U3A Warwick Inc.

Avis Stehn clocks up 20 years as Tai Chi teacher

U3A Warwick’s long-term Tai Chi tutor Avis Stehn was granted Life Membership at the annual general meeting on November 29. President Louize Fulton presented Avis with her certificate and invited her to address the meeting.

Avis said that she learned Tai Chi in Brisbane in the 1990s, when her daughter, who was unwell at the time, started it as physical therapy.

After moving to the Southern Downs in the early 2000s, Avis took over U3A’s Tai Chi classes in 2004 from then tutor Nola Elwood.

Since then, Avis has conducted Tai Chi classes at Leslie Park ‘rain hail or shine.’ This year she began a beginner’s class as all of her existing students had attained Intermediate level in 2023.

“We had 32 to start the year and I now have seven regular students. That’s not surprising because Tai Chi is hard; it’s hard to learn and at times I might only teach one movement in a week.

“You have to be dedicated to stick with it.”

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art, initially developed for combat and self-defense. It has evolved into a sport and form of exercise. Tai chi is a gentle, low-impact form of exercise in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate, flowing motions while focusing on deep, slow breaths. 

How to renew your 2025 membership online:

Renewal of your U3A Warwick Inc membership can be done online in the convenience of your home.  This includes for members who are located in either Warwick or Goondiwindi.

• From the menu of this website select “Membership.”  This will take you to the Membership page.
• Go to the bottom of the Membership page and select the [Renewing Member] box.  (This applies to both Warwick and Goondiwindi members).  This will take you to a “Renew Your Membership” web page.
• Enter your email address.  This MUST be the email address that has been supplied to U3A and will be the email address where you receive emails from U3A. (If you do not enter the correct email address this process will fail).
• Check your email.  You should receive an email containing an invoice for your renewal.  The system will know your membership details for 2024 and will invoice you for continuation of the same membership type for 2025.
• The email will give 2 options for online payment. 

1. Click the link “Pay here by credit card” on the emailed invoice. This is powered by STRIPE which is a secure system where you simply enter your credit card details and security code. Your membership details will be automatically updated in our Member Wizard database, the invoice will be paid and a receipt automatically forwarded to your email address on successful completion. (There is a very small card fee charged when STRIPE is used.)  This is our preferred method of receiving payment as it greatly reduces workload and reduces the possibility of errors being made by both the members and the treasurer.
2. Should you prefer to pay by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), details of the Warwick Credit Union account will also be provided on the emailed invoice so that payment by EFT can be carried out.  If paying by EFT, please make sure that you clearly identify who the payment is from and what it is for (eg “Renew”).  A receipt will be emailed to you, but this will not happen immediately as the system update and receipting has to be carried out manually by the treasurer when time permits.

• If your details have changed (eg: address, phone number, emergency contact etc), please advise the treasurer (Mark Agnew) at treasurer@u3awarwick.org.au or by phone on 0428 889 794. Please also call the treasurer if you require assistance with the above process.

U3A Warwick Update 

Classes for Term 4 end on Friday December 13 and U3A Warwick will go into recess until Term 1, 2025. Please note some classes will continue through the summer break. Please consult your class leader. 

Important dates for members:

Sign-on days: Thursday January 23rd and Friday January 24th from 10am to 2.00pm. 

The Term 1 newsletter will be emailed to members In mid-January. It contains detailed information about courses and classes offered by U3A Warwick in 2025. Hard copies will be available at sign-on days. 

Term 1, 2025 resumes on Monday January 27th