JUNE 2019 Page 1 of 4 GRAFTON U3A

GRAFTON U3A INC.

Po Box 688 Grafton NSW 2460

“Sharing our knowledge, skills and experience in a friendly convivial way”

June 2019 www.grafton.u3anet.org.au info@grafton.u3anet.org.au

JABBERFEST 10AM – 17 JUNE 2019

NEW LIFE CHURCH CENTRE ARTHUR STREET GRAFTON

SESSION 1

APERFORMANCEBYOURVERYOWNHARRYJONES

Have you ever laid in bed reading - when suddenly your wife punches

you? That is the effect that Lawson’s “The Loaded Dog” provokes. I have

read this situational comedy countless times – it starts with some

tittering, grows into some energetic giggling, to finally explode into

raucous laughter with tears of joy at the outcome. Tommy - the playful

pup, gives his owners and the mob at the local watering hole a real taste

of excitement as he “plays “at what he thinks is a great game. The story

ends with the come-uppance of some nasty curs who seek to spoil

Tommy’s fun. A part of the Lawson series - Joe Wilson’s Mates from

“While the Billy Boils”. Gentlemen!! Beware, avoid reading this book in

bed. Harry Jones

SESSION 2

GUEST PRESENTER – LAURA NOBLE – AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEES

Laura’s knowledge of native bees is self-taught, either by

experience or reading. Since her early years, she has been

interested in insects and other flora and fauna. As a teenager,

she recalls lying in the backyard enjoying the sun and

watching small solitary bees going in and out of their

individual entrances in the dirt under the house and realised

they were native bees. As a young adult she read with interest

“The Honey Flow” a book written by Kylie Tennant about a

woman who was a migratory bee-keeper in Australia.

Unfortunately, Laura followed a conventional office job and

never got started in beekeeping as she lacked the knowhow and funding to acquire my own hives and

equipment. In later years, she came across another book about keeping native stingless bee (NSB) hives. After

reading it and attending a workshop on the subject many years later, she decided to save and invest in a hive

– so no Christmas/Birthday gifts for a time. In 2014, she bought two NSB hives and added to that number by

hive-splitting. Photography is a great tool to enhance your observation and learning skills.

Laura has also been involved in rescuing, restoring and rehoming NSB hives mainly during the highway

upgrade as a member of the Clarence Native Bees, a Landcare group and was one of the facilitators of the

inaugural 2016 NSB Expo held in Grafton. She is passionate about our native bees, flora and fauna and

continues to do her bit to protect our struggling environment.

JUNE 2019 Page 2 of 4 GRAFTON U3A

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Dear Members Well the year is flying by at a rate of knots. I will be standing down from the

committee in August after three years as will Mary-Lou Brown who will be

sorely missed as she has not only organized a wonderful selection of

speakers but also our morning teas at Jabberfest. The committee will

therefore be seeking two replacements so please do consider standing. It is

a great committee that has done a wonderful job over a number of years.

Our annual membership fees are due again at 30 June. We will also be

seeking a new honorary auditor as unfortunately Warren Morrow will be

leaving town. If you do know someone who could undertake this task, please

put them in contact with Bruce Carle. Our thanks to Warren for the great job

he has done over many years. (you will be missed).

If you know of any potential speakers for our Jabberfest, please contact a

member of the committee with the details.

Whilst the majority of members received their copy of the Jabber Journal last month unfortunately a few did not

for which Carole apologizes. I understand that the problem has now been rectified but, in the event that you do

not receive the upcoming edition, please contact Carole.

I look forward to seeing you at Jabberfest on 17 June, which is a week later than normal due to the June Queen’s

Birthday Weekend.

David Thompson 6644 7782

SOCIALACTIVITIES–VandaGeremia

REMEMBERWHENCOTTAGE

The excursion to Remember When Cottage, although not

well supported, was enjoyed by all in attendance. So

many memories and lots of laughs. Pictured above are

Alysan Pender and Eija White enjoying a Devonshire Tea

in a setting from yesteryear. Well worth a visit. Vanda

Geremia

LET’S DO LUNCH!

VENUE: Blue Goose Hotel Junction Hill

WHEN: High noon - Sunday 22 July 2019

COST: Own transport AND own expense. If transport needed, we

may be able to arrange. Expressions of interest at June

Jabberfest.

JUNE 2019 Page 3 of 4 GRAFTON U3A

COURSES/INTEREST GROUPS UPDATE – AlysanPender

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL

Our next meeting will be held on Monday 24 June at 2.00 pm in the U3A Rooms at Dougherty House. Alysan

Pender will be talking about two short overseas travel adventures – Paris (2017) and Oman (2018). Enquiries to

Magda Mussared, phone 6644 9309.

POETRY & PROSE READING

Our next meeting will be deferred for a week due to the June Public Holiday

on Monday 10th, which sets our Monday programmes back a week. It will

now be held on Monday, 1 July from 10.00 am to 12 noon in the U3A Rooms,

Dougherty House. The July meeting of the group will take place as usual on

the 4th Monday of the month - 22 July. Enquiries to Alysan Pender, phone

6644 5397

We welcome new

members Patricia

Blacklock and Graham

Buttons. We trust that

you enjoy your

association with Grafton

U3A and take the

opportunity to avail of

the courses and interest groups available.

ATTITUDESTOAGEINGSURVEYThis survey is being undertaken by Dr Neil

Jayasingham of Sydney University, who has

undertaken considerable research into Ageing. U3A

Network NSW is supporting the project and is

encouraging U3A members to undertake this short

online survey.

The survey represents part of a study looking at

what clinicians and the general public think about

ageing – to help and understand why we have

different concepts about what it means to grow

older. The survey can be found at the following link

with additional information set out on page 1.

https://redcap.sydney.edu.au/surveys/?s=7DATHK

XK9K

HONORARY AUDITOR REQUIRED Warren Morrow,

who has acted in this

capacity over many

years, is leaving

Grafton. We take the

opportunity to thank

him for his many

years of service and wish him well for the future. As

a result, we are seeking a replacement for the

position. Are you, a relative, friend or someone you

know interested in taking on this role? If so, please

contact Bruce Carle – Treasurer on 0409225536

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES Enclosed with your journal

is a renewal notice

(attached to email) for your

attention. Your response

will be welcomed.

Membership fees are $30

for singles and $50 for

couples. If you wish to

discontinue membership, a

call to Carole Cairns 6642

4615 or a note to that effect would be appreciated -

thanks.

JUNE 2019 Page 4 of 4 GRAFTON U3A

HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF SERVING ON THE COMMITTEE? The committee of Grafton U3A is composed of a four-person executive and seven additional members with

various responsibilities as follows:

EXECUTIVE

President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

JABBERFEST COORDINATOR

Responsible with the aid of the committee for arranging and coordinating venue logistics and monthly

guest speakers.

JABBERFEST ITINERARY ORGANISER

Responsible in association with the committee for Jabberfest agenda including entertainment and

Session 1 speakers/activities.

JABBER JOURNAL EDITOR

Responsible for collection, collation, editing, production each month of the Jabber Journal with material

input from committee, members and external parties. Liaise with Secretary re mailout of journal to

members and with Webmaster re availability of Journal on Grafton U3A website.

SOCIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

In concert with the committee to initiate, arrange and coordinate various Grafton U3A social functions

throughout the year. Responsible also for maintenance of Grafton U3A rooms.

COURSE/INTEREST GROUPS COORDINATOR*

Responsible, with the aid of the committee, for devising, arranging and coordinating all courses

throughout the year including venues and times. Ensure that special interest groups operate within the

umbrella of U3A and according to established guidelines.

PUBLICITY OFFICER

Provision of regular editorial matter concerning Grafton U3A activities and courses to local media,

particularly press for publication.

MINUTE SECRETARY

Records, produces and distributes copies of minutes of Committee meetings and assists Secretary with

correspondence etc.

ASSISTANT TO SECRETARY/MINUTE SECRETARY

Aids Secretary with mailout of monthly Jabber Journal and other tasks as required. Takes on role of

minute secretary when required.

* also serves as Vice-President on current committee.

As you are aware Grafton U3A Inc. is a voluntary, non-profit association. Like U3A groups worldwide, it has the

philosophy of engaging members as volunteers to fulfil all the management, administrative, organizational and

tutoring tasks necessary for its effective operation. The management role of U3A is undertaken by your

committee. At the upcoming Annual General Meeting, vacancies will need to be filled as two of the current

committee members will be stepping down after a number of years of service.

Membership of the committee is not an onerous task but is very fulfilling with each member having a set area of

responsibility as detailed above. The members of Grafton U3A as a group have extensive experience in many

fields from their working lives and serving on the committee offers an opportunity to utilize those skills for the

benefit of all members of Grafton U3A. So please do give this opportunity to nominate your serious consideration.

EDITOR CONTACT Contributions to the Jabber Journal are welcome,

however, we reserve the right to edit or refuse

material submitted for publication. Closing date for

the July 2019 edition of the Journal is Friday 28

June 2019.

Editor – Dennis Kelly thehifields@bigpond.com

Contributed by Bob Hayes