U3A PONSONBY

With a collective sigh of relief, members of Ponsonby U3A filled their monthly meeting place at St Columba Centre again, after several months of zooming.

And a timely event it was, coinciding as it did with national remembrances and tributes to the 29 men who 10 years ago lost their lives in the Pike River Mine tragedy.

Judith Crimmins, a member of Ponsonby U3A was in the mine a few days before. With vivid clarity and aided by powerful images, she unfolded her experience. On the West Coast for a major birthday celebration, she was invited by her cousin to attend the Annual General Meeting of Pike River Mine. To their amazement, both she and her cousin were chosen by ballot to join a group of 18 out of 300 attendees to go into the mine. Judith described the safety instructions, the kitting out, the emergency equipment, the three and a half km drive into the mine and the walk from there through narrow tunnels to the hydro-mining machinery.

The experience in the mine lasted two hours and Judith told how, with the Chilean disaster close to her mind, she kept thinking of what she would do if beset by the same situation (which was getting people to tell their life stories!). She confessed to being really pleased to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

There was pathos to Judith’s story, as she talked of the differences of opinion regarding recovery of the bodies. For some families, mining is in their genes and the Paparoa Ranges could be no better memorial for their loved ones. For others, they want them out. As we know, penetration of the mine continues as does the controversy around health and safety.

With perfect timing, and hard on the heels of the event, our guest speaker, Professor Stephen Hoadley posed the question: “Is the 2020 US presidential election a geopolitical turning point?” Dr Hoadley is a veteran university professor with a PhD from the University of There have been a number of issues irking residents for several years; traffic/cycle/parking matters are on everyone’s mind. So, too, are sewage pollution and beach water quality. Water separation is gradually being worked out. And for several years Herne Bay residents have been annoyed at noisy helipad activity in this normally peaceful seaside community. About a hundred people attended the AGM and a number of resolutions were passed. The association has asked Auckland Transport to put a two hour parking limitation on all streets east of Wallace Street. Residents are sick of commuters from the edges of the city parking all day in their street and walking or bussing into the central city. Another plea was made to council to deal with the helicopter nuisance by banning helipads in high density residential zones. Some weeks they have to put up with up to 18 or more noisy and potentially dangerous flights in and out of Herne Bay. California, an Honorary Professor of the NZDF Command and Staff College and an Honorary Captain in the New Zealand Navy. He is a well-known author, media commentator and public speaker on international affairs. He contended that the US elections can be geopolitical turning points whether reflecting them or causing them.

Examples are the elections of Theodore Roosevelt in 2004, Woodrow Wilson in 1912, Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, Harry Truman in 1948, George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016. Professor Hoadley reviewed why these elections were pivotal and summarised the risks and opportunities presented by the November 20 US election.

He then speculated on the geopolitical consequences of a Trump re-election, and of a Biden victory in relation to US responses to the assertiveness of China and Russia and other international challenges.

Ponsonby U3A membership continues to grow. For those new to the area or looking for further enrichment to their lives, the Ponsonby group offers opportunities to make new friends and hear interesting guest speakers at a general meeting held on the second Friday of each month (except January) from 10 am to 12 noon. There is plenty of parking.

On offer as well, is an ever-expanding choice of special interest groups meeting monthly in members’ homes where people exchange knowledge and skills.

Normally guests are invited to attend monthly meetings but are asked to first telephone president, Philippa Tait, on T: 0274 523 108. Our meeting in December is a Christmas celebration of our activities for members only. (CHRISTINE HART)  PN

NEXT MEETING: 10am Friday,12 February at St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street. Guest speaker, Dr Ian Smith, ‘Living with Volcanoes.’

ENQUIRIES: Philippa Tait, President, Ponsonby U3A,

JOHN ELLIOTT: HERNE BAY 1011 AGM MEETING

Herne Bay residents held their AGM recently.

T: 027 452 3108, www.u3a.nz reduce the three metre set back from rear yards to one metre, or even none. Like their neighbours in St Mary’s Bay, Herne Bayites are determined to have Leys Institute restored to its former glory, and will fight any plan to sell off the property to developers.

Co-chair Dirk Hudig told Ponsonby News they are pleased with the reconfigurations of Herne Bay residential streets - speed bumps and end treatments. Walking, cycling, and driving have all been enhanced by the upgrades.

Residents are watching carefully the potential effects of the Skypath on their suburb, especially in terms of parking and traffic congestion.

All committee workers give their time to their association for free and money is tight. The committee has called for donations to ensure the committee can protect residents rights.

Remember that Ponsonby News is always happy to include letters from readers on issues which affect them or their neighbours. (JOHN ELLIOTT)  PN

During the January school holidays we are putting on some FREE kids classes at the Freemans Bay Community Hall.

To book please go to the ReCreators website, www.therecreators.co.nz/collections/school-holiday-fun.

The ReCreators is a social enterprise based in Auckland, New Zealand, which promotes upcycling either through purchasing products pre-made, custom-made or by learning to do it yourself (DIY) through workshops. They are a diverse and talented group of upcycling artisans promoting creativity, mindful making and sustainability. They offer various upcycling workshops for children, adults and corporates. The Ponsonby Community Centre are still offering our usual line-up of fabulous programmes and activities, including a new kids class – Yoga for Youngsters! Classes will start up again in the second week of February 2021.  PN

Please check our webpage or Facebook for updates: www.ponsonbycommunity.org.nz and @ponsycommunity