Welcome to our November 2024 Monthly Update
We are nearing the end of a successful 2024 year and I thank each of our volunteers and members who contributed to this success. I shared some of the highlights at our recent AGM (these can also be found on our website). We have over 1,100 active members, including over 130 volunteer tutors bringing their skills, knowledge and passion to over 170 courses in 2024. I’m particularly pleased by the fact that we have 183 new members in 2024 – a warm welcome to you all! We are keen to continue growing our membership in 2025 so please tell your friends about the benefits of our organisation. We are starting 2025 with over 150 courses in all categories ranging from art, craft, computer, dancing and language courses to social activities.
I extend a warm welcome to our 2024/2025 Committee Members who were elected at the AGM. I look forward to working with the Committee in the year ahead and we will hear more about the Committee plans later in 2025. Here are the Committee members for 2024/2025:
| POSITION | MEMBER |
| President | Mark Rubinstein |
| Secretary | Bernadette Pierce |
| Treasurer | Tony Todd |
| Course Coordinator | Anne-Margaret Healy |
| Ordinary Members | Howard Arber |
| Scott Gordon | |
| Simone Markus | |
| Joe Pasmanik | |
| Cheryl Rubinstein | |
| Kate Shelton | |
| Peter Shonberg | |
| Del Wood |
I also want to congratulate one of our tutors, Valerie Suhr, who has been awarded a U3A Network Victoria Tutor Recognition Award. Valerie leads the Choir at Glen Eira U3A and will be conducting the Christmas Choir Concert later this month on Sunday 17 November. Congratulations Valerie and thank you for your contributions to Glen Eira U3A.
Mark Rubinstein
President
We want you! Tutors for 2025
There are opportunities for those of you with a passion for a particular subject or craft or language — it can be a one-off session or longer — the choices are yours! Here is one such opportunity:
Hebrew Beginners Tutor If you’re keen to facilitate a course for Hebrew Beginners and share your knowledge of this language with others, then there’s an opportunity for you to lead this class in 2025. You’ll get lots of support from the current Hebrew tutors. If you’re interested, please let the Course Coordinator know at courses@gleneirau3a.org.au
Upcoming Events
Christmas Choir Concert – 2.00pm on Sunday 17 November 2024
Come and enjoy the Glen Eira U3A & Bentleigh U3A Choirs at their end of year Christmas Concert. The concert, followed by afternoon tea, will be held at the Glen Eira U3A Green Rooms at 1151 Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly.
2025 Member Enrolment Dates
- 2025 early enrolment (member tutors and volunteers) – from 9.00am Monday 13 January 2025
- 2025 online enrolment (members) – from 9.00am Wednesday 15 January 2025
- 2025 assisted enrolment (members) – from 9.00am Wednesday 15 January 2025 at Glen Eira U3A venue
- 2025 Semester start – Monday 10 February 2025
Enrolment FAQs
Before enrolment day, do the following:
- Read the 2025 Enrolment FAQs
- Check that you know your member number.
- Check that you know your password.
- Check that you can log in to the members website using either your member number or your email address and your password.
- If you have forgotten your password, use this password reset link to reset it.
- If you require assistance with this process, please contact reception prior to the end of semester on 29 November 2024, after which reception will be closed until 13 January 2025.
The 2025 Courses are available for viewing (but not enrolment) on the website.
You can enrol in 2025 courses from 9.00am on Wednesday 15 January 2025. Do not log in before 9.00am; if you do, be sure to refresh your browser from 9.00am to ensure you are logged in correctly.
If you are unable to enrol online, there will be Assisted Enrolments for members at 1151 Glen Huntly Road from 9.00am on 15 January on a first-come first-served basis.
All courses are filled on a first-come first-served basis. If the course is full and you miss out on a place, you will be added to the waitlist.
WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GO ONLINE AND ENROL IN 2025 COURSES?
These short 30 minute practice sessions will show you how to log into your member record, what to do if you forget your member number and password, when and how to enrol in 2025 courses, how to pay your membership fee plus any general enquiries about how to use the members site.
Places are limited, so get in early to book one of these sessions:
- Thursday 14 November – 10.00-10.30 or 10.45-11.15 or 11.30-12.00
- Wednesday 20 November – 1.30-2.00 or 2.15-2.45 or 3.00-3.30
To reserve a place, email enquiries@gleneirau3a.org.au (include your preferred date and time) or visit or contact Reception on (03) 9572 0571.
Please bring your laptop or iPad/tablet to the session.
A Course Highlight – Our Mystery Train Trip
One of our Social Courses this year was a Mystery Train trip, which took us to Williamstown. It was raining when we arrived so we headed to the nearest coffee shop. At the Newport interchange on the way, we managed to lose two of our group due to a misunderstanding – they then caught a later train which took them to Altona! However we gained a new participant at lunch when a lady approached us at the Customs House Hotel and asked if we were the U3A group? We said yes but none of us recognised her. It turned out she was looking for the Melbourne U3A lunch group but she had the wrong date (she should have been there a week earlier) so we invited her to join us instead.
The Maritime Museum on the site of the Williamstown Dockyards was quite interesting, and we lamented the fact that ship building contracts now go mainly overseas. Among Williamstown’s claim to fame is the first Victorian suburban public hospital, the oldest post office building still standing, the first suburban newspaper and Australia’s first telegraph line which began operating between Melbourne and Williamstown in 1854. Steve Bracks, Joan Kirner, Shaun Micaleff and Mark Phillipousis are just some of the notable people from this pretty suburb.
After lunch, thankfully, the rain had stopped so we meandered along the shore, admiring the view over the hundreds of yachts to the Melbourne CBD. We walked through the main shopping centre in Ferguson Street, then down Electra Street admiring many bluestone buildings from churches to private homes and made our way to the Botanic Gardens and the Williamstown Beach before taking a train back home from the nearby Beach station. Most visitors to Williamstown hover around Nelson Place so our members were pleased to see the other side of my hometown. I’m sure we all slept well that night after all that walking.
Margaret Summers
Tutor
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Update – Focus on Personal Safety
The five most common home accidents for seniors are falls, burns, poisoning, choking, and cuts.
- Falls: These are the most frequent and often lead to serious injuries such as broken bones or head trauma. To prevent falls, ensure that walkways are clear of clutter, install handrails and grab bars in bathrooms and stairways, and use non-slip mats in the bathroom. Adequate lighting and proper footwear with non-skid soles are also essential.
- Burns: Seniors may suffer burns from hot water, cooking, or heaters. Lowering water heater temperatures, using automatic shut-off devices on stoves, and ensuring safe heater placement away from flammable materials can reduce the risk.
- Poisoning: Misuse of medications or household chemicals can lead to poisoning. To avoid this, label medications clearly, use pill organizers, and store chemicals out of reach or in locked cabinets.
- Choking: Difficulty swallowing food or taking pills may lead to choking. Encourage eating slowly, cutting food into small pieces, and offering supervision during meals if necessary. Seniors should also avoid talking while eating.
- Cuts: Sharp objects like knives or tools may cause cuts. Seniors can avoid this by using protective gloves when handling sharp objects and keeping these items in easy-to-reach, safe places.
By addressing these risks proactively, many accidents can be avoided, ensuring a safer home environment for seniors.