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Reg No.A0053888V PO Box 1074 Bacchus Marsh 3340

www.u3abacchus.org.au Editor: Judy Archer u3abmnewsletter@gmail.com

Newsletter

Vol 9 October 2017

The Seniors’ Expo this year was organised by the

Moorabool Shire Council to everyone’s appreciation.

For the last two years our Bacchus Marsh U3A Committee organised

Seniors’ Week displays in Bacchus Marsh. The first one was in the

James Young Room at the Lerderderg Library and the second one

was in the Public Hall.

This year all that work was undertaken by Shire staff who had many

resources at their disposal including giveaways, professional

speakers and door prizes.

We were extremely proud of our own display which attracted plenty

of attention and we thank all the willing contributors and workers.

The Expo in the Public Hall attracted a good crowd who were

enabled to appreciate the local Seniors’ groups and resources that

were featured through the many displays.

Devonshire Tea was also enjoyed with a buzz of social

interaction. The free sausage sizzle was also a great hit.

We were very pleased to hear that a U3A member won the door

prize raffle of a hamper filled with local produce.

Secretary Helen Brown

secretary@u3abacchus.org.au Deadline for Newsletter Notices

The 15th of each month.

Pictured: the early shift of U3A volunteers: Helen, Laurel, Adrian, Ian and Liz

This month’s newsletter features Science.

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Fun with Science and Maths With The Doc

Top: Jeni, Adrian, John, Gail, Cherry, Pamela, Judy, Laurel, John, Bernice and Paul pose with models before the session begins.

Center left: Jeni and Gail;

Center right: Bernice and John.

Left: Ian,

Christine, Dr

Pamela, Laurel

and Cherry

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Greetings from the Doc! What a busy and happy time we have

at the “Fun with Maths and Science Club”. We have a regular

core group of 12 who meet weekly and keep me on my toes

with topical subjects. This month we have been broadening our

horizons by taking up Organic Chemistry. We have been busy

making models of hydrocarbons and fleshing out how the shape

of molecules impacts of the efficacy of chemical reactions. My

trusty model kit provides enough atoms and bonds to share

with the class covalently - chemspeak for “what makes the

group work so well is that we are not polarized and have equal

pull on resources”. I am encouraged by the topics students are

keen to explore. The framework for our studies this year has

been the Periodic Table. Taking this tack facilitates identifying

trends in properties of the elements that grow our knowledge

base. As this base grows we are all in a position to make

informed comments on hot political issues such as use of fossil

fuels. It is about time we took a stance that there are untapped

and innovative, replenishable ways to both harness and transfer

energy.

The Royal Australian Chemistry Association of which I am a

member publish brilliant up-do-date chem- facts that inspire me

to keep the Bunsen flame burning. The article we plan to read

together this month is the latest news re chemical weapons.

The article spans many years and includes a look at the first

chemical weapons. What with the nuclear issue rearing its ugly

head and the growing trend in chemical and biological

weaponry we need to be more savvy as to how we can play a

part to protect our planet.

Next month I hope to drum up interest in transition metal

chemistry by focusing on the chemistry of Fireworks. Great

preparation for Guy Fawkes Night on November 5th. We ought

to be able to parade a fireworks displays that sizzles rather than

fizzles by comparison with New Year’s Eve Celebrations.

FYI: We used to gather in the computer room but with swelling

numbers and the need for bench tops we have moved to the

main room at the back of DNH. This has the advantage of being

closer to the kitchen – although our attention was distracted

one week when the Cooking group shared that area. While

Jeanette was troubled things might get a bit noisy, it was the

tantalizing aroma of freshly baked but unattainable cakes that

impacted on our efforts to concentrate. Studying Organic

Chemistry paves the way for us to put Food Chemistry under the

microscope. As I write this article I am aware that there are so

many avenues yet to study – quarks and quantum theory, the

binary system used for computers, the amazing P (pi), the

chemistry behind batteries – a remarkably complex study of

electrochemistry, surfactant chemistry and the surface area

dominated field of nanotechnology. We can’t leave out the

study of Optical Illusions with some rocketry and light induced

chemistry tossed in! Breaking news is that scientists can

synthesize leaves in the laboratory. This is a huge step in the

quest to prepare chlorophyll in the laboratory, a confounding

problem. These leaves ought to facilitate nitrogen and carbon

fixation.

For those reading this article, I hope it provokes some discussion

with friends. Anyone interested in joining our group will be

made most welcome. We have learned that Science and

Mathematics are all about hearty laughter, healthy debate and

a great stretch for the grey matter. I would be delighted to run

more groups and would welcome any ideas people might have

about topics for study. There is so much more to do. We are yet

to explore physics and conjure up puzzles through studying

mathematics. Scientists can be a creative lot and I can

guarantee that is the culture we are nurturing at BM U3A.

Gentle blessings,

Pamela (the Doc). September 2017. Contact number:

0400387841

Fun with

Science

and Maths:

News from

Pamela, The Doc.

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Brush up your Shakespeare

The Painting Group will be exhibiting their works in the main part of the library all through November.

Be sure to have a look when you’re down there.

Pictured: Leader Laurel at a previous exhibition

Put in your diary now: Our Christmas Break-up

Friday 1st December 12 noon

At Stoney’s Hotel, Grant Street

Cost $20 for a 2 course meal

Contact Helen 0400 143 392 to book your place

Mains:

Duo of roast pork shoulder and turkey breast with roasted vegetables and trimmings.

Or: Grilled ora King Salmon fillet, asparagus, mashed potato and lemon.

Vegetarian options: Mediterranean salad with extras

Or: Roast cauliflower with spices and roast capsicum and tomato sauce.

Desert: Traditional Christmas pudding with brandy custard and vanilla icecream

Or Pavola with Chantilly cream, berry compote and mint.

Literary teacher, Geoff Camm’s invitation for a Shakespeare Group received enthusiastic response.

The new group met at the library on 18th October, eagerly to launch into Macbeth.

Pictured back row left to right: Adrian, Geoff, Peter, John and Peter.

Front row: Jeni, Margaret, Brenda and Anice.

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Quiz

1. In the AFL Grand Final 2017 Richmond won by how many points?

2. What are the first names of Christopher Robin’s father, A.A. Milne?

3. Nicole Kidman recently won an Emmy for what series?

4. Who was King Henry VIII’s fourth wife?

5. How many moons does the planet Mars have?

6. What is the first name of the composer Vivaldi?

7. Where is the lowest point in the Australian continent?

8. Name the 3 US states that have 4 letter names.

9. What are the colours of the Spanish flag?

10. Who is the UN Secretary General?

CURIOS

We next meet on FRIDAY 3RD

NOVEMBER 10-12MIDDAY.

SUBJECT FOR THIS MONTH:

POTTERY, BONE CHINA, CRYSTAL.

Will look forward to sharing your stories on your chosen items .

We only have the December session left of Curios for this year,

so let us make the best of it !!!

Remember to bring ideas for our Curio Sessions next year.

Any queries contact Sheila on 0435 563 412

Science Quiz

1. How much salt is in the average human body?

2. What is the chemical formula of water?

3. Who is credited with the invention of the modern periodic table?

4. The symbol Ag stands for which element?

5. Where in the body is the most iron located?

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Who’s Who in U3A Dr Pamela Oliver

My twin sister Paula and I had a well rounded childhood

in Reservoir, where we had fun playing outside with our

Scotch Collie Rangi. I attended the local primary and

high schools before heading off to La Trobe University

where I was to spend the next eleven years essentially

full time. For ten of those years I studied the Physical

Sciences before completing my Diploma of Education.

Growing up I was involved in the Guiding movement

from Brownies through to my Queens; learned the

piano, was in the local Calisthenics club and from my

Matriculation year taught Ballroom dancing.

By the age of six years I was already conducting

experiments with rocks and different solvents. I kept

detailed notes of my results. I was fascinated by what I

now know to be Blodgett films caused when I dipped my

rocks into different solvents. Eager to have a Chemistry

Set ASAP Father Christmas came through. But what

was he thinking? There was no Bunsen burner just a

bottle of paraffin oil and a wick – disappointed! Dad

solved the problem. He took me to Selbys to kit me out

with a Bunsen burner and gas bottle which he set up in

our ‘playhouse’.

It was these experiments that introduced me to the

colourful exacting world of transition metal chemistry.

Bangs and explosions simply weren’t my thing. I studied

Coordination Chemistry of Cobalt Compounds for my

PhD.

I had a marvelous supervisor (Dr. O’Connor) who taught

me heaps. As a postgraduate I would work typically till

5.00am each morning, head back to college to sleep

and return to the lab. by 10.00am.

As a tutor in Glenn College my days were dotted with

highs and lows determined by successes or failures in

the laboratory.

I was what is called a ‘wet chemist’ in that I was pretty

much chained to the bench at the mercy of my

experiments.

Until I was forced to retire this year through ill-health I

had been reluctant all my working life to take holidays. I

was obsessed with working hard and long hours. This

was not due to outside pressure but came from within.

I have enjoyed lecturing in three Universities and kept

my research profile active at La Trobe. Alongside

academia the church is been important to me. It is not

surprising I made the decision in 2004 to change

careers and train as a Chaplain in the Liver Transplant

Unit and the ICU at the Austin Hospital. I travelled to the

Austin each day for a full day and often night’s work until

my retirement.

I am happily married to Tony who shares an interest in science. We are content with each other’s company and presently share our home with three dogs. Tony is a Ballarat boy so Bacchus Marsh is well placed between Reservoir and Creswick. Paula, my mirror twin, younger by 40 minutes, has given me two nieces and a nephew who I treasure

We enjoy travelling to the Sunshine Coast and hope one day to settle there. Since joining U3A Bacchus Marsh I feel I am starting to belong to the Marsh. Prior to that our work kept us both in Melbourne all week and often weekends.

We worship at the Melton Anglican Church and I have recently taken up piano lessons again, though I prefer playing clarinet. I am delighted that I have found, through U3A, an opportunity to share my love for the Physical Sciences with such a fun-loving and highly motivated group of friends.

I want to congratulate my budding scientists for keeping me on my toes!

The Doc

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Farewell to Jeanette McGonegal

Play Reading and the

Speakeasy

Radio Players Group

This Group meets at Holy Trinity

Church Hall 2nd Friday of each month

from 2—4 PM.

Pictured: clockwise from bottom left:

David, Cherry, Terry, Jeni, Adrian, Pe-

ter and Sharon

Contact: Adrian and Jeni 5367 5341

Bacchus Marsh U3A was well represented at Darley Neighbourhood House on the occasion of

the farewell lunch given in honour of the retiring manager. On behalf of BM U3A Mazi presented

Jeanette with the gift of a scarf in gratitude for her support.

Pictured left: Jeanette and Mazi; Right: Jeanette, Pamela, Laurel, Helen, Mazi and Doug.

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Quiz Answers

1 48

2 Alan Alexander

3 Big Little Lies

4 Anne of Cleves

5 2

6. Antonio

7.Lake Eyre

8. Ohio, Utah, Iowa

9. Red and yellow

10. Antonio Guterres

Science answers:

1. 250 grams

2. H2O

3. Mendeleev

4. Silver

5. In Blood

New on our Bacchus Marsh U3A website:

Pandora’s Box.

Upcoming events will appear in this tab.