U3A Toowoomba

The U3A Drayton Tai Chi class, tutored by Marie Kajewski, practicing some moves. And what do U3A members do after a class on a rainy, cold morning.

☕ Coffee Time!!

The last days of Autumn in Toowoomba have been miserable - wet, foggy, windy and cold! Not good weather for walking at all!
The U3A Wednesday Stroll Group and the Thursday Walking Group decided to leave the wet weather to the ducks.

Much more civilised to catch up with one another in the cosy surroundings of the Fire and Ice Cafe for conversation, coffee and cake!

Winter begins next Monday so fingers crossed for better weather next week so we can hit the pavements again🙂🙂

Congratulations to Dalby U3A!

Celebrations will commence at the Senior Citizens Hall, Cnr Condamine & Roche Street Dalby at 10.30am, 13th July.
All are welcome.
If you would like to help Dalby celebrate, please ring the number below for more information.

The members of the Exercise for the Well-Meaning are hard at work concentrating on their warm-up before launching into some fun exercise to kick-start the week. Rumour has it the most popular part of the class is the final 15 minutes — not because of the stretches, but because participants finally get to sit down and call it the “warm down”!

This morning, The Speaker’s Hub Group had the privilege of hearing from raconteur Captain Robin Cartwright whose address was entitled “A Life in the Clouds”.
Born in India shortly before the British withdrawal, Robin moved with his family to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he developed his passion for flying and his interest in meteorology.
Robin took us on a fascinating journey as he spoke about his many adventures including successful Cloud Seeding in Zimbabwe which resulted in rain which filled Lake Kyle near Masvingo. He also flew tourists close to the ground in a Piper Apache to view prolific herds of African wildlife. On one of these flights, his little plane was charged by a large bull elephant!

His journeys continued throughout the world as an airline pilot specialising in flying during poor weather conditions. Among his many memorable experiences was being hijacked by Robert Mugabe and his strong men, and on another occasion having to divert a flight due to extremely bad weather when he was captain of a plane carrying Pope John Paul 11.

Robin could have talked all day – and we certainly could have listened all day! Sincere thanks to Robin for sharing your adventures with us.

May 18-24 is National Volunteer Week.
It is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.

It recognises the contribution of millions of volunteers across the country and invites everyone to discover how giving their time and talents can create connection, purpose, and stronger communities.
U3A cannot function without the hard work and dedication of our team of volunteer Tutors, Class Convenors/helpers, Guest Speakers, Pianists, and Management Committee. The many hours of work our volunteers put in every week is priceless and very much appreciated by the general U3A community.

So a very big thank you to you all, you keep our doors open and our classes running and our community is thriving thanks to you!

Members of the Stroll Patrol were happy to wake to a sunny morning after showers over the past 2 days. We walked in Emmerson Park in Centenary Heights which underwent a major $1.32 million upgrade by the Toowoomba Regional Council in 2024. The refreshed space features an all-abilities playground area, upgraded picnic facilities with BBQs, a new toilet block, an adult exercise area, and extensive new pathways and landscaping.
It is a wonderful space for family gatherings, and we may have tried out some of the equipment ourselves! The landscaping is particularly attractive with gardens featuring Australia native plants and wooden posts featuring carvings of Australian animals.
The original trees planted when the park was established are now mature and provide lots of shade for visitors and there are plenty of open areas suitable for ball games. The pathways meandering through the park offer opportunities for children to ride their bikes – altogether a great place to take grandchildren for a weekend picnic!
Anna Carson

Date Claimer
“Photographing the Night Sky” by astro-imager Paul Knie, is a colourful journey which reveals in detail our lunar neighbour, solar system, the stars and galaxies beyond.
Paul’s exhibition will run from Wednesday 24th June until Friday 26th July
The opening of the exhibition and a special ‘Artist in Conversation’ event will take place on Saturday 27th June at 11.00am at:
The Rosalie Gallery
89 Mocatta Street
Goombungee.
Afterwards, you are welcome to stay and look around the gallery then drop into the nearby Lutheran Church Hall for some refreshments and a chat.
This is a free event, all are welcome, and although bookings are not required, Paul would appreciate an indication of numbers to help with catering at:
[email protected]
Paul is a valued tutor for U3A in Toowoomba and his sister, Lyn Wetzig, presents the U3A Class “Photography for Fun” at Crows Nest. This is a great opportunity to view Paul’s fascinating images in the lovely Rosalie Gallery – a nice drive through the countryside to Goombungee.

Congratulations Rhonda Weston AM

Rhonda Weston AM and her husband David joined U3A in Toowoomba in 2004. In 2011 Rhonda was elected President of U3A Toowoomba and served in this position until 2023.
In 2012, Rhonda was elected to the position of U3A Network Queensland President, so was president of both Toowoomba and Qld Network!
The contribution Rhonda and David have made to U3A locally and at a State and World level has been enormous.
Just a few significant events along the way.
• In 2015, Rhonda was elected Chair of the U3A Asia Pacific Alliance.
• In 2019, Rhonda and David were named “Toowoomba Citizens of the Year” for their work with U3A.
• In 2021, Rhonda was awarded an AM, Member of the Order of Australia. The citation for receiving this award was “for significant service to the education of the elderly and to the community of Toowoomba”.
• In 2023 Rhonda did not seek re-election as Toowoomba President. Subsequently Rhonda and David were made Life Members of U3A Toowoomba and Rhonda was appointed as “Patron” of U3A in Toowoomba.
• Rhonda served for 9 years on the U3A Network Qld Committee, 7 of those as President.

As Rhonda stepped down from her position of Network President, she had these words to say.
“I stepped down today after 9 years on the U3A Network Qld Committee, 7 of those years as President. It has been a journey I never expected to make but one I have enjoyed enormously. I have friends right around the world now due to U3A, how blessed am I. A little emotional today when I received a Standing Ovation. What an honour.”
Congratulations Rhonda from all of us in Toowoomba U3A. We know we will continue to see you and David at our local classes and events.

The photos:
1. Flowers from U3A Sunshine Coast.
2. A very beautiful Bohemian Crystal Vase as a thank you from U3A Network Qld. The inscription reads ‘Honouring Rhonda Weston AM for many years of dedicated service, unwavering commitment and passion for U3A Network Qld.’
3. Many reasons to celebrate - David and Rhonda

A very interesting debate to be hosted by our Archaeology Group.
Note the date in your diary:
* Thursday 25th June from 9am to 11am in the Austral Room.