Welcome

President’s Message:

Special thanks to past president Gary Preston for leading last month’s general meeting. The reason for my absence was that I was delivering three invited presentations at the Annual Scientific Congress of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Sydney. Two of these focused on the history of women’s education, the barriers they had to overcome, and the many inspiring women who led this epic journey, including those who became the first women surgeons.

Last week I had the privilege of speaking to the members of the Aorangi Club at Ellerslie Racecourse on Breaking Barriers: The Evolution of Women’s Education, following a kind invitation form Kathleen Slater. Kathy is the current club president and past president of St Heliers U3A.

John Collins MNZN

President

Quote of the month: “You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your Lips”. (Oliver Goldsmith – Irish Playwright)

Main Speaker –

Andrew Joyce, “Changes and challenges facing the retirement village industry”.

Andrew Joyce joined St Andrew’s Village as the accountant in 2005 and became the Chief Executive Officer in 2011, a position from which he has recently resigned.

He is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also a member of the Board of the New Zealand Aged Care Association.

At the Aging Asia Eldercare Innovations Awards held in Singapore in April 2025, Andrew became the first New Zealander to receive the highly esteemed ‘Aging Asia Global Ageing Trailblazer Award’. It is a testament to his leadership that St Andrew’s Village won ‘Innovation of the Year’ and ‘Excellence in Employee Wellbeing’ at this same conference.

Andrew has had a keen interest over many years in the development of suitable facilities for aging members of the community. In particular, his focus has been on the continuum from independent living through to residential aged care. He has been a staunch advocate for addressing the funding difficulties faced within the section and equity of access to quality care services.

Study Group Presentations: - Global Issues (John Hole & Hugh Campbell)
Mini Speaker: - Jill Towers. ‘Coast to Coast walking holiday in the UK’.

Kitchen Duty:– - Classic Films (Katherine Swift) and Heritage Walks (Margaret Waters)

New Members:

- Patsy Cochrane, Malcolm Hardie, Barbara MacDonald, Lucy Malpas and Terry Palethorpe

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NEXT MONTH – Wednesday, 2nd July

Main Speaker: - Michelle Mill, Sponsorship Advisor Auckland Zoo, ‘Recent developments for the public’.

Mini Speaker: - Joanne Wilkes, ‘Jane Austin’ (18 Dec 1775-16 July 1817).

Study Group Presentations: - Classic Films (Katherine Swift)

Kitchen Duty: - Book Review (Claire Relph) and Countries of the World (Heather Baigent)

Study Group News

Riddle provided by Helen Jakobi - WHAT IS THE DAY BEFORE THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW?

Up and coming events

U3a Auckland Network

Celebrating u3a in Action - 2025

Saturday 26 July 2025 9:30am (10:00am) to 2:30pm

Salvation Amy church, 18 Allright Place, Mt Wellington

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.