Phone
0418 749 228
Address
Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub (ILCH)
275 Upper Heidelberg Rd
Ivanhoe Victoria 3079
Important note about communications from U3A Banyule: Most of our news is sent out by email and it is important to select 'Newsletter by email' as an option in your membership profile and keep your email address up to date. You may also need to alter your email security settings to ensure U3A Banyule emails arrive in your Inbox, instead of going into your Junk Mail.
For instructions on how to update your email address through MyU3A (Member Login) and how to review your email security settings, see this handy guide.
Notice is hereby given that the Thirty-eighth Annual General Meeting of U3A Banyule Inc will be held on Tuesday 21 May, 2024, 4.00 – 5.00 pm. Due to the size limitation of our meeting rooms U3A Banyule members will participate in the AGM via a Zoom Webinar.
All those wishing to attend the AGM must enrol in this event using MyU3A by clicking HERE or on the 'Member Login' button at the top of this page. Go to 'Classes 2024' and select 'Annual General Meeting 2024' from the list of available classes. This is the same process you would use when enrolling in a class.
A Zoom link will be sent to enrolled members earlier in the week of the meeting. To join the AGM via Zoom on the day, please log in at 03.55pm and wait for proceedings to commence at 4.00pm. All Zoom participants will be on mute until the Chairperson invites a particular person to speak.
Business of the Annual General Meeting
We encourage members to participate in our AGM. In order to meet the requirement of having a quorum of 5% of the full membership we need a minimum of 40 members to attend or send in a Proxy form.
If you are not able to attend the AGM, it would be greatly appreciated if you would send your apologies by completing a Proxy Voting form, returning it no later than 12.00 noon on Monday 20 May, 2024, by mail to The Secretary U3A Banyule, PO Box 454 Rosanna 3084, OR scan and email to info@u3abanyule.org.au , OR drop off your form to the U3A Banyule Office at ILCH. This will assist us to achieve a quorum and ensure that you can vote in the democratic processes of our Association.
Voting
Members can vote either by submitting a Proxy Voting form or by voting on the day of the meeting using the Polling feature in Zoom. Each device (eg iPad, computer, phone) connected to the Zoom meeting only records one vote. If more than one person attends the meeting using the same device, each additional person needs to submit a proxy form so that their votes are registered. Please note that only full financial members are entitled to vote.
Election of the Committee
Full financial members are eligible for election. The Committee of between 5 and 20 members will be elected by members present at the AGM from eligible members nominated at the meeting. The Committee members will hold office from the end of the 2024 AGM until the 2025 AGM.
If you wish to nominate yourself or another member, please complete the Nomination form and return it to be received no later than 12.00 noon on Monday 20 May, 2024, to The Secretary U3A Banyule, PO Box 454 Rosanna 3084, OR scan and email to info@u3abanyule.org.au, OR drop off your form to the U3A Banyule Office at ILCH.
Instructions on accessing relevant documents will be provided to members through the weekly Omail:-
Elaine Rees is stepping down as our Excursion Coordinator after diligently managing this role for six years. Members have been treated to an excellent array of excursion opportunities, including galleries, historical sites and museums, which Elaine has managed efficiently and effectively. Elaine has also arranged transport solutions for members who needed assistance. Sincere thanks Elaine for the work and enthusiasm you have brought to this role!
Members who are interested in taking on this role for semester 2, please contact Sharon Karasmanis through the Office on 0418 749 228 or by email to info@u3abanyule.org.au. Training and mentoring will be provided.
Monday 6 May, 2.15 – 4.15 pm, Ivanhoe Library & Community Hub, Tickets $25.
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music and community support! Our charity event features delightful musical entertainment by Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School performers. Let's come together to make a meaningful impact while enjoying joyous music and a lovely afternoon tea. Don't miss out on this opportunity to support our community and be treated to a delightful afternoon. Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/
The office will be open Thursday afternoons between 1 and 3 pm from 18 April. The office will be closed between 12 and 1 pm to allow office staff to move their cars and have a lunch break. Huge thanks to those members who have offered to work extra office shifts.
At the end of Semester 1, Joan Learmont will step back from her role as Social Coordinator. Joan quite rightly thinks it is time for her to have a bit more time for herself. Thank you to Paule Carmichael, Deirdre Jones-Parry and Pam McIntyre who have agreed to take on and share this role.
Joan’s contribution has been and continues to be a remarkable one. We congratulate and thank Joan.
Congratulations to all the recipients of the U3A Banyule Significant Service award 2023:-
| Teresa Alfonso has been teaching beginners and level 2 Spanish at U3A for four years and is one of the hardest-working volunteers for U3A Banyule. As a native speaker of Spanish, Teresa brings a rich cultural perspective to her classes. Her classes are well-prepared and entertaining, and she is loved and respected by all her students. Teresa is patient and supportive, whilst encouraging students to stretch their learning. |
| Pat Amor has been a member and volunteer since 2003, serving diligently on the Committee of Management, as Editor of the newsletter for three years, a tutor and as our Well Being Officer for the past five years. |
| Maria Axarlis-Coulter has been Public Lecture Officer for the past four years and has worked tirelessly organising excellent speakers for a diverse range of topics resulting in a very well attended program. Maria has also organised interesting speakers for the Annual Lunch and the Annual Forum, which is a critical contribution for each event. |
| Elaine Bateman is a very worthy recipient of this award and has been teaching Line Dancing since 2017. Her classes range from beginners to advanced and involve 60 – 70 members. Her innovative approach is valued by members as during COVID lockdowns Elaine prepared and conducted both online, open air and summer classes. Members have really enjoyed her classes. |
| Paule Cartwright runs multiple French classes of outstanding quality and has been teaching French at U3A for four years. She offers French conversation at all levels from beginners to advanced. Paule is highly respected and valued by class members for her excellent teaching, enthusiasm, and particularly for inspiring confidence in her students. |
| Nancy Cornwallis has been leading the choir Audacity and teaching singing since 2011. She is a dedicated, passionate music teacher determined to coax the best out of untrained voices. Nancy annually organises a range of performances including Carols at Macleod and has led the group from 2014 for six years to perform at the Senior Citizens Deakin Edge Concert. |
| Audrey Davies has been teaching the Joy of Shakespeare for six years and is highly valued for her enthusiastic and well-prepared approach. Her classes are popular and always have a wait list. Audrey has progressed from short courses to weekly classes and the Richard III re-enactment performance was a highpoint in 2022. Class members really enjoy Audrey’s classes and are appreciative of her efforts. |
| Elizabeth Drummond and Helen Cochrane have worked tirelessly to coordinate and organise the weekly Thursday Talks. The topics have ranged widely, and a highlight was the excellent Gilbert and Sullivan concert. Facilitating talks involves all administration around securing and managing speakers, venues, technology, and members. The talks have been enthusiastically attended and highly valued by members, and they deserve warmest congratulations as they step down from this role. |
| Julie Marshall served for many years on the Committee of Management in various roles - Minutes Secretary 2009-13, Secretary (including taking minutes) 2014-15 and Membership Manager 2017-22. As Secretary, Julie was involved in the name change from Yarra Valley U3A to U3A Banyule. Julie has contributed to our lecture program when she presented, "Travel to Unusual Places", as well as many other travel talks which have been very popular. |
| Elsa McCarthy has been teaching Intermediate French for 10 years. She is valued for her patient, inclusive and encouraging approach and for her well-prepared classes. Elsa puts a lot of thought and research into class preparation and is a reliable and committed tutor. Her students love her classes and have gained confidence under her guidance. |
| Helen McKinnon has taken on many roles over the past decade as a committee member, a teacher, awards officer, and a member of the newsletter team. Helen has been President 2018-19, Course Coordinator for 4 years, tutor of a range of classes including French, and recent Convenor of the Awards Committee. Helen is a quiet achiever but totally accomplished in all that she does for U3A Banyule. |
| Joyce Parsons has been teaching a Scottish Dancing class for four years. She is an excellent teacher, highly accomplished and yet very encouraging and patient with her class. Joyce is a wonderful tutor, always enthusiastic and runs the most enjoyable classes. Joyce organised experienced demonstration dancers for the Scottish and Irish nights. |
| Catherine Prowse has been teaching yoga with us for over 8 years. Her class members love and benefit from her expertise and from the tailored approach she uses for her class members. Catherine graduated from Gita school of yoga and was instrumental in setting up our first yoga class. She has continued to expand and pass on her knowledge in relaxation, meditation, esoteric studies, and human anatomy as well as yoga. |
| Lucille Sadler has been teaching Intermediate French for 6 years now and is valued for her experience and encouragement along with well-prepared content and good oral skills tutelage. Lucille was a master at Zoom classes, during Covid lockdowns and could manage break out rooms, and successful group discussions with great skill. Lucille is an encouraging teacher who sets a vibrant language learning curriculum around relevant current themes and information and is highly recommended for this award. |
| Heather Stephens has worked tirelessly behind the scenes including as a key figure in the website development team and as U3A database administrator, her support and impact around various systems, and supporting and training office staff and key officers is highly valued. Heather works many hours supporting administrative processes critical to management of U3A courses, membership, finance, and enrolment processes. |
New card inserts for your U3A Banyule lanyard are now available from the Office. To protect your privacy, the new cards are folded so that contact and emergency info and other sensitive details are not readily visible. Drop in and pick up a new card next time you are at ILCH.
Our Strategic Plan identified a need to ensure that our members were aware of the policies that have been developed over several years by the Committee of Management. From time to time, we summarise and feature policies just to give members a little refresh.
The Privacy Policy articulates the importance of protecting the privacy of the personal information collected from members and volunteers, such as through membership and course registration processes. Images may be used in U3A Banyule publications, on the website and in class or meeting recordings, subject to members' willingness. You can always opt out at the time images are being taken.
Your information will not be shared with or disclosed to third parties and will be stored and used as set out in the policy. If you believe that your personal information has been compromised or misused, contact the Secretary as soon as possible, email:info@u3abanyule.org.au. The Privacy and Security Officer will investigate and report their findings, including remedies as appropriate.
You can view the policy by following the link above or under the Document Library tab on the website.
COVID is on the increase again. With lots of crowds it stands to reason, transmission is easy.
Banyule Council has released the video "Age is Just a Number" on positive ageing. President Judith Craze was asked to be involved as an interviewee and tutor Sheila and the French class are featured. Watch the little video all the way through and we hope you have a bit of a laugh as well as the sense that there is plenty for Seniors to do in Banyule. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cVR4KCcLF0
The U3A Banyule Strategic Plan 2022-2024 builds upon the work of previous Committees of Management and has been informed by member surveys undertaken over the last year.
This is the third strategic plan prepared by the U3A Banyule Committee of Management. It was prepared at the beginning of 2022 supported by a Banyule City Council Community Grant, which enabled the Committee of Management to engage a consultant to facilitate the preparation of the plan.
Click here to read the U3A Banyule Strategic Plan 2022-2024.