President’s Report – November
Hello from the President and your committee,
Gosh hasn’t the year passed by quickly. We’re now on the countdown to Christmas chaos and mayhem in the stores and malls. On that note, your committee has been working hard to ensure an entertaining Christmas meeting with good food and a few surprises. We currently have 84 members who have accepted the invitation to attend our final meeting, please rsvp by the 28th of November to avoid disappointment.
At the last meeting I floated the idea of a get together in January just to chat and share a cuppa. A few people showed interest so I will probably book a large table at Palmers Pakuranga – more information in the December Newsletter. Life has changed over the years , I remember going to lectures and presentations madly scribbling notes, and then came handheld tape recorders. Now we have mobile phones with their cameras to capture information. We are lucky to have interesting presenters who share their stories and research with us . If you wish to photograph their presentations please talk to the speaker prior to their presentation to seek their permission. Please show discretion and consideration when taking the photos so that you don’t upset other members.
Just a thought as we head towards the end of this year, we will be looking for a new committee at the AGM next year. Please think about it and talk to the existing committee if you have interest in any position.
I close with the words of Aristotle:
We are what we readily do :
Excellence, then is not an act but a habit.
-Have a great month, Linda
November’s Speaker:
David Mallowes is a retired pharmacist and keen walker. His postings of East Auckland scenic walks on social media during 2020 quickly evolved a significant on-line following.
The Eastern Times have published many of these walks.
David also teaches gardening at Howick Primary and Cockle Bay schools and leads a team restoring native vegetation along Mellons Bay walkways.
News from some of our Groups
NZ History 2 -Convenor Graeme Diver
Theme – October Historical Events in New Zealand
What happened 1760 to 2025 in Octobers 13 participants selected a range of topics and researched them. Some included below:
1769 Captain Cook off Poverty Bay –12 year old Young Nick sited land – named Young Nicks Head. For his services got a gallon of rum.
1942 Women’s Jurors Act. Allowed women to serve on a jury for the first time. Over 40 years after they received the right to vote.
1967 First Day of 10 o’clock closing. 6 o’clock swill discontinued and then reintroduced in 1919 as a wartime move. 1972 Equal Pay Act introduced which covered all work for women/men.
Subsequent changes made up to 2025. 1975 Whina Cooper – first land march. Marched to Wellington at 75 years of age
Walks and Talks –Convenor June Poole
We enjoy finding hidden places unseen from the main roads. We recently walked around the heart of Remuera and visited Waiata Reserve. You could easily miss this beautiful reserve surrounded by some amazing houses. Once you enter it you can see the amazing mature trees, a winding path to take us around, even seats to sit and gaze. A stream also meanders around it before heading off the Hobson Bay..Our next hidden wonder will be Symonds St cemetery which is full of surprises for us!
World of Art -1 Convenor Garry Law
Picasso captured the attention of The World of Art 1 group at its last meeting, Or rather it was the exhibit at Auckland Art Gallery: Picasso: Designed by Paul Smith — Auckland Art Gallery It was arranged in historic order through his career from his pioneering blue and cubist periods. Much of it was paintings but drawings were strongly represented. He had an amazing facility to capture an image in a few lines or brush strokes. Sculpture and ceramics were not neglected and perhaps they are lesser known than the paintings and thus more surprising . His women muses were often painted and there were several outstanding examples here. The exhibition is on until February. The group often makes gallery visits. Join us!
MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP – Convenor Colleen Rigby
The group met at the Pakuranga Sailing Club to try out the use of Intentional Camera Movement with Slow Shutter Speed. Some impressive impressionistic images were created, before we headed to The Burbs for tea.
Earth & Universe – Convenor- Clive Bolt
The Astronomy group aims to give members a basic understanding of the complex events that are taking place in the universe and in our own cosmic backyard. The serendipity that goes with that understanding offers an appreciation of the complex astrophysics of the universe in a form that is readily understandable to most people with a technical and inquiring mind.
I use public video talks by experts in their field supplemented by an explanation in plain language to help understand the talks.
Some recent examples include, the nature of dark matter, models of the formation of the Solar System, the structure and beginning of The Universe (that we live in), the search for extraterrestrial life and how the space telescopes orbit a point in space 1.5 million kms from The Earth. We have even had a look at the question of Aliens, UFOs and the surrounding conspiratory theories to put things into a scientific perspective.
Psychology Study Group –Convenor Lenard Nel
Our Psychology Study Group is, currently, discussing memory – a theme that will take us into February 2027! Maintaining memory and cognitive health, as we age, is vital for preserving our independence, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Memory issues can range from normal everyday slips to serious medical conditions that affect our daily life.
As we age, it is typical to experience slower recall, occasional word-finding pauses, or misplacing everyday items. These shifts do not stop older adults from living independently or managing daily tasks. Research notes that the aging brain often trades rapid detail-retrieval for broader perspective, shifting focus toward wisdom, accumulated knowledge, and pattern recognition.
However, neurological conditions like Mild Cognitive Impairment or dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease) go beyond normal changes, disrupting daily functioning, driving, or financial management
Why Protecting our Memory Matters: A healthy memory helps preserve our independence. Strong cognitive health allows us to manage medications, appointments, and personal care without assistance. Also, active memory and communication support our social and emotional health, our relationships, reduce isolation, and lower the risk of depression. Some adults, over 80 and regarded as “Super Agers”. maintain memory performance equivalent to people decades younger, showing that the brain retains structural and functional plasticity late in life.
How to Support and Protect Memory There are brain-based ways to protect our memory, for example, getting regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, which boosts blood flow and increases the size of the hippocampus, the brain’s key memory center. Also, eating a brain-healthy diet, such as following a Mediterranean diet – a research-backed eating pattern explicitly designed to protect brain health, slow cognitive decline, and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Important, too, is to stay socially and mentally engaged, by participating in community activities, learn new skills, and use memory strategies (like mnemonics). Wearing hearing aids or prescribed glasses, is important, as uncorrected vision or hearing loss can strain cognitive processing.
Refer to one our discussion slides “How to Improve Our Memory”, as a summary of how we may enhance our life and memory!
A big thank you to all the convenors who took the time to send reports and fabulous photos about their group’s activities. We have an interesting and thriving community in Howick u3a as well as a wonderful fellowship. Sue Townson -Editor
There are some fabulous places around Auckland that our interest groups can visit and do. If your group does something interesting please send me details for inclusion into the newsletter. howick.newsletter@gmail.com
Amendments to November’s Schedule Have I got news for you – no bloopers this month or if there are then no one has emailed me -if they dare! *Ed.
Some Local Events
Salon at Fo Guang Shan – 17 October-28 November Salon – Showcasing art from all around New Zealand
Bell House Market from 9am-2pm every first Sunday of the month-good ideas for Christmas presents
Uxbridge Centre – Two upcoming art exhibitions:
Nokshi Kotha: Storytelling Through Stitch. October 17 -December 19th
Layce Duplessis: ‘Reclaiming the Narrative’ October3rd – December 12th
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Art Show 2-9th November
