Longbeach Ukes creates a newsletter periodically to keep our friends, supporters and followers up-to-date with the activities and events of the group. It is delivered via our friends email mailing list.
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Below is a list of all past issues...
MARCH 2022
Tue, 15 Mar 2022.jpg)
Hello everyone. Welcome back to LUKES in 3D.
By now we should have everyone signed up and ready to go for 2022. It has been such a joy to hear people playing and singing together again at both Carrum and Mentone – lots of beautiful noise made with great enthusiasm.
We now have 92 paid-up members. Numbers for Carrum and Mentone are roughly similar – probably a few more attending Mentone exclusively, and quite a few people who are attending both. We have a short waiting list and will be offering the opportunity for 12 new people to join us during the coming days and weeks. After this, we won’t be taking new members for a while, but we will start a new waiting list for any further requests.
Editor & Secretary Jill Thompson
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SEPTEMBER 2021
Tue, 14 Sep 2021
Despite the fact that we are all locked down for the sixth time, and who-knows how many days, we seem to be getting quite good at entertaining ourselves and staying in touch. Bravo everyone. This is such a resilient group with someone always coming up with a creative idea just when we need it. All of us appreciate your positive attitudes and creativity.
One such event that took place recently was “Play Music on the Porch” which is a world-wide phenomenon and is already an annual event. Our roving reporter, Sally Baker was on the spot:
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JUNE 2021
Mon, 14 Jun 2021
Hello everyone. We live in confusing times and we in Melbourne feel this more than the rest of the country. I’d been waiting for a sort-of normal to write this newsletter, but it seems that is reluctant to emerge. For a long time , it seemed as if we were on a lovely, leisurely train trip, journeying through the beautiful Autumn countryside and suddenly we plunged into another dark tunnel of indeterminate length. Isn’t patience supposed to be a virtue?
The LUKES committee and session organisers met the day before Lockdown Mach Four and decided to return to Zoom for the next little while, review and adapt. John Lennon’s famous dictum reminds us : “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans”. We are flexible and adaptable and if it has to be a Zoom thing for a while – so be it, or “C’est la bloody vie” as a friend of mine used to say. It was lovely to see so many of you on Zoom for our “Animalia” session and for our “Around the World” program with Cheryl. Now it appears we can poke our heads above the trenches and may resume with restrictions in the next week or two. A separate communication regarding this was posted on the website on 11 June.
Next Tuesday evening on Zoom will be a Carolyn Coxhead special – a music quiz from Carolyn’s family’s old LP collection – music of the 50s and 60s and accompanying songs.
Stay tuned for information about Thursday afternoon at Mentone. There will be a limit on numbers and masks will most likely be mandatory indoors.
The committee has also discussed how things have been going at both Carrum and Mentone since February. Your feedback has been very positive and evident by strong attendance at both venues. Several of you have been attending on both Tuesday night and Thursday afternoon. We are in constant touch with those in charge of both venues, as the situation morphs.
The session leaders have put a lot of work into planning some very entertaining sessions right up until December 2021. They are also actively encouraging volunteers to step up and lead future sessions. So, if you would like to lead a session, contact Brad, Alison or Peter. We are planning for four workshops for the year at each venue.
We would like to thank the session leaders (Peter, Brad and Alison) as well as Michael and his band of Covid monitor volunteers for the work they have put into keeping us safe. This can be a difficult and unsung task as the rules keep changing, and no-one wants to be a member of the fun police. We are likely to see ongoing restrictions when we next meet in person – so don’t go nuts - keep your social distance and wear your masks (sigh!)
So, what to put in this newsletter that would be of most help and interest for you? How about: Us. Our strength. Our music and our amazing members? This is a Getting to Know You edition featuring Alison and John Davies who typify the strength and resilience required of us all these days and who are joyful in their celebration of music.
Alison, well supported by her very inventive partner John, is one of the key members of LUKES. She established our website and continues to be our Webmaster. She, along with Brad Croft, who featured in a previous edition of the newsletter, is also an organiser extraordinaire for the program we enjoy at Mentone RSL on Thursday afternoons as well as being an enthusiastic and talented performer. She has many other interests.
John has added depth to our music with his amazing “bop box” – well that’s what my Dad used to call them, John has aptly named it his "G-String Bass Box". Not only is his instrument his own clever invention decorated with considerable artistic flair, but his musicianship is something to admire. Together, John and Alison make a dynamic musical duo.
We would have featured Alison and John sooner, but as most of us know, they have been overwhelmed with family during the past year, including those spectacular new gumnut baby twins from NSW.
Editor and Secretary of LUKES
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APRIL 2020
Tue, 27 Apr 2021
LUKES BREAKING NEWS
Tuesday nights at Carrum Activity Hub
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From the My Community Life web page:
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MARCH 2021
Tue, 16 Mar 2021
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FEBRUARY 2021
Fri, 5 Feb 2021
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JANUARY 2021
Sat, 9 Jan 2021
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NOVEMBER 2020
Wed, 4 Nov 2020
Well folks, we’ve made it to November. Who would have thunk it? I’ll refrain from political commentary, but maybe after this week we will see some sanity restored to our friends across the other side of the world as well. I think we’ve all appreciated how lucky we are to be Aussies – our political shenanigans have been tame by comparison.
Along the way, we in LUKES have managed to enjoy each other’s virtual company and admire some pretty amazing skills while in lockdown. Bravo, Bravissimo!
For those of you who might still be struggling as a result of the pandemic, please feel to reach out to your LUKES friends for a chat or even a visit/walk that complies with the Covid rules.
Editor: Jill Thompson info@longbeachukes.com.au
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Tue, 15 Sep 2020
Since this is such an unusual year, and we are not able to do many of the things we usually do , we are having to “pivot” (the word de jour!) and have joined the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who are meeting virtually. Our Zoom meetings have been well-attended, with around 30+ people every second Tuesday. We’re getting used to the medium and better at making the most of what it can do. In fact, there has been a veritable flowering of creativity and strangely enough we’ve had lots of fun. We are grateful to Peter Grigg, our immediate past President, for guiding us through the intricacies of Zoom and for being our Zoom host. It has been a particularly tricky year to be leading our group, with a great deal of growth happening in the first half of the year, and then seven months of a once-in-a-hundred-year event. We’re all on a steep learning curve in so many ways. So, once again, thanks Peter for helping us to stick together in these tough times.
Here’s a message from our newly-elected President, Carolyn Coxhead.
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MARCH 2020
Wed, 4 Mar 2020
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Vale Tony
It was good to see such a strong turn out for Tony Brooker’s funeral. It was a very emotional day for us. Tony’s partner Cherry and his many friends organised a warm and fitting tribute to him. His friends were legion and a common refrain from people he has been helping out for a long time was “What are we going to do now that Tony is gone?” He is sadly missed.
Too much of a good thing?
Luke’s goes from strength to strength. We had 58 people on the 25th February and 56 on 3rd March. We are a little concerned that we don’t grow too much bigger.
Although we want to maintain our welcoming and friendly atmosphere, the terms of our agreement with Kingston Council are that the hall is limited to 60, so we are not actively recruiting new members at the moment.
Beginner’s Classes.
We have completed 2 of our 6 planned sessions on Thursday evenings.
If you are quick, it’s not too late to join this small group to learn the basics.
These classes aren’t compulsory for newbies. You can still attend on a Tuesday evening with no experience. See the News & Events page of the website for more details.
LEGS
Thanks for those who have asked to be members of LEGS.
The dowloadable list of those who put their hand up is ⇒ LEGS 2020 Members
Free electrical tagging.
Electrical equipment used in our hall should be tagged.
Andrew has arranged to have this done at no cost to you on Tuesday 10th March. So bring along your amps and stuff.
New Leaders for Tuesday Nights
Tatyana will be approaching a few people to lead our Tuesday nights.
We like to vary our Tuesdays with different formats and song lists. We offer technical, vocal or instrumental support for those interested in leading Tuesdays. Our next free nights are 7th and 14th of April.
THINGS COMING UP:
Thursday Night 5th March - Beginners 7 pm at Carrum - led by Mandy
Tuesday 10th March - Peter Leads in the round – Using selection from books 1,2,3.
You are welcome to lead some of the selected songs.
Thursday 12th March - Peter leads Beginners
Tuesday 17th March - Saint Patrick's Day with Don and Meredith
Thursday 19th March - Committee Meeting
Tuesday 31st March - Alison to lead "Movin' & Shakin' to Movie Songs"
NOTE:
LUKES April Committee Meeting - Wed 15th April (not 16th )
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FEBRUARY 2020
Mon, 10 Feb 2020
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I’m looking forward to another great year at LUKES in 2020.
We have a variety of things planned this year.
- In the round (easy going singalongs).
- Theme nights (Beatles- Michael, TBA Alison and team, and Theatrical - Tatyana later in the year).
- Try Out / Open Mic nights
- Hat band nights (where we are randomly picked into groups and work on a few songs together. (It’s a great way to meet new people in the club and it gets everyone involved.)
- Workshops, which we may put on Thursdays.
LEGS GROUP
LUKES performs at Retirement/lifestyle villages, Probus clubs as well as Council and other events. We have a group who are interested in performing (often on weekday afternoons), known as LEGS (LUKES Entertainment Group).
If you are interested in being part of this group, please contact me.
Please note: We are starting the list from scratch so any member interested must notify Peter.
We can’t always fit everyone in at every performance, but we can always put you down for next time. We usually have a rehearsal in the week before a performance.
As well as having a good time ourselves, we also cheer up our audience, and that’s got to be a good thing!
I lead a number of LUKES performances, but If anyone else is interested in leading this year please contact me. We need to update this because people’s circumstances have changed.
At LUKES we like to give our members lots of opportunities to play, sing, get involved, lead. We have a wonderful group of creative friendly people and they constantly amaze me.
We also welcome and encourage new people in leading a Tuesday night event and we can certainly assist you in this.
Peter Grigg president@longbeachukes.com.au
TUESDAY SESSION DETAILS
The pdf Plan for the year can be downloaded under News & Events
Tuesday 11th February People’s Choice with Carolyn
Bring Books 1,2,3. Write your favourite song on the whiteboard when you arrive.
Tuesday 18th February Book 3 with Tatyana
Getting familiar with Book 3 songs. Bring Book 3. Copies available at $15 if you need one.
Tuesday 25th February Unsung Hero Award – recognising our quiet helpers behind the scenes.
In The Round with Jill (format to be announced) and “Unsung Hero” award.
Wednesday Daytime Sessions which ran last year at Don & Meredith’s home during the winter months will not continue this year. If you are interested in a daytime session both Kingston and Bayside U3A have ukulele groups on a Wednesday afternoon.
NOTICES
Newsletter - This will come out every month following the Committee meeting.
It will include:- A President’s Report
- A report on decisions made at the monthly meeting,
- Details of the next month’s Tuesday Sessions,
- General Notices including messages and photos from members.
- Other interesting events you might like to attend.
BEGINNER'S CLASSES
Beginners’ Classes will be held on six consecutive Thursdays, twice a year.
The first session will start on Thursday February 20th at 7pm - 8pm at the Carrum Activity Hub.
Different tutors will take each session.
Participants must be members of the Club ($10) but will not pay extra for the classes.
A Beginners’ Booklet will be available for no charge.
MEMBERSHIP
The Annual Membership of $10 is due this week. This membership allows us to keep an accurate list of members and provides you with access to the website which has all our music available, discounted entry of $5 on Tuesday nights, member discounts at Guitars Plus and other offers such as the Christmas Party held last year.
SESSION LEADERS
Would you feel able to run a session? It only needs to be as simple as preparing a songlist and keeping things going on the night. You don’t have to lead all the songs!!!
Please talk to one of the Committee if you are interested in finding out more.
WEBSITE
Do look at the website from time to time?
https://www.longbeachukes.com.au
This is where you will find all the updated information about the Club’s activities. If you need help with your log in details please contact Alison Davies. alison@davies.melbourneThe Suggestion Box is a good tool to let the Committee know if you have any ideas to improve or change the way we do things.
MATON FACTORY TOURS
Andrew Hesketh has very kindly organised two tours of the Maton Guitar Factory in Box Hill on Thursdays 19th and 26th of March.
There are two spots available for the 19th and six spots available for the 26th.
As you know Maton are renowned for their high quality Guitars and Ukuleles and much desired by players.
These tickets are free to you because you are member of LUKES.
The Factory is at 6 Clarice Rd BoxHill South.
Arrive at 10.15 am for 10.30 start. Finishes at noon.
Contact Jonno to book your spots . Email Jonno
SEPTEMBER 2019
Mon, 30 Sep 2019
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JULY 2019
Wed, 3 Jul 2019
JULY 2019
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