Newsletter October 2026
Greetings from the President:
2026 has been another very positive year for U3A Godley. As president I have often felt both proud and humbled by the effort and goodwill many of our members put in for the various operating procedures and activities of the group. The positive feedback about our programme is ongoing and l love to be part of a group that is so interested in learning…. I believe the range and depth of the many and varied questions at the end of each session confirms that.
As well as all the positives, I try to remember the fact that there is also a little sadness at this time of the year for some of our members particularly those who have recently lost their partners….I guess to a certain extent it’s going to happen with our being a ‘mature’ group so to everyone, please keep an eye out for those ‘left behind’. As we all know, times like Christmas can bring recent losses to the fore…..
As this will be the last newsletter for the 2026, thank you for your ongoing support and all my best wishes to you and your family for a very happy Christmas. I hope you have a restful break over the holiday period and see you next year!
Series 6: Pot Pourri
Nov 2 | Associate Professor Dr Toni Collins Faculty of Law Kaupeka Ture University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | Post-disaster Dispute Resolution Should Not Become a Secondary Disaster, Lessons From the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence |
Nov 9 | Dr Susie Mourton Specialist gynecological oncologist and obstetrician | Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery Dr Mourton has performed more than 1000 robotic procedures |
Nov 16 | Vanessa Wells Multi award film maker, and theatre practitioner | Antarctica, Its Importance To Us All Vanessa is the director of Mighty Indeed, a documentary about three women scientists in Antarctica |
Any ideas for programme topics for next year?
We are always looking for programme ideas. Thank you to those who have already given us a few but it’s not too late to share some more thoughts. Please send them to us by email u3agodley@gmail.com and we’ll take it from there.
· Potential speakers plus their area of expertise/occupation
· Topics/themes
· Recommended speakers
· If you might be interested in joining the planning committee
· Any comments on this year’s programme
Did you know there is a U3A Online?
This is an Australian website but U3A in Australia is very similar to U3A in NZ. The website offers life-long learning to your home. You can study interesting subjects at your own pace and in your own time. With 100+ online courses there is something for everyone. If you’re interested you will find it at https://www.u3aonline.org.au/
John Dodgshun at his recent organ recital (left) and the Monday Walkers (right)
Christmas Buffet Lunch
Monday 23 November, Riccarton Park, 165 Racecourse Road, Balmerino Room
Cost: $67 pp which includes subsidy from U3A Godley, buy your own drinks.
Payment: Bank account name: U3A GODLEY INCORPORATED
Bank account number: 03 0830 0467355 00
Please write your name in the particulars, use the code space if necessary
Please write ’lunch’ in the reference space
Closing date – Wednesday 11 November
Dietary
requirements: Please email u3agodley@gmail.com before Wednesday 11 November
Time: Arrive around 12 noon
Bar opens 12 noon
Buffet served 12:45pm
Disability
access: Ramp available
Members of the Tuesday Biking Group catching up over coffee
U3A Godley Annual Subscription
The U3A Godley annual subscription for 2027 will be the same as it was for this year
i.e. $65 pa. As our financial year runs from 1st January to the 31st December each year, subscriptions for 2027 can be paid any time from now on.
Bank account name: U3A GODLEY INCORPORATED
Bank account number: 03 0830 0467355 00
Cash Payments: we prefer members to pay amounts owing by bank transfer although one or two members prefer to pay by cash and if that is you, please talk to the treasurer first.
When paying online please ensure you have your name and most importantly at this time if the year –what it is for e.g. “subscription renewal” or “Christmas Buffet Lunch
