U3A stands for University of the Third Age. The term third age means no longer in full time work. U3A provides opportunities for people to meet, share experiences and pursue commonly held interests.
The club meets monthly with a guest speaker who has unique experience in their field. Interest (study) groups meet at other times and it is encouraged that members belong to at least one study group.
The annual subscription is $35. 
Subscription due on the 1st February.

From the President

Kia ora
Welcome to our November Newsletter
The year seems to be ‘flying’ by, I often think that it is due to a focus on keeping involved in our ‘retirement’, whether we be exercising, gardening, socialising, travelling, supporting, serving others, engaged in creative endeavours…the list goes on!
I hope that you have found time to get that new Motu Move card! It is not normal for me to send extra emails to members, but in this instance, I was approached by a member. With committee approval, I emailed our membership. Be assured, this will not be a regular occurrence!
Last month’s guest speaker was Tania Gibson, from Breathing Matters. Tania was an informative, engaging, and highly entertaining speaker for our audience of 100 plus members. She has kindly forwarded some additional resources for your reference.
https://oxygenadvantage.com/
https://buteykoclinic.com/
Thirty Functions of The Nose – Oxygen Advantage
5 Ways to Improve Your Breathing for Better Health (With the #1 Breath Expert in the World)| The Mel Robbins Podcast An easy listen, interview with Patrick on why breathing matters and some exercises to practise.
Clearing your nose
Myotape – mouth tape and nasal strips
McKeown | Guided Breathing and Relaxation for Insomnia– Guided breathing for insomnia
Books to read :
Breathe : the new science of a lost art – James
Nestor https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/
Breathing cure, Atomic Focus , Mouth breather – Patrick
McKeown https://oxygenadvantage.com/books

This month’s speaker is Dr Trevor Nesbit, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Canterbury. Dr Nesbit will speak on another pertinent topic; What is this AI thing all about? An intro for the curious mind. I look forward to seeing you there for what should be an extremely important ‘learning experience’.

From the ‘Committee Room’

With membership numbers on the rise, we would like to trial an ‘informal call out’ to members in the first instance, to help with putting out chairs. Our room booking is a 2 hour slot from 9.30am – 11.30am. Committee members have been arriving from 9am to ensure that the room is set up. We would like to ask that a small group of members come at 9.30am each month to support the setting up process.
If this is not successful, we may need to resort to a roster system.
At the end of the meeting, it has worked well for members to push the chairs to the back of the room, to enable helpers to stack the chairs away again.

Christmas Lunch and Entertainment at Addington
Uptake for tickets has been very slow to-date, which is concerning. 28 paid attendees to-date. Based on our total membership of 200 plus, we have booked the largest seated venue at Addington (a capacity of 180 seated guests at tables of 10). Apologies if this has been due to not clearly publicising payment details.

We need final paid-up numbers after the November 11 meeting.

The club is subsidising each member’s meal by $5. We are also covering the room hire costs and the cost of the use of the projector screen. (Fixed costs total $1092.50.) We feel that the cost per member represents excellent value, in terms of the quality of the venue, the menu, AND the guest speaker/ professional entertainer.

Confirmed details for the South-West Christchurch U3A Club’s Christmas Function.
DATE: Wednesday 9 December
VENUE: Addington, Level 3 Metropolitan Stand, in the Terror for Love Lounge. Access to this 3rd floor venue is by lift or escalators.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a buffet-styled meal with banquet-style seating at round tables. The venue was selected because it is the largest function room, with a cap of attendees at 180 guests.
TIME: Arrival from 10.30am for an 11am start. There will be plenty of parking on-site, (car-sharing would be a great idea). Please ensure you arrive promptly as we will need to check everyone in on arrival.

We are thrilled to announce that Ali Harper, will be the guest speaker/entertainer at our Christmas function this year. Ali will share her career journey’ with us and intersperse her presentation with some songs! What a treat we are in for! Ali is a multi-award-winning performer, holistic coach, and founder of both Ali-Cat Productions and Cultivate Joy. With over 30 years of experience on stage throughout New Zealand and beyond, highlights include starring in musicals such as My Fair Lady, Sound of Music, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Blood Brothers, and in the National Tours of Oklahoma and Evita, as well as Mamma Mia. Ali has been invited to appear twice at the prestigious New York Cabaret Convention at the Lincoln Centre in 2024 and 2025. She regularly travels around the world as a guest entertainer on cruise ships. Ali is also deeply passionate about empowering others, as a certified Yoga teacher and Holistic Mindbody Coach.

I look forward to seeing you all on the 14th October. Stay well.
Ngā mihi nui
Lynda Garrett

Next Meeting Details

• Date: Wednesday, 11th November 2026
• Venue: Te Hapua, The Halswell Library, Mahao Room
• 9.45 am: Chairs for meeting put out. The committee would appreciate assistance with this
• 10.00 am: Tea and Coffee available
• 10.15 am: Meeting will begin so please be seated
• 10.30 am: Speaker will start

Dates for 2026 Meetings for your diary
Meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of the Month at 10.00 am
December 9th

Advanced Notices for 2027 Meetings

13th January will be an informal gathering with no speaker. Attending members are asked to bring a plate to share for morning tea and get together to socialise starting at 10:00am

The 2027 AGM will be on the 10th of March. More details to follow.