GRAFTON U3A FEBRUARY 2015 PAGE 1

JJJAAABBBBBBEEERRR JJJOOOUUURRRNNNAAALLL Grafton U3A Inc. (University of the Third Age)

PO Box 688 Grafton NSW 2460 www.grafton.u3anet.org.au

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

FEBRUARY 2015

Our guest speaker at February Jabberfest is Chris Gulaptis, our local State member of Parliament and his presentation will focus on climate change, renewable energy and renewable energy targets. At the conclusion of his talk Chris will take questions, which should be kept to the topic of renewable energy. If you wish to provide notice of a question in advance, please contact me and I will be happy to pass it on to him. Chris grew up in Perth graduating as a surveyor from the Western Australia Institute of Technology before working in the Western Australian outback. “It was during my early years as a graduate surveyor in the eastern goldfields of Western Australia that I came to love the honesty of the bush, both the people and the landscape”. “Surveyors are prone to travel and in 1980 he moved to the Clarence region where “he found it easy to fall in love with the Clarence as it was similar to the south-west of Western Australia only warmer with nicer beaches and friendly people”. After serving as Mayor of Maclean Council for four years, his service ceased upon council amalgamation. Chris then took on the role of chief operations officer for Atlantis Energy, a start-up company in Maclean, developing a new renewable energy technology generating electricity from river and ocean currents. This company is now the world leader in tidal current technology and is developing marine power generation projects all around the world with the primary site being at the inner sound of the Pentland Firth in the north-east of Scotland. Eventually these turbines could supply 20% of the UK’s energy needs. By way of background information for this interesting and topical presentation, 2015 is a critical year in the challenge to contain global warming. Since 2010, when world leaders failed to agree on measures to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions, global emissions have increased to levels that (according to the IPPC 5 report of September 2013) will by the end of the century raise global temperatures by 4 to 6 degrees centigrade above those of the 1850s. “Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the Earth’s surface than the preceding decade since 1850” when temperatures began to increase as a result of widespread use of fossil fuels. There has been no pause in the relentless rise in global average temperatures and 2014 has been the warmest year on record. We cannot go on as we are. If we are to avoid destroying our environment we have to change by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Coal has indeed been ‘good to us’, but its day is done. And so back to 2015, and the world leaders conference at the end of the year, and our next Jabberfest! Since 2010 there has been some progress. Instead of the disagreement evident at Copenhagen many world leaders are now agreed on the need for significant commitments to reduce their country’s emissions. Agreeing these commitments from the year 2020 on will be the purpose of the meeting in Paris in December 2015. In a recent speech, before the G20 meeting of world leaders in Brisbane last year, President Obama said “ If you profess leadership, you need to recognize that (climate change) is one of the most significant long term challenges, if not the most significant long term challenge the planet faces”. The President’s views and commitments were endorsed and met by other world leaders including President Li Keying of China and Prime Minister David Cameron of the UK. Around the world, communities large and small are taking it into their own hands to find ways to generate clean energy to replace generation by coal and gas. Our Clarence Valley Council has recently declared its opposition to development of Coal Seam Gas and our neighboring council of Lismore has committed to becoming 100 percent carbon free by 2023, while Uralla has recently undertaken to become the first ‘zero net energy town’. Community projects are part of a movement towards ‘Community Owned Renewable Energy’ or CORE, which puts the task and the benefits of changing to clean energy in our own hands. In CORE projects development, management and control, as well as ownership and sharing in the benefits, belong to the community. There is support for these renewable energy projects from the NSW state government with Premier Mike Baird and Environment Minister Rob Stokes showing their commitment to the need to address climate change and increase the use of clean energy. Nick Reeve - 6642 5367

JABBERFEST * 10.00AM – 9 FEBRURY 2015 ALL CHANGE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

GUEST SPEAKER – CHRIS GULAPTIS MP MEMBER FOR CLARENCE GRAFTON COMMUNITY CENTRE – DUKE STREET GRAFTON

GRAFTON U3A FEBRUARY 2015 PAGE 2

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Welcome to 2015. I hope you look back at 2014 with good thoughts and look forward to the New Year with enthusiasm. Of course if you had some sad times during 2014, I trust you soon cope well. People in our age group are often faced with health issues and I am constantly amazed and delighted at the advances in medical technology we see daily. We are privileged to live in a time of wonderful discoveries and methods once thought of as science fiction. So if you are suffering any illness/disease hold on to the thought that there probably is or soon will be help for you. I hope so – hang in there!!On a lighter note – didn’t we have a great Christmas Lunch! I have had so many positive remarks about the venue/food/entertainment. I also have enjoyed great comments about my Christmas outfit so thank you to all who made me feel good about looking ridiculous – but I had fun!!. The

best remark I heard was that I looked like ‘Mother Christmas on steroids’ Our Committee will be back to work soon to start things happening again. Classes/Courses/ Jabberfest will all be running soon. I would like to thank Alysan for her wonderful tribute to Vreni Voigt. I too would like to offer my sincere thanks to Vreni for her huge contribution to Grafton U3A. We will all miss her as a member and I will also miss her as a dear friend. Best wishes to all for a great 2015. Maree Burrows

COURSES/INTEREST GROUPS UPDATE ARMCHAIR TRAVEL will hold its next meeting 2.00-4-00pm on Tuesday 24 February. David & Leila Thompson will be relating details of their recent trip to Iceland, the Faroe and Shetland Islands that promises to be most interesting. Enquiries to the convenor Magda Mussared 6644 9309. BOARD GAMES re-commences at the U3A Rooms Dougherty House on Wednesday 18 February at 9.30am. Enquiries to Vanda Geremia 6642 7880. CARDMAKING AND SCRAPBOOKING will not be running during the 1st semester. Many thanks to Sue Larson for all her hard work. COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY GROUPS will resume for another year of fruitful discussion and great company. Meetings are held in the U3A rooms on alternate Fridays – 2.00-4.00pm. Computer support group begins on 13 February and iPad/Tablet group 20 February. In addition, a NEW course will run on Thursdays 2.00-4.00pm for those members who wish to become familiar (friends!!) with programs in their computer. Course content will be varied to meet individual needs but will focus mainly on emails, word and enhancement of digital photos. Any enquiries should be directed to Carole Cairns, David Abrahams or Tom Dennis. CREATIVE WRITING will now be conducted once a month on the 2nd Tuesday from 1.30–4.00pm commencing 10 February with convenor Dorothy Hillis. HISTORY CLUB coordinated by Nola Mackey and Nancye Eggins will continue to run twice a month but will be re-locating. It will now be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 2.00-4.00pm at the U3A rooms Dougherty House. Please contact Nola 6644 9465 or Nancye 6642 4147. SCRABBLE resumes on Monday 9 February at 1.30pm at U3A Rooms. Enquiries to Alysan Pender 6644 5397 or Vanda Geremia 6642 7880. NEW COURSES - 2015

NEW - CLIMATE CHANGE – A new group will commence weekly from mid-March to be convened by Nick Reeve 6642 5367. NEW - FRENCH LANGUAGE – A group has at last been organised with Andre Cunin agreeing to take on the role of leader. The group will meet each Saturday 9.30 – 11.30pm commencing 21 February. I still have the Expressions of interest form completed last year. NEW – ITALIAN could be available if there is sufficient interest from members as an enthusiastic tutor has come forward. NEW – THE OTHER SIDE OF HISTORY returns to Friday mornings commencing 13 February 10.00–12noon at the U3A Rooms and will run for 12 weeks. This course ran during the first half of last year providing an insight into the daily life of the poor people (slaves, women and soldiers) as opposed to the usual stories about emperors and kings. The series will commence with coverage of life in ancient Rome. Vanda Geremia 6642 7880 has agreed to step in as co-ordinator. NEW - WOODWORK FOR WOMEN will again be happening at the Mens Shed on Tuesdays commencing 10 February 9.30 – 12 noon. Tutor Kevin Watkins has agreed to run the group with support from Bruce Carle.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FORMS FOR ALL NEW COURSES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT JABBERFEST

GRAFTON U3A FEBRUARY 2015 PAGE 3

BYE BYE VRENI AND THANKS Long standing U3A member, Vreni Voigt has managed to sell her home near Coutts Crossing and buy another property in Toormina. While this is great news for Vreni, it is not so good for us. Her move means that she will no longer be able to commit to acting as convenor for any future groups, although she hopes to keep in touch with U3A with regular visits to the Clarence Valley. Vreni has been a hard-working and valuable member of U3A for many years, and we will miss her friendship, good humour and enthusiasm for a wide range of subjects. We wish her well on her move to greener pastures. Alysan Pender.

LET’S DO LUNCH Our initial social outing is a local luncheon. Come and join us for an enjoyable social time. You will need to make your own way to the venue and purchase your own drinks. Details are as follows:

VENUE: Li Garden Chinese Restaurant

ADDRESS: Good Intent Hotel, Armidale Road South Grafton

DATE: Sunday 22 February 2015

TIME: Midday

COST: $21.80 – Payment to Fiona at February Jabberfest

GRAFTON U3A FEBRUARY 2015 PAGE 4

TUTOR OF THE MONTH This edition of the Jabber Journal sees the launch of a new monthly feature focussing on one of our course or interest group leaders and a wrap of the group/course as to overview, when and where it started, benefits for attendees, meeting details and cost. Our tutor is=n the spotlight this month is Colleen Morgan………………….

I have been asked to provide an overview of the Groups to which I belong, with a history and background as to how they evolved.

1) Meditation Group - (held on Tuesday mornings, South Grafton Services Club – room 4, upstairs) 9.45am to 11.30 am.

This group has been running over 12 years, probably from the beginning of the U3A group itself in Grafton. It began with people who had a background of expertise in Meditation techniques and an interest in having others learn the benefits that accrue through the practice. Members have at times moved on or out of the district but we still have some of us who have been coming along weekly for many years now.

It is an informal group in structure, and we are not teaching one particular technique of meditation (of which there are many). We all have our own reasons for initially coming into the group but we have a commonality in the results and benefits to ourselves.

Consistent practice does lead to a deeper awareness of our inner workings, how we think, and why we do act emotionally at times. It does enable us to be less impulsive and to take more conscious control of our ‘busy-minds’, giving us a greater ability to reach a balance in our lives.

The cost to attendees is the initial yearly membership of U3A, and yearly membership of the Services Club (as a social member). Weekly we pay in another $5.00 each morning.

$3.00 of this goes to the Club for providing the makings of coffee/tea.

$1.00 goes to U3A to cover Insurance for the group.

$1.00 goes to a ‘kitty’ that we use to party prior to Christmas. This year we lunched at the Jax restaurant at Nymboida. It was a delightful outing. Great setting, great food, and great companionship.

*** We have a full group in meditation and are unable to take in new members. Best I can offer is a waiting list if you remain interested.

(2) Tuesday afternoons Discussions Group --- continuation of meditation group members, along with any other U3A member who would like to join us. - (held on Tuesday afternoons, South Grafton Services Club – room 4, upstairs) commencing 1.30 pm.

Some 10 years ago we did run a discussion group we called ‘Philosophy’ that was conducted on a relatively formal basis, with a specific topic or philosopher each week. It was successful and we had an active membership of usually about eight members and continued for over three years. However, it became difficult to continue on such a structured basis and we began to run short on philosophers; and, in truth, most of us began to generally lose interest in them and felt it of more interest to look at discussing and sharing our own views on topics rather than drawing from the views of long-dead, (although admirable) persons. This concept has continued in many guises and we now have an afternoon period in which the talk is quite varied and often unexpected. We do loosely follow a pre-set ‘plan’ but this often falls by the wayside when we go off at a tangent. We do use varied access material, and this may go from current science information to quite off-the-planet New Age material. We might use a current situation in the news of the day, or a programme on TV, etc. This process leads to interesting debate and comparison of differing attitudes and opinions.

The one main thing to remember in this group is that we will encounter ideas that will baffle us, confuse us, infuriate us, etc., BUT we all accept we do NOT have to accept anything that is presented as being even vaguely correct, but rather that it is the challenge that is interesting. We watch, or we listen, or we argue about the possibilities, but we agree always to allow the possibility. However, there are days when we stop the DVD or such and drop it by common assent of all members! Some rubbish is clearly rubbish. As we do not have a tea break in this period, we do not put in additional monies as we operate as a continuation of the morning group.

ANY U3A member may attend this group. Just ring me … 66421131 ahead of your first attendance, please. At present we have usually from 6 to 8 people in this group. Colleen Morgan

GRAFTON U3A FEBRUARY 2015 PAGE 5

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON WRAP The traditional Christmas luncheon held on 8 December was again enjoyed by those in attendance and was a fitting finale to 2014. The South Grafton Services Club provided a cooler venue away from the heat of a hot day. Good Vibes entertained us with a selection of both new and familiar carols and Gladys Anderson provided a very amusing segment. Our own David Abrahams, honoured as NSW Volunteer of the year, spoke of his experiences in receiving this award – a notable achievement. Oliver Millington, our guest from Lower Clarence U3A judged the best dressed Christmas member and the sparkling standout winner was our glittering President Maree Burrows – congratulations! A special thank you to Morrie Duggan, photographer for the occasion. Fiona Duggan

GRAFTON U3A FEBRUARY 2015 PAGE 6

GRAFTON U3A FEBRUARY 2015 PAGE 7

DAVID ABRAHAMS – 2014 NSW VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Heartiest congratulations to David on being named 2014 Volunteer of the Year at the recent NSW Awards presentation held at the Kirribilli Club in Sydney in December. David received the award for his lifetime commitment to his community through volunteering spanning 67 years commencing at age 17 when he became rugby club secretary. In addition to this prestigious award, David had earlier been named Northern Rivers 2014 Senior Volunteer of the year at a regional ceremony held in Lismore.

NEWS FROM THE MENS SHED Pictured is a re-constructed calf cradle for grazier Joe Austin – part of the old one is visible in the background. Another example of the skills of our Mens Shed members – no task beyond those guys! David Abrahams

NEW MEMBER UPDATE We warmly welcome new members Peter Nixon, John Gilmer, Annie Woolff, Mazza Verdante, and Peter & Roz Chessell. . We trust that you enjoy your association with Grafton U3A and avail of the

courses/interest groups available.

CLOSING DATE – EDITOR CONTACT Contributions to the Jabber Journal are always welcome. We reserve the right to edit or refuse material submitted for publication. Closing date for the March edition is Monday 23 February 2015.

Editor: Dennis Kelly thehifields@bigpond.com

FOUND I still have in my possession an unclaimed grey jacket left at a U3A function last year. I have previously mentioned this at two Jabberfests and included a notice in the Journal. It is about size 14/16 although it has XL on the label. If you own this jacket please contact me on 66421640 and I will return it. Maree Burrows

GRAFTON U3A FEBRUARY 2015 PAGE 8

INTEREST GROUPS AND COURSES INTEREST GROUPS COORDINATOR PAT CONNOLLY 66426695 COURSES CO-ORDINATOR ALYSAN PENDER 6644 5397

MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE - YOU MUST CONTACT THE CONVENOR PRIOR TO JOINING INTEREST GROUPS/COURSES

INTEREST GROUP / COURSE CONVENOR PHONE LOCATION DAY/DATE TIME

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL Magda Mussared 6644 9309 U3A Rooms

Dougherty House 4th Tuesday 2.00 – 4.00pm

BOARD GAMES Vanda Geremia 6642 7880 U3A Rooms

Dougherty House 3rd Wednesday 9.30 – 12.30pm

BOOK DISCUSSION Miriam Sinfield 6644 5322 Library 3rd Monday 2.00 – 4.00pm

BUSH WALKING Peter Mears 6643 5748 The Great Outdoors

Watch Jabber Journal for details

CARD MAKING AND SCRAPBOOKING Sue Larson 6649 3490 U3A Rooms

Dougherty House Not running 1st

Semester 9.30 – 12 noon

COMPUTER USERS GROUP Tom Dennis 6642 2502 U3A Rooms Dougherty House

Alternate Fridays 13 Feb onwards 2.00 – 4.00pm

CREATIVE WRITING GROUP Dorothy Hillis 6642 7427 U3A Rooms

Dougherty House 2nd Tuesday 1.30 – 4.00pm

DISCUSSION GROUP – ALTERNATE IDEAS

Colleen Morgan 6642 1131 Room 4 South

Services Club Tuesdays 1.00 – 3.30pm

EARTH’S CHANGING CLIMATE Nick Reeve 6642 5367 U3A Rooms

Dougherty House Watch Jabber

Journal for details

FIVE HUNDRED CARD GAME Gwen Rudder 6642 1377 South Services

Club Thursdays 9.30 – 11.30pm

FRENCH LANGUAGE Andre Cunin 0422448434 U3A Rooms Dougherty House Saturdays 9.30 – 11.30am

GERMAN LANGUAGE – BASIC Ralf Junger 6642 3484 U3A Rooms

Dougherty House Thursdays 10.00 – 12 noon

GOOD VIBES VOCAL GROUP

Helen Hearnshaw 6642 5073 Conservatorium Mondays 1.00 – 2.30pm

HISTORY CLUB Nancye Eggins Nola Mackey

6642 4147 6644 9465

U3A Rooms Dougherty House 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 2.00 – 4.00pm

MAHJONG Joan Ingram 6642 1560 CWA Rooms Wednesdays 9.30 – 12 noon

MAHJONG FOR BEGINNERS

Mary-Lou Brown 6644 5167 U3A Rooms

Dougherty House Tuesdays 9.30 – 12 noon

MEDITATION Colleen Morgan 6642 1131 Room 4 South

Services Club Tuesdays 9.45 – 11.30am

MENS SHED Frank Heppell

David Abrahams

0407259949 0407413813 Brewery Complex Wednesdays 8.00 – 3.00pm

SCRABBLE Alysan Pender

Vanda Geremia

6644 5397 6642 7880

U3A Rooms Dougherty House Mondays 1.30 – 3.30pm

TABLE TENNIS Ron Quilty Eric Wheeler

6644 4161 6642 1857 Grafton Golf Club Tuesdays 2.00 – 4.00pm

TAI CHI Nancye Eggins Raelee Baird

6642 4147 6644 8406

Room 4 South Services Club Tuesdays 11.30 – 12.30pm

THE OTHER SIDE OF HISTORY

Vanda Geremia 6642 7880 U3A Rooms

Dougherty House Fridays

commencing 13 Feb 10.00 – 12 noon

WOODWORK FOR WOMEN Kevin Watkins Mens Shed Tuesdays commencing 10 Feb 9.30 – 12 noon

20150129