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Albury-Wodonga U3A is located atThe Albury-Wodonga Community College

63 High Street Wodonga VIC 3690PO Box 129 Wodonga VIC 3689

College Reception (02) 6043 8200U3A Mobile 0499 895 117

alburywodongau3a.com > Contact Us

December Newsletter 2017Editor : Edward Voogt & Tony Keys | Publication Date : 24th November 2017

Albury-Wodonga U3A 2017-18 Committee MembersEdward Voogt (Acting President & Member Services Director) • Dianne Fontana (Secretary)

Keith Martin (Treasurer) • Pat Madin (Programme Director) • Peter Massey (Systems Director)Meryl Allworth (Programme) • Gudrun Reid (VicNet & Regional Liaison) • Tony Keys (Newsletter)

2017 Semester II

Ends: Friday 8 December§

Next Committee Meeting

Friday 1st December, 9.30 a.m.§

End-of-Year Function

Friday 8th December, 10 a.m.Auditorium AWCC

This year we will have our function in the auditorium of the AWCC (not the Botanical Gardens), in lieu of the regular coffee morning. We will be entertained by a group called

'THE SHAMROCKERS' from the Murray Conservatorium, playing IRISH music. Donations collected will be passed on to their funds for new music etc.

From the Committee of Management of U3A Albury

WodongaWe wish you all a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

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even get to dry eye, so it looks as though Kelly had better make another visit.

Profile : Julie MullerAWCC Reception & Administration Officer

By Helen MilbourneTwo years ago, Julie Muller was appointed as the AWCC Reception and Administration Officer. She had previously been employed at the College for 12 months with “2 Cool For School”.Julie is the College’s “first point of call”.Her hours are 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and she is employed 4-5 days a week.Julie’s duties are numerous, varied and essential to the College’s Admin: phone calls in/out, room hire for all departments, course enrolments and photocopying.She is a link to all departments at the College: U3A, 2 Cool For School, Creative Learners, short courses, Child care.

Visit of Kelly GibbonsWodonga Eyecare

By Alison HigginsThere was a very good attendance of members and visitors to welcome Kelly back to U3A. Kelly views education about eye-health as an important part of her work as an optometrist and frequently gives talks to organisations including schools.Kelly had drawn the eye on whiteboards, (she hasn't gone digital, thank goodness) to show us the anatomy of this fascinating, marvellous organ. There were prizes, Freddo frogs, for those who could identify the different parts of the eye. As these were thrown to the winners, some hand/eye co-ordination came in useful.Did you know that pupil comes from the Greek pupilla, meaning little doll? The sclera is the white of the eye, the conjunctiva the clear coating over it. The cornea is a lens going over and under the eye and bends the light. At the back of the eye is the retina which detects light and sends a signal to the brain via the optic nerve, next to which is the macula. Macular degeneration is a condition with various causes and risks, including age, wouldn't you know. The 'dry' condition results in gradual loss of central vision, the 'wet' is caused by abnormal blood vessels growing into the retina and requires immediate treatment.Kelly also touched on glaucoma and cataracts. In glaucoma, pressure needs to be reduced, and with cataracts the lens loses transparency. There are new treatments available. There was so much more - the fovea for one. We didn't

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Julie’s favourite movies are “Forrest Gump” and “Lion”.Having already travelled to Canada and the USA, she would like to go to NZ and continue exploring Australia, e.g. Tasmania and Arnhem Land.We at U3A sincerely thank Julie for her cheerful professionalism and ongoing support for everyone who needs to communicate with the College Administration Office.

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Profile : Sharon MasonAWCC Cleaner

By Helen Milbourne

For the last 7 years, Monday to Friday, Sharon Mason has been responsible for keeping our College clean and tidy. She opens the building at 7am., maintains general order and tidiness and readies the rooms for day and night classes.Recently, the College has started a program on Monday to Thursday with Aware Industries. Sharon manages two mature age workers to assist her - empty bins, clean windows, de-cobweb.Most class leaders know and treasure Sharon, frequently expressing their gratitude for the work she does.

As an essential part of the dynamic College Office team, Julie works closely with:

Manager (Pauline)Accountant (Susan)Payroll (Lee)Vocation Education & Training Co-ordinator (Kylie)

Growing up in Gippsland, Julie lived for 7 years in Cobram/Barooga, and has now lived in Wodonga for 19 years.A warm, friendly and efficient Admin. Officer, Julie came to the College with a background of valuable experience.Gaining a TAFE Business Administration qualification, she has worked in many temporary and permanent jobs: book-keeping, hotel restaurant management, health industry, computer company, Mars, Bags n Boots, Janoel Florist, Bio Diesel, and Yackandandah and Murray Valley hospitals.Married to Dave, they have 2 grown children - Will 33 and Samantha 29. Julie and Dave are proud grandparents of a 2 year old grandson, with a new grandchild due soon.Julie’s leisure time is filled with local bike riding, Zumba, gardening, cooking, rock n roll music and church pastoral care. In earlier years she played basketball and netball.

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Players use a series of illustrated games to select the game they wish to play, and the first player to complete their game or hand announces "Mahjong".The game has certain points of etiquette, which makes it more enjoyable for all participants, with the experienced players assisting newer players, to learn the strategies and intricacies of the game. Mahjong is played each Wednesday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. at the AWCC.A Note from the EditorThe game of Mahjong was invented by the Chinese hundreds of years ago, and has been played throughout China down the centuries. It is only in recent years that it has spread to the Western World, where it has taken off like wildfire.In 2018, U3A will run 2 classes, one for beginners and one for those who have mastered the art.From Krys Kordu: Mahjong is a game which offers numerous possible outcomes. The challenge is to decide which hand to play and to recognise when to change the game for the best possible outcome. It certainly encourages players to think outside the square.

Converted newcomers can't get enough of the game, and their confidence grows as they learn with the guidance of the more seasoned

Before her days of employment, Sharon worked hard as a stay-at-home mum. She has two children: Josh now 32, and Renee now 29.Initially, Sharon worked for 6 - 7 years as a cleaner at Tura Hotel in Albury, then moved on to work at the College.She and husband Michael live in Wodonga.In the past, her interests were tennis, badminton and quarter-horse riding. These days she loves to do lots of walking.Her favourite colour is maroon.Her favourite musician/entertainer is John Farnham, whom she also knows personally !!!Many thanks Sharon for all your hard work behind the scenes. Much appreciated by us all !

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Guest Speaker at Philosophy GroupKevin Whyman

By Helen Casey, CoordinatorLast week, the Philosophical Discussion Group had the fortune to hear about the aboriginal philosophy of country. The talk was a follow-up to the group's looking into the concept of 'connection to place'.Our speaker was Kevin Whyman, from a community around Broken Hill. Kevin lives locally but spends time back with his 'mob'. Our group was entranced with Kevin and his ability to enlighten us about areas of aboriginal culture, the attachment to country, and its spiritual and cultural place in aboriginal wellbeing.It was a totally enjoyable experience and the entire group benefited from Kevin's talk.

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Perspective on MahjongBy Karen Ferguson, Coordinator

Mahjong is a very social interactive tile-game played with 3-4 players, which can become very addictive. The objective of the game is to complete a set game or special hand comprising 4 sets of tiles and one pair in the same suit.

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players, who are only too happy to help. A great way to meet people and enjoy an afternoon of fun.Barbara's Perspective: I always look forward to Wednesday afternoon mahjong sessions at AWCC. I find mahjong stimulating and I love the social interaction with the other players.

Many of our mahjong players have been playing for many years and are always willing to help newcomers. Mahjong is a combination of skill and good luck.

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Some Scots think clearly after all...Biology Exam:

This is straight from Scotland.Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam. The last question was, Name seven advantages of Mother's Milk. The question was worth 70 points or none at all. One student, in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages. However, he wrote:1. It is a perfect formula for the child.2. It provides immunity against several

diseases.3. It is always the right temperature.4. It is inexpensive.

5. It bonds the child to the mother, and vice versa.

6. It is always available as needed.And then the student was stuck.Finally, in desperation, just before the bell rang indicating the end of the test, he wrote:7. It comes in two attractive containers and it's high enough off the ground that the cat can't get it.He got an A.

§The Wit of the Scots

A Greek and a Scotsman were sitting in a Starbucks cafe discussing who had the superior culture.Over triple lattés, the Greek guy says, "Well we Greeks built the Parthenon", and arched his eyebrows.The Scotsman replies, "Well.........it was the Scots who discovered the Summer and Winter Solstices".The Greek retorts, "We Greeks gave birth to advanced mathematics".The Scotsman nods in agreement and says, "Scots were the ones who built the first timepieces and calendars".And so on until the Greek comes up with what he thinks will end the discussion. With a flourish of finality he says :"The Greeks were the ones who invented sex !"The Scotsman replies, "Aye, that is true, but it was we Scots who introduced it to the women!!!"