28 October 2018

Term 4—22nd October to 14th December 2018

We have had three people send us $25 to join U3A but unfortunately they

neglected to send in a Membership Form. The Membership Form allows us to

collect not only names but addresses and phone numbers. Without this

information we have no way of contacting them. So if anyone knows the people

listed below could you ask them to ring Peter Morrison on 0412 730 081 so a

Membership Form can be sent to them.

Helen Nicholls

Elaine Kennett

Barbara Wills.

From the outset it was obvious that U3A was a different organisation; no-

one to impose questionable values on each other, a sense of camaraderie

and an enjoyment of knowledge skills. My respect for the organisation took

a major boost recently when I had medical issues which included, inter

alia, pneumonia. The interest and concern expressed by U3A friends

gathered over the years was both impressive and touching.

Thank you U3A (Message from Ian Sinclair)

Missing Persons

I have had a busy day! I joined John Paige’s Church History with fourteen

other members. It was fascinating learning about the misconceptions of

the Old Testament. Later in the day I attended Charles Pope’s course

Living with Radiation. This was in a new venue at Anglicare in Collinson

Street. What a wonderful place to run a course. I am looking forward to

learning about the wonders and hazards of radiation.

Wendy Pearson

Page 2 28 October 2018

U3A Annual

Christmas Party Dec 12th - Wednesday Billabongs Restaurant East

Maitland. Lucky Door Prizes.

Enrolment Day Jan 17th—Thursday—CWA Hall Church St Maitland

Diary Dates

Thursday Thinkers

NOVEMBER 1st ANNA TAIT...... THE WHIDDON GROUP ....COMMUNITY HOME CARE Whiddon's Hunter Community Care services provide personalised health, wellbeing and support services to help older people stay living at home for longer. Anna will talk about Home Care Packages, transport, social support, private services, nursing care and much more. Come along and you will have the chance to have all your questions answered. This information is vital for all people of our age group. DECEMBER 6th JAN MACDONALD......CARRIE'S PLACE Carries's Place has been providing support services in the Maitland and Hunter area since 1979. Jan will talk to us about the history and day to day workings of this vital community organisation...more details later. TIME 1.3O pm VENUE Lorn Park Bowling Club, Melrose Street, LORN LUNCH AT LORN at the club from 12.15pm I have been told by a club representative that the Club has new caterers starting at the end of this month which means the bistro should be operating on November 1st. The club will contact me early that week to confirm that this is happening so we will presume our lunch will go ahead. If there is any change to this, I'll send out an email letting members know what is happening. If something happens and we can't have lunch, the talk will definitely still go ahead anyway so please come along and hear what Anna has to say. If you don't have the internet, please feel free to call me on 30th or 31st October on 0427120479 to check what's happening on Nov 1st. I would say lunch will definitely be happening on December 6th. I look forward to seeing you on November 1st. Sue Long

Page 3 28 October 2018

A Biblical schism has simmered once more.

about who the correct translators were.

The King James Version has now lost support

because of years of copying of copied reports.

That Moses was the author of the first five books,

does not now merit a scholarly look.

Erroneous copying of corrupted Greek

has rendered James’ reliability weak.

The notion of the Bible as God’s dictation,

still amazingly survives in certain locations.

The Evangelical publishing machine

has made Grand Rapids a propaganda scene.

(Multiple authorship is now the ‘’go’’;

Paul wrote his Epistles, not God you know!).

Despite well over one hundred errors

some still believe Bible story tellers.

The BC verses before eight seven six,

the Archaeologists view as an invented mix –

of legends and sagas and campfire tales,

of heroes and giants and even whales.

Our four lovely Gospels cannot agree

on the facts of Christ’s birth, and would you believe –

The Hebrew word alma means ‘’young femininity’’

yet we have been saddled for years with ‘’virginity’’;

betulah is the Hebrew for the virgin state,

yet we have inherited Ptolemy’s mistake.

Our men in the field, good priests though most are,

know of these shortcomings and many more;

Yet still they preach translations and tasks,

that our modern culture cannot do as it’s asked.

Their fear of frightening away staunch believers

has overcome the truth and put off the seekers.

Many Biblical messages are good for a saint,

but whatever they are, history they ain’t.

Hasn’t the time come to lose a few blinkers

and admit to the truth about textual failures?

I am sure that the loss of any stubborn inerrantists

will be more than made up by the erstwhile hesitants.

Dr. John A Page,

Ph.D. in Religious Education.

The Truth about the Biblical Texts

Page 4 28 October 2018

(with apologies to Robert Burns)

Perhaps on some heather and bracken covered hillside in the Highlands of Scotland

there could still be found a Haggis or two, male and female preferably, with breeding

capability still producing progeny. I know the accepted wisdom is that they are now

extinct, as none have been sighted for many years. You would think that such an

unusual creature a rotund body incorporating its head with three legs, each of a different

length to maintain its equilibrium on the hillsides, would have stood out, but shyness

and camouflage made it hard to spot. Also, the fact that coupling in the short annual

mating season was imprecise because of a two and a half degree plus or minus when

Haggis from different hillsides tried to mate. This together with the tectonic movement in

the Scottish Highlands is blamed for their extinction. I have penned the following lines

as a salute to the Haggis Past & Perhaps Present.

As I sit on the veranda

Of my Australian home

I have these flights of fancy

And allow my thoughts to roam

To where I’m home amongst the heather

When up a haggis pops its heid

That’s when the local gammy

Gets it in his shotgun bead.

But that haggis it’s no puddin

With its three legs no the same

In fact I think it’s more human

Than just ordinary game

With its senses ever searching

For any danger that’s around

It picks up that gammy’s heartbeat

Where he lies there on the ground.

So it’s up and off and running

Round the hillside left to right

Its three wee legs in unison

Man, what a wondrous sight

And although it cannot turn around

It has forward and reverse

But when it’s running backwards

It’s aye, falling on its erse

Ode to the Haggis

Cont’d on next page

Page 5 28 October 2018

But that haggis it’s so cunning

That no gammy’s ever shot one

In fact in all of history

Nobody’s even caught one

So on every Burns Night

When that trencher in they carry

With not haggis but a replica

Each twenty fifth of January.

David Johns

“Writing for Pleasure”

Ode to the Haggis (Cont’d)

U3A PHOTO COMPETITION

2019

Competition is restricted to Financial Members of

U3A Maitland.

You may enter up to 3 images in each of the

following categories:

People/Portrait

Landscape/ Seascape

Animals/ Pets

Email Entries:U3Aphotocomp@gmail.com

Closing Date: June 30th, 2019

Page 7 28 October 2018

About 12 months ago the University of Newcastle introduced a scheme called “I Lead

Mentors”. In implementation of this plan 12 graduates with Higher Degrees (Masters

or Doctorates) were invited to become Mentors to students having any problems

whatsoever, be it with studies, university administration, accommodation or social

difficulties, just to give a few examples.

I was invited to become a Mentor and I have 3 students allocated to me. All degrees,

especially higher degrees, require the student to present their material to a group of

their peers and academic staff. Many have trouble with this and I thought that the

friendly group at U3A sessions would be an excellent place for these students to get rid

of their nervousness in presenting to a group. Both Maitland and Newcastle

Committees gave me permission to bring a student along and the first one in Newcastle

last term was a great success, both from the Student’s point of view and from the

interest shown by the members. The student presents some of my material I give them

and so there is no detriment to the content of the course. I hope the student I will

introduce at Maitland at my 4th lecture in my Church History course will be received

with equal support. She is unable to attend sooner as she is on field placement in

Tamworth until then.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Dr. John A. Page.

Church History Leader

The ILead Mentor Program

Invite your friends to join Maitland U3A. Send them this newsletter! You can also ac-

cess the newsletter from our U3A website https://u3amaitland.org.au

To contact U3A Maitland you can -

Write to the Secretary of Maitland U3A PO Box 502, MAITLAND 2320 or

contact Fiona Abbey on 0404 463 993.

Justice of the Peace Contact List

Lyn Shafer 4933 4286

John Richards 4965 8827

June Bevan 4933 5863

U3A Maitland Social Committee

A Christmas Shopping Idea!

How about a bus trip to

Homebush and Birkenhead

Direct Factory Outlets?

Saturday, 10th November

If you would like to go, contact Lisa on 49235923

at All Australian Travel and she will give you all the

information you need. Let her know you are from

U3A Maitland.

The cost is $55.

Page 9 28 October 2018

HOW TO MAKE

CHRISTMAS OR OTHER DECORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

USING GRAPE VINE PRUNINGS

WHEN: 1.00pm - 3.00pm MONDAY 3RD DECEMBER

WHERE: CWA Hall, Church Street, MAITLAND

DURATION: ONE 2 HOUR WORKSHOP

LIMIT: 8 - 10

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Leaders will provide the grape vine prunings, necessary tools, glues and wire.

Participants will be asked to bring any decorative components they might like to

include, eg a Christmas themed item of suitable size, also decorative ribbon and baubles

as they choose. Where participants prefer to use items provided by the leaders in the

way of ribbons and baubles a small charge will apply. These decorations can last many

years and be re-worked as required.

In addition, participants may wish to make a decorative or aromatic dried arrangement

using other plant materials like other vines, gum nuts, gum leaves, flowers, grasses,

lavender or rosemary cuttings etc.

Jill Slatter & Margaret Smith

Course Leaders

How to Make a Decorative Arrangement Workshop

Should you be asked how to join U3A Maitland, would you please impress upon the

person that a Membership Application AND an Enrolment Form needs to be

completed and forwarded to U3A Maitland (Secretary of Maitland U3A PO Box 502,

MAITLAND 2320).

The forms can be downloaded from our https://u3amaitland.org.au website.

New Members

If you are able to lead a group in a skill you have or you know someone who could,

please contact Peter Morrison at pmorri@bigpond.net.au.

U3A MAITLAND

CHRISTMAS PARTY

WEDNESDAY 12TH DECEMBER

11.30AM

AT BILLABONGS RESTAURANT

EAST MAITLAND BOWLING CLUB

GREAT LUCKY DOOR PRIZES

MEAL COST FOR SENIORS $16.80

YOU MUST TELL US YOU ARE

COMING

RSVP TO WENDY TEGG

49 328718

Page 11 Page 11 28 October 2018

Leader’s Profile— Kathy Coombe

How long have you lived in the Maitland area Kathy?

Well between living in Kurri and then moving up to a property near Vacey

about 15 years.

What did you do before your retired?

I did mostly volunteer work. I did hospital visits,

taught children with reading difficulties in

schools. I also visited prisoners in jail, which was

very interesting. On our property we bred Angus

cattle and Hanoverian Warm Blood horses for

dressage. My daughter did dressage.

How did you hear about U3A?

I was shopping in Lorn and saw a poster for U3A.

I hadn’t hear of the organisation and wanted to

know more. I decided to join and started with the

Philosophy Group. Later I was invited to attend a

Regional Meeting on the Central Coast. Linda,

Wendy and myself attended. I then joined the management committee for a

while.

Has U3A changed your life in any way, and if so how?

It has kept me very busy, and increased my social circle. I have learned a lot

by being both a class member and a co-ordinator.

Going into the future have you any suggestions for U3A?

I think Leaders should be encouraging their class members to become leaders.

That way you can pass on a course to a participating student. This is a win

win situation. Members are daunted about taking on the responsibility, when

in fact it is not difficult. It’s not always necessary to have skills. It depends

on the format. It is important to have new courses running every year. It is

important to keep a sense of community in U3A. Encourage participants to

wear their name badges, as being able to talk to them knowing their name

helps a lot.

Thank you Kathy.

November 23 to December 9, 2018

"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets their wings."

It's A Wonderful Life!

Adapted for radio-on-stage by Tony Palermo.

Directed by Aimee Cavanagh.

“What is it you want? Do you want the moon...? All you gotta do is just say the word, and I'll throw a lasso around it.” - George Bailey

It’s a Wonderful Life! is based on the classic holiday movie with James Stewart, with a twist thrown in: the story is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of you, the studio audience.

Twelve actors portraying thirty-seven characters, work as an ensemble to bring the beloved Frank Capra film to life. This adaptation, presented in the style of the golden age of radio, gives the audience a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective as the cast and crew use only their voices, some music, and live sound effects to tell the story of idealistic George Bailey.

The tale unfolds as George considers ending it all one fateful Christmas Eve. George’s guardian angel, Clarence, is sent to intervene and show him what might have been if he’d never been born. Clarence shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years. It’s A Wonderful Life! is a feel-good story that has delighted audiences for generations.

Seating is at tables of eight and our audience is invited to bring their own nibblies and drinks. We’ll provide a glass of bubbles or sherry on arrival and a light dessert with tea and coffee at interval.

Included in Ticket Price On arrival: A welcoming glass of bubbles or sherry At Interval: Chocolate dipped profiterole or pudding bites, Tea/Coffee and after dinner mint

Seating: Tables of 8 (you don’t need to book a full table)

Tickets: $29 for the radio play, bubbles on arrival and light dessert

Special discounts for large groups over 20 – contact info@maitlandreptheatre.org for more details

Bookings open 12 October 2018. Bookings can be made online or by calling the

Maitland Visitor Information Centre on 02 4931 2800 (10 - 3 daily).