Baw Baw U3A Club Notes...
The local U3A is still running various courses and presentations via Zoom meetings. One of the current courses or more appropriately weekly presentations is ‘Soapbox Seminars’. They have covered a multitude of different subjects and so far have been well attended by members. The full list of the ‘Soapbox Seminars’ is on the U3A Baw Baw web site.
The next few presentations is on November 5 with Rod Wellard’s very topical subject ‘The State of Climate Change’. On November 12 Nigel Beresford will present ‘Early Melbourne and its Hotels from 1835 to 1853’. Following on after those three there are another five presentations into early December.
Presenting U3A Baw Baw member Virginia Rowley is running her ‘Mystery History’ course. Again due to current restriction it will be via a ‘Zoom’ meeting online.
The classes will run for about 50 minutes followed by a question time. Weekly at 10am on a Tuesday U3A Baw Baw members can join the course for an interesting insight into the many unusual things that have occurred throughout history. The course will also feature some interesting people from the past.
In no particular order, Virginia’s course will cover different aspects of slavery in the Roman Empire, a crime scene in Florence in the 1300s, manned balloon flight, what’s unique about Halloween, a hoax, some famous people and closing with something related to Christmas.
Because all classes and presentations are via Zoom, U3A Baw Baw has an excellent course on how to use Zoom. After doing the short onehour the members can then feel confident joining one of the current courses or presentations. John Parker or Steph Wellard are running the ‘Introduction to Zoom’ as required. Further details are covered on the U3A web site.
The Film Club is still running and viewing a selection of films chosen by members from SBS ‘On Demand’ and the monthly film discussion will be held on Zoom. Bring your own lunch and join in. Rese meetings are monthly on a Friday from 11am to 2pm, full details are on the U3A Baw Baw web site.
Enrolments for the courses or presentations can be secured online via our new website or contact Virginia or Steph. Their contact phone numbers can be located on the U3A website, www.u3abawbaw.org.au
Members of the community in the Baw Baw Shire who would like to join U3A Baw Baw can visit the new website www.u3abawbaw.org.au and join U3A through the ‘membership’ link. Having logged in as a member they can then locate the ‘courses’ link to attend and can ‘view and select’ to join upcoming courses that are available online.
Should U3A members wish to join the ‘Did you know’ course, John can be contacted on 0408 364 159 or by email, johnp.u3abb@gmail.com.
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 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 at U3A 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 people wish to refine or continue in retirement.
Members have very diverse backgrounds and life experiences... and it’s not all about learning as, when the club returns to the normal venue, there are regular guest speakers at monthly meetings and activities not requiring too much ‘grey matter’.
Anyone interested in joining U3A Baw Baw to participate in an online course or discussion group or expand their social network can find details on the new U3A web site www.u3abawbaw.org.au
Live, Learn and Enjoy... in a great social atmosphere. Phone 0490 770062.
Library open
The West Gippsland Genealogical Society librar y will open one day a week on Wednesdays y 10am to 2pm and the second Saturday of the month 10am to 3pm for the remainder of the year.
The library will be closed for Christmas/New Year from Saturday, December 12.
The society is still researching World War I soldiers buried or memorialised in the local cemeteries. Any information and photos would be appreciated.
New members are welcome People can download an application form and get help to further family history research.
Check out the website for updates and weblinks to a great variety of research resources that are often hard to find.
Further details can be obtained from president Barbara Clayton, phone 5611 3871 or visit the website: www.westgippslandgenealogy.com
Bushwalking
With spring in the air Strzelecki Bushwalking Club members enjoyed another month of activities from the club’s extensive program.
There were rides on the Gippsland Rail Trail and around the Yarragon flats and hills. Dining was enjoyed at Traralgon Vineyard and also at Smith and Albert in Warragul.
Lake Narracan was the destination for “Come and Try” kayaking, as well as a scenic midweek walk. There were caves to see at Labertouche, O’Shea’s mill and Mormon Town at Walhalla, Lawson’s Falls and Cape Woolamai to name some others.
The famous Great Ocean Walk is fully booked and programmed for a week in November. Due to continued restrictions a Zoom Club meeting will be held on Wednesday November 11 at 7.30pm. Further information is available via the website, Facebook or email sbwc.org.au facebook.com/strzeleckibushwalkingclub
Warragul Bonsai Group
Warragul Bonsai Group members are busy in the land of little trees. This month some of the club members got together in a Zoom meeting.
A good discussion ensued, with a lot of helpful advice from our more experienced members. It was a good opportunity to discuss the season’s effect on trees and the work it entails.
Bonsai are putting on new growth in leaps and bounds. Pinching out of new leaves is imperative to keep the internodes close and the leaves small. With pines, the new candles will be hardening off. Take them off and wait for the second flush before choosing the two candles you want to keep. Mugo pines will only have the one flush, so choose your future branches now.
All this busy pruning is carried out whilst continuing with a good feeding regime. Try not to over fertilise pines with nitrogen. Low nitrogen liquid fertiliser such as Powerfeed (orange bottle) is one people might like to try. The trees are working hard, so keep up their strength.
Once Covid restrictions are removed Warragul Bonsai Group will advise the exact date their meetings will resume. Held the third Thursday of each month. Rear of the Community College Gippsland, 71 Korumburra-Warragul Rd, Warragul. Any enquiries please contact wgbonsai@gmail.com or Carol 0438 877393