Broadbeach U3A Newsletter, March 2018
Better Date than Never Our next term begins on Tuesday 17th April and while your diary is out please note the next Griffith Lecture is scheduled for Friday 4th May, details to be advised nearer the time. Happy Birthday “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead Changing the world is perhaps a little ambitious for our U3A but over the last 25 years we can be sure that Broadbeach U3A has had a positive effect on many lives in our local area. We are looking to celebrate our anniversary with a number of events and if any members have ideas of what we might do and where please do not hesitate to put these the forward to u3abroadbeach@gmail.com. Similarly, we would welcome members volunteering to help with these events. A Band of Angels? Our recent AGM was entertaining and informative and those attending on a rather wet Thursday morning were well rewarded by some excellent refreshments making this a pleasant social rather than merely formal occasion. The new Committee, elected l am pleased to report without any sinister cyber attacks, is as follows: President : Marie Mooney Vice President and Events : Robyn Tucker Secretary : Maggie Pernet Treasurer : Josephine Holman Webmaster : Linda Crittenden Publicity Officer : John Crittenden Committee Members : Robyn Browne, Lyn Gibson, Colin Kingelty, Joe Reisenberger and Des Wicks |
We should to thank all those who served on the Committee last year and those who have come forward for the current year.
Congratulations are due to Robyn Browne and Don Roberts who have become life long members in recognition of the great contribution they have made to our U3A over the years. I should mention here that Don is looking for some reasonably priced double garage storage accommodation and if any member knows of an opportunity to assist him with this please email Don at meggad@gmail.com. Bumper Opportunity We continue to be surprised by coming across people locally who have never heard of U3A and we are keen to attract members and to keep our U3A thriving with new people, skills and experiences. We have a number of U3A bumper stickers, posters and brochures available at our office within Merrimac State High School. Please pop in to our office during our Monday office opening hours to pick up some of these and help to spread the word. Stately Event Registrations for the U3A Network Queensland State Conference are now open. Members may be interested to meet fellow U3A members across the state and learn of their ideas, approaches and activities. These events are always stimulating and enjoyable. The annual conference being held this year in beautiful Redcliffe by the bay, 31 May - 1 June For registration details go to: www.u3aqldconference.org/ Old China Bryan Iles is a tutor at U3A Brisbane where he runs a class called Experiencing China. This program looks at the history, geography, ethnicity of China as well as the rapid development over the past 30 years. Each year he arranges a 2-week tour to China for U3A members. This year's tour will explore the Silk Road from the far west of China to Xian where the group will marvel at the Terracotta Warriors. The dates are 12th to 27th October 2018. Bryan would be pleased to welcome our members to participate in this tour. He has full itinerary available and will be happy to send it to you as required. If you are interested please ring him on 0418986027. |
Worth a punt?
A few of our members have enjoyed attending summer schools in the UK. The UK lifelong learning summer school this year will be held in the surroundings Girton College, Cambridge, known for its comfortable surroundings, spacious grounds, and warm and welcoming community. The dates for this summer’s two-week programme are 19 August – 1 September 2018, though it will be possible to attend for just one week (either 19-25 August 2018, or 26 August – 1 September 2018). The summer school is starting a week earlier than usual in part to catch the last week of the annual Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. The courses for the summer have all now been confirmed and include some exciting new options in history, literature and architecture.The middle weekend on the two-week programme will also have some new visits, including a tour of the National Gallery in London, and a day trip to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, the Queen’s much-loved country retreat. At this time of the year they may still have places available on the summer school so if you wish to follow this up information can be found on the website at: http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/lifelonglearning "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Pablo Picasso. Now Pablo died with a net worth of 500m US dollars which suggests to me that he might have been rather more successful at the finding than the giving. We continue to enjoy our U3A through our tutors giving freely of their time, skills and knowledge. We are always open suggestions from those willing to lead new courses. Please do not hesitate to put forward your proposals to u3abroadbeach@gmail.com. Some courses only require a coordinator. Such an instance remains the resurrection of our Book Club where there is a demand merely awaiting someone to take the initiative. Why not give it a go? A Happy Easter and a great Commonwealth Games to everyone. John Crittenden Publicity Officer |