Welcome

President's Message

Happy New Year to all members and welcome to the beginning of an exciting programme for 2025. Your committee has worked hard to organise a wide selection of interesting topics to be delivered by recommended speakers. We are keen to expand the study groups. Please speak to Gary Preston if you have a suggestion for a new topic and even better still, if you would like to convene one.

Also ensure you have registered for one of the study groups for 2025.

Wendy Jeffrey has kindly rejoined our committee in the important role of ‘Welfare’.

As it will not be possible for her to keep her caring eye on all of us all the time, she would be grateful if you could help by letting her know when fellow members are unwell or enduring difficult times.

Quote of the month: “Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path” (Ralf Emerson)

John Collins MNZM President

Main Speaker – James Thomas – Sport, Learning, Connections and Achievement: reflections about the role of Masters Athletics.

James Thomas is a distinguished Educationalist, Secondary School Principal and Commissioner, who has served on several NZ Ministerial education groups. He is a past president of the Auckland Secondary Schools Principals Association. As well as being the author of several textbooks, James has served as Chief Examiner and Chief Marker for School Certificate Economics. He was previously the manager of Parenting with Competence (Parents Inc).

James actively competes in Master’s competitions and currently holds several NZ and Australian titles and records, including some top ten world rankings.

With 45 years involved in education (so far) as teacher, principal, commissioner, author, examiner and more, James will share how a dyslexic, non-reader kept trying and was able to contribute positively over many decades. He has always loved sport, and at age 60 started his involvement in Masters Athletics which has added a special dimension to his life journey. He will share funny and encouraging stories, key elements he is finding along the way that contribute to a fulfilling life, and challenges that – as his father would have said – have the potential to develop character!

Study Group Presentations: - New Study Group – Non-Fiction (Laurie Guy)

Mini Speaker: - Emma Jaffa - The Power of Music. The association between engaging in musicrelated activities and reduced dementia risk in older adults.

Kitchen Duty:– Classic Films (Katherine Swift) & Earth Science (Lawre Taylor)

New Members:

- Lynette Roper, Robyn Want

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NEXT MONTH – Wednesday, 5th March 2025

Main Speaker: - Professor Cris Print - At Breakneck Speed: the remarkable history of genomic medicine over the last 30 years.

Mini Speaker: - David Thompson, update on the Auckland U3A Network.

Study Group Presentations: - Current Affairs (Katherine Swift)

Kitchen Duty: - Modern History (Gary Preston) & Gallery Visits (2) (Margaret Horsburgh)

Study Group News

Stimulating new U3A group proposal - a non-fiction book club:

This group would not simply summarise various non-fiction books. Presentations would also lead into lots of thought-provoking discussions. Such discussions would be a prime purpose of the group. Depending on numbers, group members would likely do a presentation maybe three times a year.. If you're interested in being a starter member, email me (laurieguy4@gmail.com) or phone or text me at 022 0477 656. Day and time of the meeting will be determined after I get expressions of interest (the second Thursday afternoon of the month is one possibility). So get in touch now. Laurie Guy.

Helen Jakobi Riddle:- I HAVE A FEW BRANCHES, BUT NO TRUNK, NO FRUIT, NO LEAVES – what am I???

Welfare

Please note we rely on our members to advise our Almoner if you are aware of any member who is ill or incapacitated, or suffering bereavement. Wendy Jeffrey would appreciate you contacting her either by phone 02102579792 or email:- Almoner.stheliersu3a@gmail.com

Monthly Meeting Protocol.

Please ensure that you register at the Greeting Table when you arrive.

Monthly Meeting Protocol:

Please note sending an apology for non-attendance of the monthly meeting is no long a requirement.

St Heliers U3A Website

Our website www.stheliersu3aauckland.com is updated every month by Kathy Slater. Newsletters, relevant information on study groups and much more can be found on this interesting site.

Name Badge.

A reminder to all members, and especially our new members, that you should put the name and contact details of your preferred contact person on the back on your name badge in case of any emergency. Please ensure that you wear your Name Badge to all U3A meetings.

U3A On-line Courses.

These are available to all members. The online contact details are: www.u3aonline.org.au . There is no requirement for payment to access the course content. Access will enable a review of the study content and further details relating to independent or supervised study. If you are interested in any of the papers, please let Kathy Slater know, stheliersu3a@gmail.com and she will download the material as Auckland U3A network has already been registered and paid.

U3A St. Heliers History Booklet.

This interesting booklet was updated and reprinted for our 25th Anniversary and is available for purchase for $10. Copies will be available at the next meeting. Highly recommended especially for our new members.