×

New U3A classes for Term 2

April 22, 2022New Courses/ClassesNews
New U3A classes for Term 2

There are a number of new classes commencing in Term 2. Some of these courses have never been offered before and are a welcome addition to the U3A Sunshine Coast curriculum. Below is some information about these classes which gives you the opportunity to consider whether you would like to join and participate in them.

If you are interested in attending any of the above courses, please enrol on-line here or contact the U3A office between 9am and 12pm Monday to Friday on 5430 1123.

Creative Journals, Handmade Books and Mixed Media | Course Code: 22ART205 | Location: Nambour | Day: Thursday

This is a crafty get together where participants can encourage, inspire and learn from each other.

Journal, handmade book and mixed media enthusiasts of all levels including beginners are very welcome. Handmade Books and Journals: These could include, but are not limited to, Junk Journals (upcycling or a combination of vintage and new); Art Journals; Gluebooks; Collage; Mini Books; Handmade Books etc.

Mixed Media: This could include, but is not limited to, tools/techniques such as e.g. gelli plate, mono prints, stencils, paint or other media and techniques e.g. those inspired by mixed media artists such as Tim Holtz, Dina Wakely etc.

Guitar Advanced Acoustic | Course Code: 22MAT203 | Location: Mooloolaba | Day: Tuesday

This course is for guitarists who are already proficient on the acoustic guitar (plectrum style only – fingerstyle won’t be covered).

The course will be based around specific songs or parts of songs (eg Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Steely Dan, originals, jazz ballads etc) to highlight various techniques such as triads, string damping, octaves, open string, sus2 and jazz chords, some single note work, improvisation, etc. It will also touch on songwriting, singing, vocal harmonies etc.

This is NOT a beginner’s course, and participants would be expected to have a reasonable proficiency and knowledge of guitar theory (eg I, IV V etc), wide range of chords, ability to change chords quickly, barre chords, some ability to play single notes such as from the pentatonic scale, solos etc and an aptitude for singing. The course is aimed at the guitarist/singer who wishes to pick up some tips to improve singing and playing guitar at the same time and general performance tips.

Windows Computer Basics | Course Code: 22COM205 | Location: Sippy Downs | Day: Tuesday

This course is intended for students who wish to learn the basics of using Windows computers. It will include hands on lessons and exercises on your PC (Personal Computer), which is the best way to learn about computers.

Topics will include: comparison of today’s main devices, PC main components, using a mouse, Windows folders and file structures, using USB removable memory sticks, using File Explorer to find/organise files, using emails with attachments, the internet and how to use it, internet dangers and precautions, Windows tools such as Wordpad and Calculator.

Russian Beginners Course | Code: 22LAN218 | Location: Buderim | Day: Tuesday

The country may not be the flavour of the month at present but Russian is the 8th most-spoken language in the world. 170 million natives speak it, as well as another 130 million from former republics of the defunct Soviet Union. It is one of the three Eastern Slavic languages, with the others being Belarusian and Ukrainian.

This course is intended to introduce beginners to the language of Pushkin, Tolstoy, and Dostoevsky using the BBC’s “Talk Russian” textbook, with CDs. There are a number of other U3A Sunshine Coast classes which have vacancies in Term 2. Please consult the website to find which courses are accepting enrolments.

If you are in doubt of your suitability for any class please contact the Tutor and they will be happy to assist with any questions you may have.

Photography: Adobe Lightroom (classic) | Course Code: 22COM206 | Location: Sippy Downs | Day: Saturday

Since the introduction of Adobe Lightroom in 2006 many photographers now find they are less dependent on its big brother program Photoshop.

With Lightroom’s powerful non-destructive editing tools and cutting edge advanced controls, it can manage and enhance tens of thousands of images. This course consists of five two hour lessons and basic computer skills are essential.

Read More

Vaccination Policy Recinded

April 13, 2022eVoiceNews
Vaccination Policy Recinded

Recent changes to the vaccination policy decided by the Queensland Government, related ending the vaccine mandate for most venues across the State, have prompted a revision of the current U3A Sunshine Coast Vaccination Policy.

Please read President Glyni Cumming’s letter to members, sent out recently via eVoice newsletter to all members, which details the new vaccination policy now in effect for venues used for U3A Sunshine Coast classes.

President’s letter to members revising vaccination policy.

Read More

U3A-SC AGM 2022 – Notices and Documents

April 12, 2022eVoiceNews
U3A-SC AGM 2022 – Notices and Documents

Notice is hereby given that the U3A Sunshine Coast Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, 30th April 2022 at the University of the Sunshine Coast Lecture Theatre 7 starting at 10.am.

The following notices and documents related to the AGM may be read and downloaded using the links below:

Formal Notice of AGM 2022

Minutes of  2021 AGM

Audit Reports for Year 2021

Nominations for Management Committee

Biographical notes about Management Committee nominees

Members are encouraged to read and download the relevant documents and come along to the Annual General Meeting, which is a significant event for your U3A.

Read More

New Lectures in Term 2

April 5, 2022New Courses/ClassesNewsWhat's Trending
New Lectures in Term 2

Professor Alex Crandon – An Introduction to Cancer – Causes, Investigations and Treatments

Hamdy Amrizal – Age-related macular degeneration

Tim Meterlekamp – Bird Migration

Gordon Dailey – Have you ever thought you’d like to go to Everest Base Camp ?

Dr Ken Lynn –  Hitler’s Atomic Bomb: Why it didn’t happen

Elizabeth Clarke – Roman Syria – from Caravan Cities to Christendom

Ian Wilson – Michelangelo and How He Came to Paint the Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Read More

Please come along to the AGM

April 5, 2022eVoiceNews
Please come along to the AGM

The biggest forthcoming item on our U3A calendar will be the AGM, on Saturday April 30th at 10am in USC’s Lecture Theatre 7 and all our members are cordially invited to attend.

Our guest speaker at the AGM will be Tanya Dave, founder of I Age Well (pictured above), who will tell us about her plans for this year’s Expo, and other exciting new enterprises.

The AGM will also include the presentation of the audited report for the last financial year. It is most pleasing to read the very positive auditor’s report, commending our treasurer Evonne Walker for her thorough work.

Bursary Awardees:

We will also hear from this year’s three chosen U3A bursary awardees, and I am sure that you, like me, will find their stories inspiring. Our annual bursaries are just a small way in which we show our appreciation to the University of the Sunshine Coast for providing us with office and classroom space as well as many other advantages, and our support to their students.

Stay for the refreshments and the music:

After the AGM, Lorraine Quinn’s ‘Serendipity Strummers’ will be entertaining us while we enjoy delicious refreshments courtesy of our Refreshments team.
And if you’d like to help at the AGM, please give me a call on 0448194264. We always need members to volunteer for ‘one off’ activities.

Release of the new Strategic Plan:

Also at the AGM we will be releasing our new five-year Strategic Plan, a very proactive wish list for our future. We are really keen for you to read it carefully and give us your most welcome feedback before we go into its implementation. Aren’t we lucky to live in a democracy?

Surveying members’ opinions:

As a follow up to the release of the Strategic Plan, we also anticipate holding a survey of our members’ opinions, as to how effective we are as an organization, and how can we improve. I’ve suggested that our tutors can start the ball rolling, by following up each term or semester with a student survey: what did you enjoy about the class? How could it be improved? I thank Ruth Fiechtner, the leader of ‘Travel Chat’, who has already written a very positive report on the process that she follows with her students.

Tutor Reference Group:

A number of our tutors were invited to the preliminary discussion for the new Strategic Plan. Their input was very valuable and we’d like to see this continue, so the proposal is to form a Tutor Reference group after the AGM, a group whom we can consult quarterly for forward planning.

Read More

Vaccination Policy continues…

April 5, 2022eVoiceNews
Vaccination Policy continues…

At its last meeting your Management Committee decided to retain the vaccination policy a little longer.

Current statistics show that Queenslanders are 91 per cent fully vaccinated; however, Omicron numbers continue to surge with about 8500 cases in the last 24 hours. Although a less dangerous variant, it can still pack a punch. Statistics state that an unvaccinated adult is 44 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 34 times more likely to end up in ICU than a vaccinated adult with an up to date booster shot.
Clearly it’s also important to maintain our booster shots. If it’s 4 months after your first, you are now eligible for your second booster shot, which apparently is available from Monday, April 4!
And if you are feeling unwell or are recovering from Omicron, do stay at home until you feel better, or wear a mask to class…

Read More

An abundance of entertainment available on the Sunshine Coast

April 5, 2022eVoiceNews
An abundance of entertainment available on the Sunshine Coast

We are so incredibly fortunate living here on the Sunshine Coast where retired budgets are catered for and varied interests are so admirably met.

Over the weekend, some of our members watched the Lightnings Netball match versus the Queensland Firebirds at the magnificent USC Sports Stadium. I saw many others listening to Peter Upmann’s jazz group at the Millwell Road Community Centre courtesy of the Jazz and Blues Collective.

Oh, and for $20, this coming weekend, we can go along and support some of our members who will be playing in the Sunshine Coast Concert Band’s first show for the year at 2.30pm on Saturday in the Kawana Community Hall.

Read More

We need Committee Members and Volunteers

April 5, 2022eVoiceNews
We need Committee Members and Volunteers

Join the Management Committee and play your part, or become a Volunteer:

If you are interested in nominating for a position on the Management Committee, you can download a nomination form now via our webpage and go for it! The current committee has expressed a willingness to serve another year, but there are still two places, potentially for the roles of a business development manager and again, a member liaison officer.

If you would like to know more please nominate using the form that can be downloaded here and more information about Committee roles and responsibilities can be downloaded here.

Support your organization by becoming a volunteer:

If you would enjoy helping to keep our U3A running, as well as learning a bit more about the organisation , we welcome you to volunteer for a few hours once a week or once a fortnight in our home office at the university. The task is a pleasant, sociable one, answering calls from members and responding to emails, and you will work with a partner.

Read More

New Venues Coordinator – Jodie Thomas

April 5, 2022eVoiceNews
New Venues Coordinator – Jodie Thomas

As I mentioned in our previous e-Voice, Jodie Thomas has volunteered to take over the role of Venues Coordinator.

All our tutors have now been given her contact details so they can plan ahead and resolve any issues with their chosen venues. We are so appreciative of her willingness to take over this really important role in our organization

Read More