Welcome

President's Message

Thank you to those many members who took the time to compliment the two excellent speakers who addressed us at our February meeting. I hope you took Emma Jaffa’s advice and listened afresh to the music you enjoy. James Thomas’s anecdotal stories based on his wealth of experiences in education, sport and family life captivated and encouraged us all.

Some members are aware that I am writing my autobiography. I have written 51,000 words up to our arrival in NZ in 1973. It is a task which raises many memories as well as the challenges we all have experienced in our lives.

Quote of the month: “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t not yet met.” (W.B. Yeats)

John Collins MNZM President

Main Speaker – Dr Maree Weston. FRACS. Breaking the Ultimate Glass Ceiling: The Rise of the Female Surgeon.

Dr Maree Weston was educated at Onehunga High School, where she was a Prefect. She was named Onehunga High School Distinguished Alumni in 2022. She studied at the University of Auckland where she won the coveted Good Samaritan Award in 2002, and graduated MB. Ch B. in 2003. She completed her surgical education and training in General Surgery and was awarded the FRACS in 2010. This was followed by higher training in Colorectal Surgery in NZ and Australia.

Maree was appointed as a General and Colorectal Surgeon at Counties Manukau in 2013 and is now the Head of the Department of General Surgery there, she is also a lead clinical investigator at Middlemore Hospital. Maree studied Teo Reo Maori to Stage 2 level and has engaged effectively with Maori. She has carried out an AMRF funded investigation on “Access to Endoscopy for Maori” at Counties Manukau DHB.

Maree, who is married with two school-age children, is extremely popular amongst the medical students, surgical trainees, nurses and colleagues. She represents a new coterie of women surgeons who have reached the highest level of their chosen profession. Dr Weston will speak about her life and career as a surgeon.

Study Group Presentations: - Current Affairs (Katherine Swift)

Mini Speaker: -David Thompson, The Beginnings and Developments of U3As .

Kitchen Duty:– Modern History (Gary Preston) & Gallery Visits 2 (Margaret Horsburgh)

New Members:

Ann Dow, Catherine Ferris, Lynette McManemin, Janne Wills

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NEXT MONTH – Wednesday, 2nd April 2025

Main Speaker: - Professor Cris Print - At Breakneck Speed: the remarkable history of genomic medicine over the last 30 years.

Mini Speaker: - Barry and Malini Mehta. From India to New Zealand with love..

Study Group Presentations: - Famous and Infamous (Gary Preston)

Kitchen Duty: - Heritage Walks (Christine Fryer & Margaret Waters) & Books We’ve Read (Wendy Jeffrey)

Study Group News

Riddle provided by Helen Jakobi, if you know the answer, you can share it with Helen.

What two letters can be added to the beginning of each of these words, to make new words?

CAR / SIT / ABLE

Non-fiction Book Club about to launch: Yes, its first meeting will be at St Andrews Retirement Village (Keeling Room) on Monday 17 March, 1.30pm.If you'd like to be part of this very stimulating group, contact the convenor, Laurie Guy (laurieguy4@gmail.com).

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.

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.