Welcome

President's Message

With so much negative world and local news each day, it was refreshing to listen to Dr Maree Weston’s positive presentation last month. Maree gave us a wonderful insight into the challenges and successes she has experienced as a surgeon and mother of two children.

Above all, she reassured us about the extensive and prolonged training that is required to reach her position as a leading specialist surgeon in the New Zealand health service.

Quote: “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.” (W.B. Yeats).

John Collins MNZM President

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

Cris qualified in Medicine from Auckland Medical School in 1989. A molecular immunology PhD in the University of Auckland led to a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, Australia, before Cris moved to Cambridge University, UK for six years where he was a Fellow of St Edmunds College. While there he co-founded a genomics biotechnology company, which became listed on the Tokyo stock exchange in 2007. In 2005 he returned to the University of Auckland where he leads a cross-disciplinary research team of clinicians, biologists and data scientists. They use genomics and related technologies to better understand human disease, especially cancer. He currently chairs the Scientific Advisory Board of The Auckland Regional Biobank, leads the Auckland Genomics into Medicine Strategic Research Initiative and plays a precision medicine sector liaison role at the Ministry of Health. His previous roles have included Director of NZ’s Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), President of the NZ Society for Oncology, and Joint Director of the University of Auckland Bioinformatics Institute.

Abstract: When I qualified in medicine in 1989, I was fascinated by genes and genomes, however at that time the field of ‘genomics’ had relatively little to offer the majority of patients. Fast forward to today, and the advances in what we can achieve using genomic technologies in medical care, and medical research, are astounding, with technological developments still accelerating. This talk will discuss current examples of precision medicine at various stages of development, from research to the clinic. It will look at both opportunities and risks, including what precision medicine may mean for future generations

Study Group Presentations: - Famous and Infamous (Gary Preston)
Mini Speaker: - - Barry and Nalini Mehta – From India to New Zealand with love

Kitchen Duty:– Heritage Walks (Christine Fryer & Margaret Waters) & Books We’ve Read (Wendy Jeffrey)

New Members:

Donna McIver, Sue Don, Sue Nott, Chris Nott, Jeremy Templer and Susan Templer.

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NEXT MONTH – Wednesday, 2nd April 2025

Main Speaker: - Susie Lees-Jeffries, RNZB Director of Marketing and Development. An update of NZ Ballet.

Mini Speaker: - TBA

Study Group Presentations: - Gallery Visits 1 (Inie Kroef)

Kitchen Duty: -Global Issues (John Hole & Hugh Campbell) and Famous and Infamous (Gary Preston)

Study Group News

The Non-Fiction Book Club had a great first meeting, with ten present, plus two apologies. We were confronted with Mary Trump's no-holds-barred assessment of her uncle ("a shameless liar"). Also with Jonathan's Haidt's assessment of "The Anxious Generation" - overly parented and too exposed to social media. Anyone else wanting to join the group, please contact the convenor: Laurie

Guy: laurieguy4@gmail.com

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 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.