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U3A WERRIBEE OFFICE BEARERS AND CONTACTS
Patrons: Mr K.S. Butyn Principal Werribee Secondary College:
Mr Tim Pallas MP Member for Werribee
Committee:
President: Dave Callan Email: [email protected] (note: it’s gmail, not hotmail)
Vice President: Frank O’Shea
Treasurer: Jannette Allen Email: [email protected]
Secretary: Linda Kazlauskas Email: [email protected]
Membership Coordinator: Jannette Allen Phone: 9395 1606 Email: [email protected]
Course Co-ordinator: Lia Albergo Email: [email protected]
Committee Members: Glenys Welsh, Brian Beck, Brian Kilfoyle, Merle Deslandes, John Preston, Lyle Raaison and Don Lee.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Remaining 2018 Term Dates
Term 3: 16 July - 14 Sept
Term 4: 15 Oct - 7 Dec
Social Activities
Various social activities and outings are organised for members and details are made available through email messages, notices
given out during classes or may be included on our website.
U3A Werribee Region Inc.
Tri – Cycle Newsletter P.O. Box 1264, Werribee Plaza, 3030 EMAIL: [email protected]
WEB: http://www.u3awbee.net.au
PLEASE NOTE: We have no office. For all inquiries refer to our website.
EDITION: 116 JULY - SEPTEMBER 2018
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Happy Winter greetings to everyone from myself and Don. What
interesting times we live in! From the spectacle of the Royal wedding
and the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the - I won’t say
pantomime – but the drama of the recent summit meeting of the
presidents of The United States and of North Korea, and volcanos
exploding in parts of the planet … who could be dull in a world like this
one? You may be interested to know about other U3A groups. In
particular we hear of many interesting courses being run in
Bundaberg, such as Jazz, Social Science, Abstract Art, Water Aerobics, Brush up on your
Shakespeare, Cryptic Crosswords and even a Dance Class. I have no means of knowing how
many members attend each group. But they seem to be going crazy on Lawn Bowls, Italian,
Astrology and Creating Dolls.
While I think our own local regional group is doing well, it is remarkable to learn that our
Nunawading U3A brothers and sisters number around 1900 members with 240 classes and
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FROM OUR U3A WERRIBEE PRESIDENT
Hi Everyone
Well the winter is upon us; I hope that you are keeping warm.
In the last newsletter I said I hoped I would be able to get around
all the classes to meet you all. But this has proved more difficult
than I anticipated.
I attended the morning tea which was very interesting and I got to
meet some of you and hope to see you all at the mid year dinner.
Well my SOS for a course coordinator was answered and Lia
Albergo stepped forward. Thank you Lia. So we now have a full committee.
Our U3A branch in Point Cook is flourishing.
If you have any queries please feel that you can contact me or any of the committee either by
phone or email.
Dave Callan
over 180 class leaders. Nunawading teaches similar courses to ours, plus Zumba and
Empowerment, Tatting, Dyeing, Line Dancing, Jazz Band, Guitar playing, Belly Dancing and
they also have a U3A Choir plus Traditional Dancing from Greece and the Philippines. They
study Computers as we do, plus Creating a Photo Album, Genealogy, Patchwork Class,
Writing Skills and Pet Companions. There may be more, but those were the courses I gleaned
from their First Term 2018 Newsletter. A statistic they quote is that there are in Victoria about
109 U3A groups for a membership of 35,000.
Please send your contributions for the newsletter to [email protected] or a
report in hand, and the deadline for the next issue is 31 August 2018.
Cecilia Conwaye-Wright.
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK (Cont.)
For all U3A Werribee membership enquiries, please contact our membership co-ordinator,
Jannette Allen on Tel 9395 1606 or you can email to: [email protected]
We do want to welcome the following members who have recently joined us:
Brenda Brownhil Paul Von Harder Helen Beanham
Janet Dickinson Michael Keane Veronika Summer
You are reminded that as a members of U3A Werribee, you are entitled to a Hoppers Crossing
Sports Club (HCSC) loyalty (blue) card at no extra charge. This card entitles you to club
discounts and so if you haven’t yet received your card please contact Janette Allen as soon as
possible.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
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AROUND THE COURSES
Current Affairs
CA had an excellent Term 1 with consistent attendance of
between 18 and 22.
Discussions embraced local, state, national and
international government activities. Politics probably
dominated our deliberations, but moral and philosophical
problems of this rapidly changing world were also
addressed.
Alternative chairpersons to myself were Tom Wesinger,
Pat Raison and Ed Culph and I thank them for their efforts.
We had two outstanding guest speakers during the term,
Neil McDonald, the Senior Public Relations Officer of
Honda Australia spoke on the many changes in cars,
driving and road technologies such as automatic
braking and lane control, driverless driving (if you pardon
the oxymoron) and electric versus carbon based fuels. The
message raised more and more complexity to grapple with!
Our other guest speaker was Marlene Ebejer, a specialist in Family Law who spoke about
Wills, Powers of Attorney and End of Life Instructions. Morbid stuff perhaps, but important and
presented exceptionally well.
Tony Mason
Look, this is a maths class, not a
current affairs or philosophy
class!
Australian History
This past term, Australian History followed several very different topics, including the Ancient
Murray River from a period of 130 million years ago till modern times. This covered the
relatively recent uplift of the continent which commenced with the draining of central Australia
and formed todays Murray Darling Basin. Also debated was the recent issue of water usage.
Joadja Creek village, part of the Wingecarribee Shire in the NSW Southern Highlands, is the
southernmost link in a chain of oil-shale mines that stretched along the western margin of the
Sydney Basin. An important example of 19th century history, Joadja shale was exceptionally rich
in oil which was processed into kerosene and secondary products such as waxes and candles.
First settled 100 years ago, the town was abandoned in 1904 after shale-oil deposits
dwindled. However Joadja Creek was once home to up to 1300 mostly Scottish miners and
their families. Its future as a heritage and tourism area was secured in 1993 when several of
the remaining workers cottages, chimney stacks and the manager’s homestead dating from the
1870’s were restored.
Hubert Wilkins (1888 -1958) was born in Hallett, South Australia. As a teenager he moved to
Adelaide where he found work with a travelling cinema. Later he went to Sydney as a
cinematographer thence to England where he became a pioneering aerial photographer. He
remains the only Australian official photographer from any war to have received a combat
medal for his efforts during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1930 Wilkins was part of the expedition
to prove that submarines were capable of operating beneath the polar ice cap, paving the way
for future expeditions.
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AROUND THE COURSES (Cont.)
Painting by Stanley Hewitt of the wreck of
the Zuytdorp on display at the Western
Australian Museum, Geraldton.
We also learned about the Zuytdorp (an 18th
century Dutch trading ship) that was wrecked
along the West Australian coast in 1712. The
ship was enroute to Batavia (now Jakarta in
Indonesia) but sadly it veered off course and
there were no survivors. Subsequently in 1954
the Australian geologist Dr Phillip Playford
(1931-2017) met the stockman Tom Pepper
who told Phillip how in 1927 he’d found silver
coins and other artefacts. These proved to be
Dutch coins dating back to 1711 that Tom found
on the Zuytdorp wreck. We also learnt that Tom
Pepper was a relative of Australian Ernie Dingo.
Who says that Australian history is not interesting?
Merle Deslandes
Australian History Cont.
This small, very keen class has enjoyed this term exploring many aspects of the world of the Arts, influenced by Christianity. The splendours of the Vatican and its treasures and paintings and sculptures have been breathtaking to see.
Drama and Film Making have featured with a viewing of the “Jesus” film, so influential in countries where our missionaries are allowed to work. Language of course is one of the Arts greatly influenced by the Christian Tradition with intense scholarship around the text of the Bible to ensure that its authenticity stands up to the world’s best textual experts in the Greek of the early church. Documentaries around travel in the Holy Land have brought to light the efforts of those First Century Christians.
The massive musical works of Handel in courtly circles and at sacred events have interspersed DVD presentation of the hardly-believable magnificence of the Russian crown jewels...supposedly enhancing the magnificence of God’s “chosen” Tsarist family.
I wish I had further material about priestly robes, tapestries and fabrics, but I am still researching.
And so, with Architecture behind us and some Archaeology this particular subject has been amazing.
We are however concluding at the end of Term Two and so sadly there won’t be any more of this subject next term. We could have gone on with Christian Fiction Drama, but that may be for a next time if there is sufficient interest in a repeat of this subject. In the meantime, I thank the class for their consistent interest and attendance.
Cecilia Conwaye-Wright
The Arts and Christian Tradition
Question: Do you know who the artists are of the above two pictures? Answers on page 7
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Now that you have retired and are looking for interesting things to
keep your brain active, think about learning bridge. This lively card
game is played worldwide and enables you to meet lots of interesting
fun loving people. It is a little like 500, the card game some of you may
know, but only a little. Once you have conquered the basics, it is
possible to either play socially with friends or to join a local bridge club
where you can play competitively every day of the week if you wish.
There are many 90 year olds still playing competitive bridge and of
course there are no language difficulties as all bidding is based on numbers and card symbols.
For term 3 we are trialling holding our bridge classes on a Monday afternoon between 2 - 5pm
at the Hoppers Crossing Sports Club.
We would love to see you at our Introduction to Bridge classes. Come, join us.
Serita Mudford
Bridge
AROUND THE COURSES (Cont.)
Exploring History
During Term 2, we watched three DVD series. These included:
1 - British History's Biggest Fibs - presented by the historian Lucy Worsley and covering:
War of the Roses - Here Lucy debunks the foundation myth of the Tudors, revealing that
they fabricated much of what we think we know about the "Wars of the Roses" to justify
their positions and where Shakespeare cemented those ideas as historical fact.
The Glorious Revolution - In 1688 Britain was invaded by a huge army led by a
Protestant Dutch prince and his English wife, who changed the course of British history.
The Jewel in the Crown - Lucy exposed myths surrounding the British "takeover" of India.
2 - The History of Magic - This DVD series covered topics that included:
Close-up Magic - Of all forms of magic, close up is the oldest, simplest,
and the purest. At its heart are tricks that have hardly changed for
thousands of years.
Disappearances - Discussing how magicians use science to make
things appear and disappear.
Mind Reading - Covering the mentalist subjects such as prediction and
fortune telling.
3 - Russia - The Last of the Tsars
This three part DVD series covered the life and death of the last Tsar of Russia, Nikolas II, his
wife Alexandra and their family from their marriage until their tragic execution at the hands of
Bolshevik revolutionaries. It touched on the almost inexplicable influence the "mad monk"
Rasputin had on the family until his assassination.
During Term 3 I will be absent, travelling in Europe for all of August, but in my place, hopefully,
Brian Kilfoyle will take over and will be presenting a series of films on the history of Arctic and
Antarctic exploration (a subject of which he has firsthand knowledge).
Brian Beck
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AROUND THE COURSES (Cont.)
Notre Class Francaise – Bonjour et bienvenus a tous. (Our French Class says hello and welcome to all). O La La – Quelle belle classe et bons etudiants de la langue francaise (What a beautiful class and good students of the French language). During the term, our students had to introduce themselves (in French) and tell us a bit about themselves and some of their interests. So we learned that:
Ralph, served in the Australian Navy with many and varied responsibilities since 1964, and heard about the sinking of his old ship “Voyager” by the “Melbourne” with the loss of 82 lives, soon after being transferred to the Darwin with his new wife.
Mary, told us how actor Dame Judi Dench loves trees and even listens to trees from the inside after digging into the tree’s interior.
Viga, told how she loves singing in church, even though she admits to having no ear for music. She sometimes sits near the altar so as to ‘épargner mon ouïe’ (spare my hearing’! )
Jenny, our artist, had a recent family reunion with the mother of her Iranian daughter-in-law and brought along a delicious bowl of rice cooked in milk, eggs, nuts and saffron.
Carole, is an expert in fromage and various world cheeses. She is also a professor of cheese making and sometime judge. She informed us that, like wine tasting, judges have to taste the cheese and then spit it out. However Carole prefers to swallow it. (Somebody has to do it!).
Kay, while spending time in China, was asked to teach English. This gave her opportunities to teach ‘intelligent’ students and to equip them for better schools. In 2005 Kay received a certificate of honour from the of Huizhou government in SE China. Kay also has a dear little dog, called Bailey.
Barbara won the ‘Grande Tombola’ at her bridge club with a $100 voucher for some fresh Tasmania salmon, which she enjoyed cooking and sharing with friends.
Martha Siwek.
French
LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S — SOME INFORMATION
Recently we received a pamphlet on the topic of Parkinson’s that may be of interest to our
members or their friends and families. Some useful facts include:
There are about 80,000 Australians and 27,000 Victorians who in some way suffer from
Parkinson’s. Each day there are about 30 new cases added throughout Australia.
There are more than 60 Peer Support Groups spread through Victoria helping sufferers of
Parkinson’s, including a Werribee Peer Support Group that meets once a month (3rd Friday
of each month, except January) at 1.30pm at the Kelly Park Community Centre, Werribee.
Parkinson’s Victoria offers health information and support through its free and confidential
help line on 1800 644 189. Their multi-disciplinary team can provide information about
symptoms, treatment options and self management strategies for coping with Parkinson’s.
They also host various seminars and forums.
For more information you can contact Parkinson’s Victoria on 8809 0400 or visit their website.
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WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, MISS ...
Could it be that good-looking women, single from choice, are coming back into
their own?
In my mother’s generation (Mum was born in 1901) any family who produced a
first daughter was considered blessed in that she would be groomed to be her
parents’ companion and carer for life. My aunt was typical. She was always
referred to as Miss Sandall and she fulfilled her expected role to her mother’s
and father’s last breath. Her sisters were known otherwise just as Gertie and
Ethel to be married or not, as they chose.
I think Queen Victoria had the similar plans since one of her daughters,
Princess Beatrice was expected to be by her mother’s side for life.
Even looking at the novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ the eldest girl was known as
Miss Bennett while the sisters kept to their first names.
I remember that my aunt Miss Sandall was a proud single lady, in due course to become Sister
Sandall in a Hospital.
Then seemed to come a period in my own generation in which a single, comely woman was
seen as a threat to married men, most noticeably in church (!!) and she was a nuisance...and
“Why wasn’t she married with some kids???” and an embarrassment in mixed company.
But lately the single career woman is coming back into her own, if the current political and the
business scene are anything to go by. RESPECT WOMEN! is a new slogan.
The career woman single from choice might still have to seek out similar companions if she hits
any of the old prejudices and the old fears.
So it is high time that the slur “Old Maid” gave way to “Prime Time” Woman with her head held
high and no longer the butt of jokes.
A precious memory of mine is my once-English teacher at High School. Her fiancé had been
killed in the First World War; she thereafter followed her career as a teacher and was one of the
finest single woman I shall ever know.
Cecilia Conwaye-Wright
Answer to the Question on page 4.
The top painting is called “Descent from the Cross” by the artist Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) and this
particular version is displayed in the Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia. The drawing at the
bottom was sourced from Pintrest and is entitled “The Prodigal”. This was apparently part of a more
recent Lenten Art Collection and the artist is Kristin Miller who lives or lived in Chicago. No further
information about this particularly talented artist appears to be available on the internet.
SOME WORDS OF WISDOM ABOUT LIFE
“No one ever finds life worth living - one has to make it worth living.” Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)
British politician and writer.
“Happiness is not the goal of life - happiness is the by-product of living out your purpose. Rick Warren (b. 1954) American evangelical Christian pastor and author.
"Very early, I knew that the only objective in life was to grow." Margaret Fuller (1810 - 1850)
American journalist, critic and women's rights advocate.
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MERLE’S SOCIAL ACTIVITES & OUTINGS
Finally after almost six months of waiting, a group of our members enjoyed the musical
Priscilla. We set out in plenty of time for lunch before the settling into the theatre. It was a great
show and most of us came out of the theatre with smile and the music in our heads. What joy, to
see our bus first in line which meant early home – but oh no! Almost 2 hours later we arrived in
Werribee, due mainly to the heavy traffic congestion. Fortunately we were all still in good spirits
but it just shows that road transport is a problem between Melbourne and Werribee.
Also during the past term we held a morning tea and invited a
speaker, Anna Dal from Vision Australia who provided a most
interesting talk about the challenges and successes that blind or
partially sighted people experience. Anna also brought her seeing
eye dog, Harlem, (see photo) who showed us some of the amazing
things that he and other similar seeing eye dogs can do.
Our mid-year lunch has unfortunately had to be cancelled. This is
because we just didn’t attract the numbers needed, which is
disappointing, but these things happen. We still have our
occasional morning tea, so be on the lookout for any information about future morning teas
where we usually have an interesting speaker . Do please also make a note in your diary about
our end of year Christmas lunch which this year will be held on Tuesday 27 November 2018 at
the Hoppers Crossing Sports Club.
Merle Deslandes (9749 7746)
It is with sadness that we learned of the passing away of Patricia
(Pat) Areskog who died in February 2018. Both Pat and her
husband Carl had a long association with U3A Werribee for well
over ten years in various roles. Pat originally came from England
when she was 12 years old. Later on she developed a strong
interest in community service, including Probus, Neighbourhood
Watch and soon also became involved in U3A, a couple of years
after U3A Werribee was initially launched. Pat helped start a
U3A computer class, which was then run by one of the
universities primarily because she particularly wanted to learn
more about how to use a computer herself. Over the years she
took on various important responsibilities that included serving
on the U3A Werribee committee. She is also particularly
remembered for being our U3A Werribee secretary for six years;
later being relieved by Carl for a further three years, where Pat
continued to produce the Committee meeting minutes. During
this time she compiled the U3A Werribee newsletters, printed,
folded them (ably helped by Joan Greenhill) and posted them.
Pat is remembered as a gracious and welcoming person who contributed much to the life of our
U3A Werribee group. She is survived by her husband Carl, two children and one step child. To
Carl and the other members of Pat’s family we do want to express our deepest sympathy.
Serita Mudford
VALE PATRICIA (PAT) ARESKOG
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PROGRAM OF WERRIBEE COURSES FOR TERM 3 OF 2018
Monday 16 July - 14 September 2018
Day/Time Activity Group Leader/Tutor Venue
MONDAY
10.00 - 12.00 Exploring History Brian Beck 9741 5460 HCSC
10.00 - 01.00 Lunch & Movies (1) Kaye Harvey 0402631171 SY
01.00 - 03.00 Spanish Carmen Cohen 0425729324 WCC
01.00 - 02.00 Tai Chi Marie Dean 9741 7733 HCSC
02.00 - 05.00 Introduction to Bridge Serita Mudford 0410 599 323 HCSC
02.00 - 05.00 Bridge Brian Kilfoyle 0409 073 869 HCSC
TUESDAY
09.30 - 10.30 Senior Men in Light Exercises Tony Bradford 0447139202 HCSC
09.45 - 11.45 Needlecraft Faye Weston 8754 1006 HCSC
10.00 - 12.00 Beginners Computer Course Don Lee 9749 2798 TCC
01.00 - 02.30 A History of Popular Music John Funnell 9296 1036 HCSC
01.00 - 03.00 Intermediate Computer Course Don Lee 9749 2798 TCC
02.30 - 03.30 Photography Bernie Flaherty 0412814610 HCSC
WEDNESDAY
10.00 - 11.30 Health and Wellbeing Lyn Alder 97417735 WCC
09.45 - 12.00 Mosaic Helen Galea 9749 1207 WCC
10.00 - 12.00 Intermediate French & Culture Martha Siwek 97417610 HCSC
01.00 - 03.00 Australian History Merle Deslandes 9749 7746 HCSC
01.00 - 04.00 Cards — 500 Kay Dwyer 9731 6976 SD
01.30 - 03.00 Book Club (2) Libby Pearson PH
THURSDAY
10.00 - 11.30 Current Affairs Tony Mason 9741 6476 HCSC
01.15 - 02.30 Yoga for Older People Trevor Walsh 0438 304 638 UC
01.00 - 04.00 Mahjong Rita Funnell 9296 1036
HCSC
FRIDAY
01.00 - 03.00 Music You Like To Hear Anna Mitchell 9741 2730 HCSC
Notes: (1) The Lunch & Movie Group meet on the second Monday of the month at the Sun Theatre, Yarraville.
(2) The Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at members' houses.
FOR ALL COURSE INQUIRIES:
PLEASE CONTACT OUR COURSE CO-ORDINATOR: LIA ALBERGO ON 9749 7594
OR EMAIL: [email protected]
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THIS TRI - CYCLE NEWSLETTER IS PRINTED FOR U3A WERRIBEE BY COURTESY OF
TIM PALLAS, MEMBER OF THE VICTORIAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR WERRIBEE.
DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for information purposes only and views expressed here are not necessarily those of U3A
Werribee Region Inc. While efforts have been taken to ensure that the material contained in this newsletter is accurate, U3A
Werribee Region Inc does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the material. Readers are advised not to rely
solely on this information when making any decision and should seek independent advice before making any decisions.
HCSC Hoppers Crossing Sports Club, Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing.
PH Private Home: For details please contact the tutor.
SD Lifestyle Seasons, 13 Sundial Boulevard Tarneit (at the Clubhouse).
SY Sun Theatre, Yarraville.
TCC Tarneit Community Centre, c/r Leakes Rd & Sunset Views Boulevard, Tarneit.
UC Crossroads Uniting Church, Synott St., Werribee.
WCC Wyndham Park Community Centre, 57 Kookaburra Ave, Werribee.
FB Featherbrook Community Centre, 33- 35 Windorah Drive, Point Cook.
JAM Jamieson Community Centre, Jamieson Way, Point Cook.
ALTON Altona Sports Club, 11 Altona Road, Altona.
Venues
PROGRAM OF POINT COOK COURSES FOR TERM 3 OF 2018 Monday 16 July - 14 September 2018
Day/Time Activity Group Leader/Tutor Venue
TUESDAY
09.00 - 11.00 Beginning French Bernadette Mravljak 0477940877 JAM
11.00 - 01.00 Magic of Numbers Frank O’Shea 0432358933 JAM
01.00 - 03.00 Unfinished Craft Marie Howard 0415728253 JAM
THURSDAY
10.00 - 12.00 Lifestyle and Living Bob Fairclough 0409252872 JAM
11.00 - 01.00 Book Club (monthly) Christine Statkiewicz FB
FRIDAY
11.00 - 01.00 Beginning Bridge Peter George 0427302236 ALTON
