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Grafton U3A Inc. (University of the Third Age)
PO Box 688 Grafton NSW 2460
www.grafton.u3anet.org.au
“Sharing our knowledge, skills and experience in a friendly convivial way”
APRIL 2015
JABBERFEST * 10.00AM – 13 APRIL 2015
GUEST SPEAKER – DAVID MORGAN ESM
GRAFTON COMMUNITY CENTRE – DUKE STREET GRAFTON
Our Guest speaker for April Jabberfest is former Grafton U3A President;
well and favourably known to many members and is the perfect guest for
a time so close to Anzac Day. David’s address will have a strong military
theme enabling our own Anzac Day memory time.
His address will embrace the Centenary of ANZAC and in particular, the
historic re-enactment planned for this ANZAC Day of the recruitment for
the Light Horse and subsequent ride from Copmanhurst to Grafton after
the outbreak of WW1. This event was a significant one for the Clarence
Valley. This Special Guest is very worthy of our support.
MARCH JABBERFEST REPORT
An audience of over one hundred enjoyed a very interesting talk and question and answer session with Clarence
Valley Council Mayor, Richie Williamson, at our Jabberfest on March 9.
Richie reminded us that there used to be separate North and South Grafton Councils, let alone several other
councils within the Clarence Valley area. He pointed out that it is ten years since those Councils were
amalgamated into the present day Clarence Valley Council.
Looking back over this period, the CVC invested heavily in the future with the building and opening of the
Shannon Creek Dam, the expenditure of $60 million on sewerage treatment works in Grafton, Maclean, Yamba
and Iluka, a brand new Library plus handling the clean-up and massive repairs to damage caused by four major
floods. Council’s expenditure budget is around $140 million per annum.
Apart from such things as Rubbish removal and disposal, road maintenance, park and playground maintenance,
Council operates a number of Social Services, Youth Services, Services for the Aged and Disabled, Meals on
Wheels, Healthy Communities and Outdoor Exercise Gyms. Council maintains 1433 km of sealed roads and 989
km of gravel roads, plus 149 bridges, guard rails , culverts etc.
It is Council’s policy not to increase rates over and above the gazetted 2.4% and not to borrow, but rather
consolidate and repay debt. They are currently reviewing and reassessing assets, such as replacing six separate
depots in Grafton with just one. Touching on the future of Local Government in NSW, Richie remarked that,
despite considerable opposition, amalgamation in the Clarence Valley had been successful and its model is being
used in other areas of the State. So there’s bound to be more to come.
We all agree that times have been tough, particularly in the retail sector and employment, but Richie sees a much
brighter future ahead with an injection of $7.5 billion into the Woolgoolga to Ballina section of the highway, with
4500 new jobs during 2015 and 2020. Plus, of course, the second bridge over the Clarence, for which preliminary
work has started, with a total overall cost of $177 million. Our immediate employment future should be bright.
Following Richie’s address there was an interesting and informative Question and Answer session.
.One question related to community owned renewable energy production. The Mayor replied that Council were
serious about renewable energy and the environment, with solar panels on most Council properties, substantial
reduction in landfill usage and gases. Community owned renewable energy would not be considered by CVC at
this stage because of the enormous investment required and the need for very long term and stable Federal
Government policy on the matter.
GRAFTON U3A
APRIL 2015
PAGE 1
A second question was regarding the demise of Midnight Basketball. Richie informed us that its very large cost
($80,000 over 16 weeks) was one problem but that the other real problem was returning youths back to
dysfunctional families, affected by drugs and alcohol, late at night. Some kids asked not to be taken home!
Council are not abandoning youth and are working to reintroduce a similar, but different, scheme.
Another question related to the empty coffee shop at the Gallery. Limited kitchen space and infrastructure were a
major problem in attracting a new tenant, but Council are considering purchasing new equipment to make the
proposition more viable to a new operator. Council is hopeful that this problem will be solved soon.
A few more interesting questions arose, concerning foliage at roundabouts and pedestrian crossings (the RMA
theory is ‘if you can’t see, you’ll slow down’!) and the future of the Nymboida Power Station (one of the two
tunnels collapsed and the second is at the end of its life. The station has not produced since February, 2013.)
It was a hugely interesting and informative session and we sincerely thank Richie Williamson for it.
R.A.Cuming
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
One of the big celebration events of the year EASTER is almost upon us.
Seems we just left Christmas behind and here it is EASTER. The shops
are doing a great job tempting us with chocolate in all shapes and sizes.
Along with bunnies and chicks made from chocolate or fluffy fabric – you
just can't escape being surrounded by them. As always we all rouse
about the inflated prices and bad value of these items but those of us
with children and grandchildren easily succumb to the temptation which
is always worthwhile when we see the smiles on little faces – and even
grown-up faces. Who doesn't like CHOCOLATE? Easter also means trips
away/visitors/parties, all great to do. But it can also mean heartache for
those involved in accidents which are all too common at Easter. Please
take great care on the roads.
Unfortunately Raymond Loy is unable to be guest speaker at Jabberfest in April due to
circumstances beyond his control. He hopes to be our guest at some time in the future.
As it turns out his replacement David Morgan is the perfect guest for a time so close to
Anzac day. David's address will have a military theme so we can have our own Anzac Day
memory time at Jabberfest – just a little early. I am sure we will all enjoy hearing David
who is well known to most of us. David served as U3A President for several years and has
also been involved in courses as Tutor. David has an informed knowledge of the history of
Australians at War and possesses a beautiful, clear voice for perfect delivery. I thank David
for filling in at short notice.
Maree Burrows
HOUSEKEEPING
Members attending Jabberfest
will know that a fee of $2 is
paid
when
registering
attendance
at
the
door.
Unfortunately there is a little
confusion at present as to what this is for. It is
mainly for the rent paid for use of the room,
kitchen facilities, audio equipment and some for
morning tea. Some members have stated that they
thought it was for morning tea only and as they
don't have this they don't need to pay. Committee
feel $2 is a very small contribution for what is
considered a rewarding morning and if some do not
want to have morning tea that is their business but
does not affect overall cost as all are catered for.
Hope this clears up this issue and that all can see
the value in payment of the $2. Maree Burrows
PHOTOGRAPHS
We often use photos of
members in the Jabber Journal
to go with stories. It has been
suggested that some people may
not like their photo on display.
We have not had comments or
complaints but wish to offer
anyone who would prefer to not be included in
photos in Jabber Journal to say so.
You may phone me on 66421640 and I will see
that your request is covered.
Maree Burrows
GRAFTON U3A
APRIL 2015
PAGE 2
ARMCHAIR TRAVEL
GROUP UPDATE
THE BELLRINGERS OF GRAFTON U3A!
A wonderful outing was had by a busload
of U3Aers on Sunday 29th March. After
picking
up
at Bunnings and
the
Showground we made our way to
Lawrence. There we made our way (after
asking
directions)
to
the
Bell
Museum. Most of the group had never
heard of the museum and some had
heard of it but never been. What a
wonderful surprise was awaiting us
all. The museum displays bells of all
shapes,
sizes
and
sounds.
The
commentary given by the lady attending
us was very interesting and informative. I
will not attempt to describe the many
bells and other interesting objects we had
the privilege of viewing. I will just say
'you must go and see for yourself'. I
think this display is probably unique in
Australia and we are very fortunate to
have it locally. Tea, coffee and cool
drinks available and seating to enjoy
it. Also a lovely nursery shares the
premises. After this visit we boarded the
bus and went to Maclean Bowling Club for
lunch. Then home by a different route to
see more sights of the beautiful Clarence
River.
Thanks to Fiona Duggan for
planning the trip and to Warren Moss for
driving the bus.
A FEW OF OUR HAPPY BELLRINGERS
Following Alysan
Pender’s talk and great
photos of her travels
through Denmark and
Southern Norway, she
will be taking us
through the rest of her Scandinavian
travels encompassing Northern Norway,
Finland and Sweden. At the U3A Rooms.
Dougherty House
Monday April 28th 2pm-4pm
Magda Mussared 6644 9309
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TAI CHI GROUP
This happy group have just finished a session
of relaxing and beneficial Tai Chi recently.
Photo by David Abrahams – a keen member of
this group, men are most welcome.
Nancye Eggins 6642 4147
Raylee Baird 6644 8406
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In October 2005 Frank Heppell came
to Grafton U3A with the ‘Men’s Shed’
concept, spread the word and thus
was launched the very successful
operation we have 10 years on. The
generosity and encouragement from
Ron & Carol Skinner and then Les & Jan McGill in
providing space to us has paved the way for the
Shed to prosper. Essential to the success has also
been the U3A connection and then President Bob
Cuming was and is to this day an outstanding and
enthusiastic supporter. Watch this space for more
snippets from the Shed
Dennis Kelly [email protected] is returning to the Jabber Journal and welcomes
contributions from all. Cut-off date for the May Journal is Monday April 27
GRAFTON U3A
APRIL 2015
PAGE 3
TUTOR OF THE MONTH
Nick Reeve has been conducting Climate Change Lectures and here details the process of learning.
In the early course on climate change the emphasis was on reducing our personal carbon footprint: swapping the
light bulbs, turning off the power to the TV and computers at night and generally cutting back on consumption; all
important but not sufficient. The recent course of video lectures, ‘Earth’s Changing Climate’, sought to give an
understanding of the science underpinning the ‘Theory of The Greenhouse Effect’ in the belief that understanding
the science enables you to counter the myths perpetrated by misguided or mischievous ‘Climate Deniers’.
These are some of the ‘myths’:
1)
‘We are a sunburnt country’, “‘Climate change’ has been with us forever”.
(This myth fails to distinguish between weather and climate).
2)
“The cost of renewable energy cannot compete with fossil fuels”.
(This is no longer true).
3)
“Our economy depends on an abundance of coal”.
(Indeed ‘Coal has been good to us’, but not to our environment).
4)
And the latest: “We have a moral duty to provide poorer nations with our
cheap fossil fuels so that they may become prosperous too!”.
(This is plainly a selfserving argument to justify the continued sale of our dirty coal before it becomes a
worthless ‘stranded asset’.)
Over the years these myths have been challenged and lose their impact. Few but the wilfully ignorant continue to
argue that the climate is not changing, “that it is just the natural variation in the weather”.
And so putting the myths behind us the emphasis of the course now is on what we as individuals, and as
communities, can do to stem the relentless increase in the levels of greenhouse gases that threaten to poison our
planet.
We cannot go on as we are, not if we are to leave more than a burned crisp of a planet for our grandchildren to
inherit. We have to change. If we are to avoid destroying our environment we have to reduce our dependence on
fossil fuels. Coal has indeed been ‘good to us’, but its day is done.
Around the world communities large and small are taking it into their own hands to find ways to generate clean
energy to replace generation by coal and gas. Nick Reeve
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HEAVENLY FERRY RIDE AND FABULOUS FOREST WALK AT ILUKA
As we reached Yamba the black sky, exceedingly black, threatened our walk. Undeterred we decided
to continue to Iluka and then if the portents were too ominous to adjourn to the pub. However the
skies cleared and after an interesting ferry crossing with 65 people aboard the ferry and only 45
seats (where was the Plimsoll line?) we wandered happily along the Bay Shore where weeds have
been cleared and native vegetation is regenerating. Yachts and fishing trawlers reflected in the
mirror-like water. The only wild life we sighted here was a rabbit---perhaps the Easter Bunny. No
koalas today. Cars and dogs have taken a huge toll.
In the World Heritage Nature Reserve the forest giants soared overhead providing much-needed
shade as we wandered along the track. Weeds have been almost eliminated by the work of the
Iluka Landcare Group who has worked so hard in conjunction with National Parks for 18 years. All
about us trees, epiphytes, shrubs and ground cover were lush and verdant after the wonderful
recent rains. As we walked further the penetrating cracks of the whipbird's cry and the gentler call
of the golden whistler teemed with the song of the rolling surf to provide the music. At the Bluff we
climbed to the Lookout where splendour abounds in the remarkable 360 degree view. Lunch was
taken in the shelter shed where information displays provide fascinating information including
stories from the Yaegl people, the traditional owners and custodians of this beautiful country.
Back at Iluka we had time for very welcome, cold liquid refreshments at the pub before catching the
ferry back to Yamba for the drive home.
Great was it on that day to be alive but to share the fabulous forest and fascinating ferry ride
across the estuary with U3a friends was getting close to heaven. Barbara Fahey
GRAFTON U3A
APRIL 2015
PAGE 4