Vodka in a Vegemite Jar

Date: Thursday 17 July 2025, 1:15pm-2:45pm
Presenter: Trevor Hamley
Venue: City Campus, 232 Adelaide St.

In 1983, Trevor Hamley embarked on a 3,000km Soviet Antarctic return over-snow traverse from Mirny to Dome C. In his memoir, Trevor reveals how fate and a touch of destiny propelled him towards this unique experience, including a visit to Vostok- the coldest place on Earth.

At every turn, the Dome C traverse was beset by adversity yet achieved its scientific objectives. Mechanical and scientific equipment succumbed to the harsh Antarctic conditions, where temperatures plunged to minus sixty degrees centigrade. An appendectomy was performed 1,000km from the safety of a permanent station, an unprecedented feat in the annals of Antarctic expeditions. Each leg of the journey became an exhilarating episode. But the narrative does not merely recount the logistical aspects of the traverse; it delves into the intricacies of glaciology and the profound issue of our time: climate change.

In Vodka in a Vegemite Jar, Trevor skilfully intertwines the thrill of exploration with challenging human experiences. He tells us about an extraordinary opportunity and cross-cultural friendship.

Author Biography
Trevor Hamley is the author of Vodka in a Vegemite Jar – an Australian on a Soviet Antarctic Expedition. After finishing a degree in Civil Engineering at Monash University, Trevor joined the Australian Antarctic Division as a Glaciologist - to winter at Casey in 1978. He then commenced a career in engineering construction before re-joining the Antarctic Division to participate in a Soviet Antarctic Expedition in 1983/84. Trevor completed a Master of Science degree in Glaciology at Melbourne University in 1987. He is a life-long enthusiast of outdoor activities and lives in Brisbane with his wife Kerry-Lynne with whom he has two sons and three grandchildren.

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Exhibition Holiday Brisbane: Wednesday 13 August
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The Strategic Plan for 2025-28 has been developed by the Management Committee and key U3A leaders. It is available here:
Strategic Plan 2025-2028
 

This 9-minute interview with Sofie Formica was broadcast on 4BC Brisbane on 28 January 2025. It is about connecting seniors with Lifelong Learning, with particular emphasis on creative arts classes and the social benefits of being part of the U3A community.
(Acknowledgement: 4BC Brisbane)

This segment was broadcast on Brisbane Channel 9 News Seniors Report by Bruce Paige on 5 July 2024.
(Acknowledgement: 9News Brisbane)

The classes shown were Lily Buttigieg's J218 Spanish Continuing and Bruce Holdsworth's E16 Politics and the Economy - Hopes and Fears, both Wednesday classes at 232 Adelaide St.

The Annual General Meeting of The University of the Third Age Brisbane Inc. was held online at 10.00am on Wednesday 16 April 2024.

 AGM 2025 Documents
 The following reports and documents are available:
    2025 AGM Agenda
    2024 AGM Minutes
    Financial Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
    Management Committee Nominations 2025
    President's Report
    Treasurer's Report

 

The Management Committee for 2025/26 elected at the AGM is as follows.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here, and anyone can use it. In order to assist U3A members in understanding AI, we have developed a resource to provide practical information on using the various AI tools publicly available, and to outline some of the thorny social issues AI presents:

Introduction to AI

The technology has advanced more quickly than expected, and has the potential to reshape our world. This resource page is offered primarily to provide information about the numerous ways in which AI can currently be used. In the longer term, there are philosophical and even existential considerations, but the more we know about practical AI, the better we will be equipped to understand the deeper issues for humanity.

We are running various presentations on AI as part of this educational process. Tutors and Members are encouraged to explore the creative opportunities of AI.

See Social Events page for details of social events organised by our Social Events Team.

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  Discussion Group Instructions (for tutors)

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