Glen Wall, the president, opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to our February morning tea; the first for 2020, the first day of the term and meeting in a new place. French street Hall is our new meeting place for this year. He greeted everyone a Happy New Year as well as acknowledge the Chinese community a Happy New Year, the year of the Rat.

The current profile for the beginning of 2020 is that at present we have 680 members (645 last February) with a number of members who have advised that they will be renewing through the first month of term. There are 130 activities with an increased number of single information interest sessions.  Many issues around Peter Lalor Campus have not been able to be resolved as the expectations have not been met. At the end of last year, a number of significant negotiations were carried out making the campus more ‘senior accessible’. The outcome has been an intervention by the Department of Education Regional Office to work with U3A, Men’s shed and the school to resolve issues of toilets and car parking.

‘We have made a commitment to not have any U3A related cars parked in the car park until a solution is signed off by all parties. Any parking on site which will break the commitment probably will lead to U3A losing the facility’. We have secured access to additional venues that have easier access and better facilities and have moved some activities from the Peter Lalor Campus. We have the support in these negotiations of our local members of parliament, City of Whittlesea Council and the Education Department.

Margaret Muldoon won the competition for a Whittlesea logo cup – Congratulations.

One of our classes has been very productive. The Whittlesea U3A writers’ group is proud to announce the publication of a book. It is available through Amazon and below is a little blurb from their website.

 “Throwing Caution to the Wind” – A Third Age Writers’ Perspective, Bryan McNally and Jan Marshall have compiled a collection of special works written by very talented people in their Third Age. A tale of what it would be like to take a trip back in time to talk with ‘Banjo’ Patterson about his legendary works.
The highs and lows of returning to your homeland as you reminisce together.
The intensity that a loved one experiences when that inevitable day comes when you lose a parent.
Of verse that tells of losing friends and loved ones near and dear to you…
…and much, much more.
The collection relates feelings. Feelings of joy, humour; of life and death, and everything in between. A variety of writing media allows the authors freedom of expression in their works.
The broad spectrum includes, memoirs, short stories, stage performance, essays, poems and exercises undertaken in the Whittlesea U3A Writers’ Group class”.

There are a couple of new classes coming up and if you are interested, please sign up. Understanding Depression is a one-day event led by Bill Gould. It’s a two-hour discussion on what is depression, types of depression and the signs and management. Most people do not want to admit to this disease. Dementia is another topic that people do not want to talk about and Bill spoke at the meeting about the difficulties and apprehensions in coming to class.

Some classes have vacancies; such as Monday morning walking group with Mary. Cross-country walking with Regina. There are many benefits for joining the cross country; getting to know and see your local area and exercise. Christine from 3D Origami class invites you to join her.

Tutors who were unable to attend the evening of the Tutors’ dinner were presented with their certificates. Jenny Loring, Beryl Clarke and Bev Pearce

The knitted scarecrow was the prize for the raffle. This was in aid to raise funds for the knitting group. Here is Ron Andrews collecting his win.

Yan Yean Reservoir Park provides visitors with peaceful picnic areas, a variety of walking tracks and breathtaking views of Melbourne’s oldest water storage site. The reservoir was Melbourne’s first and has supplied the city with water since 1857. It was the plan of James Blackburn, a civil engineer who unfortunately died before ever seeing his dream developed. The historic bluestone valve house and stone water channel are reminders of the reservoir’s history and this area is our venue on March 9th for our Labour Day Picnic. Marian Gaylard will be hosting this event.

On the 10th February there will be a new Trivia class, made especially for those members who are unable to attend the evening class. The leader of this group is Patrick Muldoon and promises to have lots of fun. There is a gold coin donation for expenses.

For the upcoming bus trip to the Goulburn Valley, please click here