Cowra U3A

Lighthouses

2011-02-23T17:26:00.002+11:00

Please have a look in Older Posts for 2009 at the one on lighthouses, there is a terrific video clip of Lighthouse on the Breton Coast.
Cheers Bev Rolfe

u3a 2011 - a set on Flickr

2011-02-23T15:57:00.000+11:00

u3a 2011 - a set on Flickr: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Term I Timetable now available

2011-02-23T14:37:00.005+11:00

Hooray! we have a timetable for Term I. Sorry its a bit late but then good things are always worth waiting for. Our Program Coordinator, Phil, has been doing a great job and has prepared some interesting topics for us.

Last week we had a very interesting talk given by Stephen Tamplin RN ND DAc who runs Central West Naturopathic here in Cowra. We are all inspired to do more to improve our health and well being by applying the principal that we are what we eat.

Coming up in March and early April we have the continuation of Australian Poetry presented by Philomena Hewitson. In the first session we looked at some early Australian poets and their work. We look forward to seeing what Phil has for us in the next Session.

Phil is also presenting the Kimberleys, some more in the series History of Everyday Things which has given us an insight into the development of things we use all the time but don't think about how they came about. Previously we have looked at Coffee, Rubber, Tea and colour. we look forward to finding out more about another everyday thing.

Beverley Rolfe prepared notes and a Powerpoint Presentation on Turkey, the country Cowra is featuring in this years Festival of International Understanding coming up on the 10,11,& 12 of March. We didn't get through all the topics so will be having another session and then on the 10 March we are cooking Turkish food and serving it a a lunch which we hope will be attended by the public as well as our members.

For our major study this year we are having 3 or 4 sessions per term on Lighthouses. Beverley has been working away at this for well over a year so look forward to finding out lots about Lighthouses.

Seniors Week is on from the 21 to 27 of March and we are looking forward to being involved in a full program of events organized by many community groups with the help of Cowra Shire Council Project Officer Lisa. As our contribution, with the Cowra and District Senior Citizens we are presenting the 3rd Great Seniors Week Trivia Challenge on the 27 March. Though we try hard we haven't managed to win yet so maybe this will be our year. It is always lots of fun.

As well as those items mentioned above our regular Tai Chi sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday between 9.00 am and 10.30 am. Italian language and culture classes are held every Thursday at 1.30 pm.

If you would like information about Cowra U3A or would like to come to any of these activities give Bev 6341 1030 or Phil 6342 1204 a ring or call in to the Cowra Senior Citizens Centre on a Tuesday or Thursday or send us an email at cowrau3a@yahoo.com.au.

Term 1 2011

2011-01-28T14:28:00.004+11:00

Welcome back for another interesting year full of friendship, fun and learning. At the end of 2010 the election of office bearers for the 2011 year was held with the following results. President Beverley Rolfe, Vice President Ian Sutherland, Secretary - Correspondence Philomena Hewitson, Secretary - Minutes Maureen Taylor, Treasurer Robyn Ambachtsheer, Programme Philomena Hewitson, Publicity Beverley Rolfe, and committee Kay Kirwan, Joyce Death and Hazel Newton.

John Horsfield, who has done a tremendous amount of work in various positions since he joined Cowra U3A is having a year off to work on his family history. Everyones thanks go to John for the interesting programmes he has presented and we look forward to plenty more after his break.

The programme for 2011 is still being prepared and this year we will be introducing some new activities so watch this space for more information.

Tuesday 1 February is our information and enrollment day at the Cowra and District Senior Citizens Centre in Railway Lane Cowra commencing at 10.30 am following our regular Tai Chi session which is at 9.00 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We look forward to seeing some new faces, renewing old friendships and enjoying learning in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.

2010-04-27T17:37:00.002+10:00

The Norman Conquest of England began in 1066 with the invasion of the Kingdom of England by the troops of William, Duke of Normandy, and his victory at the Battle of Hastings. This resulted in Norman control of England, which was firmly established during the next few years.

This was a pivotal event in English history for several reasons. It largely removed the native ruling class, replacing it with a foreign French-speaking monarchy, aristocracy and clerical hierarchy. This, in turn, brought about a transformation of the English language and the culture of England.

By subjecting the country to rulers originating in France, it linked England more closely with continental Europe, while lessening Scandinavian influence, and set the stage for rivalry with France that would continue intermittently for many centuries. It also had important consequences for the rest of the British Isles, paving the way for further Norman conquests in Wales and Ireland, and extensive penetration of the aristocracy of Scotland by Norman and other French speaking families, with the accompanying spread of continental institutions and cultural influences.

John Horsfield has prepared a course that will be held throughout 2010 which looks at the events leading up to the invasion, life in Norman England and Norman architecture. To enroll for this course email cowrau3a@yahoo.com.au

Spanish Civil War

2009-09-30T13:07:00.013+10:00

Poster Spanish Civil War, Guernica by Pablo Picasso, Soft Construction with Boiled Beans by Savador Dali

John Horsfield will be giving us a look what happened to make this an historic moment. A Powerpoint presentation will accompany the text in the first three sessions with the final session being all on Power Point.

Guernica is a painting by Pablo Picasso depicting the bombing of Guernica,
Spain, by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist Forces, on April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Republican government commissioned Picasso to create a large mural for the Spanish display at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937) Paris International Exposition in the 1937 World's Fair in Paris.

Salvador Dali was a Spanish Catalan surrealist painter best known for his bizarre images. The painting, Soft Construction with Boiled Beans (premonition of civil war) by Salvador Dali, was created in Spain in 1936. This painting was done by Salvador Dali during a time of political change in Spain which essentially caused the Spanish Civil war. Dalí was openly against war, and used this painting to show it. (Wikipedia) The painting was created to illustrate what he believed would happen during the Spanish civil war depicting a grimacing, hideously deformed human being whom is dismembered. This is symbolic of the Spanish state in civil war. Not only is the human disjointed, but it seems as if the different parts are strangling each other. Decaying hands and feet extend from the dismembered body parts as well as the dysfunctional body parts that lay at the bottom of the painting. It is possible that the boiled beans refer to the smell of the bodies of priests that were burnt by the fascists. I believe that Dali was trying to give the painting a scent of war. The painting seems to draw your attention to the box created by the body parts. It is a reminder of how civil wars are self-mutilating and ugly.

Whats on at a Glance in Term 2 2010

2009-09-30T12:49:00.002+10:00

20 April- Enrollment & Information
Classic Films
27 April to 1 June - Norman England
29 April - General Meeting
6 May - Kaye Chapman Cowra Community Chest
John Lennon
20, 27 May, 3 June - & Wonders of Ancient World
8 June - Aspects of England
15 June - Queens Birthday Lunch
17 June - Egypt
It Happened in - 13 May, 10 & 24 June,
Regulars
Mini Biographies - Tuesday & Thursday
Tai Chi - 9.00 Tuesday & Thursday
German at Ellen's - Wednesdays
International Biographies - 22 April, 22 June
Italian - 1.30 pm Thursdays

Canberra Excursion September 2009

2009-09-29T17:21:00.005+10:00

Some photos from our wonderful day in Canberra visiting the McCubbin exhibition at ANG and a lovely walk around Floriade. Thanks to Alan, our wonderful bus driver who made the day so easy.

Lighthouses of the World February 2011

2009-09-11T11:57:00.006+10:00

Coming up at Cowra U3A in 2011 Bev will be taking a look at the history and development of lighthouses and a more detailed look at some of the great ones from around the world and at their designers.

Excursion

2009-09-02T09:41:00.006+10:00

Excursion to Canberra
Friday 25 September 2009
Bus leaves Senior Citizens Centre at 7.30 am.

Bookings essential, limited places.
Phone 02 6342 2028 BH of 02 6341 1030 AH

Cost: Bus $30.00, McCubbin exhibition consession $8.00, Buy your own lunch.

Visit Australian National Gallery McCubbin exhibition, lunch in Gallery Restaurant then visit Floriade and return to Cowra by approximately 6pm.

2009-06-17T18:01:00.005+10:00

CHECK MATE

Tuesday afternoon chess has got off to a slow start. More players are needed and if you want to learn John Horsfield is anxiously waiting to share his knowledge with you so come to the Senior Citizens Centre at 1.30 pm on a Tuesday.

2009-06-17T17:33:00.012+10:00

Italian Classes

Every Thursday afternoon at 1.30 pm Cowra U3A's Italian class under the tutelage of John Sturman get together at the Cowra & District Senior Citizens room for a lot of learning, a lot of fun and a lot of friendship.

To help with their studies John and Edie visited Italy and France earlier in the year, we are still waiting for some good stories so hopefully we may be able to get them to put together something for the blog in the near future.

If you have always wanted to learn Italian and are in the over fifty age group then here is your chance to learn from an excellent presenter in a really happy and friendly atmosphere. Call in on a Thursday afternoon for a visit and to get details of how you can join in.

Term 3 2009

2009-06-17T13:18:00.010+10:00

Can you believe nearly half of the year has gone by. This Term (2) we have been exploring the Islands of Australia and so far have been around Tasmania, through Bass Strait and are now looking at the islands of the Southern Seas. In the next few weeks we will looking at the islands off the coast of Western Australia . In Term 3 our journey continues through the Islands of Arnhem Land, the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Torres Strait then to Queensland's Coral Sea Islands, the Pacific Ocean Islands off new South Wales and the Tasman Sea Islands off new South Wales and Victoria. Everyone is enthusiastic and learning a lot about our past and present. See our contact details and and get in touch if you would like to join in.

Tai Chi

2008-11-26T12:17:00.002+11:00

Over the past few months we have been learning the Yang 24 form as shown in this video clip. Whilst we all aspire to reach this standard we have a long way to go but are really enjoying this form.

Tai Chi is a wonderful way to keep your body and mind in harmony and everyone who participates enjoys the benefits it gives us. if you would like to find out more about Tai Chi call in the Cowra Senior Citizens Centre on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9.00 am to 10.30 am.

2008-11-26T12:03:00.000+11:00

Yang 24 Forms

2008-11-26T10:07:00.000+11:00

Whats on at Cowra U3A

2008-11-05T12:52:00.000+11:00

A timetable is available that lists all the activities available in Term 4 2008 by calling in at the Senior Citizens Centre on a Tuesday or Thursday.

Our main activity this term is A History of the English Language which runs over 6 weeks. Sessions start at 11.00 am on a Thursday. Philomena Hewitson is presenting this course which is one that we obtained from the Network Library.

To keep our bodies moving Tai Chi is held every Tuesday and Thursday commencing at 9.00 am. This is our most popular activity. Over the years we have practiced many forms of Tai Chi and enjoy sharing our knowledge with others. Visitors are welcome to call in to see what we are about.

About Cowra U3A

2008-11-05T12:35:00.000+11:00

Cowra U3A in central western New South Wales, Australia, commenced on 21 April 1992, originating out of a public meeting. Originally meetings were held at the PCYC but due to access problems moved to the Cowra & District Senior Citizens Centre in railway lane, Cowra, in the heart of the CBD.

An annual membership fee ($40.00) is charged to cover administration. Our activities are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during school terms (to accommodate Grandparents with child minded commitments) commencing at 9.00 am during the summer months. A charge of $2.50 per day covers morning tea and venue hire. The annual fee can be paid by in installments.

Cowra U3A is part of the Central Western Region of U3A Network NSW Inc. Regional meetings are held once a year to enable the various groups to share ideas. A library or course material is now available through the U3A Network NSW which gives the smaller groups more options for its activities.

U3A Online is a great source for people who cannot make it to the weekly activities. Courses are presented online for studying at your own pace in your own home.

What is U3A?

2008-11-05T12:20:00.000+11:00

It is a world wide organisation for retired and semi-retired people, with more than 3000 registered groups in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and China. Australia per head of population has the largest number of U3A groups in the world.

U3A stands for University of the Third Age, using the word university in the earliest sense of a community of people who get together to help each other in a learning/social experience and the Third Age referring to that stage in our lives where we have passed left behind the First Age (Childhood) and the Second Age (Child Rearing and Working).

We now have time to catch up on those activities we have always wanted to do before we move onto the Fourth Age (when we lose our mobility and independence).