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The University of the Third Age

U3A Okeover

Programme for Term 2, 2019

Term Completed

A Music Pot-pourri

Dates: Thursdays 6, 13, 20, 27 June, 4 July

B Various voices present a Medley of Topics

Dates: Thursdays 6, 13, 20, 27 June, 4 July

C Current Canterbury Concerns

Dates: Thursdays 11, 18, 25 July, 1, 8 August

D Family Law

Dates: Thursdays 11, 18, 25 July, 1, 8 August

Scroll down for full details of each course.

Times: 10.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.

Enrolments for this term closed on Tuesday 30 Jul 2019.

Officers:

Chairman:Howard Harvey021 1363043
Treasurer:Colin Freeman027 2369476
Please hand your enrolment form to the treasurer at the desk if he is available.


Course A

Music Pot-pourri

Course organiser:Denise Burrow

Presenter:Various

Coupled with reading an article about an Acoustic Engineer checking our New Town Hall makeover plus my long involvement with music in various forms prompted me to offer to organise this Music Pot-pourri. The speakers are going to present wide ranging aspects around this topic that I could not even anticipate: a feast!

6 Jun:
Dr. Reuben de Lautour, Senior Lecturer and Head of New Music on 'Inside the Note'.This lecture is about notes - one note, actually. Obviously notes are important, but why talk about only one of them? Music is usually a lot more fun if we have at least a few to play with! We think of notes as the smallest indivisible units of music - kind of like musical atoms. In fact, inside each musical note is a hidden sonic universe, which is sometimes referred to as "Microsound." This presentation will use various tools - sonic microscopes if you like - to zoom in and reveal the hidden beauty that exists within every individual musical note. We will discover why notes sound the way that they do, and what gives each note its own special character.

13 Jun:
Dr. Francis Yapp, Lecturer in Musical Culture, UC on 'The Music of Resilience.'The role of music in forging character in both individuals and society has been extolled by writers from Plato onwards. In times of trouble, including disasters, music often plays a vital role. This presentation explores the way music has helped to rebuild communities after — or during —catastrophe. From a response in music to the 1732 Naples earthquake, to the place of Shostakovich's 5th symphony under the tyranny of Stalinism, to the Port-au-Prince community’s response in song to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Dr. Yapp will explore the importance of music in building resilience.

20 Jun:
Stephen Compton, Music Technician, Lecturer School of Music, on 'Sometimes in Audio, You Have to Make Waves to Make Peace.'Stephen will discuss and demonstrate amplified sound. Why do concerts and events sound the way they do and why are some concerts so loud? Are these sound levels dangerous or just unpleasant? What influences the choices made regarding audio volume and what can be done about it?

27 Jun:
Celia Stewart, Musical Director CSM, on 'The School of Music, Past, Present and Future.'The Christchurch School of Music is a Christchurch treasure that has provided a strong foundation for Canterbury musicians for 64 years. This presentation will look at CSM's unique past, the adaptions the School has made as student needs have diversified and its hopes for the future.

4 Jul:
Assoc. Prof. Glenda Keam, Head of School of Music, on 'Creativity.'At the heart of music-making, art-making, responses to life’s challenges and all manner of ways to ‘play’, lies creativity. However, defining creativity and – in educational settings – teaching creativity is complex and problematic. Referring to statements by composers and other creators about process and the creative act, and a range of philosophical, psychological and scientific reflections on creativity at large, this talk discusses some of the approaches we may take to supporting our students’ development as creative artists and some of the inherent pitfalls and dilemmas in such an undertaking.


Course B

Various voices present a Medley of Topics

Course organiser:Ann Whitnall and Alison Aitken

Presenter:Various

Our speakers each share with us their personal experiences, opinions and perspectives on a topic which energises their thinking and their work.

6 Jun:
Registered Nurse Peggy Dilger, New Zealand Blood Service, with a special interest in medical conditions that require therapeutic venesection.Haemochromatosis is the commonest genetic condition in NZ and most people don't know they are affected. Around 1 in 200 people of European descent are at risk of the disorder which can cause organ or tissue damage and result in premature death. The conditions tends to be under diagnosed because symptoms do not present until the condition is advanced. Fortunately, hamechromatosis is easily treated and early detection can prevent further damage. What is it? Who gets it? What are the symptoms? What is the treatment?

13 Jun:
Prof. Stephen Chambers, Clinical Director of Infectious Diseases, Christchurch Hospital on 'Legionella in New Zealand - How should I Protect Myself?'New Zealand has a high rate of Legionnaires disease. Most of this is associated with Legionella longbeachae which seems to be transmitted from potting mix rather than Legionella pheumophila which is spread by aerosols from contaminated water. Potting mix places gardeners at particular risk. The presentation will discuss the epidemiology, likely sources of the organisms and how to protect yourselves against infection.

20 Jun:
Dr. Judith Coullie, life writing specialist and lecturer on 'The Works of Charles Dickens - The Early Works'.At the tender age of 21, Charles Dickens began contributing stories and descriptive essays to magazines and newspapers. A collection of these, Sketches by "Boz", was published in February 1836, the month in which Dickens turned 24. That same year he began publishing a comic serial narrative, The Pickwick Papers, which first appeared in instalments. It gained huge popularity. Also in 1836, in addition to writing two plays and a pamphlet advocating that the poor should be allowed to enjoy the Sabbath, he undertook to edit Bentlys Miscellany, a monthly magazine in which he serialised Oliver Twist (1837-1839). Also published in instalments over much the same period was Nicholas Nickleby (serialised from 1838-1839). In this lecture we consider some of Dickens most notable achievements in this early period of his writing career.

27 Jun:
Dr. Judith Coullie, life writing specialist and lecturer on 'The Works of Charles Dickens - Dickens Gets Into His Stride'.Between 1840 and 1844, that is from the age of 28 to 32, Dickens' output was prodigious. He published in installments The Old Curiosity Shop (1840-1841), Barnaby Rudge (1841) and Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-1844). An account of a five month trip to America, American Notes, was published in 1842. Written in just a few weeks in 1843, A Christmas Carol not only established what has been described as "the one great Christmas myth of modern literature" but also a new literary genre: the Christmas tale. In this lecture, as we track the rise and rise of Dickens' fame and repute, we consider the key concerns explored in the narratives.

4 Jul:
Dr. Antony Shadbolt, Director of Landscape Ecology NZAntony will speak about his involvement with environmental horticulture, landscape and ecology, wildlife management and research and the re-establishment of native forest.


Course C

Current Canterbury Concerns

Course organiser:Sally Page

Presenter:Various

This course will address various issues relating to Canterbury and its environment. We will begin with climate change and its consequences for Canterbury (ECan speaker), continue with an introduction to our geology and rivers (Dr. Kate Pedley, UC), the conservation and recovery of our endangered species (Dr. Tammy Steeves, UC), hear about some technological advances helping our agriculture (Dr. Keith Cameron), and finally our water, its quality and quantity (ECan speaker).

11 Jul:
Dr. Teresa Aberkane, Environment Canterbury, on 'Improvement in Air Quality in Canterbury'.There are several pollutants emitted into the air we breathe in Canterbury and I’ll talk about how we measure their concentrations. We will look at how those concentrations have changed over time in Christchurch and other towns in Canterbury. We will talk about sources of these pollutants and how these have reduced and what more can be done to improve the air we breathe.

18 Jul:
Dr. Kate Pedley, UC on 'Canterbury Geology and River Processes'.Geologically, New Zealand is one of the most active regions of the world as our volcanoes, earthquakes and breathtaking scenery testify. Canterbury is no exception to this, but what forces have shaped our region in the past? What has led to the distinctive rocks and landforms found in this region and how do our surface systems, particularly weathering, erosion and river systems, shape and interact with this? Where might our landscape be headed to in the future?

25 Jul:
Dr. Tammy Steeves, UC on 'Enhancing Resilience in Threatened Taonga Species'.TBA

1 Aug:
Prof. Keith Cameron, Lincoln University on 'Research to Mitigate Impacts of Agriculture on Water'.What is being done to reduce the impacts of agriculture on water quality? Research and technology solutions are urgently required to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and microbial contamination of our rivers, lakes and groundwater. Exciting research and technology solutions will be described and discussed.

8 Aug:
Dr. Morag Butler, Environment Canterbury. on 'Climate Change and the Risks and Opportunities for Canterbury'.TBA


Course D

Family Law

Course organiser:Pat and Peter Braithwaite

Presenter:Various

A series to consider legal issues which affect and influence the lives of many seniors and their families in New Zealand.

11 Jul:
Phillipa Shaw (Harman & Co) on 'Legal Advice and Guidance'.This talk will cover the most common legal problems encountered by seniors. As well as this, professional and community services, sources and contacts for legal advice and support will be discussed.

18 Jul:
Assoc Prof. John Caldwell, UC on 'Separating couples: Some Big Legal Issues'.This talk will cover two important areas of law confronted by families when a couple separate, e.g. child care arrangements and relationship property rights. Proposed changes to both areas of law will be examined.

25 Jul:
Andrew Watkins (Wynn Williams) on 'Family Trusts'.New Zealand has more trusts per head of population than most other countries. This presentation will review their benefits and pitfalls for individuals and families.

1 Aug:
Fleur McDonald (Pier Law) on 'Wills and Power of Attorney'.This talk will cover the preparation, challenges, the process of probate and related matters, e.g. lack of a will, also the principles and processes of an Enduring Power of Attorney.

8 Aug:
Ken Lord (Parry Field) on 'Retirement and End of Life Care'.This will cover the options, legalities, contracts and pitfalls for accommodation or care in retirement villages and rest homes.