U3A Rockhampton and District Inc.
ABN 83 907 668 103
NEWSLETTER – MARCH 2026
GUEST SPEAKERS: The guest speaker for March will be Peter Trim from the Department of Transport
and Main Roads. Peter will be providing us with an update on the Rockhampton Ring Road project.
In April we will have a return visit from Ken and Tash from the RRC Disaster Management Section to
demonstrate the Dashboard that they could not get to operate last time and then to give us a run down on
their role in the recent flood disaster.
2026 MEMBERSHIP FEES: If you have not already paid your 2026 membership fee of $30, you can pay
online to U3A’s Commonwealth Bank account: Account Name: U3A Rockhampton and District Inc BSB:
064710 Account Number: 0092 5452. Please include your name in the description so your EFT payment
can be identified by the Treasurer. Payment can also be made at the general meeting. Please put the
correct amount of $30 in an envelope with your name written on it.
MONTHLY LUNCH: Lunch on Monday 9th March will be at Hog’s Breath Cafe, 6 Aquatic Place, at
12.00pm. The lunch will have a “St. Patrick’s Day” theme so wear a touch of green! RSVP to Robyn by
Tuesday 3rd March via Facebook, text/phone 0438284871 OR see Robyn at the AGM/General Meeting
3rd March. PLEASE NOTE: The lunch numbers will be capped at 70 members.
SOCIAL OUTINGS: The March social outing on Thursday 26th March will be a guided history walk of the
Rockhampton CBD. Meet in the foyer of the Criterion Hotel at 9.30am. Dress for the weather. Wear your
walking shoes. You might need insect repellent. Cost of the tour is $15 per person, or $25 including an
autographed copy of Phil’s book. Bev will book a table at the Criterion for lunch. Contact Bev by text
message on 0410 341 843. Details of the April outing will be in the April newsletter.
GARDEN LOVERS: On Thursday 12th March Garden Lovers will be visiting Tanby Garden Centre from
10.00am to listen to a talk by Julia from Thiliarra Bush Organics about bunya nuts, native ingredients and
vinegar fermentation. For more information and to book, contact Jo on 0487 553 050.
ARMCHAIR TRAVEL: Armchair Travel group will be meeting at 9.30am on Friday 20th March at the
Athelstane Bowls Club in Ward Street. The presenter will be Lex Johnson, speaking on “Norway and Faroe
Island”. Contact Judy on 0457 712 978.
HISTORY GROUP: The next meeting of the History group will be at 2.00pm on Monday 16th March at
Oaktree Retirement Village, Glenmore Road. The subject for the meeting will be “Thozet in Rockhampton”.
A new member of our group, Susan Cunningham, has done extensive research into Thozer’s life in
Rockhampton. She became interested in Thozet in the early 2000’s when she first heard the local story of
Mons Thozet. The story was that after his death (1878) the property had been repossessed by the Council
for unpaid rates and the 3m tall marble obelisk over his grave was sold to recoup some of the
money. Hence, the location of the long-unmarked grave had been lost over time. Susan owned and lived
on a part of his former estate ‘Muellerville’ and was told his grave was somewhere on the property. As she
was actively revegetating the property, the prospect of discovering his last resting spot was
unnerving. Also, she wondered “Who buys a used grave marker?” Most of what she found about him in
those early days turned out be just plain wrong. The true story is much more complex and involved. Come
to the meeting on Monday 16th March to find out more. New members are always welcome in the group.
Contact Ann, phone 0400 766 112.
DEVELOPING DIGITAL SKILLS: PLEASE NOTE THE NEW VENUE. Judi will be holding workshops in
Digital Skills on the first and third Wednesdays from February till November, excluding 15th April and 1st
July, which are school holidays. The workshops will be held in the library of the Admin Building at Depot Hill
School, 53 O’Connell Street, Depot Hill. The building has wheelie walker access via ramp and there is
plenty of angle parking in Carr Street (corner O’Connell Street). On Wednesday 4th March at 9.00am the
workshop will be on DEVICE SECURITY & YOUR ONLINE SAFETY AND PRIVACY: Passwords – creating
and managing effective passwords. Antivirus Software – what is it and why do you need it? Online Privacy –
what you need to keep private, what personal information is important, and how controlling all of this
prepares you to use the internet safely and securely. On Wednesday 18th March at 9.00am the workshop
will be on MANAGING APPS (or Applications): What do Apps do? How do you get Apps on your device?
And so much more! You MUST register to attend each workshop (details advised in U3A newsletter) by
phoning/texting Judi Blanchard on 0447227630.
UPCOMING SEMINARS: U3A Rockhampton is planning to hold two seminars in April and May about Aged
Care and Carer Support, and Succession Planning including Enduring Power of Attorney and Aged
Disability Advocacy. More information on these seminars will be advised when planning is finalised.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: PLEASE NOTE THE NEW VENUE. The Current Affairs group will meet on 18th
March from 2pm to 4pm at the Athelstane Bowls Club, Ward Street. Contact the new coordinator Colin
Pender on mobile 0412 808 044 for more details.
MUSIC APPRECIATION: The first meeting for 2026 will be at 1.30pm on 25th March at 17 Thora Street,
Gracemere. For more details, contact Nancy on 49332722.
WALK AND CHAT: Walk and Chat members are still meeting at the summer start time 5.50am to start
walking at 6.00am. Meet at Queens Park in Glenore Road for walks in Rockhampton and at the flagpole in
the Stockland car park for the Yeppoon walks. Contact Christine on 49261845.
CONTRACT BRIDGE LESSONS: If you are interested in learning to play contract bridge, Rockhampton
Bridge Club, Lion Creek Road will be conducting a nine-week course commencing on Wednesday 18th
March at 6.30 pm or Thursday 19th March at 9.30 am. The first lesson is free. The next 8 lessons will cost
$40. Each lesson includes refreshments in an air-conditioned club house. Contract bridge is played
socially five times a week at the club house – Monday, and Thursday mornings, Wednesday afternoon and
evening and Saturday afternoon. The cost is $7 a session. To register your interest or for further
enquires, phone Fran (0419986555) or Thomas (0439662067) or send an email to
clubhouse@rockhamptonbridgeclub.com
See Activities List for details of more activities for you to enjoy.
Some Irish jokes for St Patrick’s Day
Paddy and Mick find three hand grenades and decide to take them to the Police station. Paddy is
concerned and asks, “What if one goes off before we get there?” Mick replies, “Right, then we will tell them
that we found only two.”
Mick and Sean were lifting a pint at Finnegan’s Pub. Mick said, “I haven’t run into your Uncle Paddy in a
while. Whatever happened to him?” Sean replied, “Dear Uncle Paddy was busy trying to make a new kind
of car. He took the wheels from a Cadillac, the radiator from a Lexus, and a motor from a Ford.” “What did
he get?” asked Mick. “Four years,” said Sean.
Paddy was driving in a dangerous manner, swerving across several lanes on the motorway. This was
noticed by Officer O’Malley, who after completing a vehicle stop, approached the car, and said, “What in
heaven’s name are you doing?” Paddy replied, “This is my first time behind the wheel. I’m learning to
drive.” “Saints preserve us! Without an instructor in the car?” Officer O’Malley exclaimed. “There’s nothing
to worry about officer,” Paddy replied as he presented the phone in his hand, “it’s an online course.”