U3A Benalla

The August Wine Appreciation outing to Warrabilla Wines was Wonderful. The winery had set up a magnificent table (a single slab of wood from a Barmah redgum) with glasses and nibbles, and presented an excellent tasting. This place will stay on the radar of many who attended.
Afterwards we repaired to Precinct Bar & Restaurant in Wangaratta for a delicious lunch. Another grand outing.

Something for our 'Art Appreciation' and 'A Taste of Art' group members...and interested others...

A reminder to Meet and Mingle members and interested others! Tomorrow, Wednesday 19th August, 10 am U3A Room 1, Benalla Seniors and Community Centre. All welcome.

Our 'Learning and playing traditional Celtic tunes' class members have been continuing to learn and practice traditional Celtic music. "We are a small group but very keen and there are a variety of instruments being played including fiddle, flute (modern and Irish), Irish whistle, guitar and bodhran. We don't sing - our music is all instrumental and is largely learned and played by ear." Tim Shirley

The photos on the previous post having been accidentally done away with, shall try again...
- - - - - -
The U3A Birdwatching group headed for higher ground, by "Little Mt Meg" at Chesney Vale. There were birds there, mostly fast-moving; thornbills flitting in the foliage and tree-creepers zooming round the tree trunks. On a chilly day none wanted to pose to have their photo taken. Many birds were identified by their sound; Choughs cooing in the distance, a kookaburra, and lots of twittering and cheeping.
It was a good outing, nice to be out in bushland, and if the birds didn't want their portraits taken, Bev and Andi found flowers and fungi that were more cooperative. Not to mention a turtle which John rescued from the middle of the road. (So just why did the turtle cross the road?)
So it was a good bird, flower, fungi & turtle watching outing. With morning tea at the Winton Cafe to finish up.

Some extra photos from the Mokoan walk a week ago. A good winter's outing.

Parking in the Council Car Park today proved problematic, as the Lake Waters steadily rose. Police arrived to close the Park and endeavour to contact owners of their car's impending peril. One owner, Shirley Swallow, arrived to find her Subaru's wheels already under water. Luckily, Officer Patrick offered to discard his boots and wade to her vehicle and drive it out of the water. Shirley was extremely grateful. Hopefully, Patrick has a spare pair of regulation socks back at the Station.

The Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV), in partnership with Waminda Community House and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, is offering a free community information session for Benalla residents. Drop in for free, independent advice about:
• Electricity, gas, water, phone and internet bills.
• Concessions, grants and checking whether you're on the best offer.
• Complaints or concerns with your utility or telecommunications provider.
Bring your bills along! Waminda Community House, Thursday August 13, 10am to 1pm.