Term+3


 * NEWSLETTER - TERM 3, JULY 2012 **

PRE SIDENT’S REPORT

WELCOME MEMBERS I am back on deck and would like to firstly thank everyone for their kind wishes and cards during my enforced stay in Sydney. I am well and getting stronger every day, mainly because of the wonderful support that is here in the Bega Valley. I am very grateful to Liz Sweaney for taking over the reins at such short notice. The new members of the committee, together with the continuing members, are a combined, committed group. The meetings are a hive of activity, resulting in many stimulating and creative courses and events for members, even planning into 2013. I am impressed.

Our website is looking good and changing all the time, thanks to Liz Sweaney & Colin Gould. Check it for on-going news and let us know if you are happy to down load your own information instead of having a newsletter posted.

It was great news to hear that the “Senior’s Day” at Mandeni went off so well, due to everyone pulling together to make it a success. More recently, our outing to the ‘Back to Front Garden Centre’ was such a wonderful success that it will probably be visited again. The five day trip to Albury also got ‘the thumbs up’ from Ceri Brown & Margaret Brown. The Merimbula Centenary Parade was poorly attended by our U3A, but the flag was waved with much enthusiasm by the lone Italian Group led by Franco Svampa. While Ceri Brown and Chris Warner manned the information booth. Thank you to all.

The biggest undertaking our U3A has ever done has been the subject of much debate. We have searched for the possibility of having a ‘home base’, but until now that has proved too expensive. We have decided that we will lease a shop front in Tura Beach. The lease is for 18 months and will be reviewed at that time. It is situated beside the Tura Bakery, so nice morning teas! There is a large space for group activities and we hope that some of the groups take advantage of this space. We will be contacting group leaders very soon. There is also a space for storing all our equipment and documents. Kitchen and toilet facilities are available. (//We are very excited about this venture)//. ***YOU CAN MAKE THIS OUR HOME. WE NEED :**


 * * Urn **
 * * A large rug /carpet **
 * * Chairs and table **
 * * Cutlery & ( In good condition) **
 * * Curtains/ ( cafe style) **
 * * Kitchen storage **
 * If you have anything to contribute, contact Rob McAllister on 6495 0633 or Judith on 0417 433 312 **** Judith **

GENERAL U3A INFORMATION


 * = **__ Back to Front Garden Centre __****__ outing __**** . ** ||  ||= **__ JOHN SKELTON __**** - AOM ** ||   ||
 * || [[image:Lynne.png width="268" height="179" align="center" caption="(left to right ) Alison List,  Jan O’Han,  Michael O’Han,  Lynne  MacMillan"]] ||   || [[image:John Skeleton.png width="274" height="181" align="center"]] ||   ||
 * || The 24 Members of U3A sat in perfect autumn sunshine, listening to manager Derek Povel explain the history and concept for the Garden Centre. Derek and his wife Sue created the nursery, five and a half years ago. Since then they have installed solar panels making them independent of any external power supply, and a large roof area allowing them to conserve all mains water, plus an extensive system to recycle and treat grey water. They aim to be totally self-sufficient and sustainable.
 * || The 24 Members of U3A sat in perfect autumn sunshine, listening to manager Derek Povel explain the history and concept for the Garden Centre. Derek and his wife Sue created the nursery, five and a half years ago. Since then they have installed solar panels making them independent of any external power supply, and a large roof area allowing them to conserve all mains water, plus an extensive system to recycle and treat grey water. They aim to be totally self-sufficient and sustainable.

We had a most interesting and informative talk on gardening, and the plants which add autumn colours to our region. Our questions were answered by a very knowledgeable expert. This was followed by pizzas provided by our own cooking expert, Lynne MacMillan, and cooked in Back to Front’s pizza oven. We thank David and Sue for sharing their enthusiasm and plans for the future growth of the nursery, and Lynne for another superb luncheon. ||  ||  John Skelton is a member of our U3A and is a remarkable man. We are fortunate to have John as a member of our U3A community and as a committed leader. John has been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Awards. He is the recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (AOM) for his contribution to Mental Health Services over the past 32 years. Quite an achievement and we congratulate him.

John was a psychologist by profession, and had been Assistant Director of Army, Psychology, and the Honorary Psychologist at the Psychiatric Ward of the Royal Prince Albert Hospital, Sydney. When severe mental illness struck a member of his family, John decided to investigate complementary treatments and achieved some success .After much research both in Australia and overseas, he assisted in setting up the Bio-Balance Health Association Inc. in 1998, of which John was inaugural Vice-President. He is currently a Management Committee member and still edits the Bio-Balance Newsletter.

John and his wife Margaret have been involved in the ARAFMI since 1981. It is an organisation which assists Mental Health patients and their carers. He pays homage to his wife for her support. ||

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** Remaining Term Dates – 2012. ** TERM 3 Mon 16 July– Fri 21Sept TERM 4 Mon 8 Oct - Fri 21 Dec Term 3 Courses Move to Page 2 Newsletter