New U3A leadership

At the recent U3A Baw Baw annual general meeting the guest speaker and presenter was Bill Westhead from the Warragul RSL.

He gave an excellent presentation covering the main conflicts that our Australian servicemen and women served in. The support that the RSL gives to ex military service persons and to the wider community was explained in great detail. Bill also covered the history of the local RSL’s and the important role they have in our local community.

Guests for the meeting included Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss Cr Keith Cook, Russell Huntington from U3A Network and Rob Hutchinson the manager of the Drouin Community Bank.

New members of the U3A Baw Baw committee were elected for the 2020/21 year. Mary Howlett (president), Sally Alsop (secretary), Ann Corcoran (treasurer) and committee members Virginia Rowley, Geoff Clynes, Robert Dunlop, Margaret Theile, Donna D’Arcy, Kaye Dennis, Nigel Beresford, Ruth Renouf, Stephanie Wellard and Rod Wellard. Thanks were given to Graeme Fredrickson and Di Potter, two past committee members who were standing down from their very important roles as previous key committee members.

There will be no general meeting on Friday April 10 as it is the Good Friday public holiday and the Easter weekend. At the May general meeting Deidre Howard from Schnoz Dogs Canine Services will give a presentation about the different kinds of ‘Animal Assisted Therapies’ and the significant role pets have in families.

In light of the concerns about Covid-19 we advise that U3A members take note of the following;

If any U3A member has travelled internationally and/or come into close contact with someone travelling internationally 14 days out from any U3A event then please do not attend any classes, presentations or meetings at U3A

If you have suspected symptoms of Covid-19, flu or a common cold please do not attend any activity at U3A

Updates are likely and are subject to change pending updated information received by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-publiccoronavirus-disease-covid-19

U3A is a volunteer learning and social organisation for retired or semi retired people who are keen to share educational, creative and social activities.

All U3As in Australia and around the world are run as a not for profit learning organisation. Joining U3A is a great way for retired or semi retired people in the Baw Baw Shire to be part of a growing social group of like minded people. U3A is also ideal for retired people who have made a ‘tree change’ and are new to the Warragul, Drouin or Baw Baw area.

Courses vary each term and cover many interests such as computers and tablets, history, music, hobbies, photography, travel, civic affairs, mahjong, literature, and many other learning and skills opportunities that you wish to refine or continue in your retirement. Our members have very diverse backgrounds and life experiences... and it’s not all about learning as there are regular guest speakers at monthly meetings and activities not requiring too much ‘grey matter’.

Anyone interested in joining can find details on the U3A web site www.u3abawbaw.org.au or perhaps drop in to the Drouin RSL to pick up a brochure and membership form.

The group is located at the Drouin RSL (sub branch), 136A Princes Way, Drouin. Phone 0490 770 062 or membership@u3abawbaw. org.au