U3A GOLD COAST INC.

SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022
Level 1, Shop 1074, Margaret Street Campus
Australia Fair, 3 Margaret Street
Southport, QLD 4215 Southport.
Ph: (07) 5591 6671 ABN 17 993 804

Email General Enquiries: u3agoldcoastinc@bigpond.com

Email Attendance Sheets: u3agcfrontoffice@gmail.com
Email Class apologies: u3agcfrontoffice@gmail.com
Website: u3agoldcoast.weebly.com
Facebook: U3A Gold Coast Inc Southport

Executive Committee

President: Peter Gillmore

Vice-President: Lou Stevens
Secretary: Amanda Cowser
Treasurer: Jan Scott

Committee Members: Claire Potts

Neil McInnes
Margaret Karakatsanis
Greg Barnes
Wendy Barker
Robyn Renneberg
Gordon Cowser

Class Co-Ordinator. Lou Stevens

Social Committee Co-Ordinator: Margaret Karakatsanis/Pat Jones
Office Manager: Wendy Barker
Newsletter Editor: Lou Stevens

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• NEW COMPUTER CLASSES STARTING– details inside
• MONDAY 1ST AUGUST – SEMESTER 2 BEGINS – classes resume
SEMESTER 2 NEW OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY - 9.00AM TO 1.30PM
The office will be open 25th to 29th July from 10am to 12 noon
Acknowledgement: The U3A Gold Coast Inc. Southport Newsletter is kindly printed
By the office of ROB MOLHOEK M.P. Member for Southport.

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE JULY 2022

Hi Everyone
I am writing this message from Auckland where I have relocated, with my wife, after 30+ years in Australia,
to look after grandchildren. I am staying with one of my sisters until my wife and I are able to purchase a
property on Auckland’s North Shore. My sister has recently moved to a wonderful retirement village that
has over 500 residents living in beautiful two-bedroom apartments and villas. There are also serviced
apartments and a nursing unit. However what amazes me is the incredible range of activities offered to the
residents, over 30 including many that U3A Gold Coast also offer: ukulele, Exercise, table tennis, art
classes, tai-chi, yoga, line dancing, card and board games, English literature, Book club classes, bus trips
etc., and many that we do not such as Aquarobics, petanque, bowls, croquet, Zumba, Scottish Country
Dancing, gardening, knitting, stitching, singing, workshop (men and women), movies and so on. I wonder
how the five U3As in this area survive given this competition. I will soon find out when I join one of them.

Our project to replace the roof at our Margaret Street Hall is progressing slowly. This pace is dictated by
the Council who, though happy to help us and assist with funding, nevertheless require us to go through a
number of extended processes. I am still hopeful though that we will have the roof and fascia replaced by
years end. We will be employing a project manager to help us through the project. And we are very
fortunate to have Robyn Renneberg, a new member, and a very experienced Grant Writer, to help us with
the enormous amount of paperwork required to get two Council grants, one for the pre-project
requirements, and one for the costs for complete roof replacement.

Last month two of your Management Committee Members – Wendy Barker and Gordon Cowser -
represented us at the U3A Network Queensland Conference at the Pine Rivers Conference Centre. They
heard and learnt much which will benefit our U3A. I am very grateful to Wendy and Gordon for their time
representing us. Next year’s Conference will be held at Rockhampton and will include a celebration of the
fifty years since U3A was first established in France. The International President and other international
visitors will be in attendance.

At last month’s Management Committee meeting it was decided that due to increasing costs, we needed
to raise our Membership Fees for 2023. This is the first rise I understand for several years. We have
introduced a new category: Partners Fees, where we offer a discount from two separate memberships for
those in partnerships – married or otherwise. We hope this is an incentive to encourage members to get
their partners to join one or more of our sixty classes. The new fees are:

New Members: $90 (including Joining Fee)

Renewals: $80
New Members Partners $170 (including Joining Fee)
Partners Renewal $150
One Semester Only $50 (including Joining Fee)
Reciprocal $25

This new Fee structure will begin from the date renewals start, which is likely to be in October.

We are still seeking someone to become my successor as President. I encourage either, one of you or
someone you know, that you believe to be suitable to meet with our Executive to discuss what may be
required. Unlike my time as President, we see my successor being more of a figurehead role and, of course
Chairperson of the monthly Management Meeting.

Peter Gillmore, President U3A Gold Coast Inc

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022
CLASS COORDINATOR REPORT

NEW CLASSES: All computer classes held in the Australia Fair Study Room
PHOTOS – SAVING, STORING AND PHOTOSHOPPING THURSDAY 4TH AUGUST – 11.15-12.45

INTROUCTION TO EMAIL: THE BASICS THURSDAY 11TH AUGUST 11.15 – 12.45

CLOUD STORAGE: ONEDRIVE, GOOGLE, iCLOUD WEDNESDAY 17th AUGUST 1.30-2.30

iPAD AND iPHONE FOR BEGINNERS 5 WEEK COURSE

Thursday 18th August to Thursday 15th September
11.15am – 12.45pm
ANDROID PHONES & TABLETS FOR BEGINNERS 5 WEEK COURSE
Thursday 22nd September to Thursday 20th October
11.15am – 12.45pm
BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS FOR NEW USERS 5 WEEK COURSE
Thursday 27th October to Thursday 24th November
11.15am – 12.45pm
COFFEE AND CULTURE – SOUTHPORT LIBRARY 2nd Thursday of the month 10am – 12 noon

CLASS CHANGES
TRIVIA – cancelled for Semester 2 due to insufficient numbers
SCRABBLE - cancelled for Semester 2 due to insufficient numbers
ART HISTORY - cancelled for Semester 2 due to insufficient numbers (Coffee & Culture may be an option)
FRENCH ADVANCED – the last class will be 26th August unless another Tutor is available
ITALIAN BEGINNERS – Tutor will recommence classes 15th September
PILATES A & B – Tutor will recommence classes 2nd week of September
FAMILY HISTORY – Recommences Monday 8th August – 2nd, 3rd and 4th Monday of the month
FRENCH BEGINNERS PLUS – Changes to Monday 1.00-3.00pm Community Centre

We are currently interviewing applicants for a Memoirs tutor and will advise if a suitable tutor is found.

PARKING AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Members are reminded that free parking is provided at the Community Centre for your class duration plus
30 minutes either side. The Community Centre will provide you with a laminated parking voucher to use.
We are not entitled to an all day parking pass and these will not be issued to our members as they are
reserved for users who have all courses and seminars at the Centre. Abuse of this rule will jeopardise the
special hire rates we are privileged to have. 3 hour free parking is available at Australia Fair and some
sections of Metro.

LOU STEVENS, CLASS COORDINATOR

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022

SOCIAL COMMITTEE – Margaret K. and Pat Jones

TWEED ART GALLERY & MT WARNING HOTEL LUNCH

Wednesday 27th July 2022
This morning we make our way south, travelling into the beautiful Tweed Valley. We pass
the village of Tumbulgum then onto Murwillumbah. We visit the Tweed Regional Gallery
and the Margaret Olley Art Centre. On arrival we are treated to a lovely morning tea in the
Bacaro Gallery Café, with beautiful views to Mt Warning. It’s time now to browse through
this amazing gallery. The main feature is the stunning recreation of the late Margaret
Olley’s Art Studio. When Olley passed away it was her request to donate her private studio
to the Tweed Art Gallery, and what an amazing job they have done. There is also an array of
local and visiting artists displayed throughout the gallery. After a lovely morning we re-
board the Coach and make our way through Murwillumbah and the foothills of Mt Warning
and on to Uki. This quaint little village is our lunch destination today where we will enjoy a
Main Meal in this popular watering hole that is the Mt Warning Hotel. After a little time to
relax by the fireplace over a few drinks we head for home with a comfort stop along the
way
COST: $80.00 includes Coach trip, Morning Tea and Lunch, Gallery Entry
REGISTER: Full cost at time of registering with reception.
MAXIMUM NUMBER: 10 REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 18 JULY 2022
PICK UP: Southport RSL Club Bus Stop. 7am. Sharp
ENQUIRIES U3 Gold Coast Southport Ph. 55916671, or call Margaret K on 07 5572 6050
EMAIL: u3agoldcoast@bigpond.com

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022

BRUNSWICK HEADS M/TEA ECO CRUISE

& OCEAN SHORES LUNCH
Tuesday 9th August 2022

Today after our southbound pickups we make our way to Brunswick Heads and board the
Byron Bay Eco Cruise vessel, the “Jasmine”. A magical way to explore the calm waters of the
Brunswick River as we enjoy morning tea, with homemade cakes, while hearing the stories
of this ancient and extraordinary region. Keep your eyes and cameras ready for some bird
watching and unique wildlife in the beautiful mangroves and rainforest along the river
bank. After a great morning we tour through the village of Ocean Shores and onto our
Lunch venue today at the Ocean Shores Country Club with sweeping views over the ocean
from the new deck. We enjoy, Main meal and Dessert plus Tea/Coffee. Sit back and enjoy a
few cool drinks while admiring that spectacular view. We head for home with a comfort
stop along the way.
COST: $90.00 includes Coach trip, Cruise, Morning Tea, and Lunch at Ocean Shores
REGISTER: Full cost at time of registering with reception.
MAXIMUM NUMBER: 10 REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 26 JULY 2022
PICK UP: Southport RSL Club Bus Stop. 7am. Sharp
TRANSPORT: Coach
ENQUIRIES U3 Gold Coast Southport Ph. 55916671, or call Margaret K on 07 5572 6050
EMAIL: u3agoldcoast@bigpond.com

VALE JOHN KOGLER

John passed away after many operations and hospital visits.

He was a member of the U3A Table Tennis class, the Ukulele class and the Guitar class

He rode his electric bike from Parkwood near the hospital to Margaret Street each week with a guitar
strapped on his back.

He lost his battle with leukaemia and will always be fondly remembered. RIP John.

Neil McInnes

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022

*** History Matters! ***

Doug Oliver’s World History Class
Friday morning 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Study Room, Australia Fair
Reckoning With The Past

New students are very welcome to come along and enjoy one or more sessions.

Doug Oliver has been telling stories from world history at U3A Gold Coast since 2015.
He is a 71-year-old self-funded retiree. He had a 45-year career 1967 to 2012: 23 years
Regular Army, retired Lieutenant Colonel; 3 years management consultant; 16 years
public sector Australia & England. Married 47 years. Lives in Pacific Pines with his wife
Terry; daughter Eliza-Jane lives in the United Kingdom.

Be entertained – and keep those brain cells working

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022
What is resistance training?
Resistance training is exercise that applies tension to muscles through the use of free weights, machine
weights, resistance bands or body weight – to induce muscular contraction. Resistance training leads to
increased strength, muscle endurance (anaerobic endurance), improves bone density, and promotes
positive impacts on body composition (muscle to fat ratio).
What happens during resistance training?
When we lift weights, the muscles are put under more tension – this causes microscopic tears in the
muscle fibres (this is a GOOD thing!). These tears are then repaired by protein in the body, and by doing
so, increases the overall strength and stamina of these muscles. Improvements in muscular strength,
endurance, joint health and bone strength are all likely outcomes.
Why is resistance training important as we age?
As we get older, muscle mass decreases at a more rapid rate – so it is of increasing importance to
continue resistance training to maintain strength, healthy joints, mobility and bone density. Long term
benefits can be seen in as little as two resistance training sessions per week!
Aren’t I going to get bulky if I start lifting weights?
A common misconception and fear of a lot of women in particular, is that they will get ‘bulky’ or ‘big’
from lifting weights. However, women are physically unable to build the same type of muscle as men do,
due to the differences in hormonal composition between men and women.
Men have much higher levels of testosterone circulating around their body, than women do. Men use
testosterone to aid in the repair and building processes of muscular tissue, which leads to much larger
‘bulky’ muscles. Women however, do not possess the capacity to do this. It is for this reason that men are
much stronger and larger than women. Women who perform resistance training build lean muscle, giving a
‘toned’ appearance.
Top Tip Takeaways
Increases strength
By maintaining your strength, you are able to remain independent and continue to enjoy day to day leisure
activities such as gardening, outdoor walks, tennis and so on!
Increases bone density
This means bones remain stronger and healthier for longer – and reduces the risk of developing
osteoporosis and other degenerative diseases.
Leads to a toned appearance
As mentioned, women will not get ‘bulky’ from resistance training, but lifting weights will build healthy
toned looking muscle, reducing the appearance of sagging areas such as the upper arms.
Improves metabolism
Muscle uses more energy at rest than fat – therefore the more muscle you have, the higher your ‘resting
metabolic rate’ (the energy you burn at rest), which may also aid in fat loss.
Can help with reducing pain
As our muscle strength improves with consistent training, we have the benefit of experiencing a greater
amount of control over our bodies as we move about in our daily lives. With a more purposeful movement
due to greater control of our muscles and limbs in particular, we can move more fluidly and with less
impact on our joints. Exercising also has been proven to release endorphins which can have the same pain
reduction properties to morphine and without all the side effects.
Source: Over 60: This article is of a general nature and FYI only. It doesn’t take into account
your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions.

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022

Multi-Gen Living Keeps You Young & Connected

A common example of multigenerational living is when older parents move in with their children or
children and their families move in with their parents. While this living arrangement is very common in
Asia and the Middle East, it is slowly catching up in other Western countries and Australia too.

Benefits of Multi-Generational Living

Moving in with your children and their families or your extended family under one roof may trigger feelings
of anxiety and fear in some while to others, it is a happy occasion. Like any decision you make in life,
choosing multigenerational living can have its benefits and drawbacks. Some benefits of multigenerational
living include:
Shared financial expenses
Maintaining two households can be expensive, especially with a young couple who is trying to save money
and an old couple trying to save their earnings. Multigenerational living turns out to be cheaper and the
expenses of living can be shared between the two generations living under the roof. Reduced rent and
mortgage costs turn out beneficial for everyone involved. If you are concerned about your finances post-
retirement, it may be a good idea to opt for intergenerational living.
Additional help at home
Juggling work, and household chores can be extremely draining and tiring. Multigenerational living gives
everyone additional help at home. The chores and responsibilities can be divided, giving everyone some
breathing space during the day. For elders and retirees, it is a good way to help their children take care of
their kids, while for some older adults, having help around the home is a blessing!
Bonding time with grandkids
The bond between grandparents and grandkids is special even though they are separated by an entire
generation. Multigenerational living allows this bonding and so, is a preferred living arrangement in many
communities across the world. If you enjoy spending time with your grandkids, multigenerational living is
an exciting opportunity to do so!
Help in babysitting
Having an elder generation at home allows young parents to leave their kids with them sometimes. Older
adults enjoy taking care of their grandkids and it keeps them occupied throughout the day. If you feel your
children need help babysitting, offering to move in with them can be a good decision for you and them.

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022
Reduced costs of assisted living
Many older adults and those close to retirement save up a huge chunk of their earnings to pay for assisted
living in the future as it can be expensive. Living with children or extended family can reduce the cost of
assisted living for older adults and guarantee good quality of care with their near and dear ones.
Strengthen relationships
Multigenerational living can help strengthen the existing bonds in families. As grandparents, you can be
great role models for your grandchildren. It is a good opportunity for you to learn about the latest in the
world from your children and grandchildren. Multigenerational living develops bonds of love and creates a
healthy environment at home. It also helps to reduce the loneliness that many Seniors tend to develop as
they grow older.
Increased family safety
Living in a multigenerational arrangement is also extremely safe for you and your family. With multiple
generations living under one roof, the house is rarely ever unoccupied and there is always someone to look
after young kids and elderly members of the family.

Tips for Successful Multi-Generational Living

While multigenerational living is a growing trend among people in Australia, here are some tips that can be
handy to make this living arrangement a successful one:
Understand all the pros and cons of multi-generational living
Both partners must accept the trade-offs and mutually agree to live with your children. There are bound to
be cultural or generational-gap issues but you must know how to diffuse such situations without ruining
relationships. You must also accept any adjustments that you may have to make to your existing lifestyle.
Finding quality time with your partner is important
Whether you are a couple moving in with your children or your children are moving in with you, you must always
find quality time to spend with your partner even in a multigenerational living arrangement.
Respect boundaries
Living under one roof, no matter how big or small the house is, you are bound to bump into each other
more than a few times during the day. However, to make multigenerational living successful, everyone
must respect each other’s boundaries.

Conclusion
Before you decide to choose multigenerational living with your family or children, take time to decide if
this living arrangement is the right one for you. Speak to all those involved and determine what makes you
happy. Multigenerational living can be very fulfilling for older adults as they get to live their childhood and
adulthood through their future generations.
Source: Australia Over 50s Livewell

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JULY 2022
BEGINNERS UKULELE – STATE OF ORIGIN THEME DAY

JUST FOR FUN!

Mildred and Alice, two little old ladies barely able to see over the instrument panel, are out for a
Sunday drive. The car approaches an intersection. The light is red but they drive straight through,
thankfully without hitting anything.

Alice, in the passenger seat, wonders about it. They soon come to another intersection and again
the light is red. Once more the car drives straight through.

Alice thinks, “I must be dreaming. I’m pretty certain we’ve just driven through two sets of red
lights”. Moments later she is sure they do the same again. She decides to be more watchful, to pay
more attention. It isn’t long and sure enough, the car drives through red lights without stopping.

Now alarmed, Alice turns to Mildred and says, “Do you realise you’ve driven through at least four
red lights? You could have killed us!”
Mildred turns and says, “Oh sh*t, am I driving?”

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY