Term 4 - Monday 13th October to Friday 5th December
         (excluding Tuesday 4th November Melbourne Cup Day)

COURSE NOTES

Possible Future Courses/Activities - Expression of interest are called for the following possible courses.

• Scrap booking
• Book Club
• Theatre Group
• Art classes, painting, pottery, etc.
• Craft - not needlecraft
• Movie and lunch group
• Absolute beginner computer course
• How to operate digital camera, mobile phones, etc.
• Photography
• Travel talks
• Basic German
• Mosaics - We have a tutor for this course and a time/day slot organised, and also six students
  so this course has been added to the timetable.
  
  We would require a minimum of six attendees and also a course leader/tutor to be able to organise a course. It should be noted that it is not necessary for a course to run for 4 terms. It can be of any duration, at any frequency. If anyone feels qualified and enthusiastic enough to lead any of the above courses/activities, or to participate in these, please contact Brian Beck, Course Co-ordinator on 9741 5460 or e-mail brianbeck@optusnet.com.au. Any suggestions for future courses are also welcome.
  
  

Italian
Due to the low number of attendees, it has been decided to suspend this course for the remainder of the year. Should interest resurface, it maybe offered again in 2009.  Expressions of interest are welcome and should be addressed to the Course Co-ordinator Brian Beck on 9741 5460.

German - Wolfgang Grichting
U3A offers tuition in German language to intermediate and advanced students, which brought you 'Stille nacht, Heilige nacht'! Currently, there are some ten students in the course; thus there is room for a few more. Teaching German, Wolfgang says he divides his time evenly between the grammar and everyday conversation. How difficult is German to learn? He says to learn German, like any other language, 'by the yard it is hard, but by the inch, it is a cinch'. We believe him! Whichever way you choose to study German, Wolgang asserts us, we have much fun and have become friends. If there is sufficient interest, I would also consider offering a German course for beginners. To enroll, please contact Brian Beck on 9741 5460.

Working with Words - Ann Kopitschinski
The writing class has this term focused on writing their 'memoirs'. We have looked at establishing the authors' identity, their family background and the early influences in their lives that contributed to the choices and directions their life followed.
Term 3, will take a very different direction. Ann, as the course leader will be away for most of the term. Class leadership will be shared by various members of the group; this will be a great experience to participants. Ann will leave some guidelines to follow and some fresh and new thoughts brought into play.

Australian History - Term 2 - Jan Colbert

Important - Term 3 will commence 30 minutes earlier i.e. at 1.00pm sharp due to another class following at 2.30pm.  Our group continued with further videos and DVD's. We thank Bill Wall and Vic Mayall for their presentation on the history of Werribee and their memories of past glories. Also covered were the following -

1.  The Murray River
2.  Portuguese and Dutch exploration of the West Coast 250 years before Captain Cook.
3.  Federation
4.  Australia and its people over 100 years.
5.  The refugee dilemma, including Tampa
6.  Immigration - Irish, Sikh and Greek
     A special highlight was 'Banjos Australia'

Current Affairs - Discussion Group - George Leake

Term 2 continued with good attendances, and the following subjects were discussed -

1.   Global warming
2.   Police and policing today
3.   Advertising
4.   Art  vs.  pornography
5.   Art - continued
6.   Export of Australian ideas and inventions
7.   The current world fuel crisis
8.   The global food shortage

The subjects often strayed into related areas, some of which were quite hotly debated. We look forward to next Term, so that we may continue our exploration of today's society. Special thanks to all members for their help in setting up the room and for clearing up afterwards and to our kind ladies for 'washing up'. We always have a pleasant morning with much stimulating conversation and sometimes even 'food for thought'.
If U3A members would like to join us, please contact the Course Co-ordinator Brian Beck or the Secretary.

Computer Groups - Ian Hughes
Ian reports having started the year with full classes for both sessions, i.e. Thursday morning and afternoon. However, the numbers dropped for various reasons, and we now have between six and ten participants in each group. Some students found the course too difficult but were assured that there were no exams and it is not uncommon to have to go over last week's work. Ian states that they have a lot of fun each session and believes that 'where there is laughter there is also learning'. We will take his word for it! Class members are encouraged to practice at home, in order to gain keyboard skills as well as to consolidate their learning during each session. Each member is afforded a one on one time, as required, and no question is too 'silly'. Members are advised that if they have difficulties at home, they have but to phone Ian and he shall try to sort the problem out over the phone. It is clear that members are satisfied with what they are achieving in class and at home as this is evidenced through 'feedback' and compliments, which is greatly gratifying to Ian. Should you be interested in joining the vibrant computer class, please contact Course Co-ordinator Brian Beck on 9741 5460.

Needlecraft Class -   Fay Weston
Fay reports that the Craft class has a lot of fun and laughter; enjoying each others company. She says we also sew patchwork quilts, some with applique on them, which are beautiful. Other ladies are sewing cross-stiich patterns, forming lovely pictures of scenes, animals, flowers and samplers. But most of all, we are enjoying each others company, the reason why our class is always fully enrolled.

Rambling through History - Alex Bain
The usual format of film documentaries, with opportunity for discussion, will be continued. The major focus in term 3, is an account of the changes which saw the British Empire rise to become such a force in world affairs - industrialization, colonization, trade, wars, scientific explorations - all in the reign of one monarch, Queen Victoria. This story is followed by a short series, three episodes, relating to the part of women in the development of society, from the pre-historic fantasies, through the years of persecution, to the better - based attitudes of today.

These two principal themes will be accompanied each week by short sessions, which examine various aspects of the theory and science of psychology. Detailed programmes are available from Course Co-Ordinator Brian Beck 9741 5460 or Alex Bain 9741 8221.

Mosaics - Inger Christoffersen
This course is up and running as there have been enough expressions of interest from members for it to become a viable course.
Please note - the course is held at the Old Shire Offices, Watton Street, from 9.30am to 11.15am on Wednesday. There are still places available so if anyone is interested, please call Course Co-ordinator Brian Beck on 9741 5460.

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