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E: u3ayarracity@gmail.com

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17 Stanton Street

Abbotsford 3067

Office Hours: Mon 1– 3pm, Fri 10 – 12 noon

(Closed public holidays & school holidays)

Page 1 of 12

Newsletter November 2018

Contents

President’s report .................. 1

Walk and coffee ..................... 3

Go join a circus ....................... 3

Agency, the Antidote to

Ageism ....................................... 4

Aboriginal matters in Yarra 5

Website launch ....................... 6

The beginnings of U3A Yarra

City ............................................. 7

U3A Chinese in Yarra............ 8

Richmond walking group ....... 9

Gippsland plains rail trail ..... 9

Help increase our Facebook

presence .................................... 9

New President - David Lee 10

Germaine: a life of Germaine

Greer ........................................ 10

Photo Gallery .......................... 11

Diary dates ............................ 12

Committee 2019 ................... 12

David Lee, Incoming President &

Andy Hansen Outgoing President

President’s report

U3A Yarra City has had another successful year and later in this report we describe some interesting future developments in conjunction with the Yarra City Council.

I would like to acknowledge the support given to U3A Yarra City throughout 2018 by Yarra City Council who provide the Abbotsford office for office administration and small classes. They have offered an extension of our lease, initially for two years. In addition, we have enjoyed, either free or at low rent, the facilities in their libraries and access to their community bus, enabling us to provide activities to support the active ageing of our community. The U3A Network provides access to advice, ideas and benefits such as insurance. We also appreciate the use of Adam Bandt’s office for document printing.

At our October AGM most of the existing committee members were re-elected. Thank you to Helena Rosman, who did not renominate, for all her work on the Committee. She is continuing her involvement with the Yarra community through the Active Ageing Advisory Group of the Yarra City Council. At the November meeting David Lee was selected as President, and I will continue as Deputy President. See page 12 for other positions.

Our Committee has worked diligently throughout the year fulfilling their roles and covering for each other when needed. Thanks to: Vivienne Blanksby as Secretary, Denyse Strantzen (with support from Patsy Brown) as Treasurer, Mary Walker and Lyn Watson for developing and facilitating Program courses and activities, Frank Moore for his computer and organisation support including Tutor Liaison, and Lyn Watson as Vice President. I thank Susan Brewer Office Manager, Bob Morrow Membership Officer, and Susanna Dax and Lyn Morgan Newsletter. Peter Ronge has attended U3A Network and Northern Metro Regional Group meetings, and recently, David Lee has taken on Publicity, with assistance from Nina Hansen. Long term members, Robert and Tina Hocking have been available for the database and newsletter respectively.

cont.

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 2 of 12

President’s report cont.

As always, we thank our Tutors and large team of volunteers who help facilitate our courses and activities. Without them, we would not have an organisation or the courses and activities that encourage participation and active assistance by members. Twenty-nine courses ran through the year, with eight short courses and twenty-four Tuesday talks. Our membership has grown to 295 full & associate members, plus four honorary and life members.

U3A Yarra City is an independent incorporated association. Our annual subscription allows members to take part in any class or activity without additional charge, apart from entry fees for some external visits and tours. All the “work” of our organisation - administration, program development, tutoring, venue and event coordination - is done by volunteers, thus enabling our success.

On the administrative side, our online database system, MyU3A, with PayPal for payments has worked well. Our up to date policy documents on privacy, conflict of interest, health and safety are available on our website. We also aim to maintain equipment for our courses and activities from subscriptions.

Looking to the future. U3A Yarra City is one of 109 U3A groups in Victoria with a combined membership of around 38,000. U3A Network meets during the year, to help coordinate activities and to facilitate dissemination of important information and developments.

At the November U3A Network meeting our group presented the findings of the Active Ageing and Ageism study; this was well-received, and generated a lot of interest from other U3A groups and the wider community. Other discussions around support for Active Ageing activities have involved local councils in Melbourne’s northern corridor, and Yarra City Council.

U3A Yarra City and other organisations are being approached to increasing their involvement with the local senior community and the Council are looking to ways that they can support this. As part of this closer association, we hope to arrange more activities in conjunction with other local organisations, including the U3A Chinese in Yarra.

Thank you everyone, for helping to make our U3A such a friendly group.

Andy Hansen – President

Christmas message

The Newsletter team thanks all members for their contributions to the newsletter in 2018, including articles, photos, proof reading,

copying and distribution.

We wish all members a healthy, happy, and peaceful Christmas and New Year and look forward to your contributions in 2019.

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 3 of 12

…the closed café, the closed pub and the closed laundromat…

Walk and coffee

The U3A “Walk and Coffee” activity is entirely and accurately described by the name: we have a Walk and then a Coffee. The walk to the café is typically about 4km. The group of about 10 to 15 gathers at 8:00 am at the corner of the closed café, the closed pub and the closed laundromat in Clifton Hill; a truly inspiring location. By consensus the walk must contain at least some exposure to the considerable natural wonders of our area, so we always include some strolling along the Merri Creek or Yarra River shared paths. Often we pause to view the water coming over Dights Falls … how do the fish get up their special “fish ladder”? Isn’t the geology of the river bank excellent? Why is the Yarra muddy and the Merri not? Who keeps throwing plastic bottles into our fine river?

But onwards to our well-deserved break. The aim is a variety of morning cuppa destinations; so far in 2018 we have sipped at 29 different cafes! Who would have thought that so many existed? And when we order, the usual trick to mess with the waiter is that we have at least ten different drinks for our dozen drinkers. The barista-led new economy is thriving because of U3A patronage!

Talking is permitted during both walk and coffee. Topics range far and wide across our health or unhealth, wretched politics, the state of education, what bird is that, the next

trip or the last, and what the grandchildren have been up to. A fine array of perspectives.

The W&C will run again in 2019, and new participants are welcome to join us.

Peter Moore

…scary manuoevres…

Go join a circus

The Performing Older Women's Circus invited U3A Yarra City members to attend their classes in September and October. Four of our members participated and we undertook some wonderful warm up exercises then some scary manuoevres such as the butterfly, seen here. Head stands and handstands seem to be ‘de rigueur’. It has been a great opportunity to meet a group of supportive and interesting women.

Contact Sheryl Brice powcircus@yahoo.com.au

Lyn Watson

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 4 of 12

…‘micro aggressions’ that reduce the power of older people…

Agency, the Antidote to Ageism

While ageing may be an inevitable part of getting older, accepting a diminished sense of agency and isolation are not. In fact, there are increased opportunities to confront the social pressures caused by ageism. This was one of the key messages at the recent forum on ageing and ageism, organised by the Ageing and Ageism group at U3A Yarra City. The audience of approximately 60 heard from several experts.

Nina Hansen, on behalf of the ageing and ageism group at U3A Yarra City, gave an opening introduction to the issues of ageism. “Once we understand ageism,“ she said, “We can take action and undertake advocacy to change things.”

Adrian Murphy, Manager of Aged Care and Disability Services at City of Yarra, outlined the Active and Healthy Ageing plan for Yarra City, a key element of which is inclusion and social connectedness. Dr Dina Bowman, Principal Research Fellow at the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, spoke about the challenges and opportunities that face older people in relation to work. Mary Draper, AM, member of the Implementation Taskforce on Voluntary Assisted Dying, picked up some of the themes of the previous two speakers, referring to the series of ‘micro aggressions’ that reduce the power of older people, and the way this is reflected in language. She argued that the antidote to ageism is agency and suggested that this generation of older people are well placed to make changes. Finally Matui Bush, described how the social organisation he leads, One Good Street, uses social networking to give neighbours the opportunity to offer assistance to older people. He outlined a range of exciting, and practical initiatives that draw on the resources in neighborhoods to address social isolation amongst older people.

See the links below for more information about One Good Street:

https://www.boltonclarke.com.au/tackling-social-isolation-one-street-at-a-time/

For Facebook users https://www.facebook.com/groups/onegoodstreet/

Also present were two researchers from Melbourne University, Ralph Hampson and Alison Herron, who will be conducting research in collaboration with U3A Yarra City in the near future, on "Friendship post-retirement."

David Lee

Matui Bush Nina Hansen

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 5 of 12

…members considered Aboriginal Identity and recognition of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Aboriginal matters in Yarra

In October, members were involved in activities which increased our awareness of important indigenous concerns.

We were fortunate to have an Aboriginal History of Fitzroy walking tour guided by Wurundjeri Elder Colin Hunter. We were shown about 15 former historic institution sites which have played a major part in the support and empowerment of Australia’s First Peoples. These included the early Aboriginal legal services, health services, activist associations and sporting clubs established in this area. We saw the newly commissioned Memorial to the Stolen Generation in the Atherton Gardens, on a site now regarded as a cultural heritage site.

A few days later, in our Social Issues Learning Circle, members considered Aboriginal Identity and recognition of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We discussed issues such as “What has to happen in Australia to accept the Uluru Statement?” “If it were implemented what will/would it mean to Australia?” and importantly “Where to from here?” The group was heartened by the increasing awareness of Aboriginal history and support for recognition. However, we challenged ourselves to personally do something for our First Peoples.

One suggestion was to work with the Yarra Council to establish a memorial to honour those who have been displaced from this area.

What other things might U3A Yarra City do? This would need to be done in discussion with the Aboriginal community, respecting their views on the form and appropriateness of such a memorial.

We encourage others to think about these issues, and we look forward to contributions from U3A members.

For more information and a succinct description of the Uluru Statement read:

The Information Booklet from Melbourne Law School

https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/2764738/Uluru-Statement-

from-the-Heart-Information-Booklet.pdf

The speech by Professor Megan Davies and Noel Pearson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIoF42LWuoY

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 6 of 12

… months of hard work documenting rides, taking photos, testing the ride descriptions…

Website launch

The On Yer Bike group’s website describing nearly 50 bike rides around Melbourne, and some of regional Victoria, was launched at Federation Square, as part of the festivities on Seniors Week Celebration Day, 7 October. And what a moment of celebration it was.

After months of hard work documenting rides, taking photos, testing the ride descriptions, producing text for topics such as safety and etiquette, and where to find a bike group, the OYB team was excited about unveiling their creation to the world. Unfortunately two of the group’s star players were unavailable on the day: Ross Armstrong, the OYB tutor, had injured himself, and chief writer and web site constructor, Penny Wightwick, was also unavailable. But with some deft changes of personnel, all was well. Rodney Spark stepped in to lead a short ride prior to the launch. We had about 25 participants, including some from other U3A cycling groups, on the short circuit ride from Fed Square to the Tennis Centre and the MCG before returning to Fed Square. This was a delightful way to stretch our limbs, continue the conversations begun at the starting spot, and calm our nerves before the big event.

Having parked our bicycles, we joined the expectant audience in front of the big stage, waiting for Bob Morrow to be introduced, and for the official launch of the site. Bob took the opportunity to extol the abundance of off-road cycling paths in Melbourne – nearly 2000 kms of them. And, as Bob put it, “a lot of them running along beautiful creeks”, and many accessible via train.

The launch and associated ride was also an opportunity for the OYB group to connect with other U3A cycling groups and since October we have had a combined ride with Moonee Valley U3A.

Visit the website at https://onyerbike-u3a.org.au/. The website was funded by the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services Adult Community and Further Education Board and U3A.

David Lee

Riders gathering Bob on stage at Fed square

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 7 of 12

The beginnings of U3A Yarra City

Sue Kent, Coordinator of both Belgium Avenue (Richmond) and Collingwood Neighbourhood houses instigated the setting up of a U3A in the City of Yarra. It was funded, supported, and given space by the City of Yarra, neighbourhood houses, the libraries, the Uniting Church, and the Ministry of Housing.

Public forums to gauge interest in U3A attracted over 100 people. Fifteen volunteers met in October 2004 as the interim steering committee. They were Leigh Baker, Nancy O’Toole, Madeleine Wright, Anne McPhee, Gwyneth Anderton, Ian Bransgrove, Cass Roche, John Gaffney, Estelle Swinton, Barbie Clarke and Maureen Schulz, with Emile Armanious, Agnes Pandela, Sue Fun and Chin Nguyen representing four of the major ethnic groups in Yarra.

It was a huge task we had set ourselves. We were virtually setting up an adult school with no tutors, no program, no students, no policies, and no premises. And we were all volunteers. Few had any previous committee or meeting experience. If we had thought about what we were taking on, we may not have continued! We divided into sub groups according to areas of interest or experience: Program (find venues and tutors for courses, plan a program, set out the forms and policies, establish relationship with venue co-ordinators); Administration (find premises for U3A office, staffing, procedures); Promotions; Constitution and Incorporation.

Finding tutors was the biggest challenge. We twisted the arms of friends, and organised pictorial articles in local papers appealing for people to tutor. Few were forthcoming and most only wanted to do 2, 4, or 6 sessions. So we were constantly searching for tutors and courses to fill the next few weeks. For this reason, the program coordinator was a full time role for the first two years.

After eight months of solid work, U3A was launched in May 2005. Our local members of Parliament, both State and Federal were very supportive and printed all our Program, Newsletter, and promotional material for circulation in many community venues.

Our initial office was in the Collingwood Neighbourhood House, then the Uniting Church’s house in Abbotsford, and later the Richmond Senior Citizens Centre. We approached the council for space in Fitzroy Town Hall, Collingwood Football Ground, and Peel Street, Collingwood but were unsuccessful. Finally, the City of Yarra fitted out our current office in Abbotsford. The late president Margaret Donald worked tirelessly to achieve this.

Multicultural U3A

In September 2005, our U3A Yarra City employed project officer, Caroline Yuen, to work with the Chinese, Vietnamese, and East Timorese communities to ensure U3A was inclusive of our multicultural population. Over 100 people from these groups joined U3A and participated in courses. Some also tutored. An English Conversation course was also initiated. Unfortunately, the pressure of these two projects on our infant U3A, forced U3A to run when it was just learning to walk, and with no further funding for the project officer, we were unable to continue either program. In later years, the Chinese community established its own U3A – See U3A Chinese in Yarra.

Nancy O’Toole

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 8 of 12

…a U3A that uses Chinese as a teaching and communicating medium.

U3A Chinese in Yarra

Chap B Chow, Victoria Champion of Multiculturalism 2018 and Former People of Australia Ambassador 2012-2014

Three years ago I was approached by a group of Chinese living in the City of Yarra to help bring about a U3A that uses Chinese as a teaching and communicating medium. After having secured a firm pledge of support from Yarra City Council, application was formally forwarded to the Victorian Network, and U3A Chinese in Yarra was founded with the name agreed by all parties.

Australia’s migration policy tends to skew towards skilled and business migrants that require a reasonable level in English communication. However, provision under the associated family reunion categories means that parents and aged relatives of these skilled and/or business immigrants quite often are deficient in the most elementary communicational capability in the language that is prevalent in the Australian mainstream. Older Chinese migrants thus suffer social isolation more so than those who do not have a language barrier.

Lest some of the unfounded misgivings about “reverse segregation” be promulgated by some misguided people, it is important to hold the big picture always. Let’s not forget that one of the main aims of the U3A movement as I have been given to understand is that besides providing a platform whereby life experiences and knowledge might be shared and exchanged, an equally important outcome is the alleviation of social isolation which minimises physical and mental illness. Even though at the time of putting in an application, there were 103 U3A branches across Victoria, Chinese who cannot communicate in English found it extremely difficult to fit into the existing ones, and hence there was no alternative but to have a monolingual U3A.

As a foot-note, it is worthwhile mentioning that the letter and spirit of the progressive policy of Multiculturalism lies not in promoting diversity for the sake of it, but instead to provide a platform whereby diversity might be tolerated to a sufficient extent to enable eventual ice-breaking that may lead to genuine cultural exchange and friendship. It is important that this process be executed with the ultimate intention of fostering social harmony and cohesion.

Art class Cooking class

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 9 of 12

… we had just walked 12kms!

Richmond walking group

Not wishing our November walk to be too short, I opted for the Hawthorn Bridge walking/bike path start. Seven of us managed to avoid the bikes, not so many after 9am. We stopped for water opposite a magnificent building in Edzell Ave Toorak, where they are doing massive excavations into the cliff face above the river.

Still city bound, our final destination being the Boatbuilders Yard Cafe at South Wharf, we stopped again for water and a loo at the billabong at Birrarung Marr, close to the historic speaker’s corner. The billabong was flush with water after the Cup Day rain.

We crossed the river at Jeff’s Shed and finally arrived at the aforesaid

cafe for nutritional refreshment. Our Fitbit users told us we had just walked 12kms! Blimey! Some of our feet! But good company.

Wendy Hall

Traralgon to Stratford, deep in cow country…

Gippsland plains rail trail

Eighteen On Yer Bikers accomplished the 80 kilometres, plus or minus, of this year’s country ride from Traralgon to Stratford, deep in cow country. Sleep overs in Heyfield and Stratford, on the lush Avon river, were very popular with great accommodation and above average fare enjoyed. Riders used V-line services, the support bus provided by Yarra City Council or their own vehicles to arrive and depart the ride.

Gippsland showcased its many dairy cows, lush fields enhanced by large irrigation systems and the presence of many Saputo signs (an international dairy conglomerate) on property boundaries as we cycled by.

Lyn Morgan

Help increase our Facebook presence

Over the past year we have had an increasing number of members viewing instant news, photos, and information about us on the U3A Yarra City Facebook page.

We want to encourage more activity (Likes, Comments, Shares) by members to increase exposure to us and to the new On Yer Bike website, so we ask you to:

1. Click Like to receive the latest U3A Yarra City Facebook posts ie photos

and news. Note: You need to have a Facebook account. 2. Like or add a Comment or Share a post when viewing Facebook pages.

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Page 10 of 12

New President - David Lee

I’m delighted to have been chosen as the new President.

I think it’ll be exciting and I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet lots of members and contribute to what I think is a marvelous organisation. I joined U3A Yarra City reasonably recently, in June 2017, and joined the management committee early this year. One of the best things about U3A is the way everyone is made to feel welcome.

I was a secondary school teacher for over thirty years and when I retired I wondered how I could recreate that sense of positive esprit de corps and conviviality that is such an important part of working in a school. (I had the good fortune to work in a few). U3A Yarra City certainly supplies that!

I’ve lived in Clifton Hill for twenty years and enjoy life in the City of Yarra as much today as I did when I first arrived.

I’m a member of the American Literature group; the On Yer Bike group, and this year, Philip McIntyre’s Spanish class. Each has been thoroughly enjoyable, as has the work on the committee.

I’ve been asked to share something about myself that most people wouldn’t know. Well, I have an identical twin brother, identical twin step sons, and my niece recently had (non identical) twins. So you can say that twins definitely run in the family!

…aims to set the record straight…

Germaine: a life of Germaine Greer

In this biography of Germaine Greer, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, a U3A Yarra City member, aims to set the record straight about a woman who is arguably the most prominent and influential Australian woman of her time. Far from being the caricature she is often portrayed, Greer was and is a brilliant scholar, communicator, journalist and writer as well as a feminist who touched the lives of many women.

The biography, which has been welcomed as 'a great read', draws on unprecedented access to Greer's personal archive which is now held at the University of Melbourne, to finally create a complete personal and professional picture of a powerful but paradoxical and complex woman. In so doing, Elizabeth adds to our understanding of the entire feminist movement.

Hear more from Elizabeth at the Tuesday Forum on June 4, 2019.

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

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Photo Gallery

Historic walks, St Vincent’s Place, Albert Park U3A Yarra City launch 2005

Table tennis champions Andy & Anne Fletcher Jones exhibition

Commencing the Gippsland Rail Trail Ride organisers Bob and Penny

U3A Yarra City Newsletter November 2018

Diary dates

2018

1 Nov: Membership renewal open

3 Dec: Course enrolments open

4 Dec: Xmas Quiz@10.30 and lunch@12.00 Collingwood Library. Bring food to share

14 Dec: U3A office closes. Semester ends

2019

21 Jan: U3A office reopens

23 Jan: Tutor lists finalised

15 Mar: Newsletter submissions due

Semester dates

29 Jan: Semester 1 starts

6 Apr-22 Apr: School holidays

28 Jun: Semester 1 ends

29 Jun-14 July: School holidays

15 Jul: Semester 2 starts

21 Sept-6 Oct: School holidays

13 Dec: Semester 2 ends

Committee 2019

President: David Lee

Deputy President: Andy Hansen

Secretary: Vivienne Blanksby

Treasurer: Denyse Strantzen

Deputy Treasurer: Peter Ronge

Program Coordinators: Mary Walker, Lyn Watson

Database: Andy Hansen, Frank Moore

Tutor Liaison: Frank Moore

Publicity: David Lee

Health and Safety: Frank Moore

Ex officio positions

Membership: Bob Morrow

Newsletter: Tina Hocking, Lyn Morgan, Susannah Dax

Office Manager: Mary Walker

Connect with U3A Yarra

FaceBook: Send photos and articles to our email address u3ayarracity@gmail.com with FaceBook in the Subject line or go directly via FaceBook.

Web: www.u3ayarracity.org.au

On yer bike: https://onyerbike-u3a.org.au

Newsletter: Published March, July and November. Email u3ayarracity@gmail.com with Newsletter in the Subject line, or post to: Newsletter Coordinator, U3A Yarra City, 17 Stanton St, Abbotsford 3067.

Printed courtesy of the office of Adam Bandt MP U3A Yarra City Reg: AC047182K