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On Tuesday 17th June...
Rob Servine from Green Connect came along and told us all about Green Connect.
The farm is situated at Warrawong Highschool. It is an award winning social enterprise and provides fresh and local produce which is mostly grown at the farm. It is an 11 acre urban farm that uses permaculture and organic principles to produce fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey and free range meat, The farm also does tours for Kindy groups and has Play and Picnic days.
The Green Connect farm hands include former refugees and volunteers include retirees and young people. The work experience program targets young people between school and employment.
The second part of our program was a presentation by Clare Farrell and Kim Lynch who represented our U3A at the recent State Conference in Orange on 7th-9th of April.
I think they might be glad that it wasn't this month as they may have needed some warmer clothes!
They found the main points of value for us were:
Networking with different U3As / sharing resources where possible.
Information and resources available on U3A NSW Website.
Tips on home safety and driving as we age. Valuable presentations eg on Ageing and The Law.
Ideas for new activities.
On the 10th of June ...
We were entertained by Stuart Barnes as he related the story of his life in the Illawarra.
From the Steelworks to the WIN Entertainment Centre and his involvement with Destination Wollongong and the visiting cruise ships.
He then described his current role with the Steelworks and the Working Port Tours. He's been a busy man!
After afternoon tea on the 10th June, Lyndall Kirchmajer gave an informative and interesting explanation and display of the use of weapons in Tai Chi practice.
TUESDAY SPEAKER SUMMARY…
Each Tuesday afternoon we meet at the Oak Flats Community Centre to listen and learn from a variety of visiting speakers.
A list of upcoming speakers is available on our website under the ‘What’s On’ tab…
This week we heard from a number of our own members.
Firstly, Margaret Shannon entertained us with very interesting overview of ‘Weird and Wonderful Architecture’. I have never seen so many weird buildings!
After our afternoon tea break. The leader of the 20th Century History group Wayne Bourne introduced
4 members who were challenged to chose a topic that they had researched.
Firstly Margaret again - she explained about her introduction to the group and the interest that she had found. She invited members to think about joining.
Then Zoe Smith talked about the Loans Affair - the political scandal involving the Whitlam government in 1975 in which it was accused of attempting to borrow money from the Middle East by the agency of the Pakistani banker Tirath Khemlani. This bypassed the procedures of the Treasury and violated the constitution. She explained the involvement of local identity Rex Conner, Minerals and Energy Minister in misleading the government. This became a precursor to the constitutional crisis later in the year and the ‘dismissal’ of the Whitlam government.
Liam Farrell spoke about an ‘unknown and unrecognised’ woman in history.
Cecilia Payne - who became the first woman to earn a PhD in astronomy from Radcliffe College in USA. She was a British-born American astronomer and astrophysicist. Her work on the cosmic makeup of the universe and the nature of variable stars was foundational to modern astrophysics. Liam stated that she deserved more recognition.
Gwen Burke spoke about the life of Nancy Wake known as ‘the White Mouse’. She was a New Zealand born nurse and journalist who joined the French Resistance and later the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II.
All really interesting topics.
Thanks to Jacqui Price for the photos…
Margaret and Wayne introducing the topic.
Zoe explaining the Loans Affair
Gwen relating the life of Nancy Wake
Liam telling us about Cecilia Payne - female Astro physicist
Tuesday 20th May 2024. All about the Illawarra Wig and Turban Library
Our guest speakers on Tuesday were from the Wig Library which is located at Wollongong Hospital.
This not-for-profit organisation has been operating for over 20 years and assists people with any medical condition which causes hair loss.
Wigs are offered for a donation from clients and supplemented by donations from community groups. We were pleased to be able to assist the good works by donating $100 from our Carol Cruikshank bequest funds.
Pat was a 'willing' volunteer for a demonstration of how to wear a turban.
U3A NETWORK CONFERENCE
Clare Farrell and Kim Lynch represented our U3A at the U3A Network Conference - hosted by Orange U3A on 7th-9th of April.
They found the main points of value for us were: Networking with different U3As / sharing resources where possible.
Information and resources available on U3A NSW Website.
Tips on home safety and driving as we age. Valuable presentations eg on Ageing and The Law.
Ideas for new activities.
Clare and Kim will give an overview with more detailed information and useful tips in a Tuesday afternoon Talk in June.
Our New Patron...
It is also our pleasure to announce that the current member Carol Berry has accepted the offer of patronage to our club.
We look forward to meeting her and getting to know her when she comes along as a guest speaker to one of our Tuesday meetings next term.
Thank you Stephen Jones - retiring member for Whitlam.
Stephen was Patron for our club for 15 years and always willing to assist us wherever possible and to attend functions in an official capacity.
The committee presented him this framed photo as a 'thank you' and a remembrance of his involvement with Shellharbour U3A.
Tuesday 8th of April - we were entertained by the Kiama Probus Choir.
PROBUSCHOIR.mp4Tuesday 11th of March - Let us Dance ... for You
We were entertained last Tuesday by a very professional troupe of ladies from the Let Us Dance Company from Wollongong.
They dance for fun, fitness, friendship and fulfilment so really encompass our U3A motto. They specialise in dance styles of days-gone-by including Tap, Musical Theatre and Jazz and showed us some examples of all these styles and had our toes tapping along in time
dancers4.MOVOpen Day Tuesday - 4th March 2025
What a terrific day we had on our Open Day - Tuesday 4th March 2025. It was wonderful to see the support from our members and from so many visitors who attended.
Kevin Fuller, our President and emcee extraordinaire, kept the whole day moving seamlessly and with great humour. Everyone was encouraged to participate in all the activities that were happening in the hall.
The “Move It or Lose It” exercise group made it onto WIN local news that evening. The Watercolour Painting group was extremely busy helping people prepare their own piece of art to take home. The Ukelele group had us all toe tapping and singing along to familiar tunes, some with original lyrics. Then it was a change of pace and quiet relaxation for the Tai Chi demonstration. Another change of pace for the Senior Moments segment where there was much laughter, jokes and storytelling. After lunch tables were set up for a variety of card games, board games and Mahjong.
All in all, a fun-filled and eventful day with something for everyone to enjoy.
A heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who helped in any way whatsoever to make the day such a success and a huge WELCOME to the seven new members who joined our wonderful U3A.
Clare Farrell
Official guests L-R Councillor John Davey, Deputy Mayor and Patron Kellie Marsh, South Coast U3A Regional Representative Laurene Mulcahy, MP for Shellharbour Anna Watson and President of our U3A Kevin Fuller
Robyn Smith leads a demonstration of her Move it ot Lose it exercise class
President Kevin presented some entertaining 'Senior Moments'..
The Shellcity Ukes group getting ready to entertain us
OpenDaySnippets.mp4U3A TRIVIA CHAMPIONS
Well, we did it again!
On Thursday 6th March 2025 we remained the champions of the Seniors Festival U3A Trivia Competition, coming first for two years in a row. This is the third time we have won this competition.
Many Congratulations to our two Trivia Teams that entered.
Shellharbour City U3A Inc. came FIRST and SECOND in the competition.
It was also a clean sweep for the interval games, guess the number of teabags, guess the number of lollies and drawing a picture of fruit. Shellharbour City U3A Inc. won the lot!
Second Place Winners:
From Row: Julie Carbonara, Kevin Fuller and Brian Castray
Back Row: Frances Cardwell, Virginia Castray and Dawn Carr
Winners from L-R: Jane Labriola, Liam Farrell, Clare Farrell, Jennie Matheson and Barbara Vicary
Our Watercolour class is very popular - held the first and third Tuesday mornings at 9am
Our Ukulele class has been very popular and now meets every Thursday morning at 900.
Here are our Raggy quilts made at a recent "How to make a Raggy Quilt" course.
ALL ABOUT BONSAI
Our members on the Narrandera trip are not the only ones having fun.
We had a very interesting talk on Tuesday all about BONSAI.
Anna Cook who spoke to us about the community garden knows about Bonsai too!
The talk was presented by Allan Cook from the Urimbirra Bonsai Society and he brought in some great examples to show us. Check out a few photo on the image carousel opposite.
The Urimbirra group meets at the Ribbonwood Centre in Dapto at 7pm on the second Tuesday of the month and would welcome new members.
We will all be heading off to the nursery to find a suitable plant to start our Bonsai journey.
Christmas in July at Oak Flats Bowling Club 2/7/2024
Last Tuesday 67 U3A members enjoyed a great Christmas in July function at Oak Flats Bowling Club.
It was a different format going to the Club for the function but there was lots of positive feedback and it will probably now become an annual event.
Several members lead by Julie Drysdale gave us a some memories of their Christmas' past and you will see them in the accompanying image carousel.
The Club gave us a lovely meal and members dressed in their Christmas finery and a great time was had by all.
An added special presentation of flowers and a plant was made by President Wayne to Di Phillips and Pam Watt who are retiring from their duty as 'tea ladies'.
It was as an acknowledgement and a thank you to them for their years of organising the afternoon tea for our Tuesday meetings.
Cards Anyone?
Here are some of our card players at the Uniting Church Hall in Shellharbour yesterday 28/2/24. It is great to see 28 members gathering to enjoy their cards.
There's an empty table there - so there is room for more people?
Card Making Workshop - a popular 'One Off' activity
On Friday 27 October 2023, eight lovely U3A members got together to make handmade Christmas cards in a really successful one day workshop. Everyone had a very pleasant, social day, chatting and laughing as they crafted away, learning new skills and producing some fabulous cards to take home.
Thank you to everyone for helping to make the day a success. We hope you enjoyed the experience and are proud of your efforts - and you now have some truly lovely and unique handmade cards to give to family and friends for Christmas!
Mary and Chris
Members enjoying their bridge game ...
The Bridge Group meets every Monday at the Warilla Library at 10am.
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