REGIONAL PRESIDENTS

City and Inner West

Vicki Moss vicki@mcglashan.com.au

Eastern David Rosenwax drosenwax@bigpond.com

Endeavour Southern TBA

Greater Western Robin Amos jjnanna@internode.on.net

Harbourside North Michael Suckling mwsing@tpg.com.au

Northern Beaches Kerrie Sanders kersand@bigpond.com

Upper North Marilyn Pryor marilynpryor7@gmail.com

A Message From The President

As we enter second semester of 2023 we are in the process of moving out of our Market Street premises and into our new premises in the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts. This has involved a great deal of work for the office volunteers and our Executive Committee. Luckily we have been fortunate in securing space similar in size to our current premises, which will enable us to continue conducting classes in the city while accommodating a larger number of participants.

Earlier this year apart from the Sydney AGM, I managed to attend 6 of the regional AGMs - apologies to Eastern Region as I had a dental emergency on that day. The regional committees work very hard to find new courses and venues to accommodate them. I really enjoyed attending their AGMs and meeting both committee members and attendees.

I want to thank all our volunteers who keep Sydney u3a going - the work is much appreciated. Many members don’t realise that we do all of this without any paid staff - we do it for lifelong learning, socialising with our other members, meeting new friends and having fun - and long may it continue. Enjoy Semester 2 courses, talks and events.

Jennifer Waldron

A Message From The Vp Education

My message in the 1st semester coursebook included my plans for creating new courses in all regions of Sydney u3a. That was easier said than done. In 2nd semester, I will be hosting Zoom meetings with course coordinators, course leaders and interested members to discuss 21st century curriculum development. While we will continue to provide our traditional courses, I have had feedback that many members value socialising, even when it is on Zoom. This means we will be looking to provide Zoom classes where members discuss and interact rather than just watch and listen to a presentation. We will look to develop more activity classes; research and writing projects, harbour cruises and perhaps even group tours of sites around Sydney. Each curriculum development Zoom meeting will be advertised through regional newsletters, so please join in and contribute to making Sydney u3a courses even more interesting and diverse.

Gavin Hamilton Crawford

GUIDED TOUR OF TRADES HALL (max 15)

Organised by Beatrice Scheepers City and Inner West

Cnr Goulburn and Dixon Streets Haymarket

Will be held on: Thursday 27 Jul from 9:45

Designed in the Victorian Commercial Italianate style, the Trades Hall was built as a meeting place for Australia’s trade union movement. This tour will explore its heritage architecture, the history of progressive movements hosted there and its role in broadcasting and literacy services.

Meet at front entrance at 9:45. Start time 10:00.

Free event. Optional Malaysian lunch afterwards.

Bookings essential and only between 9am Monday 17 July and 5pm Wednesday 19 July. Places to be determined by ballot. Results notified by 5pm Friday 21 July. Essential: please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

Email bookings only: Beatrice Scheepers egoranje@gmail.com 0402 969 004 (enquiries only)

TOUR OF ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL (max 20)

Organised by David Wardle City and Inner West

St Marys Rd Sydney

Will be held on: Thursday 3 Aug from 10:30 to 12:00

St Mary’s Cathedral was designed by architect William Wardell after the first cathedral burnt down in 1865. It was substantially completed by 1928, although the spires were not added until 2000. It is built in the Victorian Gothic style, has beautiful stained-glass windows and tells the story of the foundation and development of the Roman Catholic faith in Australia.

A charge of $5 per person, which contributes to the upkeep of the Cathedral, will be collected on the day.

Email bookings only: David Wardle djwardle01@gmail.com

Please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

GUIDED TOUR OF BRISLINGTON MEDICAL AND NURSING MUSEUM (max 15)

Organised by Beatrice Scheepers City and Inner West

Cnr Marsden and George Streets Parramatta will be held on: Tuesday 8 August

Built in 1851, Brislington House is the oldest existing dwelling house in the inner city of Parramatta. The original owner was forced to sell the property after being convicted of stealing stones from the Government Quarry. From 1949 it served as a nurses’ home, and in 1983 it became a Medical and Nursing Museum.

Cost: $3, payable on the day. Optional lunch afterwards at local cafe.

Train 9:50 from Central to Parramatta (T1 line), platform 18. Arrive 10:18. 8-minute walk to Museum.

Bookings essential and only between 9am Monday 24 July and 5pm Wednesday 26 July. Places to be determined by ballot. Results notified by 5pm Friday 28 July. Essential: please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

Email bookings only: Beatrice Scheepers: egoranje@gmail.com

0402 969 004 (enquiries only)

TOUR OF THE ANZAC MEMORIAL (max 25)

Organised by David Wardle City and Inner West

Hyde Park Sydney

Will be held on: Wednesday 9 Aug from 11:00 to 12:30

‘To the glory of God, and in honoured memory of the men and women of New South Wales who gave their lives and in gratitude to all who left this state to serve the Empire in the Great War, I unveil this Anzac Memorial’. -Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, 24 November 1934 The Anzac Memorial holds a significant historical collection of approximately 7,000 objects that tell the personal stories of servicemen and servicewomen, and their families. At 11.00am each day, the Memorial pauses for a five-minute Service of Remembrance. Visitors are invited to participate in this moving service with the recitation of the Ode and the sounding of the Last Post and Rouse after one minute of silent contemplation.

Email bookings only: David Wardle djwardle01@gmail.com

Please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

TOUR OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE (max 25)

Organised by David Wardle City and Inner West

166 Castlereagh St Sydney

Will be held on: Thursday 10 Aug from 10:30 to 11:30

The Great Synagogue has its origins in the 1820s, and the first Jewish services in Sydney. A synagogue was founded in York Street in 1844, and although a rival congregation was formed on Macquarie Street, the two communities reunited in 1878 to form The Great Synagogue. The building is one of the national treasures of Australia, and one of the most beautiful places of worship of any denomination. The glorious Ark, cedar Bimah and pews, stained glass windows, shining brasswork, intricate tiles and star-studded ceiling are most impressive. The tour cost is $10.

Email bookings only: David Wardle djwardle01@gmail.com

Please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

GUIDED TOUR OF MUSEUM OF PRINTING (max 15)

Organised by Beatrice Scheepers City and Inner West Cnr Station & Ransley Streets Penrith will be held on: Tuesday 15 August

The Penrith Museum of Printing houses a collection of fully operational letterpress machinery and equipment. A number of items are more than 100 years old and still running smoothly. View the intricacy of the Linotypes and Intertypes and enjoy the sight and sound of the Wharfedale and Albion presses.

Cost $10, payable on the day. Minimum number: 10. Minimum total payment $100. Optional lunch afterwards at local cafe inside beautiful heritage-listed cottage.

Train 9:18 from Central to Penrith (BMT line). Arrive 10:08. Bus 799 to Museum. Parking on site.

Bookings essential and only between 9am Monday 31 July and 5pm Wednesday 2 August. Places to be determined by ballot. Results notified by 5pm Friday 4 August. Essential: please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

Email bookings only: Beatrice Scheepers: egoranje@gmail.com 0402 969 004 (enquiries only)

TOUR OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE (max 20)

Organised by David Wardle City and Inner West Conservation Rd Botanic Gardens

Will be held on: Tuesday 25 Aug 12:30 to 1:30 and 1:30 to 2:30

Opened in 1845, Sydney’s Government House is the residence of the Governor of NSW and one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Sydney. View the restored historic interiors, the exquisite hand-painted stencil ceilings, and a significant collection of portraits, furniture, decorative arts and gubernatorial memorabilia, many of them produced in NSW and of heritage significance.

Email bookings only: David Wardle djwardle01@gmail.com

Please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

HOW THE COURTS WORK (max 10)

Organised by Beatrice Scheepers City and Inner West

Intrigued by what happens in Court? Baffled by who’s who in fancy dress? All will be revealed during this two-part guided visit. Each walk also focuses on the heritage architecture and local history of the area.

Part 1 will be held on: Friday 8 September

Meeting place and further details disclosed when booking confirmed. We explore the workings of the inferior courts sitting at the historic Brickfield Hill courts precinct. We aim to sit in on trials, sentence proceedings and bail applications in the Local Court and District Court.

Finish 12:45. Affordable Korean lunch afterwards.

Part 2 will be held on: Friday 15 September

Meeting place and further details disclosed when booking confirmed. We spend time at Queen’s Square to see how the superior courts operate. We visit the Supreme Court, the Federal Court and the High Court, which is scheduled to sit in Sydney on this day. We may attend a murder trial or sentence proceedings, a civil hearing and some appellate matters. Finish 12:45. Affordable lunch afterwards.

Bookings essential for both dates, but only between 9am Monday 28 August and 5pm Wednesday 30 August. Places determined by ballot. Results notified by 5pm Friday 1 September. Essential: please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

Email bookings only: Beatrice Scheepers egoranje@gmail.com

0402 969 004 (enquiries only)

PADDINGTON ART CRAWL (max 15)

Organised by Beatrice Scheepers City and Inner West will be held on: Wednesday 13 September from 10am

Paddington is a lively arts precinct, showcasing a wide range of creative talents. Come and enjoy some of the many studios and galleries, as well as Sydney’s most beautiful butchery.

Wear sun protection, walking shoes, and carry water. Optional coffee/lunch afterwards at cafe, at own cost.

Meet 10am at bus stop near corner of Oxford and William Streets, Paddington. Bus routes 333, 352, 440.

Bookings essential and only between 9am Monday 4 September and 5pm Wednesday 6 September. Places to be determined by ballot. Results notified by 5pm Friday 8 September. Essential: please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

Email bookings only: Beatrice Scheepers: egoranje@gmail.com

0402 969 004 (enquiries only)

GUIDED TOUR OF HISTORIC LINNWOOD (max 20)

Organised by Beatrice Scheepers City and Inner West

11-35 Byron Rd Guildford will be held on: Thursday 2 November

Set within five hectares of grounds with mature trees, Linnwood was built in 1891 as a stately home for George McCredie, a prominent politician, engineer and justice of the peace. Since then, Linnwood has had many lives: as a children’s home, a truant school and a home science training establishment.

Guided tour includes Devonshire tea/coffee. Cost $12 (cash) payable on the day.

Train 9:36am from Central platform 19 to Guildford. Arrive 10:16am. Meet at exit barrier on Military Road for a 12-minute walk to venue. Ample on-site parking.

Bookings essential and only between 9am Monday 23 October and 5pm Wednesday 25 October. Places to be determined by ballot. Results notified by 5pm Friday 27 October. Essential: please provide telephone number, membership number and expiry date when booking.

Email bookings only: Beatrice Scheepers: egoranje@gmail.com 0402 969 004 (enquiries only)

Literary Festival 2024

Organised by Greater Western Region

Wednesday 14 to 16 February 2024

The Carrington Hotel Katoomba

The Sydney u3a 2024 Literary Festival will feature presentations on the theme of Australian Literature.

The Literary Festival continues to be a fabulous event where attendees not only enjoy the beautiful rooms in the historic Carrington, but are treated to sumptuous meals, including wine. A Cocktail Party and Movie Night will add to the merriment as well as a brain teasing Trivia Quiz.

The limit on numbers will be 76 and we expect, as happened in the past, to be booked up early.

Bookings will open on Monday 25th Sept 2023.

Cost for the event includes all meals, wine, accommodation, Movie night, Cocktail Party, and of course, the Festival itself.

• Single room with ensuite approx. $900

• Double or twin room with ensuite approx. $1350

• Final cost will be advised when booking.

For more details and booking form, contact Sue Bailey email gwr1u3a@gmail.com (preferred) 0416 027 049 from Monday 18th Sept

2024 HOLIDAY: GRIFFITH & THE RIVERINA (max 48)

Organised by Diana Pine Greater Western Region

Sunday 17 March to Friday 22 March 2024

Depart Sunday 17 March 7:15am from Central Station Bay 8 Western Forecourt and 8:00am from Railway St Pennant Hills and 8:30am from Fitzwilliam St Parramatta

Return Friday 22 March at around 5:00pm to Fitzwilliam St Parramatta and 5:30pm to Railway St Pennant Hills and 6:00pm to Central Station Bay 8 Western Forecourt

Cost – Subject to the 2024 coach operating & fuel costs

• $1295 pp for 40 +

• $1325 pp for 35 - 39

• $1355 pp for 30 - 34

• Single supplement $300 (Limited rooms)

During this holiday we will be staying at the Griffith Motor Inn. Over the week we will be exploring the MIA, whilst visiting Careri Gardens, Lillipilly Estate Winery, Piccolo Farm, Whitton Malt House, Southern Cotton ginning facilities, Catania Farm, Pioneer Park, and De Bortoli Winery. Please see a copy of the full itinerary posted on the Greater Western section of Sydney u3a’s website.

Bookings for u3a members (non-member spouses/partners accepted) open on Monday 10 July 2023

Bookings: Diana Pine 4861 3721. Method for payment given at time of booking.

Deposit: $100 must be paid by Friday 22 September 2023. NB: Balance must be paid by Monday 5 February 2024

Cancellation Policy: Travel Insurance is recommended. Full details regarding cancellation by the traveller will be provided at the time of booking.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned coach, accommodation, all meals and entrance fees. NB: If the tour is not full, non-members of u3a will be accepted.