U3A Port Sorell

Committee Members

President	Vice President	Secretary

Lindsay Weatherburn Hi, I am Lindsay and have been a member of Port Sorell U3A almost from the beginning. My work background was completely within IT, where I have built computer systems, managed departmental IT services, converted complete networks and developed cyber firewalls mainly within Sydney and Canberra. I have been on the committees of other sporting and social clubs and enjoy working with all members. My wife and I moved to Port Sorell 10 years ago and have loved the area from the start. After presenting “Introduction to Computers” to U3A Southern Highlands before moving to Tasmania, I have presented “Social Media” and other IT based courses for PSU3A and look forward to doing more depending on what is required.	Ralph Brinkmann G’Day, I’m Ralph and was born and raised on a farm in western Victoria. I joined the RAAF as an apprentice and served for a period of just over 20 years all on the eastern seaboard of Australia although I did see many countries, particularly in SE Asia during that time. I am a qualified Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. On leaving the Airforce I began a career as a Facilities Manager where I spent over 22 years within the retail sector mainly in Melbourne and a 3 year stint in Launceston. Retail was punctuated with 8 years as the Facilities Manager of the Victorian Arts Centre, a time I enjoyed immensely. I am a certified Facility Management Practitioner with the FMA and also hold International accreditation with IFMA. My final stint in the workforce was as a Project Manager for a P-12 College in Melbourne’s west where I delivered 7 major buildings in 5 ½ years totalling $27M. Lois and I have always loved Tassie and purchased land here in Port Sorell in 2003, building in 2007, living here for a couple of years, back to Melbourne for 8 years and finally retiring here in late 2018. Love this place!	Steve Hujanen Hi, my name is Steve Hujanen – (pronounced hugh-ja-nen) My wife Sandra & I moved to Shearwater 3 1/2 years ago following 3 years living in Launceston after moving from the Sunshine Coast, where we had been based for 25 plus years, as climate and congestion refugees. Prior to retiring in December 2022 most of my working life was spent as a contractor in the Instrumentation, Electrical & Automation fields in various office & site-based roles on large projects throughout Australia & overseas. During this time, we were fortunate enough to be relocated to Brisbane, Perth, Noumea, Montreal, Seoul, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this along with numerous other FIFO assignments has allowed us to experience many other cultures, communities & lifestyles. The Port Sorell, Shearwater, Hawley Beach community has been the most welcoming and inclusive we have experienced during our “gypsy” past, the many activities associated with the U3A, and the broader community, has helped to keep our minds & bodies active which is a key to enjoying the 3rd age and, with luck, beyond. We plan to continue exploring the varied areas and experiences offered by this this spectacular state and continue to enjoy the many friendships developed during our time in this area. I am pleased to be accepted as a committee member and aim to contribute toward the ongoing success and future growth of the U3A continuing the tremendous work of previous committees, course leaders and members.

Program Group	Treasurer	Office Coordinator

Marg Leedham Hi, I’m Marg and I came to Tasmania twenty years ago after living in several states, mostly Queensland. My husband died some time ago while we lived in Westbury, and I moved to Port Sorell with my dog three years ago. I love it here and am here to stay now. My career was in education, mostly TAFE and since then I’ve been fanatical about lifelong learning, which is how I came to U3A. Port Sorell is the third U3A I’ve been involved in and I joined even before I moved here! Since participating in several courses and offering Let’s Talk Books last year, I was able to contribute to the Program Group and am now excited about being part of the U3A committee.	Justine Beran My name is Justine Beran and my husband and I moved to this beautiful Isle from Qld in January 2023, rented in Launceston until we fell in love with and bought our little house in Shearwater in May. My husband was sent down here to manage the construction of public housing and after a holiday here 3 years ago, we actually said if we ever had a chance to work here we would jump at it. I had no friends or family down here, but knew about U3A from trying to get my mum involved in Qld and thought if I joined up it would give me the opportunity to meet new friends. I have also always tried to get involved within the community I live, so I started volunteering in the office. My career over 40+ years started in single person office in small business to managing accounts teams of 10-12 workers, until I finally decided I was not that impressed with private enterprise and made the decision to only work in the Not for Profit sector. I managed the office of three nursing homes in Alice Springs including one dedicated to First Nations people. This was a truly life changing experience and one which I will always treasure. The last position I held was with the National Disability Insurance Agency as a Review Officer assisting participants who were not happy with their plans. This was a fulfilling position, but quite stressful. My darling husband, Derek is hoping to finally retire in the next couple of months. He has worked hard in the construction industry for 45 years and we want to travel more while we can. We have 4 children between us and 11 grandchildren with one more due in May. Our youngest daughter lives in Sydney with her 5 children and the other 3 live close to each other near Ipswich. I am looking forward to my time with U3A and making more friends.	Lyn Williams My name is Lyn Williams and after 20 years of happy holidaying around Tasmania, my husband Jeff and I made the move to Port Sorell six years ago. I grew up in Sydney and after completing high school, became a primary school teacher. I spent many happy years teaching in Western Sydney, I continued studying, we moved to the Riverina and then the Southern Highlands of NSW and I worked in high schools, Special Needs Schools and small country schools. We have lived and worked in the United Kingdom, where Jeff was born and raised, and we have children and grandchildren living mainly around the ACT and a daughter and family who live in Scotland. I feel very much a part of the community here and the U3A has been a big part of that. It offers so much for so many people and I am very happy to take up a role on the committee as well as helping in the office, being a course leader and a member of the program committee.
Program Group	Members	Office

John Sumpton I’m John Sumpton. My wife and I reached Hawley Beach, via Sydney, Devonport, Melbourne, Perth, Bangalore, Johannesburg, and Melbourne again, just before the Port Sorell U3A started up in 2014. I have been involved since then in one way or another. I was a committee member from 2015 to 2020 and from time to time have been the leader of the Photography Group. I spent my “second age” as an exploration geophysicist living and working in various parts of Australia and the world, which was great, but I am happy to spend my time here on the North-West Coast from now on.	Leonie Moore Hi, I’m Leonie Moore. I’ve lived in Port Sorell for nearly 5 years. I was born in Tasmania, but in the early 70’s my parents decided to move the family to Victoria, where I attended high school. Not long after leaving school I met my husband Michael, and we have a son named Jarryd. We decided the mainland wasn’t where we wanted to spend our retirement, the slower lifestyle and the beauty of Tasmania attracted us, and when we visited Port Sorell, we knew this is where we wanted to spent the rest of our lives. Most of my working life revolved around retail, I’ve had numerous roles, and worked for quite a few Companies, I have also worked as a bookkeeper. I became a member of the U3A as soon as we moved here, then 2 years ago, I joined the committee as secretary, a position I’ve never held before, but have enjoyed. I have found the U3A a great place to make new friends, with a wide range of courses on offer. My husband and I love to travel in our motorhome, with our miniature dachshund Ollie, I enjoy Pickleball, a sport I found through the U3A, and I love reading.	Chrissie York I’m Chrissie York and I have just joined the U3A Port Sorell Committee and have taken the role of Office Manager. I am sure some of you already know me but for all of those that don’t - this is me!! After a career spanning over 35 years in a variety of roles I retired and moved to Squeaking Point in 2015 with my husband Steve and our King Charles Cavalier called Winnie. After moving into the area, I joined U3A Port Sorell in 2018 and have taken up many of the classes that have been on offer with the latest one being Ukulele which I just love - we have tons of fun! I volunteered in the office from 2019 and when Libby made the decision to step down I felt I could further support U3A and everything that it has done for me by joining the committee and managing the office with the team of volunteers. Apart from U3A I love my dog, Tai Chi with the lovely and beautiful Chaz, gardening, quilting and my new love ukulele! I am known for my wicked sense of humour and being honest which I am hoping is a valued gift on the committee. You will see me in the office most weeks so please come and say hi and if there is anything you would like to see happen within office please contact me. Looking forward to continuing and expanding the great work that Libby and other Office Managers before me did.