Study Groups
Interest Group Meetings
Interest Group meetings are held in members’ homes and may be once a month or by other arrangement as decided by the group. Usually a resource person leads the group and together the group agrees on issues to be covered for each meeting. Members are encouraged to read on the topics under discussion and visiting speakers may be invited to contribute. The group is responsible for any expenses they incur in the work of the group.
Contact the convenor if you are interested in a study group. Some groups are currently full, but the convenor can add you to a waiting list, or help you to set up a second group on the topic.
TED Talk Discussions
TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a non-profit foundation that “believes passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world.” Their mission is simply to “spread ideas” which is achieved through the organisation of conferences across the globe. These are recorded and then posted on the internet for free access and use. The roster of speakers includes scientists, philosophers, musicians, business and religious leaders, philanthropists and many others presenting on an incredibly wide variety of thought- provoking topics. Our local group, which is open to all U3A members, aims to likewise “spread ideas”. Volunteers from the group present a topic of their own choosing, using TED talk videos to spark often lively, but friendly, discussion. It’s always a very educational and entertaining two hours. There’s plenty of space in the room so if an upcoming topic “tickles your fancy” you are very welcome to attend.
Active Interest Groups and Convenors
| Subject | Convenor | Vacancies? |
|---|---|---|
| Classics: Iliad and Odyssey | Marian Vlaar. 525 8167 marian.vlaar@gmail.com | Yes |
| Music Appreciation | Sheila Climpson. 525 9385 ashclimpson@gmail.com and Charles Naylor chaspam30@gmail.com | None |
| Films | John Pemberton. 525 9125 john.pemberton47@gmail.com | None |
| New Democracy | Peter Riley peterrobinriley@gmail.com and Pat Ballard kdpballard@xtra.co.nz | None |
| Prehistoric mysteries | Piers Maclaren. 525 7440 piersmaclaren@gmail.com | None |
| Art history: Dutch Masters; Early 20th C Architecture | Jocelyn Tracey 525 9125 jocelyn.tracey@outlook.com and Margaret Maloney 524 8699 m.maloney@xtra.co.nz | None |
| Art history: Early Renaissance to Impressionism | Rosamund Arthur and Don Mead. 524 8130 don.mead@gmail.com | Yes |
| Book Discussion Group 1 | Liz Lee. 525 8110 leejl@xtra.co.nz | None |
| Book Discussion Group 2 | Peter Riley. peterrobinriley@gmail.com | None |
| Saints and Sinners | Robin Riley. 525 7033 or 027-244 7731 peterrobinriley@gmail.com | None |
| TED Talks | Richard English. 525 6179 rsenglish@xtra.co.nz | Unlimited |
| Astronomy | Paul Taylor 021-045 7545 ptaylor05@gmail.com | None |
| Early NZ History | Christine Pullar christine.pullar@actrix.co.nz | None |
| Collecting in Western Culture | Diane Dacre. dianedacre@yahoo.co.nz | Yes |
| Sustainable Development (starts Sep) | Chris Bennett chris@lpcb.org | Yes |
| Life and Times of Shakespeare | Adrian Maloney m.maloney@xtra.co.nz | Yes |
| Musicals and Operas | Paul Taylor 021-045 7545 ptaylor05@gmail.com | None |
Monthly Schedule
| Week of Month | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 10 am Prehistory mysteries 10 am Classics: Iliad & Odyssey (2021 onwards) | 10 am Classics: Iliad & Odyssey (2020) | 9.30 am Book group 1 | ||
| Second | 7.30 pm Film group | 10 am Saints and sinners 1.30 pm Early NZ History | am Book group 2 | ||
| Third | 1.30 pm Art history (2 groups) | 10 am Music | am Democracy | ||
| Fourth | 7 pm Musicals & Operas | ||||
| Last | 10 am TED talks | ||||
| Variable | Music appreciation 10.30 am Collections (3rd or 4th week) | Astronomy |