Happy 50th Birthday!

As we step into 2023 we look forward with enthusiasm to the U3A Network Queensland Conference in May. This year's Network Conference will be an historic event as we celebrate 50 years of U3A worldwide. 

There will be five separate events that comprise the conference program:

• Meet & Greet on Monday, May 8
• Two days of Anniversary Celebrations on May 9 and 10
• 50th Anniversary Dinner on Tuesday May 9
• Network Queensland Dinner on Wednesday May 10
• Network Conference Day and AGM on Thursday May 11

Morning/Afternoon Teas and Lunch will be included in your conference registration for 9th, 10th &  11th May.

For more information about the conference, please go to the Conference Website Page here. Please register for the conference and events on the Network Website.

Happy 100th Birthday!

On 20th January 2023, former U3A member, Pat Daly, celebrated her 100th Birthday. About 80 family and friends joined Pat at the Bribie Island Golf Club for a party organised by her daughter, Janet. Four Gympie U3A members, Carol Nugent, Gussie Morgan, Caroline Barry and Margaret Dawson attended and were joined by former Gympie U3A members, Jean Piron and Ronis Birchley.

A highlight of the celebration was a power point presentation of photos dating from 1923 till the present day.  These wonderful photos chronicled Pat’s amazing life. They were supported by a very interesting, often humorous, commentary by Janet and Pat.  

So many stories were told of Pat’s full and eventful life - going to school at the Oval School in London, near The Oval, and hearing the cheering and clapping when Don Bradman was at the crease; living in London through the Blitz; emigrating to Australia in 1948 and settling in Gympie; being the first female member of Rostrum Queensland in the 1950’s; always being community minded and involved in various organisations; President of Gympie U3A (2007); and still paddling a dragon boat at 94. 

Pat continues to be very connected to her family and is very interested in the world at large. Even though 100 years old, Pat stood for the whole presentation. When asked by Janet if she was okay, Pat replied, “I’m lapping it up!” It was an honour to be part of Pat’s birthday celebrations. 100 years, well lived and still going strong. 

Congratulations Pat
Margaret Dawson

Presidents Notes

We had a very successful Open Day recently. It was pleasing to see so many people attending and we had over 20 new members join. I would like to thank the many people who contributed to the success of the day, including the Tutors for promoting classes and volunteers who helped with forms and money collection and committee members for all your efforts before during and after the day. A welcome addition to the day were the displays by Nicola Fergus from Relationships Australia and Sue Bramblebee from Carers Gateway. I would also like to thank Ron and his team from Gympie Bowls Club who were very helpful in setting up and dismantling. 

Our online system for managing memberships and enrollments is now fully operational. Quite a few members have renewed their membership, enrolled in classes and paid online. I am hopeful that the numbers using the system will grow as more members become familiar with it. We are investigating ways to educate members about the system which can be accessed via our website https://u3agympie.com. If you need any assistance with this please contact me.

Information about the AGM to be held from 9:30 on February 15 at Avenues Hall was emailed to members who have registered their email address. If you didn't receive this please contact our secretary Lyn Kroes secretary@u3agympie.com 

I had the privilege of attending the My Kind of Poetry group on the 26th January. As it was a public holiday they had an unscheduled session at a members home. The members take turns to share poems they have selected on a theme. While I'm haven't been a huge fan of poetry I enjoyed the readings and it gave me a greater appreciation and a few laughs. It was a very enjoyable couple of hours. I can highly recommend this class.

U3A GYMPIE AGM

15th February 

Doors open 9.30am for a 10.00am start

at

Sherwood Hall

Avenues, 37 Red Hill Road

All committee positions will be declared vacant and a new committee elected

Positions available are

President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary,

Class Coordinator, Newsletter Editor

and General Committee Member

Understanding Dementia 

The Understanding Dementia MOOC (massive open online course) will be opening on 7th February 2023.

Dementia has a profound impact on individuals, families and communities, posing significant challenges to quality of life. The number of people with dementia across the world increases every year as our global population ages, and dementia is fast becoming known as the public health concern of the 21st Century. 

• • It's FREE and you can enrol today
• Course opens on Tuesday 7th February 2023
• Duration is 7 weeks, with an estimated effort of 3 hours per week
• You can study day or night, on your smartphone, tablet or computer
• Receive a personalised certificate on completion
• Course content includes how the brain is affected by the diseases that cause dementia, symptoms, diagnosis, stages and management, and personal and carers’ perspectives of living with dementia
• Enrolments are now open at mooc.utas.edu.a

New Seniors Strategy 

Dr Chris Sarra is the Director General for Seniors, Disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships. He, and his deputy Michelle Bullen invite U3A members to participate in developing a new Queensland Senior Strategy.

The Queensland Government is committed to supporting older people to lead healthy and productive lives where they can contribute through work, volunteering or when retired, feeling connected and cared for in their communities.

We are seeking the views of older Queenslanders to inform the development of a new state-wide strategy. Older people are important to Queensland's future and who better to inform us about their experiences and aspirations than seniors themselves.

We need your help to make sure the Queensland Government is delivering the right services and supports for seniors. Your input will help us develop a plan that meets the needs of seniors now and into the next decade.

Please participate by completing the survey via this link,

 https://qchub.dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au/seniors-strategy  
or by accessing it on the government webpage

 https://qchub.dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au/