U3A Warwick Inc.
Jazz in the Afternoon - UQ Jazz Ensemble perform at our premises
Keep Friday July 18th July free for a special Jumpers & Jazz performance for U3A Warwick members and the public in general. This is the first collaboration between J&J and U3A and allows us to host the University of Queensland's jazz ensemble at our premises, 1 Tooth Street. This will be an outdoor event with seating provided. You can pre-book tickets by visiting the 'Jazz Event" page on this website. Tickets are $15 and this includes a sausage sizzle, hot/cold drinks and Devonshire afternoon tea. The ensemble will perform from 12.45pm to 3pm.
We are also holding a Crazy Beanies competition - and you have time to get knitting!
The UQ BIG BAND was established in 2007, comprising students and alumni who major in a range of academic fields but share a passion for jazz and contemporary art music. The U3A Warwick performance will feature a smaller group of skilled jazz musicians.
Photo: The UQ Big Band Jazz Ensemble take time out at last year's Jumpers and Jazz festival for a publicity shot (UQ Big Band Facebook)
U3A Warwick Sign On 2025
U3A Warwick volunteers were on hand in late January to help members renew for 2025 or join for the first time. The photo below shows our new flooring in rooms 1 and 2. Timber-like flooring replaced some very tired carpet. We also bought some furniture and fittings, all courtesy of a Gambling Fund grant. Since we took on extra rooms last year we now have five classrooms in two main buildings. We also have a kitchen and outdoor areas for members' use.
Avis Stehn clocks up 20 years as Tai Chi teacher
U3A Warwick’s long-term Tai Chi tutor Avis Stehn (right) 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.