Welcome to the Swan Hills Region Web page
Swan Hills Region meets at 1:30 PM on Fridays at North Metropolitan TAFE – Midland Campus, Eddie Barron Drive off Lloyd Street,
Midland in Lecture Theatre Block “D” behind the Administration Block “A”. Visitors are always welcome.
Elvire Chalets is in Elvire Street, Midland.
Contacts:
Catherine, email: catbax88@hotmail.com Phone 0400 952 585
Tony Phone 0427 300 344
Nov – Feb 2022 Program
Swan Hills Christmas Lunch
Swan Hills U3A finished the year with Christmas lunch at Mundaring Hotel. A wonderful day in the Hills.
Swan Hills / Lesmurdie Hills Open Day
Join U3A Lesmurdie Hills and U3A Swan Hills at our Open Day and enjoy a cuppa on us. Discover stimulating and social activities in the Kalamunda, Midland and Eastern Hills area. Interesting Speakers, tea and coffee, social activities and more.
Tuesday 18 January 2022 10:00 AM to Noon
Falls Farm: 42 Cagney Place Lesmurdie
For more information call Heidi on 0437 441 024
Swan Hills AGM
Swan Hills U3A held their AGM this Friday. The new committee poses with members at North Metropolitan TAFE campus.
Cornwall – by Peter Merrals
Peter Merralls took Swan Hills on a tour of Cornwell on Friday, highlighting its charms, projects and pasties. Member Yvonne thanks Peter for his entertaining talk.
C.Y. O’Connor
Anne Brake from the National Trust retold the amazing story of CY O’Connor’s engineering feat in building the Golden Pipeline to Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, including many historical fact along the way. Member Richard thanks Anne for her fascinating insight.
Fossils from Australia
Niels Dahl swept through the earth’s history highlighting the extent of fossils found in Australia for Swan Hills on Friday. Member Derek thanks Niels for his informative and wide ranging talk.
Metronet
Zoe from Metronet took Swan Hills through this major project including extra rail lines, new rail cars built in WA and all the new Stations. Wonderful insight into what all those construction sites are doing. Member Maxine thanks Zoe for her comprehensive talk.
Tony Harding
Tony Harding enthralled U3A Swan Hills with his delightful and quirky poetry providing a truly memorable afternoon. Member Joy thanks Tony for his excellent presentation.
Dynamics of Bushfire
Roger Underwood took U3A Swan Hills through the dynamics of bushfire and the need for preventative measures to lessen its impact. Member Esther thanks Roger for his interesting talk.
Cameleers and George Orwell
U3A Swan Hills had a double treat Friday with Yvonne Miller talking about the Cameleers in early Australia including a link to her own family tree. Derrick Myall followed with an informative guide to all things George Orwell and the observation of how many of Orwell’s predictions had come true. Swan Hills chairman Tony thanks both for their entertaining talks.
The Indian Ocean
U3A Program Coordinator Pat Palaske thanks Peter for his insightful talk.
Peter Alcock took Swan Hills through the birth of the Indian Ocean and explained its development and features. A fascinating exploration of geology.
Musical Favourites
Denise is thanked for her excellent presentation by U3A Swan Hills Chair Tony.
Denise Beer organised a wonderful musical experience for Swan Hills based on members favourite pieces. Such a wide range of genres.
Morocco
U3A member and past President Denise Beer thanked Judith for her insights.
U3A President Judith Amey took a travel starved Swan Hills on a magical trip through Morrocco, covering its history, culture and heritage. A wonderful reminder of the joys of travel.
Visit to Enderslie Farm
Swan Hills enjoyed a visit to Enderslie Farm and a play highlighting the experience of our early pioneers. A wonderful day brought home the harsh but exciting lives they had.
Jan Fowler
U3A Chair Tony thanks Jan for her insights.
Jan Fowler entertained Swan Hills with interesting stories from her travels.
Wayne Reading – His Life in Music
Wayne Reading regaled Swan Hills with his life in music, peppering his talk with songs along the way. U3A member Jan thanks Wayne for the memories.
Mining and Technology
Michael is thanked for the entertaining talk by U3A member Peter.
Michael Waller, Interoperability Manager at Roy Hill mines, enlightened Swan Hills with the genius of how technology was revolutionising the mining industry. Truly amazing.
Show & Tell
For a change, Swan Hills had a Show & Tell afternoon highlighting the many talents of their members. Here they are with their handiwork.
Can Agriculture feed the world, or destroy it?
U3A member Richard thanks Walter for his excellent talk.
Dr Walter Anderson led Swan Hills through agriculture’s abilities and downsides and left the title unanswered. Very thought provoking.
Swan Hills enjoys Christmas in July
Christmas in July at Oakover Winery was just the thing Swan Hills needed for a wintery day and a thank you to Janice and the team for a successful Seminar last Saturday.
My Life as a Fighter Pilot
Member Catherine thanks Sue for her well presented, inspiring talk.
Flight Leutenant Sue Freeman entertained Swan Hills with her fascinating story of life as a fighter pilot in the RAF and RAAF.
Half Safe
Intrepid traveller and member Jan thanks Ben for his enlightening talk.
Richard Walller presented the fascinating story to Swan Hills of Ben Carlin’s 10 year round the world trip in an amphibious Jeep. Adventurous or mad, you be the judge.
Canberra
Chair Tony thanks Pauline in front of our Blue Poles, now apparently worth $350million.
Pauline Zani reappraised Canberra for Swan Hills pointing out its history, features, people and future.
Norfork Island
Member Tony thanks Anthony for his detailed and informative talk.
Anthony Alborn took Swan Hills through the troubled history of Norfolk Island as a penal colony up until the present day. Fascinating insight into this little known Territory of Australia.
Swan Hills visits Guildford Grammar
Rosemary Waller, wife of member Richard, and archivist at Guildford Grammar showed Swan Hills over the school and explained the history and features of this wonderful architectural gem. Fascinating afternoon looking at memorabilia, memories and buildings alike.
Eureka Stockade
Member Derrick thanks Denise for her insights.
Denise Beer recreated the conditions leading to the Eureka Stockade for Swan Hills, highlighting the unfair conditions that caused the most famous armed insurrection in Australian history and whose long term goal of independence has still not been fully realised.
History of Perth Airport
Denise Beer thanked Geoffrey for his outstanding talk.
Geoffrey Thomas’ enthusiastic presentation and knowledge made his exploration of aviation and Perth’s airport for Swan Hills, an absolute delight full of humorous asides and stories. A walk down memory lane and wonderful afternoon for all.
Art in Isolation
Yvonne thanks Robyn for her polished presentation
Robyn Talbot lead Swan Hills through a body of work produced not only in this current lockdown but in previous isolation events and explained the intention and thinking behind each piece. Wonderful insights.
The History of Money
U3A Swan Hills Deputy Chair, Janice Brooks thanks Peter Flanagan for his epic talk on the History of Money. We heard it all from the most ancient coins through to crypto currency – a most fascinating topic.
Sailing on Tall Ships
Richard thanked Fran for her interesting talk.
Fran Taylor regaled Swan Hills about travelling the world on tall ships and the positive changes it can provide. An inspiring, uplifting story.
Swan Hills Observatory Visit
Swan Hills ventured out to Bickley Valley this Friday for a picnic and tour of the Perth Observatory. Wonderful day for star gazing and learning about the research they are doing on the sun.
Cruising European Canals
Member Peter thanked Ian for his inspiring talk.
Ian Deany teased Swan Hills travel starved group with wonderful tales of cruising around the canals of Europe. A delightful break from the COVID-19 reality of today.
Jandamarra
Member Niels thanks Janice for the thought provoking talk.
Janice Brooks reprised the story of Jandamarra for Swan Hills highlighting the harsh realities and rough justice of early settlement.
Swan Hills does Croquet
Swan Hills were introduced to the intricacies of Croquet at Bayswater today. The afternoon tea put on by the club was just as awesome.
The Ten Pound Pom
Secretary Catherine thanked Tony for contribution.
Swan Hills was treated to Tony Harding’s life journey from Southampton to his success in Swan View Australia. His self depreciating style added enormously to the enjoyment of the afternoon. A fascinating tale well told.
Dating
Chair Tony thanks Niels for his interesting and enlightening talk.
Despite the double entendre Niels ran Swan Hills through the many and varied ways scientists are able to date things as diverse as stars, rocks, fossils and objects.
The Beatles 50 Years On
Chair Tony thanks Denise for her amazing work
Denise Beer led Swan Hills through the phenomenon that was the Beatles complete with major hits and personal insights. Wonderful afternoon.
History of Telecommunications
John is thanked by member Richard.
Swan Hills returned for 2021 and enjoyed an interesting talk by John Paskulish of the WA Historical Telecommunications Society on the History of Telecommunications on Friday. John took us on a fascinating tour through telecommunications history in Australia.
Swan Hills Commences in 2021
Swan Hills kicked off 2021 with a delightful lunch at Oakover Winery in the Swan Valley.
Swan Hills Xmas Lunch
Swan Hills final social lunch for the year at Parkerville Tavern. Good time had by all.Swan Hills looks forward to seeing all members back in 2021.
New Swan Hills Chair
Maxine Woods, Tony Harding and Denise Beer
U3A Perth Chair, Denise Beer and outgoing Swan Hills Chair, Maxine Woods, congratulate new Swan Hills Chair Tony Harding on his election at Friday’s AGM.
Carnivorous Plants
Paul Higgins shared his passion and enthusiasm for carnivorous plants with Swan Hills on Friday, complete with pictures and numerous specimens. An interesting insight into this specialist plant form. Here he is thanked by member Robyn.
