TERM TWO: 16 April ~ 29 June - U3A Yarra Ranges€¦ · Nyepi in Bali Last month I was lucky enough to spend my 3rd Nyepi in Bali. It is a very special time on the island. Nyepi is

Page | 1 Our web page www.u3ayarraranges.com.au

U3A Yarra Ranges Inc. ABN: 76566223684 Reg. No: A0030434B

TERM TWO: 16th April ~ 29th June

U3A Yarra Ranges takes over Portarlington

On Tuesday 13th March, twenty intrepid U3A members caught the 7.43am train to Southern Cross. After a short walk

past Etihad Stadium to the cow stuck up the tree we caught the 9.30am ferry, the “Bellarine Express” to Portarlington.

A group from the Croydon Probus Club were about the only other passengers on the ferry. We left the rain behind us

in Melbourne and arrived at Portarlington at 11am. Our war party then proceeded to run amok in the town and the

surrounding area. Except for a short bit of mist the weather was nice for walking and sight-seeing and it was not hot.

One group walked along the Bellarine trail towards St. Leonards and walked back through PA in time for lunch.

Another riotous group proceeded to buy up everything that wasn’t screwed down in the town’s splendid op-shops and

a closing down material shop. Two more groups walked up the only hill on the peninsula where you can see in all

directions including Port Phillip Heads, Portsea, Arthurs Seat, Geelong, the You Yangs and Melbourne.

There are wonderful cafes and a pub serving meals and refreshments which most of our group partook. A slightly

heavier group (food and purchases) ambled back to the wharf and caught the 3.30pm ferry back to Docklands at 5pm

and then caught the Lilydale train to arrive back home before 6.30pm. Some caught an earlier train going to

Mooroolbark but Metro fooled them by cancelling the train at Ringwood so they had to get on the Lilydale train

following. An exception to this was the Coldstream Coffee Club who had to go and have a cup of the brown muck at

Docklands before facing a later train home. By John Sebire

The photographs show some of the

group at Portarlington.

More photographs of this and other

activities are on the google photos cloud

attached to our website. For those not

familiar with this go to our website

u3ayarraranges.com.au, select the

Gallery/Photos from U3A Activities

dropdown menu and select the photos

link to see more photographs from this

and many of our other activities.

Dates for your Diaries

Class Leaders Meeting: Fri 13th April

Term 2 begins: Mon 16th April

Term 2 ends: Fri 29th June


The 'Welcome Charlie' poem was written by a second year member of the Creative Writers group who has welcomed her first grandchild.

The photo is of newborn Charlie and she had it set up by SN@P, the printers who did Autumn Leaves for us last year. She framed it and gave it to the delighted parents.


Here is a true story for the ladies in our group. Like a lot of older women I still

have 2 dolls from my childhood, both from the 1950’s. After a visit to the Block Arcade with the Wednesday walking group I decided to take my dolls into the doll hospital. They were both in need of some TLC. The lady in the shop took one look at one of the dolls, reached under the counter and put a plastic bag around Dolly. Then back under the counter for a large black plastic bin bag, Dolly in her plastic bag then goes into this bag. I am with a friend and we are both a bit surprised. Dolly gets rolled up in the large bin bag and is put in front of me with the words “she’s toxic”. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. It turns out that Dolly has the “Pedigree doll disease “. HPD or Hard Plastic Disease. This is where there is a chemical

breakdown of the plastic. It seems that this happens to the early plastics from the 1930’s through to the 1950s. There is quite a lot of

information on the internet. My doll is a “Pedigree“ brand but it is not only this brand of dolls that are affected. The affected dolls can split, distort hands go grey, unfortunately there is no cure and the doll has to be got rid of. Also do not store old dolls together as one with HPD can harm others. I still have Dolly in her plastic bags and I am planning a “Dolly demise “party soon. The good news is that my other doll was not affected and has had her makeover; I pick her up

early March . By Carole Snowdon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Word from our President

With term 1 now behind us, I hope everyone has settled into their classes and

activities and enjoying learning new skills and forming new friendships.

We had a little hiccup in week 1 with the venue at John St, Lilydale but classes were re-

assigned to new venues quickly with little disruption.

Our membership is currently 379 and we offer a total of 41 classes and activities. This is

made possible by the wonderful group of class leaders and committee members, who

voluntarily give so much of their time to ensure our members have access to a variety of

activities. Thank you.

The online membership system is up and running and appears to be well received by the

members. The system allows members to login and update their details e.g. address, phone

number, etc. It also enables members to enrol in courses, but please contact the relevant

class leader prior to enrolling in a new course.

For those of you who haven’t as yet acquainted themselves with the system please give it a

try. Go to our website www.u3ayarraranges.com.au access the membership tab and click

on member login. Use your membership number and your default password is your

postcode. Once you have logged in the password can be changed if you wish.

Enjoy the learning experience and the friendship. Ann Brickell

http://www.u3ayarraranges.com.au/


Nyepi in Bali Last month I was lucky enough to spend my 3rd Nyepi in Bali. It is a very special time on the island. Nyepi is New

Year in the Balinese calendar. It is known as Silent Day. This is the day where everything in Bali is closed;

restaurants, shops, even the airport. No one is allowed to go out on the street.

On the eve of Nyepi, Balinese Hindus celebrate with a Ngrupuk Parade – also known as the ‘Ogoh Ogoh’

Parade. This is a huge Hindu festival held all over Bali. The locals parade through the streets, carrying great ‘Ogoh

Ogohs’, playing drums and banging gongs. It’s an amazing sight to see.

These giant monsters are made of lightweight materials: Wood, bamboo, paper, and styrofoam are intricately painted.

They are carried on bamboo platforms. The men and boys of the village carry them. They take the shape of

mythological, evil creatures and gods to represent

negative aspects of living things and criticise

society and its latest issues. The name itself comes

from ‘ogah ogah’, the Balinese word for

‘shaken’. The scary artworks are indeed shaken

when carried through the streets and almost seem

to move, dance and come to life. Ogoh Ogoh

monsters often have multiple heads and arms and

carry swords or pitchforks. Some of them also

include modern elements like motorcycles,

surfboards, even mobile phones and selfie sticks!

Ogoh Ogoh Parades end with countless bonfires,

when the laboriously designed monsters are burnt

ceremonially and fall to ashes.

For many years now the Ogoh Ogoh haven’t been

burnt as they are

made with

styrofoam. The

villages can

sometimes sell their

creations to

overseas buyers for

large amounts of

money which go

towards helping

their village. These

can be seen in the

streets days later.

The Balinese

believe that bad

spirits move into

their monsters by

making noise and

playing instruments

and can be banished by burning. It is an important act of purification for the locals to herald the new year and Nyepi,

the following day.

During Nyepi, the day of Silence, from 6 am to 6 the following morning, Balinese are not to take part in any work

which includes cooking and housework and they may not leave their house. No lights or fires may be lit. It is a time of

reflection.

As tourists we are confined to our hotels. Hotels provide a skeleton staff who make the meals etc. Only low lights and

curtains must be closed at night. There is no television or radio available so it pays to be organised and have DVD’s or

books available to fill in the day. It is a great opportunity to do a little introspection of your own!

Nyepi police patrol the streets to make sure there is no one out and about; there are fines for anyone found

disobeying this strict rule. By Kerry Ferroni

Pemuteran, North West Bali

Even the young children get involved.


The story by Marion Lodge is one of many from the rich accounts written by our members. Marion has been with us since day one of the Creative Writing groups!


U3A Yarra Ranges - Class Timetable Term 2 2018

Day / Class Time Venue Class

Leader Contact No

Monday

Beginning French 10.00am - 11.30am Japara Centre Frances 97301262

Social Outings ( Various ) 1st Monday of month Various Brian 97272721

Tai Chi For Health-Beginners 10.00am-11.00am Court House Louise 0423193661

Feldenkrais 10.45am - 11.45am Japara Centre Jenni 97379945

Photography 11.30am - 1.00pm Japara Centre Ray 97362483

Travel Group 2nd & 4th Monday 11.30am-1.00pm Court House Barb 0422086536

Music Appreciation 1.00pm-3.00pm Japara Centre Gerald 0419592339

Patchwork by Hand 1.00pm - 3.00pm Japara Centre Sharon 0422228737

Tai Chi for Health - Advanced 1.30pm - 2.30pm Court House Louise 0423193661

Places of Interest & Lunch 3rd Monday of month Various Carole 0409804814

Aileen 97796234

YOGA -NEW CLASS 1.30pm - 3.00pm Japara Centre Simone 0411 681 843

Bike Riding on trails 2nd & 4th Monday Various Paul 97267719

Tuesday

Tuesday Walking Group Start 9.00 am Various John 97354754

Creative Writing-Ways With Words 10.00am -12noon Coldstream C.C. Sue 97264353

French -Advanced 11.15am -1.15pm Court House Jean 97370430

"Steady as you Go"/ No Falls exercise 9.30 am -11.00am Court House Ann 97394473

Karaoke 11.15am - 1.15pm Tapscott Centre Thelma 97275296

Creative Writing - Beginners 1.00pm-3.00pm Coldstream C.C. Sue 97264353

IPAD BEGINNERS COURSE 1.30pm - 3.00pm Court House Jan 97297593

French -Continuing 3.00pm -4.30pm Japara Centre Frances 97301262

Wednesday

Soul Dancing 9.30am-11.00am Japara Centre Robyn 97363145

Folk Art 10.00 am - 1.00 pm Japara Centre Gloria 97796348

Wednesday Walking Group Start 9.00am Various Paul 97267719

Table Tennis 9.00am-11.30am Coldstream C.C. Thelma 97275296

ART - Drawing & Painting 1.30pm-3.00pm Bridge Studio Teresa 97282322

ART - Appreciation-1st Wed Monthly 1.30pm -3.00pm Bridge Studio Teresa 97282322

Thursday

Thursday Walking Group Start 9.15am Various Sue 97370347

Book Club Week I of month 10.00 am - 12.00 am Lilydale Library Sue 97264353

Thursday Genealogy 9.00 am - 11.00 am Tapscott Centre Kaye 97229626

Intermediate Italian 10.00am - 11.30am Court House Tonina 97284964

Advanced Italian 12 noon - 1.45pm Court House Tonina 97284964

Beginners Italian 2.00pm - 3.45pm Court House Ingun 0413313902

Railway Enthusiasts - NEW 1st & 3rd weeks 9.00am Various Steve 0421442155

Craft 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Japara Centre Gloria 97796348

Friday

Staying Steady 10.00am - 11.30pm Court House Val 97270027

Genealogy 9.00 am - 10.30 am Japara Centre John 97354754

Computor Operators Group 11.00 am - 12.30 pm Japara Centre Ann 97234843

Philosophy-An examined life 10.00am 12noon Lilydale Lake Com. R Adriana 97770735

Dine-out Luncheons ( 2nd Friday of month) 12.30 pm onwards Various Locations Cheryl 97249382

German 2.00pm - 4.00pm Bridge Heinz 59642110

Saturday

Patchwork - Week 1 of month 10.00am - 4.00pm Japara Centre Bev 97275998

Patchwork - Week 3 of month 10.00am - 4.00pm Japara Centre Bernadette 97283081

VENUES :

The Bridge 49 Durham Rd Kilsyth Lilydale Library BoxHill Institute 1 Jarlo Ave Lilydale

Japara Centre 54-58 Durham Rd Kilsyth Coldstream Com C. 12 Kelso St Coldstream

Court House 61 Castella St,Lilydale Tapscott-Milbourne Centre-

Lilydale Lake Community Room 320 Cambridge Rd Montose

Class Enquiries : Contact Class Co-ordinator - Sharon Bartley - 0422 228 737 - OR [email protected]

Assistant Class Co-ordinator : Tonina Lombardi – 97284964 Membership SecretaryJudith Gunstone: 9725 0825



And a bit of humour to finish……..

A beggar walked up to a well-dressed woman in Toorak, and said, "Excuse me, lady, I haven't

eaten in a week." "Gosh!" exclaimed the woman, "I wish I had your will power! " from Val

We would like to thank

The Office of Christine Fyffe MP, State Member for Evelyn

143 Main Street Lilydale.

The printing of the Message Stick is funded from the Parliament's Electorate Office and Communications budget.

[email protected]

We acknowledge the support given to U3A Yarra Ranges by the

Yarra Ranges Shire

Thank you to all our wonderful contributors to this edition of our Messagestick.

I welcome your input and contributions; a story, a photograph, a description of something you’ve done in a class

or activity or even an amazing experience whilst holidaying.

LEADERS….please send me something from your class…use this opportunity to promote your class.

Many thanks again for your support

Kerry Ferroni Messagestick Editor

[email protected] (please include your contact details)

mailto:[email protected]

TERM TWO: 16 April ~ 29 June - U3A Yarra Ranges€¦ · Nyepi in Bali Last month I was lucky enough to spend my 3rd Nyepi in Bali. It is a very special time on the island. Nyepi is

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