On November 21 a group of around 20 of us headed off to Reef Distillers for a tour and tasting. It was an informative and fun session. 

On September 19 around 40 U3A members headed off to Mt Hedlow Retreat at Lake Mary. The journey there took us out past a landscape of volcanic plugs and farming land. 

Our hosts talked about the history of the property and their links to area. 

We enjoyed a morning tea and a tour of the property. In all it was a lovely day in a beautiful part of our area.

We were Initially escorted by dolphins until we reached the deeper water past Baren Rock to the playground where the whales  were frolicking. Two large humpbacks came to the prow of the boat where, to our delight, they rose in unison. We were so enamoured, that we didn't manage photos! 😶

A good day - enjoyed by all. 

Dirk's engaging and thought-provoking talk highlighted the connectivity between the land and sea. 

In Rarotonga, intense agriculture in the 1960’s has impacted the reef system over 30 years later. 

On the central Great Barrier Reef nutrients from farm systems have increased the abundance of Trichodesmium cyanobacteria; which also appears to be linked to the proliferation of Crown of Thorns Seastars. 

These examples illustrate that changes to terrestrial systems can have long term impacts on adjacent marine systems, but that these changes are not always predictable, or easily rectified. 

A large group of U3A members headed off to the Heritage Village in Rockhampton to enjoy all that was on offer. 

A rather large group of U3A members headed off to Waterline to enjoy a Chai Latte or perhaps a cappucino with scones, muffins or a slice of cake.
Richard Wilson talked about the history of the Marina through various plans and changes of government and how it came to be what it is today.