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Centre Talk
1 December 2024
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Wednesday 25 December - Christmas Day
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13, 16, 20, 23 & 30 Jan - Summer in the Centre
Tue 4 Feb to Mon 10 Feb - Online Enrolments
Tue 4 Feb to Fri 7 Feb - In-person Enrolments
Monday 17 February - Classes begin
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The last Centre Talk for 2024. May the festive season be a time to catch up with friends and family, the important things in life. This break provides an opportunity to refresh tired bodies and re-energise our brains for the endeavours of 2025.
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Although you maybe losing neurons, since birth actually, there is the capacity for creating interneuronal connections, which is why we can keep learning, even as we get older. The great neuroscientist Professor Baroness Susan Greenfield would call the activities we do at the KCLC as environmental enrichment, stimulating these interconnections. Aspects of her research include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimers and finding ways to stop neuronal death. There may be hope for us all!!
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Music drew me to the KCLC, after caring for both my ex-husband and then mother, the sense of isolation, exhaustion and perhaps some depression were at play. Sing Your Heart Out (SYHO) was my first foray, then Ukulele. First day was hard but the humour and social aspects keep me coming back. You can easily become a hermit. I did roll my eyes at the volunteering in a Workgroup, but I ended up meeting members of the KCLC community, tried different jobs, decided I did not fit in some, and ultimately ended up as editor. That old cliche is true 'it is the journey not the destination'.
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May all your lives have joy till we meet again in 2025.
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Editor-in-training, Marilyn.
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Mentor Caroline. Many thanks for your help in my editor role. One glass of champagne? You deserve a magnum for answering my many questions.
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Editor notes...
The Executive report concerns the 'Thank you Dinner'. I would have asked the reasons underpinning this event in the past, so let me enlighten you before you read on.
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The Centre is run by volunteers; the Tutors, Executive Coordinators, Photograph curator/archivist, Secretary, Communications/www, IT Administration, Crèche Coordinator, Enrolments/Registration, Work Group Leaders. This dinner thanks all these volunteers. Have you ever wondered what motivates individuals to give up their time and present the many and varied topics/classes for members to enjoy? The reasons would be many and varied; a passion, skill set to use, giving back to community, the challenge, new skills to learn, people to meet.
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Moreover, Workgroup volunteers staff the evening in several roles; set up tables, food & drink wait staff, hors d'oeuvre preparation (see photos below). You can sign up for one of these tasks for 2025 (see section on Workgroups).
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From the Executive...
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This year’s Thank You Dinner was held at the Centre on Thursday 21st November, with the theme of ‘Back to School’. A most enjoyable evening that was well attended.
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Rosemary did an excellent job in the role of MC, and we were entertained by Bridget who related the story entitled: ‘I need a new Bum’. Recommended holiday reading!
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Could have been re-titled The Belles of St Trinian's meets the KCLC helpers (M-editor).
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Later we had a community sing-along 'There’s a Hole in the Toilet dear Mary, dear Mary’. Yes, you know the tune! Sing along to the words below. Much amusement all round 😂.
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𝄞There is a hole in the toilet Dear Mary, Dear Mary
There is a hole in the toilet Dear Mary a hole.
Can you fix it Dear Mary. Dear Mary. Dear Mary?
Can you fix it Dear Mary, Dear Mary fix it.
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No, the city should fix it, should fix it, should fix it
No, The city should fix it, I will ring them now.
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There are cups in the sink Dear Annie, Dear Annie
There are cups in the sink Dear Annie, Dirty cups.
Well, wash them in detergent, detergent,
said Annie, said Annie
Well, wash them, dry them and put them away.
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The archives are missing Anne-Marie, Anne-Marie
The archives are missing Anne-Marie, they're missing
I will find them, and research them, said Anne-Marie, said Anne-Marie
I will record them, and sort them, and put them away.
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The internet is not working Dear Lindsay, Dear Lindsay
The internet is on the blink, Dear Lindsay, on the blink
Get the techies Dear Mary, Dear Mary, Dear Mary
Get the techies please Mary, we need it to work.
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Channelling Harry Belafonte
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Sung to the tune of 'There is a Hole in the Bucket'
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The caterers produced an absolutely delicious dinner, served by our member volunteers, who always do an outstanding job.
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Merit Awards were presented to several deserving people as per assembly traditions.
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Hella Hackett accepting her award on her retirement from the information desk volunteer.
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As always, an evening to remember.
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We are sure you will all agree that it has been a most successful year for the Centre, in terms of membership and interesting classes.
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Wishing everyone an enjoyable break, a very Merry Christmas and a Safe & Happy New Year.
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Your Coordinators Annie, Anne-Marie and Lindsay
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Calling all KCLC artists!!
Following a recent meeting of the Centre Liaison Group, its been suggested that we furnish the reception area with a 'Welcome' sign. The suggestions were either a wooden sign for the desk saying 'Reception' to sit on the counter and/or a painted sign to be displayed on an easel in front of the desk.
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Dimensions for works of art:
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- Wooden sign would need to be a rectangular shape, approximately 14 cm x 30 cm, and easily removable.
- Painting would be a colourful canvas approximately 70 cms x 50 cms and sit on an easel at reception saying Welcome!
Therefore, we're calling for volunteer artists and craftsmen to step forward to undertake the project.
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Please forward names, ideas and any further queries to the KCLC inbox kclc@kclc.org.au
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Thank you, KCLC Executive
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Desk Receptionist Farewell...
Hella Hackett (right), our Thursday morning Receptionist, will unfortunately not be returning in 2025. Hella said it is time for her to retire at the end of this Semester.
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On behalf of you all, I would like to thank Hella very much for her many, many years contributing and volunteering at the Kalamunda Community Learning Centre. We wish her all the best as she continues her retirement, but we will miss her friendly, smiling face on Thursday mornings.
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Alison Houlahan (left), Desk Workgroup Leader
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Summer in the Centre...
Summer in the Centre is back this January!
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Join us for Summer in the Centre running from 9.30am to 12pm on Monday 13, Thursday 16, Monday 20, Thursday 23 and Thursday 30 January.
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You can bring in your knitting, sewing, craftwork, painting, games, reading or laptop etc., or even just yourself to enjoy the company. We will have air conditioned rooms available for members to use.
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Tea and coffee will be provided and the cost is just $5 per person for each session. Booking is not required (please just bring in the exact money in cash as we will have limited change available).
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Unfortunately, no crèche facilities will be available for these sessions.
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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
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During Summer in the Centre, join tutor Mavis Paskulich for a series of five structured sessions based on Betty Edwards' renowned book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Each session will focus on hands-on exercises designed to enhance your artistic skills and deepen your understanding of visual perception.
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To make the most of your experience, please come prepared with your own copy of the book and complete specified pre-readings before each session as our time will be spent working on timed exercises. You can access a free copy for download by clicking here.
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Session Breakdown:
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Correction from the last issue of Centre Talk:
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Note five (5) sessions not six (6) as previously stated.
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Sessions 1 & 2: Introduction, Pre-Instruction Drawings, and The Perception of Edges
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Session 3: The Perception of Spaces
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Session 4: The Perception of Relationships (Perspective)
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Session 5: The Perception of Light and Shadows, and The Perception of the Gestalt
Dive into the world of creativity and discover the artist within you!
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Each session will be the cost of attending Summer in the Centre ($5 per person). If you are interested in attending this special course, please email kclc@kclc.org.au as places are limited.
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Semester One 2025 snippets...
Workgroups
Workgroups for Semester One 2025 will open on-line from Thursday 16 January. If you would like to get in early, go to the website, log in, look for Workgroup Sign Ups at the top of the page and follow the prompts.
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Please remember that all members enrolled in a full-time course are requested to register for one workgroup. Although, those enrolled as casual are not required to do a workgroup, many do and KCLC is grateful to all those who contribute.
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Even the smallest task assists us in keeping the running costs of KCLC low, resulting in the continued low fees to our members. You can view the new Workgroup Brochure by clicking the link on the Workgroup Volunteering page.
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Sally, Assistant Registrar
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Programme Updates
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Games Club will be running on Monday PM in Semester One 2025, with Bart Horne taking over as Facilitator while Margaret takes a break.
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Amazing Science (without the maths)
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This is a new course running on a Friday morning of Term One for seven weeks commencing Friday 28 February with tutor Mike Barlow.
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Enrolment Special Centre Talk
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Look out for an enrolment special edition of Centre Talk on Sunday 19 January. Keep an eye out for this to see any changes to the programme and tips to assist your enrolment.
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Crèche Update...
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Sadly, we're saying goodbye to our paid creche workers Debra, Nina, and Sally, who have been incredible.
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In 2025, we're switching to a volunteer-only model for our creche and we need YOUR help to make it happen!
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We're thrilled that many current volunteers are stepping up to keep the creche going. To cover the full semester, we still need a few more hands on deck!
Come and get to know our littlest learning centre members on a Thursday
morning.
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Katherine, Creche Liaison
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Class News...
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Book Club 1 (Friday pm)
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Book Club 1 is the original Book Club at KCLC. Its first facilitator was Joan Chitty, one of the “Founding Mothers”. Jenny Carrick (front row, second from right) has been leading the group now - with knowledge and skill - for many years. She is seen here with other members of the group, having enjoyed a splendid Christmas lunch before a robust and wide-ranging discussion on the twelve books they have read this year.
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A great end to the year - thank you Jenny from Book Club 1 members.
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Book Club 9
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We have had a chequered history of recent years, losing our former leader Bev Tarling several years ago. Bev had been a stalwart and leader of Bookclub 9 for many years. Then, recently in February this year, we lost our longtime member Angie. We are missing Angie’s quietly thoughtful input we enjoyed over many years. Her seat still seems empty.
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The good news is that Jeanette was persuaded by the rest of our members to take on the leadership role. She is capable, articulate, very well read, travelled and dedicated to our group. We much appreciate Jeanette taking on the leadership role for us.
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We have a happy group now, with diverse views which are happily shared. We often stray from the book itself and discuss anything and everything, which keeps us on our toes.
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We try to keep our suppers to a sensible minimum, but usually there is an amazing spread to enjoy. Please join us in 2025, we have room for new members.
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New 'Mythbusters' Segment...
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Myth: Mary is employed/paid by the City of Kalamunda
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Fact: Mary, our Office Manager, is employed by the Kalamunda Community Learning Centre and therefore is paid by KCLC.
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The Centre is NOT connected to the City of Kalamunda, and merely rents the building from The City.
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Registrar's Rambles...
In this regular segment, I hope to address some enrolment FAQs and offer enrolment advice...
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Question: I have been attending a course for many years, why can’t a place be held for me?
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We aim to be open, inviting and inclusive. However, there are implications, by members of the public, that the KCLC is a closed club that does not accept new class members.
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Our policy is to open courses to all comers for the first semester, providing they fit the stated requirements such as not accepting beginners into advanced courses.
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In the second semester, we continue to be inclusive, but do allow tutors to give preference to continuing class members. In particular this is if the course content is a continuation of what was covered in semester one. These members still need to enrol during the enrolment period so that class numbers can be balanced. Tutors for these courses, in many instances, will accept new class members who fulfil the requirements if there are still vacancies.
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