U3A Rockhampton and District Inc.
ABN 83 907 668 103
NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2026
Welcome to our new members. We look forward to meeting you at our various events throughout the year. It would be appreciated if members would please wear their name badges to meetings and events when attending. New members can collect their badges from our Secretary, Jo Coyne upon visiting at one of our general meetings.
FROM THE PRESIDENT: We appreciate the value that all of our volunteers provide to our U3A members and thank you for giving of your time and support. Our Vice President position is currently vacant and I encourage you to please contact me if you are interested in fulfilling this role.
I am also asking that one of our members consider volunteering for the Treasurer’s Position, as the current term finishes at the end of 2026. Please contact me on my mobile 0417 042 870 if you are interested in supporting U3A Rockhampton & District Inc membership.
2027 U3A State Conference – Mackay: This month’s conference sneak-peek is so exciting. It has been shared with us by Lynette Geraghty, Secretary, U3A Mackay Inc.
Don’t miss Graeme Connors – Sharing a little of his life journey and his own ‘What next?’ moments
One of the highlights of the U3A Network Queensland State Conference in Mackay on 12 May 2027 will be a very special keynote presentation by one of Queensland’s most loved and respected singer-songwriters, Graeme Connors.
With a career spanning more than five decades, Graeme Connors has become an iconic voice of Queensland. His songs and stories celebrate our people, our landscapes and the experiences that shape our lives. His unique ability to combine music, humour, warmth and storytelling has earned him a loyal following across generations.
At the conference, Graeme will present a little of his own life story including his own what next moments – a thought-provoking and entertaining reflection on life, change, possibilities and looking forward to the next chapter.
The title itself is particularly relevant to the U3A philosophy. Retirement is not an ending; it can be the beginning of an exciting new stage filled with opportunities to learn, explore, contribute, connect and discover something new. Graeme invites us to consider the question of ‘What next?‘ with curiosity, optimism and perhaps a little humour.
This promises to be more than a keynote presentation. It will be an opportunity to sit back and hear the stories of an extraordinary Queensland performer, his music, his career and perhaps reflect on our own ‘What next?’, as you travel A Little Further North with Graeme Connors.
Graeme Connors is coming to Mackay – and this is one conference session you won’t want to miss! Join Mackay U3A Inc on 12 May 2027 and be inspired, entertained and reminded that there is always something wonderful waiting for us to discover next.
While in Mackay, why not take the opportunity to daytrip A Little Further North? Cape Hillsborough National Park is just 50km north-west of Mackay.
Construction of the 2027 conference page on U3A Network Queensland’s site has begun. https://u3aqld.au/network-conference2027/ and thanks go to John Armstrong, for all of his hard work.
Don’t forget, if booking accommodation at the Ocean International (discount prices are on both the Network Qld and U3A Mackay websites).
MIND LOFT: Marshall Mentz runs Mind Loft, a daily puzzle site. He has suggested U3A members look at Crux, a clueless crossword where eight words interlock in an empty grid and four category hints are all you get: https://mindloftdaily.com/crux. There are 94 daily puzzles across ten categories, all free with no account, and a group standings feature can hold one shared table across them.
A U3A class can run a shared table on the daily puzzles for nothing. I am glad to set one up for any U3A that asks, so it costs a volunteer nothing but the link. If you are interested, please contact Marshall Mentz direct on mhmentz@gmail.com
GUEST SPEAKERS: Our Guest Speaker at our 6 October meeting will be Deputy Mayor Drew Wickerson on behalf of Mayor Tony Williams, Rockhampton Regional Council, speaking on Olympic Rowing and Advance Rockhampton events.
OCTOBER MONTHLY LUNCH:
Date: Monday, 19 October, 2026 (Not Monday 12th October as Morning Melodies is on the 12th)
Venue: Berserker Tavern (Bistro), 368 Dean Street
Time: 12 midday
RSVP: Via Facebook, text/phone Robyn 0438 284 871 or see Robyn at the General Meeting on Tuesday, 6 October.
DEVELOPING DIGITAL SKILLS: Pre-registration is essential … to participate in this workshop, please contact Judi Blanchard on 0447 227 630
VENUE: Depot Hill State School (Library Building), 53 O’Connell Street, Depot Hill (located at the top of Depot Hill accessed via Wood Street)
When: Wednesday, 7 October 2026 Time: 9am-11am (a cuppa at 10am)
Topic: Facebook – what’s it all about, how to connect with friends, family & groups, buying/selling on Marketplace, and safe and secure Facebook browsing.
When: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 Time: 9am-11am (a cuppa at 10am)
Topic: Password Managers continued. More about the “features and benefits” of a Password Manager application and device security.
GARDEN LOVERS: 23 October 2026 – Rivendel Gardens Tour. Entry Fee. Unfortunately, this venue is not suitable for members who may have difficulty walking on uneven paths.
27 November 2026 – Garden Lovers Christmas Party at Sunny Ridge in Gracemere. This will be a paid event with cost to be advised. Contact Jo Coyne 0487 553 050.
U3A ANGELS: Meet on third Monday of the Month, 1.00pm-3.00pm at Fred Fox Hall. They are crafting Fiddle Mats for North Rockhampton Special School as well as other sensory items, as well as creating cutlery holders for North Rockhampton Nursing Home. Donations of clean plastic bags from cereal packets, felt pieces and fibre filling for these crafts would be appreciated. Contact Christine on Ph 4926 1845.
WALK AND CHAT: From October we meet every Saturday at 5.50am for 6.00am start at Queens Park. Any questions please ring Christine on 49261845.
UKULELE GROUP: Ukulele practice is held every Wednesday 1.30 – 3.30pm at Fred Fox Hall, 3 Gladstone Rd, Rockhampton. During October, playouts will be held at North Rockhampton Nursing Home and Shalom Aged Care. If you play a ukulele and would like to join the group, please contact Barry Lloyd on 0437 636 801.
BIRD WATCHERS: Our next place to visit is on Wednesday 14 October at Peter and Margo Wilson’s at Kabra at 7.30 am. We can have car sharing. We have a short walk through the bush followed by morning tea on their verandah where we can watch the bush birds coming to the feeders. Contact Rod Elder mobile 0409 630 584.
ARMCHAIR TRAVEL: Armchair Travel is cancelled for the months of October and November as Judy will be overseas. Judy announced this at the last meeting of Armchair Travel. Our next meeting will be in February 2027. Thank you to everyone who has presented and attended this group in 2026, Judy appreciates all the support she receives from the group. Contact Judy for further details mob: 0457 712 978.
HISTORY GROUP: The next meeting of the History group will be at 2.00pm on Monday 19 October (third Monday of month) at Oaktree Retirement Village, Glenmore Road. Discussion topic “Stories about Mount Morgan in the early days”. Contact Ann on phone 0400 766 112.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: The Current Affairs group will meet on Wednesday 21 October (third Wednesday of month), 2pm to 4pm at Athelstane Bowls Club, Ward Street. A discussion list is provided for attendees. Contact Co-ordinator Colin Pender on mobile 0412 808 044 for more details.
MUSIC APPRECIATION: The next meeting for 2026 will be at 1.30pm on Wednesday 28 October (fourth Wednesday of month) at 17 Thora Street, Gracemere. For more details, contact Nancy on 49332722.
WRITING FOR PLEASURE: On the first and third Thursdays of each month about ten people meet at Fitzroy by Teman 9.00am-11.30am to write stories. Contact Peter Wilson mob 0407 620 356.
ATHELSTANE TENNIS: If you have your own tennis racket join Athelstane Tennis, Fridays 8am-10.30am, $5/session, membership $10/year. Contact Frances Eklund mob 0429 495 372.
See Activities List for details of more activities for you to enjoy.