Our Meet and Mingle gathering on 16 April had a particularly special war time theme in the lead up to Anzac Day on 25th April and the celebration of the 80th anniversary of World War 2.
President Margaret Jenkins gave an update on recent activity at U3A. This included: -
Margaret then handed the meeting to ‘As Time Goes By’ convenor Bev Lee who introduced our five guest speakers, all U3A Benalla members.
Bev explained that, amongst the many interesting memoirs written by her members over the years, she’d noticed several stories including memories of World War 2 as seen through the eyes of a child. Readings were then presented by:
Max Tilbury: “They Could Have Been Anzacs” and “The Treasures of Dad’s Kit Bags”
Bev Morton: “Childhood Memories Melbourne - Early 1940’s”
Margaret Nelson: “I Grew Up in the War Years”
Carmyl Winkler: “Sandy Beach Tasmania 1945”
Ray O’Shannessy: “1945 My Gap Year”
These stories were very emotional and insightful and gave a window into the past and what many of us can relate to as we grew up with wartime parents.
President Margaret Jenkins gave an update on recent activity at U3A. This included: -
- A presentation by Margaret to Benalla Councillors at their meeting on 2nd April to seek funding for an extension to the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre building which is owned by Council. The presentation highlighted the growing needs of U3A and the lack of meeting space.
- Mayor Bernie Hearn along with Councillors King and Blore visited the U3A Patchwork and Craft group on 3rd April and also took the opportunity to view the cramped meeting Room 1, the layout of the present building and how it might be extended.
- 2025 Benalla U3A membership has reached a record high of 449 members, exceeding the 2024 figure of 420.
Margaret then handed the meeting to ‘As Time Goes By’ convenor Bev Lee who introduced our five guest speakers, all U3A Benalla members.
Bev explained that, amongst the many interesting memoirs written by her members over the years, she’d noticed several stories including memories of World War 2 as seen through the eyes of a child. Readings were then presented by:
Max Tilbury: “They Could Have Been Anzacs” and “The Treasures of Dad’s Kit Bags”
Bev Morton: “Childhood Memories Melbourne - Early 1940’s”
Margaret Nelson: “I Grew Up in the War Years”
Carmyl Winkler: “Sandy Beach Tasmania 1945”
Ray O’Shannessy: “1945 My Gap Year”
These stories were very emotional and insightful and gave a window into the past and what many of us can relate to as we grew up with wartime parents.
Margaret Nelson, Max Tilbury, Ray O’Shannessy, Carmyl Winkler, Bev Morton
Following these presentations the gathering watched a film titled “Australia and the Second World War” created for Anzac Day 2020 (75th anniversary of the end of WW2) which provided an overview of how the war shaped modern Australia.
Two stories describing childhood memories of the impact of the war were then shared by Bev Morton, 'Childhood Memories, Melbourne 1945' and Max Tilbury 'Looking through a small boy's eyes at the war'...
If you would like to read the ‘1945’ story collection – here’s the link https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/1945
Coming up in May: John Weinert from Road Safe Shepparton will be the guest speaker at Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 21st May at 10am in Room 1. His topic will be Older Drivers in the Community and will cover topics such as why we need to drive safer cars, medical conditions and medicines, driving safely and the Victoria’s Licensing System. All welcome.
Doug Smith and Margaret Jenkins
Two stories describing childhood memories of the impact of the war were then shared by Bev Morton, 'Childhood Memories, Melbourne 1945' and Max Tilbury 'Looking through a small boy's eyes at the war'...
If you would like to read the ‘1945’ story collection – here’s the link https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/1945
Coming up in May: John Weinert from Road Safe Shepparton will be the guest speaker at Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 21st May at 10am in Room 1. His topic will be Older Drivers in the Community and will cover topics such as why we need to drive safer cars, medical conditions and medicines, driving safely and the Victoria’s Licensing System. All welcome.
Doug Smith and Margaret Jenkins
