provision of ‘in-home’ services that would help older people to maintain their independence and dignity in the safety and comfort of their own homes or in supportive settings.
The conference was organised by the Business Council of the Sunshine Coast with many notable speakers including USC Vice Chancellor, Helen Bartlett who expressed concern that few people choose a career in aged care because it is perceived as a dead end casualised job and wages are not attractive.
Professor Laurie Buys, Director of the Healthy Ageing Initiative, UQ; Ms Kate Meyrick, Director URBIS (urban design consultants); and Liam Mayo, CEO of BE (home care package provider); and Adjunct Industry Fellow for the School of Social Sciences, USC were also in attendance. Ted O’Brien represented the Minister for Ageing, Senator Richard Colbeck.
“The Federal Government’s Royal Commission on Ageing has significant implications for U3A, as our organisation already performs a substantial part of the ‘healthy aging’ agenda described in the Commission’s final report,” says VP John Saint Smith.
“One of the major statistics from the report was the recognition that the number of ‘aged’ people in Australia has been rising steadily for many years, both in raw numbers and as a proportion of the total population. At present there are 4.2 working age (15-64) people for every Australian 65 and above. By 2060 this ratio will have decreased to 3.1.
This decline has implications for the financing of the aged care sector and the aged care workforce. As a result, the Australian Government has committed to provide substantial funding ($1.9 billion over ten years) for the aged care sector.”
John Saint Smith says both the Federal Government and the Aged Care industry see their role as ‘looking after’ the elderly as their health increasingly declines. “Yet this totally ignores the contribution made by the 60-80 year olds, physically and mentally active retired/redundant demographic, who are among the most numerous and valuable volunteer workers in any age group.
“For us, as academic research shows, this should be an opportunity to radically re-think our approach to seniors. We seem to have neglected the traditional notion of ‘wise elders’, common to virtually all human societies from hunter-gatherers to post-industrial economies. Society should be able benefit from the knowledge, experience and accumulated wisdom of those who have lived longest. Unfortunately, in Australia, we have come to regard these silver-haired golden assets as a burden of moral obligation which must be borne by the ‘productive’ members of the community.”
John Saint Smith plans to liaise with academics and service providers as well as groups similar to our own, with a view to forming ‘Action and Advocacy Groups’ to advance the cause of the Sunshine Coast’s elders and enablers. “The only way in which we can avoid being shovelled off into ineffectual dependence … is to advocate for ourselves: speak now or forever suffer in silence – on the national ledger as a cost, not an asset.”
A recent workshop involving a cross-section of the U3A Sunshine Coast membership met to begin work on the Strategic Plan Review. The workshop, with Andrea Douglas and James Fowler as facilitators, considered important issues such as: why does U3A Sunshine Coast exist, what purpose does the organisation serve; why members join U3A and what benefits do they derive from membership, and what changes needed to be made to improve service to members?
President Glyni Cumming said, “these questions and others like it were posed at this initial review of our current Strategic Plan held at our U3A classroom at the university. Facilitators James Fowler and Andrea Douglas skillfully led some 20 participants through the morning’s workshop.
“An analysis of the diagram developed five years ago of our ‘Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats’, known as a SWOT analysis, showed we have made some very positive progress - especially considering the past couple of years we’ve had the threat of Covid 19 hanging over our heads.
“It is certainly thanks to the contribution of our office volunteers: Day Leaders, Office Coordinator Jennifer Strike and Project Officer Karen Martin, that office administration has been efficiently conducted, and we are equally fortunate to have our team of tutors who have been able to offer a variety of classes, some via an increased use of video technology, to keep members interested. And it is thanks our members, who have risen well to the challenge of paying for membership and courses via online ‘shopping carts’, attending classes and keeping up to date with U3A news via the website, e-Voice and Facebook. At a time when some U3As have closed their doors owing to Covid, we have both retained and grown our membership.”
Following the workshop, our Project Officer Karen Martin is now collating all the ideas contributed during the session, both the positive and the constructively critical, to present to the Management Committee. Their task will be to amend and update our current Strategic Plan, in its core elements of Vision, Mission, Values, Goals - and develop the strategies to take our U3A confidently forward into the next five years.
“Early in 2022, all members will be invited to contribute their ideas about the redrafted plan, in time to present to the AGM in April, President Glyni said. “However, you don’t need to wait until then, if you have ideas you wish to share, send them in, entitled “Strategic Plan 2022” to Project Officer Karen Martin: U3aProjectOfficer@u3asunshine.org.au.”
Photo: President Glyni Cumming with facilitators Andrea Douglas and James Fowler, and Project Officer Karen Martin.
President Glyni Cumming notes the passing of one of our oldest members, “I’m sad to say that we have lost one of our ‘Golden Treasures, Mara Miller aged 97, who passed away last week.
“Mara was a founding member of U3A Sunshine Coast, a former vice-president, an office volunteer, and for many years a valued Tutor in History and in Creative Writing.
“As one of our golden treasures, Mara was honoured with Life Membership last year, and her contribution acknowledged in a feature article written by our Communication Officer John Armstrong in e-Voice.
“If you’d like to read more about Mara, her life and her contribution to U3A, please follow this link:
Mara Miller – A Life “Not just Sun, Surf and Sand”
Acknowledging Mara’s life and contribution to U3A Sunshine Coast reminds us to celebrate our life members past and present and others who have contributed so much. Please follow this link to read their stories:
U3A Sunshine Coast is looking to increase the number and variety of classes offered in 2022 and we are always interested in discussing with members the possibility of their becoming a valued Tutor.
Course and Tutor Coordinator, Wayne Curran, emphasises that prospective tutors don’t necessarily need to be an expert in the subject or in teaching. “You just have a passion for it,” he said.
“As a Tutor you can teach, facilitate or help convene a class. A number of U3A classes comprise members who have a common interest in a subject and meet to share knowledge and practical applications. In this case, the role of the Tutor is to organise and coordinate the class process and participate as an equal in the group activity.”
Wayne said that some areas of interest where more representation is needed include Literature, Poetry, Book Groups, Speech and Drama, Music and “U3A is always willing to discuss any ideas with members about the possibility of creating and offering a new class.
“Becoming a U3A Tutor can be extremely rewarding and a personally satisfying experience and it is also a great way to meet likeminded people and make friends.”
If you would like to become a Tutor or wish to discuss any of the above, please contact Wayne Curran through the office via email at u3aoffice@u3asunshine.org.au.
There are some interesting classes that have vacancies for members who are looking to try or learn something new and different, including: Feldenkrais: Awareness through Movement, The History of Medicine, Reconnecting with Australian Literature, Kung Fu and Qi Gong in the Park, Excel Spreadsheets, Line Dancing, Understanding Accounting, Organic Beekeeping, and I Love Maths.
Tutors for these courses would welcome extra participants to join in their activities. If any topic is of interest please feel free to contact the Tutor if you would like to know more about the class. You can enrol in any of these courses online or by contacting the U3A office on 5430 1123 Monday to Friday.
Feldenkrais: Awareness through Movement
Day: Friday
Feldenkrais classes teach mastery of everyday movements. Getting off a chair doesn’t need to become harder as you get older, body parts don’t have to hurt as you go out for a walk. Classes utilise small gentle movements to achieve amazing results and you don’t need ‘to work hard’ to get there; quite the opposite in fact. We are looking to rediscover the pleasure and joy of movement and find ways to make it easier.
The History of Medicine
Day: Wednesday
Looking at the past is sometimes as exciting as speculating about the future. The history of medicine, and in particular the history of infectious disease, is full of fascinating stories. Below are the titles of each of the classes. Can you guess what the subject is in each one?
Class 1: Oh rats!
Class 2: Round and round
Class 3: Cowgirls
Class 4: The best café in town
Class 5: Beastly little things
Class 6: Clean
Class 7: The magic bullet
Class 8: Unclean!
Reconnecting with Australian Literature
Day: Thursday
This interactive course touches lightly on the history of Australian literature from colonial times to the present. Along with the consideration of well known poets such as Paterson and Lawson, some lesser known and/or more subversive writers will be encountered. Although this sounds a bit heavy, the object is also to have fun and form new friendships.
Kung Fu and Qi Gong in the Park
Day: Tuesday
Famous Southern Shaolin Kung Fu system of five animals and five elements which incorporates movement and breath. Interesting, fun and challenging with many benefits including coordination, flexibility and a calm mind. This class will be held early morning outdoors in Term 4 at Buderim Village Green in Buderim. It is a great way to start the day.
Excel Spreadsheets
Day: Tuesday
The course will cover the basics of creating an Excel spreadsheet including presentation of displayed tabular data and the creation of simple Excel formulas that can automatically update and recalculate results. Some of the topics covered include:
• Excel terminology
• Create, modify and format a spreadsheet
• Use basic formulas and functions
• Calculate and manage multiple worksheets
• Formatting data
• Understand and use a range of common worksheet functions.
Line Dancing
Day: Tuesday
Line dancing is a great form of exercise to improve strength and coordination, increase balance and flexibility as well as improve cardiovascular and heart health. It is also a fun way to improve well being and meet new friends. All the steps and styles are internationally recognised and will enable the students to venture out into any dance style they may be interested in.
Understanding Accounting
Day: Monday
Understand the basic nature of accounting, the underlying concepts (assets, liabilities, shareholders’ funds, revenues and expenses, and cash inflows and cash outflows) and the key accounting principles and rules •construct straightforward profit and loss statements and balance sheets
• analyse and interpret accounting reports to assess performance and financial strength
• read and better understand financial news articles about companies in the media
• appreciate the nature of different types of costs incurred in running a business and understand how to manage those costs and how to set prices to achieve targeted outcomes (such as breakeven points).
Organic Beekeeping
Day: Thursday
This class introduces the basics of European honey beekeeping at home. It covers the basic equipment, the parts of a hive, the types of hives, preventing disease, managing pests, harvesting honey, the jobs and life cycles of the bees, preventing swarming and catching a swarm. The final two classes will be on native bees. This is a theoretical course and covers all the basic knowledge you need to know to be successful. This course can be done in person or via Zoom.
I Love Maths
Day: Tuesday
Are you keen to close some of the gaps in your maths knowledge? Just want to stretch your brain? This is a small group class, with individual assistance where you can progress at your own pace. Some examples of topics: Order of operations, algebra, fractions, equations and formula, indices and surds, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, number puzzles; or students can nominate their area/s of interest. And no exams!
As part of the public submissions to the Committee of Inquiry into Social Isolation and Loneliness in Queensland, U3A Network President, Gail Bonser, prepared a submission on the asset value of U3A in mitigating the effects of isolation and loneliness in the aged demographic.
The opening statement in that submission said, “The position of U3A Network Queensland is that Universities of the Third Age (U3As) and their programs are excellent antidotes to loneliness and social isolation. U3As are community based, volunteer run associations that provide older retired and semi-retired persons with a new place to belong, new friendship groups and an opportunity to contribute or participate in an area where they feel valued. U3A offers age appropriate, intellectually stimulating programs; improvement and maintenance of physical skills; social activities and friendship.”
The submission in full may be read here.
As a consequence of that submission, representatives of the Network Management Committee were invited as witnesses to the Inquiry held at Parliament House on 13 September.
President Gail Bonser made an opening statement to the Inquiry highlighting the difference U3As across Queensland, and indeed nationally and internationally, make in promoting inclusion and active ageing in the U3A membership.
“Within the 35 communities where we have a presence, the social connectivity U3As provide, in addition to the quality of our programs and the sense of purpose held by our members, all assist in mitigating social isolation and loneliness in these communities,” Gail Bonser said in the opening statement to Committee Members of the Inquiry.
The Opening Statement in full may be read here.