WHAT'S ON
General Meeting – Wednesday May 1st 9:30 a.m
St. Heliers Church Community Centre – Centennial Hall - 100 St Heliers Bay Road
Welcome
President’s Message:
Our speaker in April, James Duncan (MOTAT) told with passion the story of Auckland’s electric trams and their ultimate demise. A graphic video of historic images took many of us down memory lane, recalling the earlier department stores and the original structure of the CBD.
We are looking forward to hearing next month Lady Clare de Lore former Rwanda Honorary Consul General to New Zealand on “Reflecting on Rwanda, Royalty and Rich Experiences”.
Just a reminder that we are serving tea only at the back of the hall, and coffee only in the foyer. We encourage members to mix and mingle away from the serving areas.
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 1 May 2024
Guest Speaker: Clare de Lore - Reflecting on Rwanda, royalty, and rich experiences
Clare de Lore is a part-time journalist with a background in radio news and magazine feature writing.
Her early career was in private radio stations, in Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and after her OE, she took up a position with Radio New Zealand in the Press Gallery where she worked for 6 years, rising to the position of Chairman of the Press Gallery.
After marrying Don McKinnon in 1995 and the birth of her son, James, in 1998, Clare and the family moved to London in 2000. As well as family and various commitments related to Don's work, Clare became involved in fundraising for a not for profit called Hope and Homes for Children. This led to her visiting Rwanda several times and committing to continue her work by becoming Rwanda's Honorary Consul General in New Zealand.
Until Covid, Clare wrote weekly for the Listener, interviewing people ranging from Madeleine Albright to Maori master navigator Hec Busby. Some of her favourite interviews were with people who have little or no public profile.
These days, Clare continues her work for the Rwandan people, occasional political commentary on NewstalkZB, travels regularly to visit friends and family overseas, and is looking forward to receiving her Gold Card in November!
Clare will speak on aspects of her life and interests, including journalism, entertaining the late Queen at her home, and becoming a passionate advocate for an organisation dedicated to deinstitutionalising children trapped in orphanages in conflict-ravaged countries. She will also explain the significance of the relationship between New Zealand and Rwanda.
This Month:
Study Group Presentations: Countries of the World (Heather Baigent)
Mini Speaker: Kathy Slater - Why we will no longer have personal emails and telephone numbers in our newsletter.
Kitchen Duty: Global Issues (John Hole & Hugh Campbell) & Famous & Infamous (Gary Preston)
Next Month:
Study Group Presentations: Global Issues (John Hole & Hugh Campbell)
Mini Speaker: Kay Eady – Preludes and Feuds, the Lewis Eady Story
Kitchen Duty: Global Issues (John Hole & Hugh Campbell) & Famous & Infamous (Gary Preston)
Next Meeting Guest Speaker
Wednesday 5th June
Harry Allen – Lecture on Viking Cruises
New Members.
We welcome the following new members:-
Sandy Bezar Diane Hill Lindie Knight
Maree Shepherd Liane Sorrenson Daphne Wardle
Study Groups.
If you have any suggestions/topics for new Study Groups for next year – and are prepared to help set it up – or wish to know contact details of a Study Group Convenor then please contact our Study Group Co-Ordinator Gary Preston or Margaret Waters: membership.u3astheliers@gmail.com with your ideas.
Almoner.
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. Pamela would appreciate you contacting her by email:- Almoner.Stheliersu3a@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Protocol.
Please ensure that you register at the Greeting Table when you arrive.
OR Unable to attend Please send any apologies to Jill Towers, at stheliersu3a@gmail.com
U3A Lapel Badges.
We are now able to offer ‘pin’ as well as ‘magnet’ lapel badges. These will be available for purchase ($5 each) at the next meeting. See Heather Baigent.
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.
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.
U3A On-line Courses.
These are available to all members. The online contact details are: www.u3aonline.org.au . There is no requirement for payment to access the course content. Access will enable a review of the study content and further details relating to independent or supervised study. If you are interested in any of the papers, please let Kathy Slater know, stheliersu3a@gmail.com and she will download the material as Auckland U3A network has already been registered and paid.
U3A St. Heliers History Booklet.
This interesting booklet was updated and reprinted for our 25th Anniversary and is available for purchase for $10. Copies will be available at the next meeting. Highly recommended especially for our new members.