Newsletter - October 2025

Greetings from the President

Just three more sessions left…..the year has gone by very quickly and before we know it, we’ll be listening to the first talk of 2026! I feel we can be very happy with all sorts of things about U3A Godley. I believe our success is all about the input from members – whether it be washing the morning tea dishes, ensuring the sound system is cooperating, taking part in the weekly biking group or whatever – there is a myriad of opportunity for participation if you wish. Many members go the extra mile, week after week, willingly and happily, and for that the Committee and I are very appreciative, thank you.

As the last newsletter for the 2025 I wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas, do your best to keep well and have fun! See you next year.

E-bikes forever!

Member Margaret Nicholas is a regular participant in the Tuesday Bike Group and recently her e-bike just stopped en route! So, as a member of AA she called them as per her policy, expecting perhaps a bike mechanic to come and help but instead they sent a tow truck! If you look closely you can see the bike on the back. Perhaps a little OTT?

Series Five: Pot Pourri

3 Nov	Helen Brown Ngai Tahu author and historian Principal Advisor Research Ngai Tahu Archive Chair Okains Bay Museum Trust Board	Unconscionable Theft Ngāi Tahu and Land Alienation in the Canterbury Region Part 2 Helen will continue her discussion about the early effects of European settlement on the Indigenous Peoples of the area with reference to multiple Ngāi Tahu land sales
10 Nov	Mr Jon Wells Paediatric Surgeon at Christchurch Hospital and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Otago Simulation Centre	Design and Development of a Training Simulator for Complex Paediatric Surgery The talk will include a practical demonstration and the audience will be invited to try the simulator
17 Nov	Chris Finlayson KC Former Attorney General and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Now returned to his career as a barrister	The Centre Cannot Hold

Christmas Luncheon, Monday 1 December

This year our Christmas Luncheon will be held at the Balmerino Room, Riccarton Park Raceway, 165 Racecourse Rd. We ask you to arrive about 12 noon and lunch will be served at approximately 12.45pm. The bar will be open from 12.

Parking is available outside Gate 4, also Gate 3 if required and if you require Disabled Parking please drive through Gate 4 where there are parks in front of the building. There is ramp access nearby.

Cost to members for the Christmas buffet is $65.00 pp which includes a subsidy from U3A Godley. Drinks are at members’ own expense. If you have any special dietary requirements, please email u3agodley@gmail.com by Tuesday 18 November.

Payment should be made to the U3A Godley account: 03 0830 0467355 000 and please put the name of the attendees in the ‘particulars’ section (and use the ‘code’ section if more space is required) with LUNCH in the ‘reference’ section. Payment needs to be no later than Tuesday 18 November.

Please note, The Annual General Meeting will not be held at this function, it will be held after a meeting early next year.

U3A Godley Recorder Group performing recently at Kauri Lodge

U3A Godley Annual Fee Increase

The U3A Godley annual fee will increase by $5 for 2026 i.e. it will now be $65 pa. There has been no increase for quite a few years but along with everything else…..costs are rising, so we are hoping the $5 extra will be do-able for everyone. Fees for 2026 can be paid any time from now on.

Whāia te Taniwha Exhibition

The Big Summer Show - major exhibition of works by Maori artists, co-curated by Chloe Cull (from our gallery), Madi Williams and Kirsty Dunn. The U3A Godley Art Group visited this exhibition recently.

Next Places of Interest Visit

The next Places of Interest trip will be to visit the insect collection at Lincoln University on Wed 12th November at 10am. Max numbers 20.

Lincoln University Entomology Research Collection https://research.lincoln.ac.nz/testing-analytical-services/the-lincoln-university-entomology-research-collection 

The group will have a talk by John Marris and then they will divide into two groups i.e. one half will look through the collection while the other half has coffee in the adjacent café and then reverse. 

If you would like to go, please contact Richard Pickering at pickeringx2@yahoo.com

A big thank you to John Dodgshun for yet another wonderful organ concert.

Members reported a beautiful and interesting spring walk in the Botanical Gardens of Hagley Park rec

Left: A big thank you to John Dodgshun for yet another wonderful organ concert.

Right: Members reported a beautiful and interesting spring walk in the Botanical Gardens of Hagley Park recently.