The Merrilands Community Centre in Reservoir will be home to Reading & Writing for Retirees. The other new venue, Jika Jika Community Centre in Westgarth, will be home to Developing Computer Skills.

Three other new courses will be held in familiar venues. The courses are: Drawing Then Painting, Italian Language for Beginners, Medieval Foundations of Modern Science.

See the course list for links to descriptions for all *new* and continuing courses scheduled in First Semester 2009.

Location details and transport tips for all venues are included in the course timetable (in P.D.F. format).

MERRILANDS COMMUNITY CENTRE

Corner Sturdee and Asquith Sts., Reservoir.

Melway 18H1.

MON 19th, TUES 20th, WED 21st, JANUARY 2009.

10am – 2pm.

FAIRFIELD STATION CLASSROOM

26 Railway Place, rear of Platform 1; opposite the R.S.L.

Melway 30K10.

TUESDAY 27th JANUARY 2009.

10am – 3pm.

NORTHCOTE LIBRARY

Separation St.; opp. Northcote Plaza.

Melway 30F8.

WEDNESDAY 28th JANUARY 2009.

1pm – 3pm.

Membership and enrolments for 2009 will be received 30 minutes before the AGM and after the close of business. Fairfield RSL provides a delicious afternoon tea which includes sandwiches, cakes and scones.

Why not come along and meet this friendly group and find out what Darebin U3A has to offer?

* Otherwise * You may phone our office on 96 102 102 to request an Information Kit. Please leave a clear message giving your name, address and telephone number and we will send you our 2009 Information Kit in January. The kit will provide course descriptions, venue details, timetable, membership form and enrolment dates for 2009.

Audrey Grace

The Singing for Pleasure group was recently invited to perform at a promotional event for Link Community Transport. We sang several songs from our repertoire and were very well received. We were also treated to a delicious morning tea. It was a most enjoyable experience, and we were all thrilled to receive a cheque which Jim passed on for U3A funds. It was accompanied by a lovely note thanking us for our ‘fabulous performance’.

The title Singing for Pleasure is really a very good name for this lovely group of friendly people, and new members are made to feel very welcome. Jim Logan, our tutor, is very encouraging, and we quickly find our voices and gain confidence. He welcomes input into the choice of songs, so we get to sing our favourites - a pleasure indeed.

Review by Aileen Palmer

The Fairfield Book Club has a policy of reading widely. So, in line with this, our literature for July was a play – Away by Michael Gow. It has been highly acclaimed and won several awards – among them the 1987 Awgie. It is written by an Australian, set in Australia and for Australians. However, it is a work that has a variety of interpretations. The themes are intensely personal but also universal to all mankind. At the obvious level the story is of three families who are going on holiday in an effort to relieve their stress and solve their problems. All three suffer the pressures of society and family relationships but in addition they had other burdens of grief and loss. One family has lost a son in the conflict in Vietnam, another has to come to terms with the early death of their son through chronic illness, the third family faces the alienation of their only daughter. To some degree they had all been defeated by the things life has thrown at them and cannot see their way ahead.

These people of disparate backgrounds and expectations are thrown together by circumstances. By opening themselves to each other and sharing their sadness they unlock the power of love ad compassion. They learn that others have tragedies and perhaps handle them better.

This work was not easy to read and we all needed as much help as we could get, but was, finally, a treasure of enlightenment and well worth the effort.

Don’t miss the U3A Carnival of Learning at Federation Square this Sunday, October 5th from 10:00am to 4:30pm. It should be a great day, with much to interest and entertain everyone. One word of warning – this will be the first day of Daylight Savings, so you will need to get up an hour earlier if you don’t want to miss any of the entertainment.

Darebin U3A will be based in the Discussion and Discovery village, showcasing our Improving Your English class and Needlework Group. Come along and visit our marquee for a chat and find out about the courses and activities we offer.

Other Darebin U3A groups will be performing or demonstrating their activities during the day at various locations as follows:

• 10:30-10:45 Singing for Pleasure on demonstration stage, Arts village.
• 10:30-10:50 Tai Chi Federation Square Boulevard.
• 12:00-12:15(approx) Classical Studies – reading from Medea, demonstration stage Discussion and Discovery village.
• 12:00-12:25 Singing for Pleasure U3A Musical Stage, Federation Square Boulevard at BMW Edge.

Come along and join us in celebrating the vitality of the Third Age!

Read all about our local Darebin Seniors Week events in the August Flyer.

Victorian Seniors Week – Sunday 5 October – 12 October

Free Public Transport for all Seniors Card holders.

Full Festival programs will be available in early September from Coles supermarkets, local libraries and Neighbourhood Houses.

U3A Carnival of Learning at Federation Square promises to be a spectacular event and will be the centrepiece of the opening day celebrations of Victorian Seniors Week on Sunday 5 October, 10am – 4pm.

This event will be like a huge party to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of U3A in Victoria. So bring along your family, friends and grandchildren to join in the fun!

Darebin U3A will be well-represented on the day. In the morning, Barry Watson will lead the Tai-Chi group in demonstrating the traditional Yang style movements. Our Singing for Pleasure group will be performing in the afternoon. Kerry Eccles will give a demonstration class in Classical Studies with a reading from Medea, inviting passersby to participate. The Needlework Group will also give a demonstration class and the Improving Your English class is preparing a PowerPoint presentation along with samples of their writing.

A large number of U3As from all over Victoria will be demonstrating their favourite activities in different ‘villages’ or clusters of marquees in various locations in and around Federation Square. Physical activities like Tai Chi will take place along the Yarra embankment. The Music village will also be in this area, although they will also have the opportunity to perform on the central stage.

Arts, Discussion and IT villages will be located at different places within the Square. There will be many other performances and events throughout the day, including Samba music, New Orleans jazz from the Louisiana Shakers, free tours of the Ian Potter Centre and a screening of Mamma Mia! at ACMI.

Come along and join the fun and celebrate the vitality of the Third Age!

Darebin Seniors Festival is held in September before the start of Victorian Seniors Week, featuring:

1. Community Choir event as part of Darebin Music Feast
   1:00 - 3:00 pm, Tuesday 18 September at City Hall, Preston.
   
   Darebin U3A Singing for Pleasure group will be performing along with other community groups including SPECTRUM choir and an indigenous band. Individual performers are also invited to participate.
   
   
   
2. Mayor’s Event to launch Darebin Seniors Festival
   10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Sunday 28 September at East Reservoir Senior Citizens Centre
   
   Darebin U3A will have a stall providing information about our activities and classes. The full festival program will be available at the end of August. Look out for details in the local paper.
   
   
   

The Office of Senior Victorians (OSV) has invited U3As to lead the launch of Seniors Week at Federation Square. OSV will provide the whole space in front of the outdoor screen to our U3As and will erect 20 to 30 marquees where U3As can set up and demonstrate their activities to a huge audience.

This is a wonderful opportunity for U3As to play a prominent part in Seniors Week. It will be a great means of spreading the U3A word and recruiting new members. And, of course, it should be a lot a fun.

Many Darebin U3A classes are planning ways to showcase their activities.

Come to Federation Square!

Nerina Novak • May 2008

I don’t remember when I first began to call you friend. But I still remember when I was seven years old and you were five, and every morning I came to collect you to go to school. I still can picture your little hand in mine, seeking protection. Your beautiful blue eyes looking at me with so much trust that it made my day seem brighter.

Adversity of life separated us for so many years. Many times I thought about you. I never dream to find you again. But destiny decides other way. We meet again.

It was some kind of celebration in our Club. The place was crowded with people dancing and there in the middle of this crowd I saw your face … then the same blue eyes looked at me and in a split moment we were in each other arms.

What a feeling! I found my childhood friend. A friendship that started a long time ago, rekindled into life the hope which had almost fled.

We are now still very good friends although we don’t see each other as much as we want (she lives in the country). Thank God for the telephone. We can chat.

Every time, before she hangs up the phone, she will say, “Thanks Nerina, you always make me feel better. I love you”.

I love you too my dear friend.

She gave me many little presents but the one I do treasure the most is a little box tied up with a pink ribbon and a lovely poem stuck on it. It goes like this:

The U3A Network are celebrating 20 years of activity in Victoria. Get more information from their website at http://home.vicnet.net.au/~u3avic/.

These two items were created by past Needlecraft classes and can be viewed where they permanently hang in the Fairfield Station classroom. Thanks to Anne Clarke for the photos.

U3A Darebin Banner.

The Tree of Learning Quilt.

Anne Clarke

Darebin U3A Gardening group began in 2007 with Jude Larkin as tutor – an enthusiastic young woman with lots of experience in, and enthusiasm for, sustainable gardening practices.

Unfortunately, Jude was unable to return this year. As we were enjoying the group so much, the members decided to continue as a self-run group with a member as coordinator. This has worked well for our first three meetings and we are still finding our way. Currently we have six enthusiastic members.

We would love to have some more members at our meetings on the first Tuesday morning of each month at 10:30 am. The more members we have, the more options we have for arranging interesting activities including speakers and outings. Please contact the office for course details and to enrol.

Heather Slack

“A stunning accomplishment, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love” says Bookreporter.com of this book by Khaled Hosseini.

As usual there were varied responses to the book. Some felt it was a wonderfully moving tale with an uplifting conclusion; most were uncomfortable with the bleak life displayed for Afghanis in general and Afghani women in particular and some felt the characters were too black and white, almost to the point of caricature.

Thanks to Anne Clarke, who facilitated this session, and provided an overview of the history of Afghanistan. This background information helped us understand that waves of conquest and rebellion over hundreds of years have seen Afghanistan become an armed tribal society with no central cohesion and a high degree of violence.

Common themes discussed by the group were: - the brutal violence against, and oppression of women; the inspiring resilience and endurance of the women and the hopeful ending, where Mariam’s sacrifice allows Laila, Tarik and the children to escape to a better life.

The final conclusion where the family returns to help rebuild Afghanistan following the defeat of the Taliban and every loose end is neatly tied up seems more inspired by the author’s hopes for his homeland than a realistic view of life in Afghanistan.

Pam Fergie-Jackson

On Friday 11 April, a few from our Singing for Pleasure group enjoyed a morning tea with scones, jam and cream before the performance Musical memoirs of a ten pound Pom by Hilary Henshaw who stars in this musical story of migrating to Australia in the 60's. Songs included Wish me Luck, Land of Hope and Glory and English Country Garden.

We are looking forward to our next show, A New Music Hall, on 16th May.

Members may be interested in a new website, WikiNorthia, that is an initiative of northern councils and libraries to document local history and events. The history of U3A Darebin booklet, 1991-2001 The First Ten Years, has been submitted to WikiNorthia for publication. Keep an eye out for it at the Darebin U3A page on WikiNorthia.

Aileen Palmer

Lloyd Jones' Mr Pip drew praise from international critics with adjectives like lyrical, poignant, multi-layered, resonating and fable-like. My word for it is inspiring.

The narrator is a thirteen-years old Papuan girl. She, with other members of her people, has been left behind near Bougainville when secessionist rebels took over the island and declared independence in 1990. The doctor and teachers were forced to leave the people to fend for themselves. The one remaining white man, Mr Watts, is asked to teach the children but his only teaching aid is an old copy of the Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

Matilda and the other children become enchanted with Mr Watts, Charles Dickens and his Character Pip. They are led to see another world and given a focus for survival in the precarious and dangerous conflict between the rebel guerrillas and the government troops - both of whom are mad and dangerous enemies.

Jones shows us how imagination and the power of the written word can be a redemptive force in a nightmare situation. Matilda says, “I had learned to enter the soul of another.”

Dickens inspires her to emulate Pip and find another way. She does survive the horror, escapes from the murderous situation, is united with her father in Townsville and in later years “betters” herself as her hero did.

Pam Fergie-Jackson

Our Singing for Pleasure group likes to socialize and so a few of us enjoyed another very pleasant morning on Friday 14 March. We met at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre and enjoyed a cuppa with scones, jam and cream prior to the performance which started at 11 am.

This month we were entertained by Wendy Stapleton in Dusty, Doris and Me. Wendy has a unique voice and brought warmth to this new, intimate cabaret tribute to the music and songs of Dusty Springfield and Doris Day. Songs such as Que Sera Sera, Secret Love, Son of a Preacher Man and I Only Wanna Be With You.

We are looking forward to meeting again on April 11 for Music Memoirs of a Ten Pound POM.

Jill Craig

Darebin Community and Kite Festival held on March 2nd at the All Nations Park was a vibrant and colourful event - a tapestry of people of all ages and nations celebrating together.

The Darebin U3A tent was visited by many people of various ages and background. Over 100 brochures promoting Darebin U3A were distributed together with the older and active in darebin directory.

A surprising number of people had already heard of U3A through participation in alternative groups. The three most frequently asked questions were (1) How old (and doddery!) do you have to be to join this group? (2) Where are the classes held? and (3) How much does it cost?

In brief: There is no age restriction and classes are held only during the day. Most classes are held at the Fairfield Railway Station. Other venues are SPAN Community House, Northcote Town Hall and Northcote Library. The annual membership fee of $30 entitles an individual to enrol in as many courses as have vacancies.

Also, visitors to our tent expressed interest in French Language, Bicycle Riding, Computers, Tai-Chi and Yoga classes.

Michael attended for the whole day sustained only by a few Anzac biscuits provided by Jill who helped all afternoon. Both were encouraged by visits by current members.

Many thanks to Steve Ward, from the Darebin Positive Ageing Project, for organising the tent and for time in attendance. His overall support was much appreciated. Thanks also to the office of Fiona Richardson, MP for Northcote, for production of brochures in volume and at short notice.

Christine Honig

Our first book for discussion was Carpentaria by Aboriginal writer Alexis Wright. A large book (some 500 odd pages) Carpentaria was set in the coastal town she named Desperance in the gulf country of Queensland and the Northern Territory. The novel portrays the problems caused by the culture clashes between the white settlers and the traditional indigenous communities. Together with the intrusion of a large mining development the scene is set for an intense struggle between the various factions.

Wright creates wonderful characters with the rather Dickensian names of Normal Phantom, his wife Angel Day, their son Will along with Mozzie Fishman and a stranger who one day walked out of the sea with no memory whom the locals named Elias Smith. Interspersed within the storyline are the many traditional dreamtime stories relating to the Aboriginal connection with the land and the sea.

Our discussion group were keen to explore the problems between the original inhabitants and those that came after but many felt that the book was too long and at times difficult to follow. Whilst they agreed that the characters were well drawn and the problems between black and white vividly told comments were '...too repetitive, difficult to get into, just too much to cope within one book.' Conversely those who enjoyed the book found the spirituality of the indigenous peoples and their connection to the land most inspiring and uplifting. As usual we found much to discuss and debate.

Our next book for discussion will be Mr. Pip by the New Zealand writer Lloyd Jones, again looking at the clash of cultures, and no doubt will lead to a friendly “clash” of opinions within the group.

Pam Fergie-Jackson

We had a full class on our first day at the Yoga class on Thursday February 7. I am sure that after such a long break over the Christmas/New Year period it was time to get back to some exercise.

Our Tutor, Nicky Thomas was very attentive to all our individual needs and problems, but encouraged us to push our limits and really got us to flex our limbs. The relaxation period had us focus on our body parts and breathing - it was an hour just to take care of ourselves and in this busy world, that is often the best medicine - 'to step back and smell the roses'.

Thank you Nicky for giving up your time so generously. I am sure those who attended your class are most grateful and their wellbeing is certainly enhanced.

M • previously published in the Flyer, Number 43, June 2006.

Magnetised by the multiplicity of opportunities,
(Magnified, sometimes, by Immigration officials),
Masses of them arrived in many waves;

Men with their families, but often alone,
Mothers carrying children who could no longer recognise their fathers,
Mail-order brides puzzled why their husbands looked older than their photographs;

Maltese, Italians, Germans and Greeks,
Macedonians, Poles, Croats and Serbs,
Mexicans, South and North Americans,
Melanesians, Polynesians, Asians and Africans;
Maronites, Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants,
Muslims, atheists, Jews and Buddhists;
Medical Practitioners, pharmacists and architects,
Mechanics, hairdressers and factory fodder;

Merging with the community,
Melting into the Australian pot,
Mutilating their ethnic identity;
Maintaining, when they could, a modicum of their original culture,
Mitigating in this manner, the misery of alienation;

Making a mosaic of music, dance and cuisines,
Maligned, occasionally, for causing everything wrong in the country,
Mildly bemused that they have given birth to a new phenomenon:
Multiculturalism.

For those wishing to enrol in person, the last official enrolment session will be held on Monday 4 February, 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Northcote Library in the meeting room.

The cost of annual membership ($30 single, $45 double) entitles you to enrol in as many classes as you wish. Please note:

• Some classes may be already fully booked (e.g. both Computer classes) but many classes will welcome new members throughout the year.
• Due to insufficient enrolments, Islam and the Muslims class has been deferred until further notice.

The amendments to the Constitution of U3A Darebin Inc. passed at the special general meeting held on 6 December 2007 have now been approved by the Registrar of Incorporated Associations.

The amended Constitution is available for inspection by members by making an appointment with the Secretary. Contact the office to organise an appointment.

Doreen Ivanovski

On Thursday 13 December the Tai Chi class met for their end of year lunch at the Peacock Hotel in Northcote. We were joined by our tutor Barry and his lovely lady Noni and we had a very enjoyable meal.

We have made good progress this year and are looking forward to resuming next year.

Tai Chi is a graceful, yet gentle form of exercise that is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.

Next year there will be a beginner's class as well as one for more advanced students. We would love to welcome new students and Barry has endless patience and good humour to introduce students to the discipline he loves.

Thank you Barry for 2007.

Gramma • 10-September-2007

Winter is the coldest part of the year. Snow covers the top of the mountains. The sea is very rough and the waves move on the surface and splash the rivers.

Grey clouds float in the sky. Sudden falls of very heavy rain. The atmosphere is misty and the sun disappears. Birds and animals hide somewhere to avoid the cloudburst.

Nature sleeps for a long time, but now is the time for her to wake-up and prepare the earth for the next season.

This morning I had to get up early to go to the hospital to have a CT scan. When I stepped out I saw the almond trees in my garden full of blossoms and sparkling drops of water covered them. Ice and snow over the fields. The temperature had dropped down to 2.3 degrees.

When the sun rose the early morning scene was magnificent with those sparkling drops of water it resembled the stars sparkling in the sky at night. Birds were flying around the trees singing and feeding from the buds.

All that impressed me and is a reminder to me that Spring is around the corner.