Spring is well and truly here, and there’s plenty happening this month. Whether you’re returning to a favourite group or thinking of trying something new, we’d love to see you.
Whats on this month
October is the start of Spring and is also Seniors Month, we have a new calendar of classes available, see our website to download a copy or pick one up with the latest Newsletter, Issue 5.
Colour of the month
Pink is our Colour of the Month for October. You will see this colour used across our social media posts and other places. HEX Code #FBBBCA
Worthy Causes This Month
With thanks to our friends at Holiday Insights, our four selected causes this month are.
- Breast Cancer Month
- Seniors Month
- Computer Learning Month
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
An estimated 20,336 Australians were diagnosed with breast cancer, around 20,100 women and 200 men. About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed by the age of 85. The encouraging news is that around 93% of people diagnosed now survive at least five years, and early detection makes a big difference. Women aged 50 to 74 can have a free BreastScreen mammogram every two years, and if you notice any change in your breasts, see your GP.
The Victorian Seniors Festival running from 1 to 31 October under the theme “Connect, Create, Celebrate”. It’s a month to celebrate older Victorians and to reconnect with interests, learn new skills and make new friendships, which is exactly what U3A is all about. Have a look at what’s on around Horsham this month, and bring a friend along to one of our activities.
Keeping our computer skills up to date helps us stay in touch with family and friends, manage banking and health appointments online, and spot scams before they catch us out. We’re offering two special workshops this month, and all members are warmly invited. AI for Seniors is on Friday 2nd October at 10am in the Main Room. Writing Articles for the Website is on Friday 16th October at 10am in the Main Room, where you’ll learn how to write news articles and upload photos to the U3A website.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest Personal Safety Survey (2021–22) found that 1 in 4 women (about 2.7 million) and 1 in 8 men (about 1.1 million) have experienced violence from an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15. In the past 12 months, 1.5% of women experienced violence from an intimate partner. If you or someone you know needs support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call 000.
October Birthstone
The birthstone for October is the Opal. Did you know that Australia supplies up to 97% of the world’s market for opals, and 80% of Australia’s opals come from the Coober Pedy area?
The biggest opal discovered in Australia was the Olympic Australis discovered in 1956 at Coober Pedy. Weighing a massive 17,000 carats (3.45kg), it is the world’s largest opal found anywhere in the world. Valued at around $2.5 million. It remains uncut and on display at Altman and Cherry Opal Distributors.
The rarest opal discovered in Australia was the Aurora Australis (a rare black opal), discovered in 1938 at Lightning Ridge. The polished stone weighs approximately 180 carats and is valued at around $1 million.
Flower of the Month
Our flower of the month is the cheerful cosmos, and with pink our colour of the month, the soft pink blooms fit right in. Cosmos come in shades of pink, white, purple, crimson and orange, with delicate, feathery foliage. They’re one of the easiest flowers to grow, and they’re a magnet for bees and butterflies. Sow seeds directly into the garden once the frosts have passed, from spring into early summer, in a sunny spot with average, well-drained soil. Cover the seeds lightly and keep them moist until they sprout. Once established, cosmos prefer to be left alone. Water them only during dry spells, and skip the fertiliser, as too much encourages leaves at the expense of flowers. Pinch out the tips of young plants for bushier growth, stake tall varieties in windy spots, and pick the flowers often for vases, since regular picking and removing spent blooms keeps them flowering from summer through to autumn. Leave a few seed heads at the end of the season and they’ll often pop up again next year.