Patricia Farnell is encouraging others her age to “keep moving the grey matter.” 54250
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
PATRICIA Farnell is serving up a dose of food for thought as the facilitator of the U3A’s current affairs group.
Ms Farnell said when she lived in Korumburra, she would go walking with a group of retirees and their dogs every morning and evening.
“Many lively discussions took place during these walks, sometimes serious, sometimes light-hearted, but always thought provoking,” she said.
The recent resident to Warburton said she loved living where she was now, but missed those lively discussions.
“At 71 years of age, I worried I might become senile if I didn’t find a way of moving the grey matter around again,” she said.
Ms Farnell has taken on the role of current affairs facilitator with the Upper Yarra U3A (University of the Third Age) and has also been co-opted to the hard working UY U3A committee.
“For those like me who are limited by age, finances and physical ability, the U3A is a great way to broaden one’s horizons and meet new friends,” she said.
Ms Farnell said the group setting would involve a lively and stimulating debate on various topics members would choose.
Some of her thought-provoking suggestions for debate include local environment issues, population growth, puppy mills, democracy and the right to die with dignity.
“It’s important to know what people are thinking, what they are concerned about, and I will encourage them to write to the media whatever their opinion, even if I don’t agree with them,” she said.
Ms Farnell said letters to the editor columns were successful ways to support change and share ideas with people who don’t think they are being listened to.
She said Don Chipp, who formed the Australian Democrats in 1977 under the mantra to “keep the bastards honest,” told her the first and most important page politicians turned to in a newspaper was the letters to the editor.
At $40 a year for as many classes as members want to participate in, keen over 55s who would like to find out more or join up to the current affairs group can contact the U3A on 5967 1776.
