Tuesday at U3A… Scribblers, Djembe Drumming, and Solo

‘Scribblers’ is for members who share an enthusiasm for drawing, regardless of their skill level.
The Birds & Buildings sessions were popular in Term 1 and Linda included a bonus session on watercolours at the end of Term.

Djembe Drumming
At Ararat U3A there are 10 Djembe drums, purchased with the generous donation from Ararat Community Enterprise (ACE) Grant in 2021. Our sessions are usually based on following YouTube tutorials and following various djembe patterns of Base, Tone, Slap.
We have spare drums for new participants!

Solo
On Tuesday afternoons there are often 12-16 U3A members attending for Solo! There can be 3-5 players per table. According to Wendy, this card game is a bit competitive but lots of fun!

Ararat Races

Some of our U3A members enjoyed a day at the Ararat Racecourse on March 3. It was the start of the Autumn Racing and the grounds were magnificently prepared and the weather perfect!

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Ararat Races (photos: Carmel, Marlene, Janine)

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Thursday Talks…

Martha Haylett (MP) (Photo taken by Lyn R.)

Our recently elected local member for Ripon, Martha Haylett (MP), talked to interested U3A members about her early life and how she got involved in politics. She readily answered questions from the audience and was happy to chat informally afterwards.

Local playwright and novelist Robert M. Smith talked about his experiences as a teacher in the Mallee in the 1980’s and how he drew on those experiences for his recently published first novel “Purgatory”. He also described the process of getting his first novel published and was happy to sign copies of his book afterwards.
Photos: Marlene G.

U3A Friday Bushwalking Group

The Bushwalking Group had their first outing for 2023 to Greenhill Lake. Twelve U3A members passed the fitness test and are looking forward to the next walk.

U3A 2023 Enrolment Day

Enrolment Day Guest Speaker, Elia Pirtle, has worked as a researcher in conservation, agriculture and biosecurity. Members were fascinated to hear about her work in America and Australia.

U3A members enjoyed John’s Aradale Tour

Ararat U3A End of Year BBQ

Cuppa, Cake, and Chat

The popular “Cuppa, Cake, and Chat” had to be rescheduled, but eventually about 20 of our members were able to catch up at ‘The Vines’ Cafe on Tuesday.

“GARDEN AT A GLANCE”

The weather was perfect when Lou and Ferg welcomed about fifty U3A members to their garden on Friday 5th November.
The atmosphere was like a Garden Party as members enjoyed refreshments after a wander around the spacious garden. Thanks Lou & Ferg for sharing your garden!

The fragrant flowers on the ‘Mock Orange’ plant.

Willaura Modern Railway Station Gallery

After enjoying lunch at Willaura’s famous bakery, 26 members enjoyed a tour at the Willaura Gallery on 30th July. The exhibition celebrates award winning and innovative industrial design and features iconic Australian products from the 1880s to the present day. It was a real eye opener with most of us reminiscing about some products we have used (or still use)! Lynne W.

Gardening Group

The Gardening Group are an enthusiastic group who will welcome any other U3A members who wish to become involved. The main focus at the moment is the surrounds of the Melbourne Polytechnic Training centre. Thanks to Alan for organising and painting our hose storage cabinet and John for collecting the mulch!
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POETRY READINGS

Keith has been entertaining us with selected readings from some of his favourite poets.

This week it was D.H. Lawrence (1885 – 1930) and A.B. (Banjo) Patterson (1864 – 1941).

Travel Experiences

Graeme and Merrilyn presented superb photography and entertaining stories of their trip to Western Australia.

MAD ABOUT SCIENCE
Fun Chromatography Experiments in the U3A laboratory
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April 30 visit to Bendigo and Great Stupa Of Universal Compassion at Myers Flat
https://stupa.org.au/
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Popular U3A excursion to Mary Quant exhibition in Bendigo
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The U3a Friday Bushwalking group completed a 10km walk in March.
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Wednesday at U3A … Gardening, Finska, and Craft Group

U3A ‘Garden Appreciation’ members hard at work in March.
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Thanks to John, Leesa, Kurt and Kevin for donating the plants.

Fun at Finska!
The first to get to exactly 50 points is the winner.
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U3A Craft Group with some of their handiwork.
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A fun gathering for over 40 members at Sicilians on Tuesday 2nd March…

‘Dine Out’ was added to our program this year and was popular with more than 40 U3A members attending Sicilians.

Grampians Estate Winery visit February 2021

On Friday afternoon a group of 35 Ararat & District U3A members carpooled to Grampians Estate Winery. We were welcomed by staff and seated at allocated tables. We participated in wine tasting, while the owner, Tom Guthrie, expanded on the history of the site, and the original St Ethels winery. Coincidentally three U3A members present had previously resided in the original house on the site where the winery is situated today. Hot drinks and scones followed.
A big thank-you to Tom and the staff for their hospitality.
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