U3A Manawatu currently offers 14 Learning Groups. The aims, venues, times, and co-ordinators for each group are listed below. Please contact the co-ordinator for more information, and to check that additional members can be accommodated.
POETRY FOR PLEASUREEnjoy poetry as you like it. Write your own or recite the work you especially like of others. The music, mystery and magic of words is an invitation to join the muses in your own way, to relate to the moment or the past and travel on journeys of discovery to the ideas of the mind, and have lots of fun doing it.
Meetings: 1st Monday of each month at 5 Anaru Place, 1 p.m.
Co-ordinator: Norma Chick, ph. 357 2371. normal@infogen.net.nz
BOOK DISCUSSIONThese are always interest-packed, stimulating meetings as members give resumes of the book each has read during the month. Because tastes in genre range from mystery through sci-fi to medieval history and beyond discussion is always lively and often robust. Because meetings are held in homes of members the number of participants is restricted to nine. However, a second group can be formed if interest warrants.
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month (venues alternate), 2 p.m.
Co-ordinator: June Rigby, ph. 355 4108. june-r@clear.net.nz
OPERA MUSIC DRAMAMembers of this group enjoy video and dvd presentations of operas as well as documentaries about operas. A wide-screen, liquid crystal display unit with high fidelity sound is the next best thing to being at La Scala, the NY Met or Covent Garden.
Meetings: Fortnightly on Thursdays, 2 p.m. 3 La Lena Grove, Summerhill
Co-ordinator: Brian Colless, ph. 355 3415. briancolless@inspire.net.nz
VIDEO APPRECIATIONWe share and discuss videos, taking turns in choosing what is to be shown each session. Some are selected for pure enjoyment, others we review and discuss for their artistic merit.
Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 2 p.m. 3 La Lena Grove, Summerhill
Co-ordinator: Brian Colless, ph. 355 3415. briancolless@inspire.net.nz
HISTORY - TIMES PASTWe discuss aspects of the past, their development and impact on our lives. At each session we agree on a focus for the following meeting.
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 10 a.m. at 9/7 Fitchett Street.
Co-ordinator: Mary Clouston, ph. 357 1552
CURRENT AFFAIRSThis is a motivated group that enjoys passionate conversation, debate and argument on affairs of the day - local, national and international. All things topical are fair game for the often poles-apart opinions of our members, but all expounded with the greatest respect for the other points of view.
Meetings: Every second Wednesday, 10am-12noon at 173b Victoria Ave., starting February 4.
Co-ordinator: Bryan Ibell, ph. 358 1032. Ibell@netsurf.co.nz
RICHNESS AND PLEASURE OF ARTThis is a group dedicated to exploring and discussing the fine arts in Aotearoa/New Zealand and beyond. In 2009, one meeting each month will be held at the Te Manawa Art Gallery, and will include short talks by gallery staff on current exhibitions.
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 1-3p.m. Taylor-Jensen Fine Arts (first Tuesday) and Te Manawa Art Gallery, Gallery 5 (third Tuesday).
Co-ordinator: Chris Phillips, ph. 358 1991. cphillips@inspire.net.nz
CREATIVE WRITINGFor the pleasure of writing members come together once a month to read and critique each others work. Short stories, novels, autobiographies, fables, poetry, comedy and tales for children fit snugly in the creative writing mix. Come along and give it a go.
Meetings: 1st Tuesday of the month, 10-noon, at NZ and Pacific Islands section, second floor, PN Public Library.
Co-ordinator: Fred Symes, ph. 354 4646. Fredsymes@infogen.net.nz
ASTRONOMYExploring the vast expanse and mystery of space using superb, easy to understand, visual presentations on dvd. Space (excuse the pun) for more members.
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7.30-9.30 p.m., 26 Margaret St.
Co-ordinator: Larry Haist, ph. 354 2626. dlhaist@inspire.net.nz
PHILOSOPHYThe fascinating journey through the twists and turns of philosophical ideas that have sculpted, chipped then resculpted the way in which civilisations have evolved continues with zest for our group in 2009. There is much to astound, amuse and possibly dismay in the months ahead.
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, 2-3.30p.m. 26 Margaret Street.
Co-ordinator: Larry Haist, ph. 354 2626. dlhaist@inspire.net.nz
MUSIC APPRECIATIONThat great and knowledgeable music buff, John Ward, owner-operator of the Gramophone Room radio stations, has planned another year of wonderful presentations for his U3A group of music lovers.
Meetings: fortnightly on Wednesdays, 2pm-4pm. 36D Elmira Ave.
Co-ordinator: John Ward, ph. 358 7117. contact@gramophoneroom.co.nz
PLAY READINGMembers will keep exploring thought-provoking scripts and continue to develop their own short plays. There is a whisper that one of these takes a comedic swipe at the Press; and the Fourth Estate is always good for a laugh.
Meetings: 3rd Monday of the month from 1 p.m. at 430 Featherston Street.
Co-ordinator: Alan Cox, ph. 357 0088. awcox@inspire.net.nz
EXPLORING WALKWAYSTake healthy walks along the good tracks that abound around Palmerston North, especially on the fringes. We occasionally venture a little further afield.
Meetings: Every Thursday, 2-3 p.m. (weather permitting)
Co-ordinator: Lynley Watson, ph. 356 4384. ld.watson@actrix.gen.nz
BOOKBINDINGUnder the excellent tutelage of John Garner several members last year began learning the intriguing art of bookbinding, capping it off by restoring a battered old early edition of Mrs Beeton's cookbook to its former glory.
Meetings: Alternate Tuesdays, starting February 3, 2pm., at 430 Featherston St.
Co-ordinator: John Garner, ph. 355 3878. john.garner@inspire.net.nz
Welcome to U3A Manawatu website. The U3A (University of the Third Age) movement began in France in the mid-seventies and has now spread to many countries. U3A has hundreds of thousands of members throughout the World and more than 50 branches in New Zealand.
