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NEWSLETTERReg No A0028638V ABN 26 845 580 828

1a Park Boulevard, Ferntree Gully, 31569:30am – 3:30pm

Phone 9752 2737 Mobile: 0432 123 529Email: offi ce@u3aknox.org.auWebsite: www.u3aknox.org.au

March2019

Active and Positive Aging

Copy deadline for Newsletter #3 is Fri 3 May

Issue: 2

TERM DATES 2019Term 1 February 4 - March 29Term 2 April 29 - June 21Term 3 July 22 - September 13Term 4 October 14 - December 6

U3A artists are working very hard at getting the wall mural completed for our

Members’ Lounge.

It has become a tradition for a group of U3A bushwalkers to celebrate Australia Day with a brunch and recitation of

Australian poetry at a fl ag-decorated Birdsland.

Members of the Strength and Balance class participating in activities. See article on page 4.

DIARY DATES

Friday March 29 - end of Term 1Sat 13 & Sun 14 April - Quilt & Craft ExpoMonday 29 April - classes recommence

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

I attended a training session recently on Powers of Attorney at the Knox City Council. Some of the rules relating to this matter have changed and members may wish to read about changes relevant to their own circumstances. Four booklets were issued on the day and Council are seeking to access more copies for our use. If you are interested please contact Steve to borrow the booklets.

The Eastern Community Legal Centre has asked if we could participate in a short survey to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and perceptions of ageing. The data will be used to develop digital videos to bring attention to, and challenge, age discrimination. Survey forms are available at the Offi ce, and the survey takes only a few minutes to complete.

I am in the process of preparing the autumn vacation program. Anyone wishing to off er a program or activity during the vacation should advise of the proposed times so that we can ensure a suitable venue is available. The vacation program seems to be growing in popularity with over 120 activities in the summer vacation, and an increasing number of term programs continuing during the break. Please note that during the break we will be having a special program on Falls and another on Safer Driving, both of which are extremely relevant to us and detailed elsewhere in this Newsletter.

A group of U3As is seeking to establish a regular Walking Soccer competition. Walking Soccer is now accepted as a sport and it is intended to have an introductory day and several matches on 30th May at Heathmont. We require teams of males and females (at least 8 in each team so that we have replacements). We will try to establish Walking Soccer as a course in term 2. From videos I have seen it looks to be very social and a lot of fun. There is no running involved, no tackling and the ball cannot be kicked above waist height. If you are interested please add your name to the list on the Noticeboard.

A key box has now been installed at the Carrington Leisure Centre. The box contains two keys which provide access to all the rooms we currently hire. This should remove issues of access that we have recently experienced. Tutors and class assistants will still need their fobs to enter the building and lock up. The code and instructions for the key box will be distributed in the coming week. We will continue the current opening and closing arrangements for a trial period.

The Knox City Council has funds available through the Community Development Fund. Usually

these are small grants for specifi c improvements or community activities which contribute to the participation and benefi t of people in Knox. If you have any suggestions for projects we would gladly receive these.

We are continuing to support the Knox City Council’s Zest4Life Program which seeks to provide a continuous set of learning activities for Seniors throughout the year. U3A Knox has 5 courses or activities for the fi rst round in 2019 and 7 have been accepted for the second round.

At a more mundane level, we are still experiencing issues with air conditioners being left on, blinds being left up and external doors being left open. It would be appreciated if these could be attended to by tutors or class assistants.

Steve DammPresident

BANNER RETURNEDThank you to the person who returned the missing banner to the storeroom.

This equipment is for the use of all members; we would just like to know who has got it when it is used.

John Ford

MENTORS NEEDED

Our friends and neighbours at Fairhills High School are once again seeking help from our members with a mentoring program for their Year 9 students. They are looking for people to work with groups of young people on various projects for a few hours each week. All volunteers in the program will need to undergo a selection and approval process, Working with Children checks and referee checks.

If you are interested in taking on a mentoring role contact U3A Secretary Lawrie Gaylard atsecretary@u3aknox.org.au for further information.

RECYCLINGPlease collect all your plastic bottle tops from milk, juice, soft drink bottles. These tops are being recycled into prosthetic hands. There is a collection box in the foyer labelled ‘PLASTIC BOTTLE TOPS’.Don’t forget the other recycling programs – the square plastic bread tags, the oral care & beauty products, mailing bags & the L’Or & Moccona coff ee pods.

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YOGA AT U3A KNOX

Each week U3A Knox runs six yoga classes, which have a total of 164 members enrolled. For most of the classes there are waiting lists. We are very fortunate to have dedicated yoga tutors who give freely of their time to help others enhance their lives. One in particular is Mr Kawal Bhagat, who takes two classes each week, and is a mentor to our other yoga tutors. Kawal has led a rich and varied life and hopefully one day he will allow us to publish some of his story. The attached photo shows him proudly seated in front of one of his classes.

VISION RESEARCH AT UNI MELB

Older adults (aged 60-77) with normal, healthy vision or glaucoma (any age) are wanted for vision research. Up to three test sessions of approximately 2 hours are involved, which will include an abbreviated eye examination and computer based testing of vision. Volunteers will be reimbursed $20 per session to assist with any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending.

There is a poster on the Parkhills noticeboard.

For further information contact the study team on 03 9035 9979

or email: Prof Allison McKendrick allisonm@unimelb.edu.au

Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne.

TUESDAY CYCLING GROUP

They say that knowledge is a bonus, but hands-on experience is even better. On Tuesday 12th February, after a short ride around the local area, Peter Osborne, one of our participants and very capable in the maintenance of the bicycle, was able to tutor us all on the steps required to repair a puncture of a tyre, an instructive activity on the removal of the wheel to actually taking the tube off from the rim. As you can see below Judy is restoring the tyre after it is repaired. All the group were keenly interested, especially the girls who are venturing on a trip of their own soon. We don’t know when it may happen to ourselves, now that the weather is cooling and the tracks are not as clear as the Summer season. The old guide/scout’s motto: ‘be prepared’.

Gerry Lane

ANNUAL TEST & TAG

As a condition of our Parkhills Licence it is necessary for all our electrical appliances that plug into a power point to be tested annually.

This includes members’ personal sewing machines brought in for Patchwork and Craft classes throughout the year.

For 2019, testing will take place between 9.00am and 11.00am on Monday April 1st (this is the fi rst day of the next term break and is not a trick).

Members who bring their sewing machines along to Parkhills are requested to arrange for their machines to be tested then. Cost is still $3.00 per machine.

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WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERSApproved by Committee in January &

February 2019John Barned David BeaumontHelen Boyce Nick BrennanPeter Brown Susan ChurcherMerrin Collier Jeff CopolovTrevor Cross Jillian DavidHelen Geddes Bronwyn GilesClive Horton Lynette HoskingAnne Kilpatrick Yuk King LeeHazel Lewis Lyn McIntyreAnne Overton Nervana SaadLinda Smith Unice SmithMargaret Strachan-Hatton

Lynette Strickland

Kathleen Unthank Angelika WagnerJennifer Wall Lee WhitfortIrene Wilson Mandy BattenPhil Batten Noreen BoothLeslie Churcher Ian ClarkeGloria Coates Betty CrockerLynn Davis Jean DuncanKrishna Dutton Barbara EdmondsAmanda Ellingworth Rita FrithJohn Fuller Ann GouldstoneDianne Grant Susan HoggLyn Kitching Manuel LobartoJanet Long Rhonda LorraineMichael Lowe Sue LoweJohn Morton Gaye MortonVijay Nair Brian NelsonNora O’Brien Nishanki RamanayalBlossom Ratnarajah Maryam RazaviPat Schreiber Peter ShannonHow Thian Sil Branislav StanojevicRichard Strickland Helen TribeRobyn Turk Bruce BallardJoanne Dent Paula Di CeccoMarie Edmunds Glenn EvansAlistair Green John HofsteeJulienne Hyams Jenny LaiSusan Lang Anny LimElizabeth Miller Helen MuscatShirley Newell Urvashi PatelWendy Presta Jeanette QuyAnnette Smith Rebecca SturgeonHelen Thomas Xuemi TongVicki Tombs Marilyn Turville

STRENGTH AND BALANCE

The U3AKnox Strength & Balance group runs weekly on Tuesdays from 1:00 -2:45pm at Carrington Park during the U3A term. This group is off ered in collaboration with EACH (previously known as Knox Community Health Service) and the program is designed and co-facilitated by the EACH Falls Prevention physiotherapist (Annette Biviano).

The Strength and Balance group aims to keep participants steady on their feet so they can remain independent at home, avoid falls and enjoy good quality of life. Additional volunteer leaders for the group are needed who have adequate physical health to be able to assist participants with a range of strength and balance exercises using leg weights and balance equipment.

A full day NoFalls Leader course and ongoing mentoring and training by our physiotherapist is provided at no cost to you. If you’d like to know more come to a Strength and Balance session and talk to our group coordinator Beryl McFarlane or contact physiotherapist Annette Biviano on 9757 6270 or annette.biviano@each.com.au .

The next one day training for this program will be on Tuesday 25th June from 9:15am - 5:00pm at EACH in Ferntree Gully. This training day is only off ered once a year. If you’re unable to attend the training you can still assist at the group but will be buddied with a NoFalls-trained leader until you have completed the NoFalls Leader course. We hope to hear from you soon if you can assist as a volunteer with this valuable program.

From the U3AKnox Strength and Balance Team

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QUILT AND CRAFT EXHIBITION

Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th April (10.00am to 4.00pm)

At Performing Arts Centre, Fairhills High School

Our Second Quilt & Craft Exhibition is only 4 weeks away. A huge eff ort is being made to organize this event for our talented and enthusiastic crafters at Knox U3A. Please don’t let us down. We need your entries for the exhibition. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the wider community the varied talents of all the crafters here at U3A.

Exhibitions like this also need lots of willing volunteers to help out with a range of tasks required for the event. There are Volunteer Lists on a board in the Knox U3A foyer (near the Offi ce). Please volunteer by putting your name on these lists. A couple of hours of your time are all that is needed.

Tickets for the fund-raising raffl e in conjunction with the Quilt & Craft Exhibition are now available. Tutors please encourage your class to purchase them. Small books of tickets are available at the Offi ce.

The fi lm-making class at our U3A is planning to make a short fi lm of this event and will link it also to our craft classes at U3A. Thank you to Norman and his class for proposing to do this.

Finally, to all U3A members, please support this event by attending the Exhibition. There will be lots to see and enjoy there including craft demonstrations, craft shops and stalls and a café providing light food and refreshments.

Pam Donner (on behalf of the Management Team for the Quilt & Craft Exhibition)

MUSIC MUSTER PERFORMING AT H.U.F.

On Sunday 19 May, the U3A Knox Music Muster will be performing at the Hills Ukulele Festival (HUF) in Emerald. The Music Muster is one of a number of community music groups participating in the festival with each group performing for 20 minutes. Entry is free so why not come along and support your U3A colleagues. Further details will be provided closer to the event.

Brendan Canty

FILL THE ART GALLERY

Your classes are given an opportunity to hang their artwork at our own art gallery at Parkhills.

Please book a wall for your class exhibition if your class is interested in displaying their artwork.

Example: Jan Fox’s Acrylics and Mixed Media class will be exhibiting in second term on wall number 4.

If your class can provide an art display please contact Teresa Schipano (0409 025 017) so that arrangements can be made.

For their support we thank:

SAFE DRIVER TRAININGFREE SEMINAR

This is a free, one hour VicRoads road safety awareness presentation designed for older road users. It will cover information including how to keep drivers safe and mobile, road rules, the eff ects of medication and strategies for safe mobility. Details are as follows:

Date: Wednesday 17 April 2019

Time: 10.00 am to 11.00 am

Location: U3A Knox, 1A Park Blvd, Ferntree Gully

Contact: U3A Offi ce on 9752 2737 (RSVP by Friday 12 April)

See the fl ier on the Parkhills noticeboard

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MARINA BAY SOLD

The ‘Marina Bay’ group painting has been sold and the funds are going towards extending the picture hanging system for wall number 5 at Parkhills.

The proud artists from the Friday Oil Painting and Pastel group are from top left, Suzanne Wade, Joe Infanti, Elizabeth Terrell, Susan Miller, Christina Higgs, Daniel Waffl er. Bottom row from left, Vivian Smedley, Teresa Schipano, Cathy Liggett and missing from photo, Janettte Garbuio.

Teresa Schipano

ADVANCED CYCLING

On Friday 1st February seven riders from the Advanced Cycling group tackled the O’Shannassy Aqueduct trail. The trail follows the historic open channelled O’Shannassy Aqueduct, meandering through pristine forest overlooking Yarra Junction, Warburton and the Yarra Valley.

It was a cool, pleasant, sunny summer’s morning, perfect for the ride ahead. We set out from Yarra Junction and after a slow climb up along the Don

Road through Don Valley we reached the Aqueduct Trail. Walking our bikes up the steep gravel track, we arrived at the aqueduct ready for a well-earned drink break. After the recent rain on the previous Wednesday, the trees and ferns along the track exuded a beautiful Australian bush aroma. We continued riding for a couple of hours following the aqueduct along the variable terrain mountain track. We eventually rode out to the large redwood forest in East Warburton. It was an interesting experience riding along the huge Sequoia soft forest fl oor through the straight rows of tall trees, a stark contrast to the often bumpy trail. The

ride fi nished along the Warburton Trail back to Richard Greenlee’s home in Yarra Junction where he welcomed us with cool drinks and a much appreciated BBQ lunch. This glorious day was a highlight of our summer riding program.

The photo at left was taken at our “banana stop” overlooking the Yarra Valley.

Dennis Johnston

HELP PLEASEHOUSEKEEPING ROSTER

We are desperately in need of a person to do the Housekeeping RosterCan you help?

It is not a big job, but needs someone to create a roster for each term from the list of volunteer names

Please phone the Offi ce on 9752 2737 if you can help

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FROM THE COURSE COORDINATOR

New courses in Term 2 are: -

Computers- Excel for Beginners.

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program and has many and varied

applications. Many use it for budgeting, where it becomes a very useful household tool. We at U3A use it in various ways, it is an incredibly handy application.

Even if you have used Excel in the past and you feel you need a refresher course, then take advantage of this course. If you are computer literate and would like to learn more, new tutor Les Firth will give you guidance in its use. Course commences Tuesdays 10:30am - 12:00 noon for 6 weeks in room 7.

Students will be using U3A laptops.

Australian History

This new course will cover our history from European discovery through to

Federation. We have a rich and varied history and if you came to Australia as an adult, it is worthwhile exploring the history of our nation since European occupation.

Course starts on Thursday May 2nd 9:30am Room 3.

Hidden Facts of WWII

It has often been said that the fi rst casualty of war is Truth

Winston Churchill stated “In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.”

It is often said that “history is written by victors”. This is not always correct of course; there are at least two sides to every argument.

This course will examine verifi able historical facts leading up to WWII, identifying the actions and motives of the belligerents. Then it will examine the actions of those during the war. Then it will explore how the undercurrents and motivations that led to the war still have bearing on our world today.

Tutor Morris Sabanski. Thursdays 12:00noon, Parkhills Room 2

Lawrie GaylardCourse Coordinator

KNOX SENIOR SAFETY REGISTER IS HERE!

Bridges Connecting Communities is excited to be developing the register which is a program designed to help senior residents living in Knox feel safe and connected to their community.

Participants on the register receive a regular monthly phone call from volunteers who check on their welfare.

This register aims to help residents feel valued and to off er peace of mind to their loved ones.

Any enquiries please contact Liz at Bridges on 9763 9700,

or email kssr@bridges.com.au

The Knox Senior Safety Register project has been supported by a grant from the Knox Council Community Development Fund.

APRIL “FALLS” EVENTAnnette Biviano (Falls Prevention Physiotherapist) is running a seminar for U3A Knox members and their friends or family members who want to learn ways to prevent falls and maintain independence at home and in the community.

When: Wednesday 3 April 2019

Time: 10.30am - 12.15pm

Where: U3A Knox Parkhills 1, 2 and 3

Bookings via U3A Knox Offi ce

Cost: No cost (please bring your own drink or refreshments)

For further information see the poster on the noticeboard or contact:

Annette Biviano on 9757 6270 or annette.biviano@each.com.au

For their support, we thank

Contributions to this newsletter are always welcome.

Tell us what your group or class is up to. Relevant

photos can be included, submitted either electronically,

or as a print that we can scan.

Submission deadline for the next edition of this

newsletter is mid-day on

Friday May 3rd

Leave contributions at the office, or email to:

newsletter@u3aknox.org.au

Ferntree Gully, Rowville and Scoresby

Proudly supported by Knox City Council, through its Community

Development Fund. (03) 9298 8404 511 Burwood Highway,

Wantirna South, 3152

www.knox.vic.gov.au

We also wish to thank the following for their strong and ongoing support.

Department of Health & Human Services (Aging & Aged Care Branch)

Adult and Community Further Education

(ACFE) via Learn Local