WHAT'S ON
General Meeting – Wednesday 3rd June at 9:30 a.m
St. Heliers Church Community Centre – Centennial Hall - 100 St Heliers Bay Road
Welcome
The weather on the whole has been very settled, with days of sun and warmth with cool mornings and evenings. Just how I like it!! And for those of you who like to take an early morning walk like I do, then the twilight and sunrise are always a great way to start the day.
Our last meeting we were very much entertained and dare I say it, educated by Dr Allan Blackman, Professor of Chemistry from AUT. Who would have thought that the Periodic Table could elicit so many wonderful stories. The banana one was my favourite.
For a June meeting we have Barbara Wheeler who is the Curator of the Auckland Botanic Gardens. She has an absolute wealth of knowledge and I am sure that the topic she has chosen ‘The future of the Botanic Gardens in the 21st Century’ will be one not to miss.
Main Speaker –
Dr Ross Ferguson – Plants that changed history
The importance of kings, wars, politicians, wars and financiers is frequently exaggerated. More
often, it is plants that are really important. Ross Ferguson will talk about some plants: tea, coffee,
cacao and sugar – all addictive plants. The arrival of hot drinks in 17th century Europe had
consequences including the growth in the demand for sugar, slavery and the Opium Wars. The
talk will be illustrated by a range of early paintings and prints.
Dr Ross Ferguson, ONZM FRSNZ, worked for 60 years at the Mt Albert Research Centre, mainly
on kiwifruit, their relatives on the wild plants and their suitability for kiwifruit breeding programmes.
He has a particular interest in aspects of horticultural history. He made a detailed study of how the
green kiwifruit came to New Zealand and became an important commercial crop.
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Please Note- St. Heliers Church Community Centre does not open their doors on the morning of our meeting before 8:30am.
Kitchen Duty: -Stepping Out (Annette Freeth) and Non-fiction Book Club (Laurie Guy)
Mini Speaker: - Grey West-Walker – Girton College (Cambridge) -Lifelong Learning.
Study Group Presentations: - Global Issues (Sue Burnett)
New Members:
Jean Wolfenden
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NEXT MONTH – Wednesday 1st July 2026
NEXT MONTH – Wednesday 1st July 2026
Main Speaker: - Gavin Ellis – Media Minefield - Disinformation
Mini Speaker:- Janet Say - Birding & Ethiopia
Study Group Presentation: - Art History (Sue Bhargav)
Kitchen Duty: - Gallery Visits (1) and Book Reviews (Claire Relph)
Study Group News
RIDDLES provided by Helen Jaboki
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What can travel around the world while staying in the same place?
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What has words but never speaks?
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A man shaves several times a day, yet still has a beard. Who is he?
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I turn once, what is out will not get in. I turn again, what is in will not get out. What am I?
Up and coming event
u3a Auckland Network – Celebrating u3a in Action -2026 – Auckland – 25th July 2026.
Note:- correction to Shamubeel Eaqub Synopsis: new version of the Event Brochure attached.
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Welfare
Please note we rely on our members to advise our Almoner if you are aware of any member who is ill or incapacitated, or suffering bereavement. Wendy Jeffrey would appreciate you contacting her either by phone 02102579792 or email:- Almoner.stheliersu3a@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Protocol.
Please ensure that you register at the Greeting Table when you arrive.
Monthly Meeting Protocol:
Please note sending an apology for non-attendance of the monthly meeting is no long a requirement.
St Heliers U3A Website
Our website www.stheliersu3aauckland.com is updated every month by Kathy Slater. Newsletters, relevant information on study groups and much more can be found on this interesting site.
Name Badge.
A reminder to all members, and especially our new members, that you should put the name and contact details of your preferred contact person on the back on your name badge in case of any emergency. Please ensure that you wear your Name Badge to all U3A meetings.
Study Group Presentations: - Gallery Visits 2 (Margaret Horsburgh)
Mini Speaker: - Adrienne Joyce, A House on the Move: by barge, by sea and by sheer determination.
Kitchen Duty: - Art History (Sue Bhargav) and Famous and Infamous (Gary Preston)
New Members:
- Olga Moule
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NEXT MONTH –
Main Speaker: Professor John Collins Breaking Barriers: The Evolution of women’s education.
Study Group Presentations: - Famous and Infamous (Gary Preston)
Mini Speaker: - Leslie Skelton and Diane Hankins, Personal careers and experiences in
Special Education.
Kitchen Duty: - The Scribblers (Helen Jakobi) and Gallery Visits 1 (Inie Knoef)
Study Group News
Provided by Helen Jakobi, Quote from Maria Callas – “I will always be as difficult as possible, to achieve the best”
One of the relatable Diva’s featuring at the latest exhibition at the Auckland War Memorial on loan from V&A is Maria Callas.
Heritage Walking Group made a visit to Auckland Grammar School. The archivist has been for some time transferring their historical records into digital form. If you are interested go to the website: https://ags.recollect.co.nz
Up and coming events
Digital Seniors – FREE one-on-one tech help for Seniors
Heliers Community Centre: Thursday mornings 10-12. No booking or membership needed – just pop in and we’ll do our best to help you, please remember to bring your device along.
Welfare
Please note we rely on our members to advise our Almoner if you are aware of any member who is ill or incapacitated, or suffering bereavement. Wendy Jeffrey would appreciate you contacting her either by phone 02102579792 or email:- Almoner.stheliersu3a@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Protocol.
Please ensure that you register at the Greeting Table when you arrive.
Monthly Meeting Protocol:
Please note sending an apology for non-attendance of the monthly meeting is no long a requirement.
St Heliers U3A Website
Our website www.stheliersu3aauckland.com is updated every month by Kathy Slater. Newsletters, relevant information on study groups and much more can be found on this interesting site.
Name Badge.
A reminder to all members, and especially our new members, that you should put the name and contact details of your preferred contact person on the back on your name badge in case of any emergency. Please ensure that you wear your Name Badge to all U3A meetings.