U3A GOLD COAST INC.

SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 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
Computer & Technology Manager: Gordon Cowser

Committee Members: Claire Potts

Neil McInnes
Margaret Karakatsanis
Greg Barnes
Wendy Barker

Class Co-Ordinator. Lou Stevens

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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• NEW COMPUTER CLASSES STARTING– details inside

• FRIDAY 1ST JULY – SEMESTER 1 ENDS – No classes unless advised by your Tutor
• MONDAY 1ST AUGUST – SEMESTER 2 BEGINS – all classes resume
• FREE RAFFLE! - SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS
• TUESDAY 28TH JUNE – NO PILATES CLASSES
• GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY LECTURE – 1OTH JUNE – details inside

OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY TO THURSDAY - 9.00AM TO 3.15PM

FRIDAY - 9.00AM TO 1.00PM
Acknowledgement: The U3A Gold Coast Inc. Southport Newsletter is kindly printed
LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY
By the office of ROB MOLHOEK M.P. Member for Southport.
 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE JUNE 2022

The last few weeks have been dominated by the maintenance requirements of our
Margaret Street Hall. This building is fifty years old and is starting to show its age. Though
structurally sound there are definite signs of aging. You may be interested to know that the
Council consider this hall to be the Keebra Park Community Centre.

As you know your Management Committee decided, earlier this year, that the roof needed
to be replaced, which we intended to do in late July this year having obtained five quotes
and committed to a one of these. In the interim however, the Council arranged for a
building inspection of our Hall, the first in about four years. Unfortunately, this has shown
that there is much more that needs to be done in order for us to meet the maintenance
obligations that we have under our lease with them.

Apart from replacing the roof, we also need to replace the fascia, and even possibly the
trusses and rafters as well as other minor requirements on our Upper Level. This will be the
first stage of a long-term project for which we need to employ a project manager. We will
need a grant to cover initial costs, now likely to exceed $30,000. And there is still much to
do after Stage One.

The Council will be, as they say, “reprofiling’ the land around our hall to mitigate the
flooding that occurs just about every time it rains. Several times this year we have had to
mop up our Lower Level. Lou Stevens and Gordon Cowser even dug a channel on the north
side to divert water away from the walls. Once the Council have completed their flood
mitigation requirements we will need to replace the footpaths that lead to and around our
hall. They are currently narrow and inadequate particularly for members who have walkers
or electric scooters. The cost will be in excess of $12,000. Again, a grant will need to be
sought to cover all costs.

Our largest project will be replacing the stairs to the Upper Level. These stairs were
compliant when the hall was built, but this is no longer the case. We will need to spend in
excess of $100,000 to build a new staircase which should be enclosed, and so that we have
access for all members including those who have a disability.

As I am concerned about the state of these stairs, especially in wet weather, we are looking
at temporarily relocating those classes that are held on our Upper Level.

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022

We have been very fortunate to have recently gained the volunteer services of Robyn
Renneberg who will be managing our Grant applications. Robyn has had extensive
experience obtaining grants, for most recently, an organisation in the Asperger’s sector
including some grants for over $1M. Robyn has hit the ground running to help us get a
grant for Stage One at Margaret Street. We are indeed fortunate to have someone of
Robyn’s experience, skill and passion.

Dear Members it is with a great deal of sadness that I have to inform you that that my last
day with U3A Gold Coast will be Friday 17 June. My wife and I are returning to New Zealand
for family reasons. We have sold our house, much quicker than we expected, in less than a
week, and will be moving to live on the North Shore of Auckland. I offered my resignation
as President to your Management Committee last month. They have though, asked me to
stay on, albeit remotely, until they can find a replacement. I will have video meetings with
the Executive once a week as well as the monthly Management Committee meetings via
video conference. I want to continue developing our Strategic Plan and Compliance
Requirements. Lou Stevens wishes to remain as Vice President and Class Co-Ordinator, so
we do need to find a new President who has the time and commitment, and indeed
passion, to help take our amazing organisation forward over the next few years.

Thank you all so very much for your support during my time as your President. I have
enjoyed every day, despite some unexpected and tough challenges. U3A Gold Coast offers
unique opportunities for seniors in our community to come and socialise with other seniors
in safe and enjoyable environments, where they exercise in many different ways, have new
and exciting experiences, and gain new skills in art, music, cards etc., and learn much more
about the incredible world that we inhabit and have lived in.

Finally, I am very, very grateful for all the advice, support and guidance from our
Management Committee and Reception Volunteers. Without all these folk we would not
have achieved as much as we have done over the past eighteen months. I have been very
fortunate in having a terrific group of people to be with every day I am in the office, and
many times when I have not.

In particular I want to thank Lou Stevens. Without the support and advice from Lou, we
would not be where we are today. When I took over as President there was barely enough
members on the Management Committee to form a quorum. Lou agreed to rejoin the
Committee, and take back the Class Co-Ordinator role, and with others, particularly Claire
Potts, helped me rebuild the Committee, to become the great group of folk we have as our
committee today. Thank you all.

PETER GILLMORE, PRESIDENT

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022
CLASS COORDINATOR REPORT
NEW CLASSES INFORMATION:
We have confirmed some new classes to assist our members with the ever-increasing necessity of
transacting business and general communications online. These classes will be for 1 hour duration with the
need for on-going classes ascertained at the time.

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET AF Study Room 15/06/22 1.30pm

The Internet – just what is it and how did it get started? You will see how to connect to the internet and
the different types of connections. Most importantly, what can we do on the Internet (travel, maps,
email and shopping etc.), what is the World Wide Web and how to navigate and search the various web
pages. And of course, some tips on how to stay safe online

2. INTRODUCTION TO EMAIL AF Study Room 26/05/22 11.15am

This class was cancelled due to no registrations – it will be rescheduled if there is enough interest.

3. GETTING THE BEST FROM SEARCH APPS AF Study Room 2/06/22 11.15am

4. STREAMING- Movies, music, newspapers AF Study Room 9/06/22 11.15am

5. CYBER SECURITY-being safe; passwords AF Study Room 29/06/22 1.30pm

Why do we need to protect ourselves on the internet and the threats we may face? What does security
software do and choosing the right security software for you? In addition, there will be tips on keeping yourself
safe online (security software is not enough).

6. CLOUD STORAGE – One Drive, Google AF Study Room 17/08/22 1.30pm

7. PHOTOS – storing, saving photoshop AF Study Room 04/08/22 11.15pm

In this workshop we’ll cover using email and Facebook to share your photos and files. First up, we’ll look
at how to attach files to your emails. Second, we’ll look at how you can use your Facebook account (if
you have one) to upload individual photos and entire photo albums to the web, for viewing by anybody
on your friends list – or in the world, if you choose.

8. INTRODUCTION TO ONLINE BANKING AF Study Room 07/06/22 1.30pm

AND SHOPPING

9. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA AF Study Room 21/06/22 1.30pm

Facebook, Instagram, Whats App

10. CONNECTING WITH FAMILY Margaret Street 10/06/22 12 noon

Zoom, Skype, Messenger

11. E BOOKS – KINDLE Margaret Street 17/06/22 12 noon

Class subjects, dates and times are published on the noticeboard in the office – spaces will be limited, so
register as early as possible.

LOU STEVENS, CLASS COORDINATOR

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022

VALE NEIL DORRELL

It is with great sadness that we advise the passing of Neil Dorrell who passed away on the
17th May after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Kay and daughter Justine.

Neil enjoyed playing the card game Bridge and joined U3A to play in a more relaxed and
social atmosphere without the pressures for which “serious” Bridge Clubs are noted.

Between Dialysis and hospital visits, Neil attended U3A Bridge on Tuesday mornings often
sharing his great knowledge of the game with those less experienced – we shall miss his
expertise at the game.

Neil’s life was celebrated with his family and friends many months ago when he was in
better health.

His ashes will be scattered in mid 2023 on the Thames in England and at the B’S Brentwood
Football Club.

R.I.P. Neil

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022

U3A LECTURE AT GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

10TH JUNE, 2022

Addressing dynamic uncertainty in the whale-watching industry under climate

change and system shocks.
Dr Olaf Meynecke

Dr Olaf Meynecke is a Research Fellow, Whale Ecology, in the Coastal and Marine Research Centre
at Griffith University.

Olaf graduated in Environmental Sciences at the University of Lueneburg, Germany, and co-
ordinated scientific panel meetings for the European Union with the European Food Safety
Authority.

He then completed a PhD in Marine Science at Griffith University where he developed advanced
short and long-term tagging methods in marine environments receiving several awards for his
work.

Olaf continued his research in Marine Science undertaking post-doctoral research with the Griffith
Coastal and Marine Research Centre on the Gold Coast, where he successfully completed a
number of projects in coastal ecology for which he was awarded multiple research grants.

He is currently managing and advancing the Whales and Climate Program, an international
research program on the impacts of climate change on whales.

As the CEO and co-founder of Humpbacks & High-Rises Inc a not-for-profit research organisation
dedicated to urban marine mammal research and protection, Olaf spends his spare time studying
the health of humpback whales in south-east Queensland and leading marine expeditions.

The lecture venue is in room, G30_1.09 (same room as our last lecture) and the schedule will be:

1:30pm U3A attendees start arriving

2:00pm Welcome & Lecture Introduction by Dr Andrew Bode
2:05 pm Presentation by Dr Olaf Meynecke
3:00pm Question time
3.15pm Close of lecture

Please register your interest on the list on the Notice Board in the office. Reception will advise
numbers to Griffith University.

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 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 - JUNE 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

Lunch Get Together – SATURDAY 25th JUNE

SUNSET WATERFRONT GRILL

MARINA MIRAGE
11.30 FOR 12 NOON
CATCH THE SEAWWORLD BUS
ENQUIRIES: PAT JONES

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022
A Guide on How to Start Exercising if You’re Out of Shape

Overcoming barriers to exercise

Motivation

Understanding the effect a sedentary lifestyle has on your health often hits home only after a serious event
such as hearing bad news from your doctor. For some people, that’s often enough motivation to get
started. Surviving a serious illness as a result of an inactive lifestyle, such as a heart attack or stroke, can
also be frightening enough to provide a great deal of motivation. So, if you have not exercised for several
years or haven’t exercised before, and it’s a good idea to get a health check with your GP before starting.
Then you need to keep motivated enough to stick with your exercise program. You can track your training
or fitness level and set some achievable goals to keep going.

Lack of time

Finding the time and effort to fit exercise into your daily routine is challenging. We know being “time poor”
is a common reason for not exercising. And many people such as office workers, vehicle or machine
operators have low activity levels at work and don’t feel like exercising after a long day.

One way to get around these barriers might be to attend a group exercise session or join a sports club. If
you find exercise boring, you can encourage a friend to join you or join an exercise group to make it
enjoyable. If you played sport in your youth, that might provide an option. Having a friend to exercise with
or teammates to support you gives a sense of commitment so that you have to be there and will be
challenged if you fail to show up.

Resources

You don’t need to join a gym with a lot of fancy equipment to get fit. There are many exercises – including
squats, push ups and sit ups – don’t need special equipment. And rather than improving muscle strength
with weights at the gym, you can fill milk bottles with water instead.

Yes, you’ll huff and puff – but it does get easier

You might be thinking about starting aerobic exercise like the cardio workout above, or walking, jogging,
swimming or cycling. All need oxygen to provide energy over several minutes or longer. When we perform
aerobic exercise, our heart rate increases along with our breathing rate and depth. This is because this type
of exercise requires oxygen to provide energy to keep going. When we are not used to this type of exercise
our body is inefficient at using the oxygen we breathe to generate energy for our skeletal muscles. That’s
why when we start an exercise program we huff and puff more, get tired quickly and may not finish the exercise.
But if we keep exercising regularly, our bodies become more efficient at using oxygen and we become better at
generating enough energy for our muscles to work. Over weeks of regular exercise, the number and efficiency of our
body’s mini-powerhouses – mitochondria – increase in each cell. This increases the energy they can supply to the
muscles, exercising becomes easier and we recover faster from each session.
That’s why it’s important to continue and repeat exercise sessions, even after a shaky start or a few set-backs. Yes, it
can be a big challenge, but aerobic exercise gets easier over time as the body gets used to providing the energy it
needs.

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022
Thinking of yoga or simple stretches? Here’s what to expect.

Yoga is a great way to start an exercise program and you can perform it at various levels of intensity.
Stretching and other moves improve flexibility and strength. Yoga also emphasises breathing and
relaxation through meditation. Yoga, like other forms of exercise, will be challenging to begin with. But it
does get easier over the weeks as your body adapts. So, it is important to be persistent and make the
exercise part of your routine with at least three sessions of up to one hour every week. At the start, you
may get sore muscles. While this can be uncomfortable, the soreness goes away after about a week. You
can reduce this soreness by starting with low intensity and building gradually over the first month. Once
your muscles become used to the new movements, the soreness will be minimal as you progress.

Watch your joints

We know being overweight or obese has detrimental effects on the heart, bones, joints and other organs
including the pancreas, which regulates blood glucose (sugar) levels. Obesity can also affect brain
health and is linked to poor cognition. The good news is that regular exercise can help reduce these
negative effects. But if you are overweight or obese, taking up exercise can place great strain on your
joints, particularly the articulating surface, the cartilage surface of bones that contact each other. So hips,
knees and ankles can become inflamed and painful. So it may be best to include exercise that reduces
weight bearing, such as exercise in water or using a stationary exercise bike or rowing machine. Once
you’ve lost some weight and your cardiovascular function has improved, then you can add more walking or
jogging to your exercise program.

The right diet helps power you along

A healthy diet you can maintain in the long term is a very important part of any fitness routine. Not only
can it help you lose weight, it can also provide the right type of fuel to power your new exercise program.

Getting plenty of fibre from fruit, vegetables and whole grains will help to reduce weight and keep it
off while exercising.

Sugar, especially the type found in fizzy drinks and sweets, are low in nutrients and increase the risk of
diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. So cut down on refined carbohydrates like some
breads and rice, sugary cereals and refined pasta since these include sugars we are trying to avoid and
have had their fibre removed. Replace them with oats, carrots or potatoes.

It’s best to avoid fad diets, which tend to be restrictive and difficult to maintain. They can lead to a yo-yo
effect where you lose weight only for it to return.

In a nutshell

Once you’ve decided to start exercising, had a medical check if needed, start slowly and build your exercise
routine up over weeks and months. Make it interesting and enjoyable, perhaps by working out with a
friend or group. Set some achievable goals, try to stick to them and don’t give up if you have a set back.

Weight loss and getting fit requires different approaches for different people so find what works for you
and make it part of your lifestyle. Increase the intensity and frequency of your exercise gradually from a
minimal three times a week for 20 minutes to longer, more intense sessions more often.

Andrew Lavender, Lecturer, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY

 U3A GOLD COAST INC. SOUTHPORT
NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022

FREE RAFFLE
YOUR CHANCE TOO WIN 2 DOUBLE PASSES TO THE
EVENT CINEMAS FABULOUS ANDRE RIEU “HAPPY DAYS
ARE HERE AGAIN” 2022 MAASTRICHT CONCERT.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SHOW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO

RECEPTION AND THEY WILL GIVE YOU A FREE TICKET.

ONLY ONE ENTRY PER MEMBER

RAFFLE WILL BE DRAWN AT THE END OF SEMESTER 1

WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED

JUST FOR FUN!

LEARN, LAUGH, ENJOY