VALE

DAVID PRICE

Our President Kevin writes ...

It is my sad duty to have to tell you that one of our members David Price passed away peacefully in Wollongong Hospital last Tuesday evening.

He is survived by his wife Jacqui who has presented here on a number of occasions and was a nominee for Secretary at our recent AGM. They only joined U3A at the beginning of this year.

David was a quiet, unassuming man but with a fierce intellect. He was a distinguished scientist. He was awarded the title of Fellow of the University of Wollongong in 2013.

He specialised in, not quite sure of the scientific term, but something like forensic anthropology using techniques like sedimentary thermo luminescence of which he was one of the pioneers of this technique, which was his major contribution to this scientific field. He also used carbon dating, use of isotypes and DNA sequencing.

David’s health had deteriorated in his latter years and Jacqui became his ever faithful, ever loving carer.

Vale David. I personally will miss you.

RAY GALL

It is with sadness that we have to announce the passing of one of our Life members Ray Gall on the 15th of June 2025.

Ray and his wife Sheila were both Life and 'Foundation' members of our U3A. In 2002 he was a member of Wollongong U3A and Senior Vice President of the State Council of U3As. It occurred to him that there could be the opportunity to establish another U3A in the Southern Illawarra area. A committee with Ray as the Chairperson was was formed to investigate and plan for the establishment of a new branch and Shellharour City U3A was established.

We offer our sincere condolence's to his son Chris and the rest of Ray's family.

Rays daughter Melody writes ....Should anyone wish to attend, his funeral/memorial service will be held this Friday 27th June commencing 12:30pm at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Prince Edward Drive, Brownsville, followed by refreshments afterwards.

DENISE PROWSE

It is with sadness we announce the passing of our member Denise Prowse on Friday 11th April 2025.

Denise enjoyed attending our watercolour classes while she battled bravely with cancer. Mary one of the Watercolour group leaders said: she never complained about the hand that was dealt to her and always asked after others and made sure they were ok. Her strength and spirit was inspiration to everyone in our little group. She will be sadly missed by us all.

The photo shows her demonstrating techniques to visitors on Open Day last month.

RIP Denise ...

JIM CHAPMAN

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Jim Chapman.

Jim died in Shellharbour hospital on Monday following a fall at home on the weekend.

Jim was a foundation member of Shellharbour U3A and a member of Wollongong U3A also.

Jim carried on at U3A after the loss of his wife Judy.

Jim was a bit of a character and we certainly won’t forget him.

He survived by his two Daughters Victoria and Elizabeth and Victoria writes ....

There will be no formal funeral as per his wishes, we will go to and have a "jolly good knees up" in his memory at Jamberoo Pub on Saturday 17th of May at 3pm. It will be a casual affair and everyone is welcome.

Please do not send flowers, but rather, plant them (or indeed any other sort of plant, not necessarily flowers). Dad was a life long and passionate gardener and would I am sure be touched to know that there was something out there growing because of him.

Rest in Peace Jim...

JOAN PAULUCCI

It is with deep regret that we heard of the passing on 24th January 2025 of Joan Paulucci, aged 90. Joan was one of our foundation members and joined on 22nd July 2003. Joan had a talent for poetry, story-telling and story-writing. Over the years Joan gave many talks and entertained us. Our condolences go to her husband Joe, our first U3A President, and their family.

The poem below is one she wrote for our 15th anniversary in 2018.

OUR U3A

Written by Joan Paulucci for our 15th Anniversary

U3A, what a weird title for a university type club

It sounds more like a blueprint to Mars or the name of an out of space pub.

We started off quite small you know, some fifteen years ago

With an ad that was put in the paper to see if it was a go.

Some forty interested people gathered to hear what was what

And decided to form a committee and give this club a shot.

Then Joe was nominated by his ever-loving spouse

To lead this new committee and get him out of the house.

The committee gathered daily, rules written at a great rate

Ideas tossed from pillow to post and slowly our club took shape.

We keep busy with lectures and classes, outings, theatre and walks

Tai chi and dancing, club lunches, new people to chat to and talk.

We have had fantastic speakers and some of course a bit flat

But they all give their time quite freely for a coffee a biscuit and chat.

So, look around at your neighbours, smile at all your friends

Enjoy all that it gives you, Our U3A sets the trends.

GERTIE MAUL

One of our original U3A table tennis players, Gertie Maul, passed away on 3rd June 2024 at the age of 98.

Greg Carthew's table tennis class held a remembrance on Monday 11th June 2024. Some of Gertie's neighbours attended and gave an insight into Gertie's life outside of table tennis. Gertie played table tennis with Shellharbour U3A into her 90s and when she could no longer play with her right arm, she played with her left.

She will be well remembered as a determined lady.

RIP Gertie

Gertie In Action (Photo supplied by Phil Prentice)

Members of Shellharbour U3A Table tennis group who attended the remembrance for Gertie. Photo supplied by Phil Prentice.

JENNY MAYOR

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dear friend and U3A member Jenny Mayor in hospital at Shellharbour on 5:4:2022.

Jenny joined Shellharbour City U3A on 22 July 2003 and went on to be an involved member serving on the committee as Social Secretary for several years from 2004. It was Jenny who initiated Christmas in July and our annual bus trip and she co-ordinated an active social program. She led the Genealogy class as well as organising the Tai Chi classes.

Jenny was presented with a Life Membership to the club in 2017.

Along with her sister Di, Jenny could always be found working unassumingly either welcoming new members or attending to afternoon teas and housekeeping at the hall.

Our sincere condolences go to Jenny’s family and especially to her twin sister Di Phillips.

She will be greatly missed.

RIP Jenny.

CAROL CRUIKSHANK

Carol joined Shellharbour City U3A on 28th Jan 2014. She joined the Writing Group and encouraged the members of the group with her kind words and sense of humour. Carol was passionate about recording and writing her life story and produced her own book just prior to her passing. For four consecutive years she had stories in the NSW Seniors Short Stories publication.

Carol thoroughly enjoyed new experiences and regularly attended the Tuesday afternoon talks at the hall. So much so that Carol bequeathed a legacy to Shellharbour City U3A to support the club with the talks program.

Carol passed away on 4th December 2018.

RIP Carol.

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