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for presentations click here.
Note the above notes were contributed by Maureen and Jenny (2024) and may not apply to your device.
For full up-to-date details of all our groups see our newsletter
For our Small Film Group page click here.
'SHORT GROUPS'
Three Month Literature Course :
The Short Story (New)
This group will run every fortnight from May to July allowing us to discuss seven short stories by the Russian greats including Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy and Gogol. We will be guided by A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, a popular book by US novelist George Saunders. The seven essays in this book are intended for anyone interested in how fiction works and why it's more relevant than ever in these turbulent times.
Members of the group will not have to read the book, just one short story every two weeks. The stories are not hard to read and are nothing short of inspiring. Time and place: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the back of the Whangaparaoa library, 9am to 11am from May 1. If this interests you, email Maureen at mjansener@gmail.com, or
phone Peter Gillmore on 021 0200 0494
OVERVIEW OF ALL OUR CURRENT 'PERMANENT' GROUPS
As of July 2024
Groups
Art Appreciation
This is a lively group appreciating art of all kinds and which occasionally embarks on trips to art galleries. We meet at 2pm in the Pohutukawa Room, Whangaparaoa Library on the second Tuesday of the month.
Convenor: Trish Litherland pat.roy@xtra.co.nz
Book Club
We each read the same two selected books each month and then we have good discussions about them. Some of us like the book and other don’t, making for a lively and interesting morning. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 10.00am We meet in our own homes, taking turns to host.
Convenor: Sheila Hussona, sandahussona@ix.net.nz
Book Review
There are no set books to read. Instead, members review a book they have read during the month. Members find this personal introduction to books very helpful when choosing their own next reading. If a member owns the book they are reviewing, it is often lent out around the group.
We meet at 9.45 on the third Friday of the month in the Peninsula Club.
Convenor: Cheril Clarke, cherilclarke@xtra.co.nz
Cards and Games
This is a cheerful, fun-loving group where we exercise our brains at the same time. We are happy to teach you any games that are new to you. New members are welcome.
Meetings are on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 1.30pm in the Pohutukawa Room
Convenor: Aileen Horspool, aileenhorspool@gmail.com
Cinématique
Meetings are ad hoc, depending on what is showing locally. We work with Hoyts Senior Mornings, usually a Tuesday at 10.00am for free coffee and morning tastes. If you are Hoyts member the charge is only $9 and for non members $10. We are supporting this kind gesture.
Any members who wish to come to these cinema mornings, please contact Trish.
Convenor: Trish Litherland, pat.roy@xtra.co.nz
Discussion
We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 10.00. For the first hour we usually discuss a set topic, based on a current issue from New Zealand or world-wide. After a coffee break at 11.00, time is devoted to topics or issues that are brought up by individual members.
Convenors: Bob & Jenny Kelly, Inverkelly1824
EcoWarriors
This group meets on the third Wednesday in members' homes. Through research, field trips and sharing of information we aim to reach a greater knowledge and understanding of our environment.
Weeds like arum lilies, agapanthus and ivy prevent the regeneration of native bush. For able-bodied members, there is still the opportunity to meet for weeding, usually at 1.00 pm. on Wednesdays.
Please ring the convener for more information.
Convener: Jill Everest 021-0286 7068; jilleverest12@gmail.com
Film Discussion
We discuss any films we have viewed together, plus any others deemed suitable. We meet at 10.30, on the last Friday of the month. New members are welcome! Venue: Pohutukawa Room,
Whangaparaoa Library, 10.30 am.
Convener: Trish Litherland pat.roy@xtra.co.nz
History
In the History Group we cover the early centuries to recent times. We learn about events and people, famous, infamous and obscure. Members present their research and findings in the form of written, oral and screen presentations, and in images. You are welcome to just come and listen. We make time to discuss topics and to exchange views and ideas.
We meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 10am to noon in the Pohutukawa Room.
Convenor: Peter Gillmore petergillmore1949@gmail.com
Mahjong
The Mahjong Group is for beginners with two instructors present to assist with learning. Come and join us for fun and friendship!
Mahjong is held every fourth Monday of the month from 1.30 to 4.30pm in the Pohutukawa Room, Whangaparaoa Library. From August onwards, we will be having an additional session on the 1st
Monday of the month. All are welcome.
Convenor: Connie Franklin, Conniefranklin@outlook.com
Music Appreciation
We spend our time listening to and leaning about many genres of music. The emphasis is on classical music. Members are encouraged to introduce their favourite pieces, musicians or instruments. All are welcome to join us for fun and friendship. We meet on fourth Wednesdays at
10am in the Whangaparaoa Library.
Convenor: Peter Gillmore petergillmore1949@gmail.com
Play Reading
Our last meeting was very enjoyable, we welcomed three new members who each contributed to our morning! Last May we commenced reading “Outside Edge” by Richard Harris but needed to finish at the end of Act 1. Unfortunately, Sue, a new member could not carry on reading Act 2 in June because of having broken her foot, but as luck would have it one of our new members could read her part, so all was not lost!
I thought I could share this play with you all. Go to YouTube on your device, and search “OUTSIDE EDGE”, the original play should come up starring Paul Eddington and Prunella Scales.
Our Play for this month will be something entirely different, possibly a drama or possibly a classic!
Contact: Barbara barb-johntucker@xtra.co.nz
Poetry Discussion
This group involves reading and responding to poems by famous poets as well as some non-compulsory poetry writing from prompts. We look at traditional poets, contemporary poets and song lyrics, giving rise to energetic discussion.
We meet every fourth Monday 10.30 to 12.00 in the Pohutukawa Room changing to the first Monday in 2025.
Convenor: Maureen Jansen, mjansener@gmail.com
Proverbs and Idioms
We aim to learn about the origins of sayings, proverbs and idioms such as 'be on cloud nine', 'let sleeping dogs lie', or 'cat on a hot tin roof'. The charge is $2 per head. If you stay on for Quizzer, that is at no extra cost.
If you want to be involved in such a group to research, discuss, debate, learn and have fun, meet us at the Theosophical Society Hall, 9 Forest Glen, cnr Annalise Place, Orewa, at 12.30 to 1.45
Gavin 021730444, email gavin.whyte@gmail.com
Quizzer
Quizzers are split into groups to tackle seven sets of questions. Each quiz session is $2 per head to cover hall hire, photocopying and afternoon tea. Quizzer follows the Proverbs and Idioms group at 2 pm also at the Theosophical Hall. If you have attended Proverbs and Idioms that day, there is no extra charge for Quizzer.
Gavin 021730444, email gavin.whyte@gmail.com
Science
Our group shares and discusses science topics, some of which have been quantum physics (!), diet, advances in medical treatments, biological robots. We have a wide range of backgrounds, both scientific and non-scientific. We aim to widen our knowledge and understanding. All are welcome to join us at the Pohutukawa Room on the afternoon of the first Thursday of the month at 2pm.
Convenor: Jenny Casale jenicasale@gmail.com
The Short Film Group
We make short films based on ideas brought by group members. It is all done by role play, so there are no lines to learn. We have lots of fun, planning and shooting. We are lucky to have the skills and experience brought by our convenors. Times are arranged by email.
Convenors are Ian and Nancy Miller, ian.miller.nz@gmail.com
The Art of Photography
The purpose of this group is to learn how to look at a photo and how to take meaningful photos.
Everyone is welcome. No experience required. A mobile phone is all you need to take really good shots. We share our photos on the big screen and members give helpful tips or just enjoy looking at what you have taken.
We meet on the second Wednesday of the month in the Pohutukawa Room from 10am to noon.
Convenors: Jeannetta Dearsley j.josephs@xtra.co.nz
The Short Story Group
Our Short Story Group which has been focussing on Russian short stories will have its final meeting in August. From 4th September we will continue as a monthly short story group looking at the works of famous short story writers, meeting on the first Wednesday of each month from 10 to 11.30, at a place to be announced.
Contact Maureen Jansen or Peter Gillmore if you would like to join. mjansener@gmail.com or petergillmore1949@gmail.com
The World Today
The group’s aim is to help members gain an understanding of the background and implications of what is happening on the world stage. Members are asked to research aspects of a topic to share what they learn with other members. We meet on the first Friday of the month from 9.45 to 12.00, in the Pohutukawa Room, Whangaparaoa Library.
Conveners: Jill Everest, jilleverest12@gmail.com and Maureen Jansen, mjansener@gmail.com
Travel
The Travel Group meets to discuss aspects of travel. At most meetings, two members give a talk, usually accompanied by a slide presentation, on a trip they have taken. The range of amazing places people have visited makes this a very interesting group and promotes lots of questions from other members.
We meet on the second Monday of the month at 2.00pm in the Pohutukawa Room, Whangaparaoa Library.
Convener Sally-Ann Smith sallyann@hotmail.co.nz
U3A Writers
This is an enthusiastic and supportive group with varied levels of ability. A 500-word homework task is set for each meeting and a five-minute quick write happens as well. The writing ability of members improves, and we have a lot of fun and laughs. We meet the first Friday of the month in the Peninsula club, gathering first in the Palm Court Café (straight through from Reception) at 10am. At 10.30 we move up to the Hibiscus room.
Convener: Cheril Clarke, cherilclarke@xtra.co.nz
SUGGESTIONS WELCOME
We are always on the look-out for new study groups. So if you have any suggestions please contact us.
What about forming a Natural History Group? Such a group might look at trees, rocks, wildlife, plants etc in the area. Or a Science group? Or a University Alumini group?
You might like to create a short-term group to explore a specific topic. Such a group would automatically disband after say half-a-dozen meetings. Alternatively, you might like to create a long-term study group.
