OF INTEREST TO OUR MEMBERS:l
Semester 1 finishes on Friday 26th June. Note, there is a 3 week break with classes resuming on Monday 20th July
Three new courses will be offered in second semester:
There are spaces in all three. Check them out under the Courses menu button!
Basic Science, Australia, you are standing in it! with Brian Smith, Terms 3 and 4
The Maginot Line with Peter Conlon, 2 sessions in Term 4
Women in Science with Lorraine Johnston, Term 3
Classes with vacancies as at 23rd June :
Recorder group
Fine Films
Strum Ukelele and Sing
What Can you Grow?
Patchwork and Quilting
Patchwork
The Memory Book
Wednesday Walkers
Opera at the Sun Theatre
Petanque
Eat Well, Live Well, Age Well
Laughing Matters
Life Coaching
Seniors Cinema at ACMI (Friday)
Sketching and Painting
Tai Chi for Arthritis
TRIVIA RETURNS!
Thursday 16th July, 10 am to 1.30 pm at the Ascot Vale Neighbourhood Centre
Yes, back again in 2026 with the same format as previous years. Questions provided by Smith family, President Peter will ask the questions.
See the latest Contact Newsletter for more details about how to join in!
BISHOPSCOURT House and Garden
East Melbourne
A tour has been booked for October 13th. Watch this space!
https://bishopscourt.org.au/garden/
RECIPE OF THE WEEK!
Our Eat Well, Live Well and Age Well class meets every Friday. Tutor Julius Liubinas is a retired optometrist with a background in clinical research and is eager to pass on his research that links lifetsyle and health. He is also eager to share healthy, non processed food recipes that he brings to his classes. Please enjoy experimenting with the following recipes!
TERM 1 RECIPES:
Bean Bread; Banana (N)Ice Cream; Not Quite Rice; Mayonnaise recipe; Lentil Bites; Easy Fermented Onions; Apple (and Other Fruits) Vinegar
TERM 2 RECIPES
Fruity Bites; Plant Based Milk Science and Recipes; Sweet Potato Chocolate Fudge/Slice; High Protein and Fibre Tabbouleh; Curried Creamy Carrot and Lentil Soup; Chocolate Chickpea Sweet Potato Pie;
Gluten Free High Protein Veggie Pastie; Gluten Free High Protein Dessert Flan with an Orange Gel Top
FUN WITH WORDS
Each Thursday afternoon, a group of enthusiastic writers led by Patricia McLouglin and Deborah D’Cruz explore creative writing activities and then prepare a piece for the group, based on a chosen theme. We would like to share some of the stories from the class to the wider U3a membership.
The first story is by Pixie Chong, an interesting piece about a walking group visit to the Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens and beyond. Her interest in the surrounds is an incentive to visit and explore!
You can read and enjoy Pixie’s short story HERE
Isabelle Henry from the FUN WITH WORDS group wrote an interesting piece called Acts of Terrorism to commemorate the death of David Attenborough. This was published in The Age during May and gives a lot of food for thought. To read the article, click HERE
Anne Tait has written a delightful story about the triumph of an injured ant, Antonia. It is called Dreams. A lesson we can learn as humans too! Please read her story HERE
MEET A TUTOR!
Have you ever wondered about the interesting backgounds that our tutors have experienced? We go to classes often without knowing how they came to be teaching us the subjects they do. So we are going to start posting about them!
We all have a story. Follow this LINK to see David’s story in a nutshell.
Meet David Kershaw, the tutor for the Britsish Industrial Revolution class. This semester course has just finished and we were also treated to some of the amazing steam engines that David has constructed over the years.
Meet Liz Lynch– 20th Century History
Liz has been an active member in u3a since 2007. Liz has had many roles in this time, but is currently a tutor for 20th Century History. She mentions her hobby of cross stitch in her story, please click on HERE to see the magnificent piece she has stiched and read more! (Liz is front left in the photo)
Meet John McMahon – language tutor
John tells of his 4 year old self asking his mother what a “bad” word meant and has been interested in language ever since she deflected the question! He teaches three U3a classes in French and German, but he is also versed in Italian and Russsian! John has had an amazing education and career, both in Australia and abroad. To read more of his story, click HERE
Meet Harry Dobson– Pedalling for Pleasure, Wednesday Woodies and a whole lot more!
Harry tells his story in a nushell HERE. After a full working life in teaching, Harry has been involved in U3a since 2008, both in paid and volunteer roles. He is a much appreciated member of our community.
OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
Jan Miller and Mandy Heane are working hard to make our Facebook presence more visible to both members and potential members. It is a great way to share information about our classes and events, as well activities and events in Melbourne generally, reports about our Forums, Council matters etc. Please check it out at:
https://www.facebook.com/u3amooneevalley or via the link at the top right of the home page of our website.
DANCE FOR SENIORS
The Clocktower Centre its bringing back its popular program this year. Step into the grace and beauty of ballet in this inspiring dance program designed for ages 60+. Guided by a member of The Australian Ballet’s Education and Outreach team, participants will explore the elegance of ballet through gentle, expressive movements, inspired by the repertoire and music of The Australian Ballet’s productions.
Click HERE for more information.
MONTHLY LUNCHES
All U3A Moonee Valley members and friends are invited to attend the monthly lunches
which are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 12pm at the East Keilor RSL in Hoffmans Road.
You choose and pay for your own food and drink.
As well as a wide range of dishes offered on the main Bistro menu, a Seniors menu of generous portions is available. Current prices for Seniors meals are 3 courses $22.00, 2 courses $20.00 and 1 course $18.00.
Please contact Marjorie Ridley at officecomv@gmail.com to confirm you will attend by Monday prior to the lunch date.
Dates for 2026: (no July lunch)
20th August, 17th September, 15th October, 19th November, 17th December.
THIS WEBSITE BELOW CONTAINS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO IN OUR CITY, MUCH OF IT IS FREE!
Seniors in Melbourne
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT DEMENTIA?
We had a forum in 2023 on the topic of Dementia which was well attended. Interested in going to the next level of understanding this topic? The University of Tasmania’s Wicking Centre offers two free courses “Understanding Dementia” and “Preventing Dementia”.
The courses run for 7 weeks, are free and no assignments or exams are required. Information about the courses can be found at: https://www.utas.edu.au/wicking
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CYBER SAFTEY AND SCAMS?
We have had two very useful forums on the issue of staying safe online and for those who would like to checkout the presentations, the links are provided below:
The October 2024 forum addressed the issue of online scam avoidance. Phil O’Brien, our presenter, had many suggestions for keeping safe while using technology. His presentation is included HERE
In April 2026, Richard Whybrow, an IT Professional and Cyber Security Advocate, spoke to us about Cyber Security with an excellent presentation which you can find HERE
