Welcome to October Snippets. Highlights of this month’s news include a Smoking Fish class; a happy snap of the Share Trading group; celebrations for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival; mastering the art of public speaking; a poem dedicated to U3A; special events at Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum and Box Hill RSL for Sinatra fans; and tips to prepare for epidemic thunderstorm asthma.
Fishing for fun and delicious eating
By Mike Davies, Fishing Class Leader, (Photo courtesy of Archie Kaan)
The Fishing Class recently went outdoors to sample a tasty treat. Master Chef Barbara assisted in demonstrating how to cook fish by smoking. The process included cleaning the fish, preparing or basting it, selecting suitable wood for smoking flavours and cooking and eating the fish. Werner assisted to organise the event and provided some delicious recipes for the group. The fish was thoroughly enjoyed and eaten very quickly; a tribute to Barbara’s cooking talents!
U3A Nuna share trading group
By Archie Kaan, Share Trading group member
September 20th was another one of our end-of-term coffee get-together social meetings.
Members from various classes under the direction of our Share Trading Guru Eric Kratzer joined in for an enjoyable chit chat, not particularly related to share trading. Everyone went home with a big smile on their face (the photo tells a thousand words). I wonder why? Those who are interested, please come and enjoy the good times with us at the next social meeting.
Paper Craft class celebrated Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
By Kitty Wong, Paper Craft Class Leader
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture. Our Paper Craft class made beautiful lanterns from Chinese red packets and shared the traditional moon cakes and snacks made by members. It was a memorable class celebrating the festival with our U3A family.
Unveiling the secrets to public speaking
By Keith Graham, Class Leader Public Speaking
The U3A Public Speaking course teaches you the skills to speak confidently in a crowd and is a great morale booster. Our aim is to help people to overcome their fears and develop their courage in a supportive and friendly group. No experience is necessary and new members are welcome. If you’re interested in enrolling in this class next year and want to know more, please feel free to catch up with me at 10.30am any Monday after our class in the coming weeks.
Cheers for the U3A
Savvas Athan who has been a member of U3A Nunawading for more than 25 years demonstrated his regard for our organisation in his poem “Cheers for the U3A”. The poem is included in a collection of Savvas’ work edited by his wife Lyn and produced in book form this year. A copy is held in our community library at the Hub. Savvas was a Class Leader for a number of years and is a former Mayor of the City of Nunawading.
Cheers For the U3A
I am a U3A PERSON
I like it very much
With matters intellectual
It keeps us in touch.
The saying “a healthy mind
In a healthy body”
Of the Ancient Greeks begotten
Has not been forgotten.
The atmosphere is friendly
And we treat each other gently
Friendships are made each day
We all enjoy our classes come what may.
OUR U3A is a happy place
And presents to all a cheerful face
Those concerned are willing volunteers
So let us give them a hearty three cheers
CHEERS! CHEERS! CHEERS!
Tour and guest speaker on offer at Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum
As part of the 2022 Whitehorse Seniors Festival, Whitehorse Historical Society is hosting an event on Thursday 20 October at the Schwerkolt Cottage & Museum complex, Deep Creek Road, Mitcham, between 2pm and 4pm. You can hear some Schwerkolt family stories from August Schwerkolt’s great-granddaughter, Rosalie Whalen, and enjoy a tour of the museum and cottage followed by afternoon tea in the local history room. The cost is a gold coin donation and bookings are essential. To book or for enquiries phone Kathy on 0409 230 058 or email: whitehorsehistory
Enjoy Sinatra’s concert on the big screen
Frank Sinatra’s final concert in Melbourne, which was held in 1991, will be shown on the big screen in the Upton Room, Box Hill RSL, 26 Nelson Road, Box Hill on Tuesday 25 October at 7.30pm.
The concert also features Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $10 each and to book contact Val on 9803 4002. Meals are also available at the RSL bistro and bookings are essential Ph: 9898 5992.
Thunderstorm asthma alert
We are in the midst of grass pollen season (1 October – 31 December) which means an increased risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma in Victoria and it is important that everyone is prepared as they can be if such an event occurs. You can learn more about this issue at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/thunderstorm-asthma and access valuable information and resources through the Victorian Department of Health’s Epidemic thunderstorm asthma toolkit https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma-campaign-toolkit
If you have further questions on thunderstorm asthma, please call the department’s Environmental Health Unit on 1300 761 874 or email