WHAT'S ON
General Meeting – Wednesday 4th November 9:30 a.m
St. Heliers Church Community Centre – Centennial Hall - 100 St Heliers Bay Road
Welcome
I am coming to the end of my Presidency. Thank you for all your support.
Last month we hosted Peter Morgan who brought his delightful mother
Marie Morgan. He took us on a journey of discovery about Farming with
Halter Virtual Fencing. He explained the ethos he and his family have
toward the farm, his staff and animals and the efficiency of Halter farming
and its benefits. We look forward to our organised trip to the farm on
Wednesday, 25th November.
It’s not too late to book a seat for this fabulous day.
For our November Meeting, the first half hour will be the Annual General
Meeting and we encourage as many of you to attend as possible. After
morning tea, please join me in welcoming Michelle Brinsden, the Eastern
Bays Songbird Project Coordinator. This is a community driven
conservation initiative working to restore biodiversity and protect the urban forests of Auckland’s
eastern coastline. The project brings together volunteers, schools, neighbourhood groups, and local
partners to reduce predator numbers, strengthen ecological corridors, and create safer habitats for
native wildlife.
___________________________________________________________________________
Main Speaker – Michelle Brinsden – Eastern Bays Songbird Project Coordinator.
Michelle is a Senior Conservation Advisor at Auckland Council. Skilled in non-profit organizations,
sustainable development, ecological restoration, plant ecology, freshwater monitoring and pest
control. Michelle has a MSc focused in Environmental Science from the University of Auckland.
_____________________________________________________________________________
NEXT MONTH – Wednesday, 2nd December
We will have our Christmas end-of-year function with entertainment by
Angela and Danny Cottrell formally part of the Ukulele Rebels. They will
entertained us with Christmas music and popular songs.
Singing along to the music is welcomed.
A Christmas Festive morning tea will follow. The cost per member will
only be $10, the same as last year.
An email will be sent out shortly with the payment and registration
procedure. Please do not pay prior to receiving that email.
_____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Please Note- St. Heliers Church Community Centre does not open their doors on the morning of our meeting before 8:30am.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVENT
The Community Centre have advised us that every group that uses this centre needs to have their own Emergency plan.
Jill Towers is looking for volunteers, either medical or non-medical members. A list for your names will be available at morning tea and at the end of our meeting.
Study Group Presentations: - None - AGM
Mini Speaker: - None AGM
Kitchen Duty: - Memorable Movies Katherine Swift & Jill Tower, and Gallery Visits (2) Margaret
Horsburgh
____________________________________________________________________________
New Members:
____________________________________________________________________________
NEXT MONTH – Wednesday 4th November
NEXT MONTH – General Meeting and AGM, Wednesday, 4th November
Main Speaker: - Michelle Brinsden - Easter Bays Song Bird Project
Mini Speaker & Study Group Presentations: - No Study Group Presentations or Mini Speaker due to
The Annual General Meeting will precede our general meeting.
Kitchen Duty: - Memorable Movies (Katherine Swift) & Gallery Visits 2 (Margaret Horsburgh)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Study Group News
Study Groups: - Study Group registration sign-up sheets for 2027 will be available at the November
and December meetings. Please take the time to check these out and see which are of interest to
you. Please note that you must sign up even if you are already a member of a 2026 group.
Note: if you would like to read a brief description of a Study Group please go to our website or speak
with a convenor at our general meeting.
Two of our convenors, Annette Freeth and Margaret Horsburgh are stepping down from their roles
next year. Both, have been great contributors to our U3A group.
We are looking for two new convenors next year. One being the Stepping Out Group, they meet on
the 2nd Monday of each month and Gallery Visits (2) group, they meet on the 3rd Friday of each
month.
If you have any suggestions/topics for new Study Groups for next year – and are prepared to help set
it up – then please contact our Study Group Co-Ordinator Lesley Skilton.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Christmas Limericks Competition
We have had a wonderful response. A big thank you, for all who have risen to the challenge.
_____________________________________________________________________________
The HoHoHo Christmas Quiz: Provided by Helen Jaboki.
HO - How many gifts are there in the Twelve Days of Christmas?
HO - What well-known Christmas song was the first to be broadcast from space in 1965?
HO - What is the name of a male turkey?
____________________________________________________________________________
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
____________________________________________________________________________
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.