U3A Warwick Inc.

Jazz in the afternoon a big success

A six-piece ensemble from the University of Queensland’s Big Band entertained 88 U3A members and guests on July 18, in what was a first for both organisations.

U3A Warwick collaborated with Jumpers & Jazz and sponsor STAR Community Services to present Jazz in the Afternoon at our campus, 1 Tooth Street. Members paid $15 for three hours of fun and frivolity which included a sausage sizzle, hot/cold drinks and Devonshire afternoon tea. The visiting coffee van did a steady trade too.

The event included a raffle and a Crazy Beanie competition, which was won by our Course Coordinator, Rhonda Cooney (third from left in photo below). The judging was done by an independent panel! That should also be said of the raffle, the main prize for which was won by our Treasurer, Mark Agnew! Second prize went to a Brisbane visitor, Ross Clark.

Best of all, despite overnight rain and occasional threatening clouds, the rain held off and a good time was had by all.

Thanks to committee members and volunteers for all their hard work. Thanks to Maureen and Derrick Sutcliffe and Louize Fulton for the photos. Let’s do it again next year!

Neil Bonnell - read all about it!

U3A Warwick Life Member and nonagenarian Neil Bonnell's memoir about his colourful teaching career has been uploaded to this website to mark his 90th birthday in May.

We published this memoir in newsletters some years ago and now include on the website for the benefit of members, new and old. Essential reading for former teachers and travellers.

The Term 3 newsletter contains an article about Neil's career, which included a six-year stint in Uganda and post-career adventures in China.

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, 2024. 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.