Our group enjoys presentations from members and their fascination, passion and knowledge grow our knowledge and appreciation.  Recent member presentations included talks on Hundertwasser, medieval iconography and Robin White. Visits included the Auckland Art Gallery ‘Light from the Tate’ and a fascinating visit to the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple in South Auckland. We cover a wide range of topics under the umbrella of art with lively discussions, view DVDS and visit galleries.

When: 2nd Tuesday 10am
Where: Grace Joel Retirement Village, 184 St Heliers Bay Road + gallery visits
Convenor: Mary Gray, 021 230 5405, marygraykiwi@gmail.com

Films  inform, educate, and entertain across many genres. The term classic film is not restricted to a timeframe, and we watch a selection of films that have stood the test of time. Each month a different member chooses and presents the film and following the screening, we have afternoon tea, and the presenter leads a lively and diverse discussion on the merits of the film. We are a friendly group and welcome new members.

When: 2nd Friday 1pm
Where: St Vincents Retirement Village, 7 St Vincent Ave, Remuera
Convenors: Lynn Bartram, 021 470 176, lynnbartram3@gmail.com. Trish Clark, 021 244 5545, clpatricia.nz@gmail.com

We discuss current affairs in New Zealand and the wider world. We do not have big presentations but at each meeting, members introduce topics, largely from the media and we have lively discussions. We never run out of things to say.

When: 1^st and 3^rd Monday 10am
Where: St Chads Church, 38 St Johns Road
Convenor: John Trainor, 524 5907, johnval@slingshot.co.nz

Earth Science is the field of study concerned with the solid earth, its waters and the air that envelops it (Britannica website). It includes Geology, Oceanology, Meteorology, Astronomy. The Earth Science group is made up of keen learners, a few have a lot of knowledge, but most do not, but all want to gain a better understanding of the world we live in and how it functions. We are on a journey of discovery together, at this stage of our lives and it is most enjoyable and satisfying

When: 3^rd Wednesday 2pm
Where: Edmund Hillary Retirement Village + field trips
Convenors: Karen Yates, 021 770 559, karenay@xtra.co.nz. Ian Marshall, 021 773 217, ecoian@gmail.com

The Famous and Infamous group comprises presentations by members of notable people – the good, the bad and the in-between. We have two presentations by members on subjects that are usually but not always, biographical. We have morning tea and discussions are always of interest.

When: 1st Thursday 10am
Where: Homes
Convenor: Elaine Davies, 524 6927. Piers Davies, piersdavies153@gmail.com

Auckland has a wonderful array of cultures, traditions and nationalities making it a diverse and rich food city. We enjoy dining out and dining in and talking about food and new discoveries.

When: 2nd Thursday 10am
Where: Homes + dining out
Convenor: Gill Macklin, 021 185 4887, gillmacklin@xtra.co.nz

Have you ever wondered where your forebears came from? What they did for a living? Even, who are they? The Genealogy Group helps members answer those questions and also share their stories. Genealogy is about so much more than dry lists of names, dates of birth and death. It’s about your ancestors’ stories, about social history and about who we are. There are no family secrets anymore. With technology and the resources now available online, they simply wait for you to spend time learning how to uncover them. The Genealogy Group helps its members

When: 1^st Friday 10am
Where: Homes + field trips
Convenor: Michael Littlewood, 021 677 160, 520 0367, michaelr.littlewood@gmail.com

Working on the principle that ‘The past, our compass; the future, our canvas.’

Monday History looks at the inventions and discoveries of the 1800s that affect our everyday lives.  Discussion, talks, quizzes – a great opportunity to learn from each other.

When: 1st Monday 10am
Where: Community of St Luke, 130 Remuera Road
Convenors: Barbara Smith, 625 4185, bs.smith@hotmail.co.nz. Piers Davies, 524 6927

What is music? It can make one feel happy or sad, it can heal, give strength, calm one, it comes in many different forms.  Classical, ballet, opera, musicals, jazz to name a few.  Our monthly meetings consist of one or two DVDs. The first may be a documentary about a composer, musician, singer, an orchestra. This is followed by a DVD about what we have just seen.  At the end of our two hours, we are a little wiser about music as a necessary tool for life.

When: 4^th Thursday 10am
Where: St Vincent Retirement Village, 7 St Vincent Ave, Remuera
Convenor: Gillian West, 634 3439,  ggwest42@gmail.com

Member led discussions about various aspects of New Zealand History. Some recent topics are RMS Niagara – its past, present and future: Origins of the NZ Labout Party; Pre-Maori stone bulders in NZ and Maori Leader Te Pahi – see imaage attached

New members are welcome. Come and learn some NZ History you weren’t taught at school!

When: 2^nd Thursday 2pm
Where: Meadowbank Retirement Village
Convenors: Mark Wotton, 528 3337, kmarkwotton@xtra.co.nz. Sue Johnstone, 523 4980, Suemj.6@gmail.com

The word “philosophy” comes from the Greek “love of wisdom”. It is the study of general and fundamental questions, e.g. the meaning of existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind and language. It involves questioning, critical discussion, rational argument.  We generally have a longish talk followed by discussion and afternoon tea. Then a shorter talk, discussion, then a vibrant group discussion about a controversial subject.

When: 4^th Monday 2pm
Where: Homes
Convenor: Laurence Melton, ph 622 0717, l.melton@auckland.ac.nz

Exploring the richness of poetic language by sharing poems we each enjoy and knowledge of poets who wrote them. What inspired them and the poetic skills they employed.

When: 3rd Tuesday 1pm to 3pm
Where: Homes
Convenor: Jim Feist, 579 3225, jimfeist5@gmail.com (preferred contact)

There is science behind everything we do and what happens in our lives. Be it living, computing, flying, the movement of the earth around the sun, the stars in our heaven – the possibilities are infinite. In this group our monthly main speakers cover topics with some flavour of science without being taken too seriously. The majority of our members do not have backgrounds in science topics and attend our meetings to learn and share new ideas and concepts.

When: 4th Monday 10am
Where: Grace Joel Village
Convenor: Charles Martin, 021 424 234, 528 7450, chasnor@xtra.co.nz

Want to learn how to deal with issues that arise when travelling? Join our Travel Study Group. Hear tips and advice on the best things to do, places to go to get the most out of your travel.

When: 4th Tuesday 2pm
Where: Homes
Convenor: Wallis Walker, 524 8940, wallis.walker@xtra.co.nz

One person a month chooses the main focus of the meeting with others providing extras: history of puzzles, crosswords, anagrams, and diagrammatic puzzles. We solve them as a group, challenge our brain and have fun.

When: 1st Thursday 4pm
Where: Homes
Convenor: Janet Barnard, 520 1352, janet-barnard@xtra.co.nz

We find interesting locations for each walk, meet at the beginning of our walk and walk, stroll, ramble for approximately one hour. At the end of the walk we find a cafe for refreshing the mind and the soul!

• When: 2^nd and 4^th Friday 9.30am
• Where: Various local locations
• Convenor: Merryn Rose, 021 0415714, merryndennis@gmail.com