Leader: Gloria Jones
1. Enrol in this course through NU3A.
2. Subscribe and pay directly through the theatre (phone the Box Office 4952 4958 Mondays to Fridays or email newrep@bigpond.net.au ). Make sure you specify that you are part of the Newcastle U3A group and would like to attend the first Sunday matinee of each show in the subscription series. Alternatively, book online, which gives you the ability to choose your own seat.
Book the season or seasons or book as few or as many shows that interest you.If you do not complete one of these booking options, you will not have a ticket!
3. Put the performance dates in your diary.
4. If you can’t make a particular matinee, contact the theatre to change to an alternative performance. Make sure you provide plenty of notice.
5. Be aware that many of the group meet up in the lobby prior to the start of the show for a chat.
Concession subscriptions are 6 shows for $192 and 7 for $217. Individual shows are $35 (concession).
Please check the theatre website for details of each performance.

Tutor: Bob James

For sceptics, happy to question even what they think they know is a fact.Wide ranging discussions of events and causes from the past and the present.

Japanese Advanced Language and Culture
Tutor: Jenny King
This course follows the Intermediate Japanese course. During the year we will revise familiar conversational, listening, reading and writing skills and our understanding of the importance of Japanese cultural traditions. We will practise using the Kanji symbols already studied and introduce a range of new Kanji symbols which are used in everyday communication. The Hiragana and Katakana scripts will continue to be used each lesson while additional grammatical structures will be introduced to increase language fluency. Worksheets are provided each week and audiovisual presentations and videos are used each lesson. No textbook is necessary.

Leaders: Lena Gilmour and Sherill Jones
Scientific research has proven that a regular practice of meditation has many health benefits, including reducing stress levels, lowering high blood pressure as well as retaining more grey matter which could help against age related tissue decline. We will be including meditations on mindfulness, breathing, relaxation, visualisation, and chakras. For our meditation practice we will be sitting on a chair but if you prefer to lie down please bring along a yoga mat or towel, cushion, or pillow and maybe a blanket.
The course does not promote any specific philosophy or religious background.

Tutor: Mark McConnell
Topics will include refresher on shutter/aperture/ISO, tips, group photography, lighting (flash and available light), scanning and copying photos (pixels vs print size), video tips, histograms, Photoshop and processing images. Field Trips in session 3, 5 and 7, group decides on a location for each field trip. Field trips may be held at an earlier time than classroom sessions depending on location and weather.

Leader: John Carr
A course about how we humans create meaning, purpose, and value in living. Pursuing an holistic approach informed by philosophy psychology and literature, we will seek to identify the core conditions of being human, those essential aspects of life which arise for any person in any culture in any time period, exploring issues and dilemmas and the meaning(s) of life.

Tutor: Susan Coggan
This 6 month course will introduce you to the joy of playing this friendly instrument. We start with a one chord song and progress to play Eight Days a Week with 6 chords. You will learn the ukulele skills of reading chord diagrams, simple strumming and tuning a ukulele. Please have a ukulele, music stand, tuner with battery, pencil and eraser. A booklet will be emailed to you before the course starts. If you can't sing, humming is ok. At the end you will have learnt 10+ chords and can advance to the morning intermediate class

Leader: Susan Coggan
This session begins with 25 minutes of playing melodies using First 50 Melodies You Should Play on Your Ukulele (HL 292982). Otherwise join us at 10.30 for playing songs from The Ukulele Club Songbook Vol 2 . We will explore playing chords in alternative positions; finger picking and different strums. You will need to be able to play 8-10 chords to join this class.

Leader: The group

Are you cruising with your chords and strumming? Do you practice regularly? Are you keen to learn and share some new techniques, finger picking, chord melodies, strum patterns and embellishments?
If so, join with this group of like-minded uke players to share new songs and techniques; and to learn together. As there is no group leader, each week two or three members will introduce something new to the group; and will guide members in their learning. All members will contribute over the term.

A uke jam session and something new to practice... what more could you want?

Leader: The Group
A monthly writing group, for members who have completed NU3A's 2023 Guided Writing courses, to continue the joy of sharing each other's short stories, guided by a different prompt each month, provided by members of the group. CLOSED TO NEW MEMBERS.

Course Leader: John Thacker

A regular practice based upon YOGA traditions and disciplines that can help you build strength, flexibility and balance along with awareness, bringing together the mind and the body. It includes breathing exercises, meditation and shapes that stretch and flex various muscle groups. Standard YOGA props are required: mat, blocks, strap. A bolster or similar will assist your practice and is highly recommended. Suitable clothing for movement is appropriate.

This class is ideal for members who have previously done some form of Yoga, but all interested participants are welcome.

Leader: Julie Keating
Australian Agricultural Company (A A Co). In 1827, the A A Co signed an agreement with the NSW government to lease the government coal mines for a period of 31 years. The company was granted 2000 acres for mining, together with access to port facilities. Other players wanted to enter the lucrative trade and there were some challenges to the monopoly. The government cancelled the lease in 1847 and new mines opened in some of the outlying suburbs such as Waratah, Lambton, Merewether and New Lambton.

Tutor: Brett Morgan
The National College of Dance (NCD) at Lambton offers Ballet classes for adults, run by its Director, Brett Morgan, who has a background in professional ballet. The aim is to improve balance, muscle strength and fitness, memory, flexibility and coordination. No previous ballet experience necessary, wear socks and comfortable clothes. NB: NCD follows the NSW Dept. Ed. school (not NU3A) term dates.

The classes usually costs $22 per session, however it is offered to us on a donation system. The school asks that participants contribute either what they feel the class is worth to them, or what they can afford that week. It could be anything up to $22.

10/2/26 - My Friends - Frederik Backman
10/3/26 - James - Percival Everett
12/5/26 - Last One Out - Jane Harper
9/6/26 - Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens - Shankari Ghandran
11/8/26 - Balcony Over Jerusalem - John Lyons
8/9/26 - Bill the Bastard - Roland Perry
10/11/26 -A Long Petal of the Sea - Isabel Allende
8/12/26 - The Stationary Shop of Tehran - Marjan Kamali

Leader: The Group
Bring along something you are working on:-
• share skills, ideas and patterns
• help others
• learn something new and embrace Craft Work.
A casual, self-managing group designed to support members interested in craft work. All welcome.

Leader: The group
Cryptic Crosswords: a four-week course beginning 10th Feb.
Love ‘em or Hate ‘em, you don’t ever really give in!! Lateral thinker or not; they’re challenging & frustrating & fun!
We’ll tackle CCs from easy for beginners; to more complex to test us all. Sources may include the SMH/ The Age, Newcastle Herald and others.

Tutor: Megan McQueenie

Integrating the ten classic hatha yoga postures, the Gita sequence works on the brain and the body's five major systems: the respiratory system, the digestive system, the central nervous system, the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system.
Whilst every posture benefits the body in multiple ways, Gita yoga specifically focusses on the seven hormone producing endocrine glands which program the body and make us what we are.
Introduced in Australia in 1954 Gita yoga also incorporates pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) relaxation and meditation in an holistic approach to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing

N.B The class will be held at Adamstown Uniting Church in terms 1 & 4; and via Zoom in terms 2 & 3.

 Dr. John Carr
Language is central to our human nature, and crucial for the quality of our relationships and our society, shaping how we think and feel. We will explore speech and writing and other literacies, including animal communication, artificial languages, memetics, how communication works, and the evolution and neurology of language.

Tutor Mark McConnell
Join photography tutor Mark McConnell as he leads a series of seven walks designed to provide photographic opportunities. The walks will generally be on flat terrain and the pace appropriate for photo opportunities. This course is open to both walkers and photographers. Details of walk locations will be sent to successful applicants prior to the course starting. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes and a hat. The eighth lesson will be a debrief of your best images from the previous seven weeks.
Please note this last session will be held at U3A room, 21 Gordon Avenue on 23rd June, 2026.

Tutor: Ann Miller
Tai Chi is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind and controlled breathing.
Wear comfortable clothing and soft soled, flexible shoes.