Woden Seniors Inc

50 years of providing Community Service to the over-50s of Canberra

By

Fortnightly News 31/1/2014

Welcome to the first fortnightly newsletter for 2014.  Most of the regular club activities are restarting.  U3A activities start over the next two weeks.  Why not try a new activity this year, there are many to choose from – Tai Chi, gentle exercise, recorder, Bridge, table tennis, singing, dancing, painting and more.

Vale
Mr. Noel Lane, businessman, Club member and Management Committee member for 5 years died on 23 December 2013.  Noel was instrumental in forging a business relationship with Luton Real Estate that has provided significant financial benefit to the Club.  Noel’s good humour, generosity and business acumen will be sadly missed.

Computer and iPad courses
Computer classes will resume in mid-February.   The courses are specifically designed for seniors and are conducted by professionally trained and experienced volunteer teachers.  We offer the following courses:

Computing for Beginners – This course is for complete beginners and provides an introduction to using a Personal Computer (PC).  It includes the basics of email, Internet and word processing (typing letters etc).  It is run over six (two-hour) weekly sessions.

Brush Up on Internet, Email and Word Processing – This course is for those who have done ‘Computing for Beginners’ or can use a computer.  It is NOT for complete beginners.  It is for people who want to learn more about using email, Internet and word processing. It is run over four (two-hour) weekly sessions.

iPad for Beginners – This course provides an introduction to using an iPad.  It is run over four (two- hour) weekly sessions.  You must bring your own Apple iPad.

To register your interest put your name on the relevant list on the Computer Class noticeboard or contact the office.  You will be contacted as soon as there is a place.  Places are offered in the order names were registered.  There is usually a few weeks wait for a place.

Bridge
Bridge lessons for beginners – commence on Monday the 3rd February 2014.  Contact Polly on 6282 2573 or Margaret Kennedy 6292 9636 if you are interested in learning how to play this fascinating game.      

Bridge Partners – As in life, finding the perfect Bridge partner can be challenging.  If you are looking for a bridge partner to play in the Club Bridge sessions on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday please contact Polly or Anne Murray who will endeavor to assist in developing these delicate relationships.   

Car Parking
As happens each year at this time there will be pressure on the available car parking spaces at the Club, in part due to opportunistic local workers making use of the Club’s empty car park over the Christmas/January break and also with an influx of new members for U3A activities. 

Members of the Management Committee will regularly patrol the car park.  Please assist when parking under the trees by driving up to the fence line and double parking.  

Extreme Heat Warning – From ACT Government
ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Paul Kelly and ACT Ambulance Service Acting Chief Officer Mr Howard Wren have warned that prolonged extreme heat conditions are again forecast for the ACT from Wednesday 29 January lasting until at least Monday 3 February 2014.

“Simple tips to help cope with the heat include:

  • • Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated and avoid alcohol or caffeine drinks that can increase dehydration; 
  • • Keep as cool as possible by wearing light, loose, comfortable clothing; 
  • • Stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Screen your windows from direct sunlight and utilise air-conditioning if available; 
  • • Avoid outdoor exercise or strenuous physical activity, especially in the hottest parts of the day. If you choose to exercise do so early in morning before the temperature climbs. 
  • • When outdoors always protect yourself from sunburn by wearing a hat and applying sunscreen.

For more information about preventing heat-related illness, visit: http://health.act.gov.au/health-services/population-health/summer-safety/your-guide-to-summer-safety

Libraries ACT Author Talk: Maggie Counihan
Maggie Counihan is the author of 2 books Backpacking to freedom: Solo at sixty and Bring on the Birthdays: Ageing with Adventures.

Maggie and her partner Rollo live by a couple of mantras – age is no barrier and do new things.

An inspirational speaker, especially for mature adults.

Kippax Library
Thurs 27 Feb
10.30 am – 11.30 am

Bookings essential: http://librariesact.eventbrite.com.au/ 

ANU Film Group
The ANU Film Group is a film society open to anyone who likes cinema. You don’t need to have had any connection with the ANU in the past.

More information about the film group’s history and previous programs is available at www.anufg.org.au 

2014 brings possibly the best selection of films ever offered by the ANU Film Group.  You can see it here.  Cost for all this is $40 and you get three guest passes (cannot be used at No Guest screenings) or for $70 you get these plus another 80+ films in Semester 2 and six guest passes. You also get a book with reviews of all films.  If you join online you can avoid the scrum at the beginning of the semester and your membership card will be pre-laminated.  There is a credit card surcharge of $2 but you can avoid that by paying via direct deposit.

Commencing on Monday 17 February the Film Group offers 83 different films between then and Saturday 19 July.  Most films are from the US or the UK but there are ten ‘foreign films’ including one each from Israel, Canada, Singapore, Italy and even one from New Zealand, plus The Turning (Tim Winton) from Australia.  There four excellent documentaries. And ten films that were shown at the recent Canberra International Film Festival.

The films are shown in the Coombs lecture theatre – opposite the back of the National Film and Sound Archives, and at the back of University House.  The Group’s projectors, seating and sound are all excellent.  Parking is close and free.  Whilst in the early days most members were ANU students today members are very diverse in backgrounds and age.

The ANU Film Group does not show advertising before their screenings and they aim to start on time.