Current News

Coming Events:

2009 Open Day:
This year, our Open Day will be a week earlier, on 4th March 2009.

Past Events:

OVER 55’S EXPO
The Epping Club, 45–47 Rawson Street, Epping

On Wednesday, August 6, 2008, Epping Computer Pals manned a stand at the Over 55's Expo, which was set up by three councils in the area - Parramatta Council, Hornsby Shire Council, and Ryde Council . Three members, Don Mees, Alan Craymer and Helen Gardner represented our club this Expo . They displayed some of the works undertaken by our computer club, and answered the many enquiries from all who attended.

A range of other information stands, including Fire Safety, HACC services,
took part in this venture, and performances were given by local school choirs.

Our three attending members judged the Expo to be a worthwhile venture, and would attend again in the future.

Helen Gardner, Alan Craymer & Don Mees
on right, giving information to enquirers
at the Over 55's Expo
Photographer: Ron Seidl

OPEN DAY - 2ND APRIL 2008

In conjunction with Seniors' Week, Computer Pals for Seniors - Epping held an Open Day to provide information for its prospective members on the Waiting List. It took place in the week prior to Seniors' Week, so as not to clash with other events planned for Seniors. Of those currently on our Waiting List, over 70 of them took advantage of this to find out all the computer subjects covered in our curriculum. They are surprised to find such a range of interest including not just using the computer as a typewriter, but being able to create extraordinarily beautiful projects such as Greetings Cards, Digital Photography presentations, PhotoStory 3 photos presented in sequence to make a story, Powerpoint shows, Scrapbooking on the computer. Of enormous interest to all who seek entry to our club is Email and the Internet, which is more than adequately catered for.

Below are some photos taken on the day:

Our President, Joan Craymer,
welcomes visitors to the Open Day
with a PowerPoint demonstration

Photographer: Ron Seidl

Tutors, Helen Richards and Valerie Worswick explain the classes available to a prospective member

Photographer: Ron Seidl

Members on our Waiting List
listen eagerly to information
about the computing delights
that await them

Photographer: Ron Seidl

Future Speakers

What's Happening at Monthly General Meetings
Third Wednesday of each month at 10.00 am
excluding December & January

November 19, 2008: Ask the Panel: Ian Dawkins will be the Convener of the Panel, consisting of Lynton Bradford, Don Mees, Daphne O'Donnell, Roy Ridley and Ian Gemmell. This panel, longstanding members of our club, with many years of experience behind them, will answer the questions you have sent in to us. Panels held over the previous years have proved tremendously popular, and this year's selection are sure to be just as good, if not better.

December 17, 2008: Christmas Party : 12 Noon

February 2009: To be advised

March 2009: To be advised

April 2009: Andrew Tink will speak on the subject of W. C. Wentworth

Recent General Meeting Speakers:

October 15, 2008: Shona Blanchette is a Director and Senior Driver Educator of ClearWay Pty Ltd, Driver & Work Safety Consultants. Her talk was be based on : "Driver Training and Assessment - Its Impact on Licensing."

September 17, 2008: Noel Blake, a club member, spoke about "Elizabeth Henrietta Macquarie - Her Life and Times 1778 - 1835." His enthusiastic relating of pertinent dates and facts left the audience in awe of his extraordinary historical knowledge and intimacy with his subject. We thank our friend, Noel, for his most entertaining talk.

August 2008
Lynton Bradford spoke on using and mis-using Mobile Phones enlightening us about the mysteries of these very handy gadgets. Members were brought right up to date with the information he was able to give us. Most enjoyable.

July 2008
At the meeting on July 16, Greg Smith, the local member for Epping spoke to us about his work in the Attorney General's Department, and his work as a barrister before entering the world of Politics. To finish off, Greg on his guitar and Bob Foggin on his violin regaled us with some old Australian and English songs. His last song was entitled "Give Us Back Our Epping Road", and very appropriate it was, too.

Back to Current News

Meeting Dates 2008 At A Glance

January No Meeting

February 20 Macular Degeneration

March 19 Jim Donohoe will speak on Convicts

April 16 Anzac Day: David Bennett will speak on an Anzac Day theme

May 21 Big Morning Tea -
for Cancer Research,
plus Don McKay will speak about 'Coping with Macular Degeneration and the Computer'

June 18 Sophia Kim's subject :
"How Computers Prevent Medication Misfortune."

July 16 Greg Smith- his work at the Attorney General's Dept.

August 20 Talk on Mobile Phones by Lynton Bradford

September 17 Noel Blake will speak about the life of Elizabeth Macquarie

October 15 Shona Blanchette tells of "Driver Training & Assessment

November 19 Ask the Panel

December 17
Christmas Party

Class Dates to Note in 2008/9

Computer Classes

No. of

Enrolment Dates

Dates for 2008/9

Weeks

Start

Finish

For Term 2 2008

Term 1

Mon 2 February - Fri 3 April 2009

9
to be advised

For Term 3 2008

Term 2

9
to be advised

For Term 4 2008

Term 3

9
to be advised

For Term 1 2009

Term 4
Mon 13 Oct - Fri 12 December 2008

9

10 Nov 2008

21 Nov 2008

ASCCA COMPETITIONS FOR 2008

Just to let our members know the ASCCA competitions are up and away again this year for:-

Digital Photography
Creative Writing
Club Newsletter
Club Website

Digital Photography categories will be:-

Landscape
People
General

in Enhanced and Not Enhanced sections.

Creative Writing Topics are:-

“Reaching the Summit”
“Colour”
“Introduction”
(to your Life Story)

Information sheets, Conditions of entry and Entry forms will be available from the Training Room. Entries must be handed in before the end of August. Exact date to be advised. Digital Photography entries will be collected by Jean Barringham and the Creative Writing stories and poems by Joan Craymer. You may, however, send your stories and poems in by email, if you wish. See the entry form for details

Winners are to be announced at the ASCCA AGM to be held on 20th November, 2008.

So, grab your camera, pick up pen and paper and get started NOW!!

ASCCA COMPETITIONS RESULTS FOR 2007

Digital Photo Competition 2007

Computer Pals for Senior Epping gained Third Place - Outstanding Club ASCCA Digital Photography 2007

The ASCCA Digital Photography Competition Awards for 2007, won by members of our Club, are as follows:

The Grand Champion Digital Photographer - Jeanette Masih

The winning photographs:

Landscape Not Enhanced: First Place- Jeanette Masih - "Filtered Light"

General Not Enhanced: First Place - Pat Schinkel - "Safely in Harbour"

General Enhanced: Second Place - Jeanette Masih - "Reflections"

Landscape Not Enhanced: Fourth Place - Martha de Lima - "Jenolan"

WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS

'Filtered Light'
by Jeanette Masih
First Place
Not Enhanced - Landscape

'Safely in Harbour'
by Pat Schinkel
First Place
Not Enhanced - General

'Reflections'
by Jeanette Masih
Second Place
Enhanced - General

'Jenolan'
by Martha de Lima
Fourth Place
Not Enhanced - Landscape

ASCCA Creative Writing Competition
Pamela Taig won Third Place for the following story:

A Memorable Happening

About three times a week, I attend the swimming pool at Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club. The water is pleasantly warm, attracting many seniors combating arthritis, knee re-constructions and hip replacements. Wading through the water for an hour seems conducive to recovery from surgical invasions of the body. Some arrive in wheelchairs, some with walking sticks, which they leave at the side of the pool. Once in the buoyant water, they can walk as ably as anyone.

On my last visit, three disabled people came with their carers. One, a young man in his mid twenties, arrived in his own wheelchair. In obvious pain, he transferred to the waterproof wheelchair, which his trainer steered to the slope leading to the pool. This burly young man gently eased his charge into the water, where he implemented various exercises to improve his walking. Next, he helped him to swim up and down with poignant tenderness. The disabled man was terrified at the start of the routine, but soon splashed about in the water in great enjoyment.

Also accompanied by her carer, was a young girl, mentally disadvantaged, in her late twenties. Everyone in the pool made a fuss of her, laughing with her, participating in her obvious enjoyment. This experience must provide her with pleasurable memories to ponder back at her hostel, until she returns to the pool.

A little later, a young girl in her early thirties arrived. She, too, had a carer, who led her carefully to the rails leading down the slope into the pool. Her head hung down, as though avoiding making eye contact with anyone. Was she shy? After preliminary exercises, her carer left her to swim up and down by herself. She could swim better than I could, but she also enjoyed just jumping up and down for sheer fun. I glanced her way as I moved by, wanting to say ‘hello’. I looked into her blue eyes. They seemed like petrified stone. This dear little person was totally blind. In the water, she moved so confidently, with dexterousness she could never have had on land.

My contact with these disadvantaged people created a feeling of being at one with them. The bliss of wallowing in the warm water together with them and, well, just co-existing in the human race as equals, was a memorable happening, increasing my enjoyment a hundredfold.

Interest Groups: Held in Foyer Room

Creative Writing	First Monday of the Month	10am - 12 noon
Digital Photography	First Monday of the Month However, until a coordinator is found, there will be NO meetings for this group	1pm - 3pm
Genealogy	Third Monday of the Month	10am - 11.30am
HELP Sessions	Third Monday of the Month	1pm - 3pm

Creative Writing Group:
This group meets on the first Monday of the month at 10 am in the Foyer room.
The subjects below are suggested to inspire members as they prepare their writing for the following month's meeting:

Date of Meeting	Creative Writing Subjects
2008
November 3	Gratitude
December 1	Greed
2009
February 2	Cutting the Cake
March 2	The Last Word
March 30	Poetry - Note date change*
May 4
June 1
June 29	Note date change*
August 3
September 7
October 5
November 2
December 7

* Due to various circumstances dates of April and July have been put back one week to the previous Monday.

Interest Groups

Digital Photography Interest Group:

Patricia Beal, a most competent photographer, has offered to host this Interest Group. The next meeting will be Monday 4 August at 1pm, and should be an experience not to be missed. This group was formed with those who are new to Digital Photography in mind, and who wish to become more familiar with their Digital Cameras, whilst sharing with one another their attempts at Digital Photography.

Genealogy Interest Group:

For those with a common interest in discovering their ancestors. Lynton Bradford and Gwen Bradford lead this group on Third Monday of the month at 10.00am - 11.30am. Monday 19 March is the next meeting.

HELP Group:

On the third Monday of each month at 1pm - 3pm, there will be a demonstration on some interesting computer related topic by varied tutors. On those occasions when there is no demonstration topic, a General Help Session will be held for those needing help with computer problems. On 18 August, at 1 pm,Ted Miles will give an introduction to transferring vynil records or tapes to CDs. Ted suggests you should bring along a flash drive with which to download two free programmes he has for you.

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