U3A Manawatu is offering 23 Learning Groups in 2012. The aims, venues, times, and co-ordinators for each group are listed below. They commence February except where shown otherwise (*). Please contact the co-ordinator for more information, and to check that additional members can be accommodated.
POETRY FOR PLEASUREEnjoy poetry as you like it. Write your own or recite the work you especially like of others. The music, mystery and magic of words is an invitation to join the muses in your own way, to relate to the moment or the past and travel on journeys of discovery to the ideas of the mind, and have lots of fun doing it.
Meetings: 1st Monday of each month at 5 Anaru Place, 1-3 p.m.
Co-ordinator: Norma Chick, ph. 357 2371.
normal@infogen.net.nzBOOK DISCUSSIONThese are always interest-packed, stimulating meetings as members give resumes of the book each has read during the month. Because tastes in genre range from mystery through sci-fi to medieval history and beyond, discussion is always lively and often robust.
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Hokowhitu Village Centre, 12.45 p.m.
Co-ordinator: June Rigby, ph. 355 4108.
june-r@clear.net.nzVIDEO OPERAMembers of this lively group enjoy video presentations of operas as well as documentaries about operas. A wide-screen, liquid crystal display unit with high fidelity sound is the next best thing to being at La Scala, the NY Met or Covent Garden.
Meetings: Fortnightly on Thursdays, 2 p.m. 3 La Lena Grove, Summerhill
Co-ordinator: Brian Colless, ph. 355 3415.
briancolless@inspire.net.nzVIDEO MOVIESWe share and discuss videos, taking turns in choosing what is to be shown at each session. Some are selected for pure enjoyment, others we review and discuss for their artistic merit.
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 2 p.m. 3 La Lena Grove, Summerhill
Co-ordinator: Brian Colless, ph. 355 3415.
briancolless@inspire.net.nzCURRENT AFFAIRS This is a motivated group that enjoys passionate conversation, debate and argument on affairs of the day - local, national and international. All things topical are fair game for the often poles-apart opinions of our members, but all expounded with the greatest respect for the other points of view. Invited speakers from time to time.
Meetings: Every second Wednesday, 10am-12noon at 173b Victoria Ave., starting February 8th.
Co-ordinator: Bryan Ibell, ph. 358 1032.
jean.bryan.ibell@gmail.comRICHNESS AND PLEASURE OF ARTThis is a group dedicated to exploring and discussing the fine arts in their widest sense. Occasional visits will be made to Te Manawa Art Gallery for short talks by gallery staff on current exhibitions.
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 1-3p.m. Taylor-Jensen Fine Arts, George St.
Co-ordinator: Chris Phillips, ph. 358 1991.
cphillips@inspire.net.nzCREATIVE WRITINGFor the pleasure of writing members come together once a month to read and critique each other's work. Short stories, novels, autobiographies, fables, poetry, comedy and tales for children fit snugly in the creative writing mix. Come along and give it a go.
Meetings: 1st Tuesday of the month, 10-noon, at NZ and Pacific Islands section, 2nd floor, PN City Library.
Co-ordinator: Fred Symes, ph. 354 4646.
fredsymes@orcon.net.nzASTRONOMYExploring the vast expanse, beauty and mystery of our universe. Space (excuse the pun) for more members.
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7.30-9.30 p.m., 26 Margaret St.
Co-ordinator: Larry Haist, ph. 354 2626.
dlhaist@inspire.net.nzPHILOSOPHYThe fascinating journey through the twists and turns of philosophical ideas. The 2012 theme is Existentialism. There is much to astound, amuse and possibly dismay in the months ahead.
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, 2-3.30p.m. 26 Hokowhitu Village Centre.
Co-ordinator: Mike Carter, ph. 357 3941.
m.carter@inspire.net.nzMUSIC APPRECIATIONThat great and knowledgeable music buff, John Ward, owner-operator of the Gramophone Room radio stations, has planned another year of wonderful presentations for his U3A group of music lovers.
Meetings: 1st Monday of each month, 1.30pm. 36D Elmira Ave.
Co-ordinator: John Ward, ph. 358 7117.
contact@gramophoneroom.co.nzPLAY READINGMembers will keep exploring thought-provoking scripts and continue to develop their own short plays. A great deal of fun and satisfaction for these give-it-a-go thespians.
Meetings: 3rd Monday of the month from 1.30 p.m. at 430 Featherston Street.
Co-ordinator: Alan Cox, ph. 357 0088.
awcox@inspire.net.nzEXPLORING WALKWAYSTake healthy walks along the good tracks that abound around Palmerston North, especially on the fringes. We occasionally venture a little further afield.
Meetings: Every Thursday, 2-3 p.m. (weather permitting)
Co-ordinator: Lynley Watson, ph. 356 4384.
ld.watson@actrix.gen.nzBOOKBINDINGUnder the tutelage of John Garner several members have been learning the intriguing art of bookbinding, often restoring favourite old books to as-new condition.
Meetings: Alternate Tuesdays, starting February 7, 10-12 am., at 430 Featherston St.
Co-ordinator: John Garner, ph. 355 3878.
john.garner@inspire.net.nzSCIENCE FOR ALLYou don't have to be a scientist to enjoy this group. What is essential, though, is an enquiring mind and a wish to understand how science works to comprehend the mysteries of this world.
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at 2pm, Community Leisure Centre, Fergusson Street.
Co-ordinator: Reuben Leberman, ph. 354 8545.
r.leberman@inspire.net.nzSKETCHINGEver had a desire to draw? Now is your chance. Let Eugenie show you how to wield a pencil to produce work to be proud of.
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, 10am, at 61 Savage Crescent.
Co-ordinator: Eugenie Waldteufel, ph. 356 5500
BIOGRAPHY *Study the lives and times of the famous, infamous and just ordinary people of interest.
Meetings: 3rd Monday of the month, 10am, commencing January 16, 30 Pahiatua Street.
Co-ordinator: Margaret Hazelton, ph. 358 6980.
m.e.hazelton@gmail.comCLASSIC BRITISH COMEDY *Laugh until you burst while watching on life-size screen and listening via 5.1 surround-sound from DVD to the great British comedy shows of the past four decades.
Meetings: Last Monday of each month (commencing January 30th), 1.30pm at 36D Elmira Ave.
Co-ordinator: John Ward, ph. 358 7117.
contact@gramophoneroom.co.nzNEW ZEALAND HISTORYInteresting and sometimes controversial topics in New Zealand social and political history are introduced by both group members and invited speakers.
Meetings: First Thursday of the month. On February 2nd members should meet at the Reception Desk on the City Library Mezzanine Floor at about 10.25am.
Co-ordinator: Margaret Tate, ph. 358 6471.
mtate@inspire.net.nzTHE CLASSICAL WORLDA general 'open-sesame' into ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Following members' interests we can look at literature, history, philosophy, art - even language.
Meetings: Third Wednesday of each month at 10am, 210 Sandon Road, Feilding.
Co-ordinator: Tim Devlin, ph. 323 4914.
devlin@inspire.net.nzJAZZ APPRECIATION (New Group in 2012)An invitation for Jazz enthusiasts to form a small listening group and share new and rare audio/video jazz concerts.
Meetings: Please phone John to discuss a convenient day and time. Meet at 36D Elmira Ave.
Co-ordinator: John Ward, ph. 358 7117.
contact@gramophoneroom.co.nzMODERN CHINA THROUGH LITERATURE (New Group in 2012)China is becoming ever more important to New Zealand. A good way to understand China is through its literature - stories, poems and memoir.
Meetings: Last Thursday of each month at 2pm at Hokowhitu Village Centre.
Co-ordinator: Dong Li, ph. 355 4790.
winter_li@hotmail.comSIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN* (New Group in 2012)(and some Gilbert too). Over one year (10 sessions) through recording and film, enjoy the surprising varieties of this Victorian musical life.
Meetings: Last Thursday each month, starting January 26th, 10am at 210 Sandon Road, Feilding.
Co-ordinator: Tim Devlin, ph. 323 4914.
devlin@inspire.net.nzSYMPOSIUM (New Group in 2012)This group aims to share papers on philosophy, researched and written by its members. Each paper is presented for discussion and review. Coffee and tea available.
Meetings: First Friday of each month, 9am-12 noon in the side room at The Cooperage, 723 Main Street.
Co-ordinator: Rolf Panny, ph.326 9080.
rolfpanny@clear.net.nz
Welcome to the 2012 U3A Manawatu website. The U3A (University of the Third Age) movement began in France in the mid-seventies and has now spread to many countries. U3A has hundreds of thousands of members throughout the World and more than 60 branches in New Zealand.
