All activities are planned by the members who act as planners, convenors, presenters and/or hosts for study groups.
There are no mandatory activities. However members are expected to participate in at least one study group. Members are also encouraged to attend the open meetings held at the Elim Christian Centre, 625 Main Road Stoke each second month.
All members are encouraged to take a turn at generating, convening, and/or hosting group(s).
Groups function in a variety of ways. Most operate through each member taking a turn to research and present their findings to the other members. Some groups have a facilitator who has the skills and knowledge to teach a specific subject. Other groups learn together using the available resources. There are variations to this but all members are strongly encouraged to contribute what they can towards the learning within the group.
New groups and vacancies within existing groups are published in the bi-monthly newsletters and all groups are listed on the study group page.
The Committee is elected each year. Committee members meet once every two months and have the responsibility of organising the general meetings, managing finances and ensuring that members are kept well informed about the activities of the organisation. Each Committee member has a specific area of responsibility.
Groups usually meet in member’s home. This may limit the numbers who can attend. If there is a cost to hiring facilities, the costs are met by the members. If more members wish to join a popular group than can be accommodated, the uncatered-for members are encouraged to start a second group at a different venue with a second convenor.
Most meetings are held during daylight hours.
A Committee member acts as Study Group Coordinator who maintains oversight of all the groups, advertises groups, and keeps a record of member participation. for study group enquiries, email [email protected]
Anything But Classical
Convenor: Roger Haynes
Nelson pm. first Tuesdays @ 2.00 pm./ Venue is shared amongst group members.
As the title implies, this is a group that wishes to explore all sorts of music, other than classical, which is already explored by another group.
We are a lively group who are passionate about music and its impact upon us. Our interests are wide ranging and nothing is excluded.
As source materials we use our own collections, the library and the internet to research various artists, genres and periods to increase our knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment.
Chess for Beginners
Convenor: Graeme Williams
72 Sanctuary Drive, @ 10 am, alternate Mondays
Largely for beginners, and priority will be given to beginners, but players with some experience are also welcome. You will be expected to mentor new players, as well as having opportunities to play other experienced opponents. This is very much a shared learning group.
Creative Writing Group
Convenor: Les Cook
Alternate Wednesdays; 9 Valhalla Lane, Richmond at 10 am re starting January 26 2022
Short stories, 'Mega stories', essays, some poetry and even a book review feature as tasks throughout the year.
A task is set for each meeting, for example, 'Shades Of The Sea'. Members are free to explore the idea in any way they choose.
A word for the week and a writing style is also given for experimentation and inclusion in the writing.
We read our contributions to the group and expect feedback.
Exploring Nelson Walking Group
Convenor: Rosalie Johnson Jocelyn Bell
Various 10-12am, weekly Thursdays
A regular walking group for those wanting to keep fit and get to know the Nelson area.
Each member of the group takes a turn to select an interesting route.
We walk for an hour or so at an intermediate level, then meet for a coffee at a local cafe.
Hands in the Garden
Convenor: Judy Pittman
Various venues am, second Wednesdays
A group for garden lovers and always lunch after a garden tour.
Visit gardens and nurseries and discover the secrets of gardening from those in the know.
iPad/iPhone Group
Convenor: Stuart Yank
2nd Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30 pm Seniornet Hall Hastings St Nelson
For iPhone/iPad users. Come join us at Pioneer Park rooms Nelson for our very popular Interest Group
1.30pm - 3.30pm incl. refreshments during our break.
In our sessions we cover, as casually and as understandably as possible, the where to find, how to use. We continually remind all about IOS Updates and security
We have a Q & A session, and questions are encouraged and we are fortunate in having a brilliant team of subject presenters who tend to specialise in a particular area.
Military History
Convenor: David Turner
Olive Estate Lifestyle Village, Richmond 10-12am, first and third Wednesdays
Military History from Ancient Egypt through to at least Vietnam.
Discussions under headings such as politics, personnel, material, strategy, tactics, successes, blunders and the overall effect on societies of the time.
There is a wealth of information online, both documentary and CGI and this is supplemented with literature, ie histories, biographies, autobiographies etc.
Opera 2
Convenor: Steven Shaw
1st & 3rd Wednesday mornings 10-12 at 116 Queens Road Nelson, perhaps also at other venues as the group progresses
Watching a wide range of operas on DVD and online. Sharing opinions and appreciation of operas, looking into the history of the genre. Members will choose some of their favourite works and present them to other members
Serious Discussions
Convenor: Liz Chinnery-jack-Bowyer
10.00 - noon, 1st Monday each month. 40 Ngawhatu Road, Stoke
A group for those who wish to spend time exercising their grey matter and exploring some of life's big issues.
This year we have covered
1.Liberal democracy as an appropriate political system for the 21st century
2. Information and news - sources and their accuracy
To come
Sexuality; Violence; Religion; Economics; Crime and Punishment; Population; Education; Racism; Morality...
Each members prepares a short statement setting out their understanding and views on the topic after which there is discussion and sometimes debate. Views may differ, debate can be fiery but no blows are exchanged
Te Reo 1
Convenor: Miriam Loretto
1st and 3rd Mondays 1.00-2.00 pm 10 Cupola Crescent Richmond starting Feb 6
Trivia Quiz
Convenor: Judy Pittman
Honest Lawyer, 3rd Tuesday @ 10.00am
A general knowledge quiz once a month at The Honest Lawyer, Monaco. It will be a sociable morning. As a condition of having free use of the Honest Lawyer’s side room we must purchase drinks and food. The scones are rumoured to be very good!
Wine Appreciation
Convenor: Drusilla Mason
11:00am on the third Wednesday of the month
A group for those who enjoy wine and are interested in how it is grown and made, and in what to look for when tasting a wine.
Visit wineries and discover what makes a wine look, smell and taste the way it does. Followed by lunch at a nearby cafe.
Work
Convenor: Jenny Pullen
Fourth Monday of the month at 2pm in the homes of members of the group.
What are today’s greatest challenges and choices? The 21 lessons are aimed to stimulate further thinking and help readers participate in some of the major discussions of our time."
Write Your Life - 1
Convenor: Ian Macdougall
Villa 89 Summerset Village, Stoke, 2nd Wednesday @ 2pm
Creating a record of your life and times and sharing your writings with other members.
Antiques, Vintage & Retro
Convenor: Judy Pittman
3rd Monday 2.00pm. Various venues.
Members will meet in various homes and discuss the antiques and curios that they have picked up over the years and the personal significance they may have.
The group will also go out and about visiting various places of historic interest.
Apple Mac Enthusiasts
Convenor: Roger Pittman
21 Ledbury Road, Atawhai, Nelson. 3rd Wednesday of the month, 3.00 to 5.00pm starting May 18th.
To share knowledge and information about the Apple Mac computer and its companion devices: the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV.
Art Appreciation
Convenor: Drusilla Mason
10:00am on the first Wednesday of the month
A group for those interested in contemporary art, with a primary focus on local artists.
Visit galleries and artists’ studios to learn about creative processes and ideas that lie behind contemporary art practice.
With a cafe visit afterwards.
Aspects of World History
Convenor: Paul Lunberg
4th Thurs 10.00, 411 Wakefield Quay
We enjoy watching DVDs of the history of particular places or persons. The videos are often of BBC serials and we may watch an episode at a time. Of course there is always some discussion concerning what we have just viewed.
Birds of the Nelson Region 2
Convenor: Trevor Lewis
Second Monday of the month, in the morning. Time dependant on season.
We are all amateurs interested in getting out in the fresh air and observing birds found in our area in there natural habitat. Places to visit vary depending on the season or on suggestions from individual members if the group. It provides a great opportunity for photographers too. If the weather is bad on the day, we sometimes meet in a member's house to discuss birds, watch relevant videos on YouTube or view photographs.
Bookcases
Convenor: Sally Mason
Various venues am, first Fridays am
This group meets at members' homes where the host discusses the books that he/she have found memorable in his/her lives.
Classical Music
Convenor:
Summerset Village, Stoke 2.00pm, second and fourth Mondays @ 2.00pm.
A group for those who enjoy listening to classical music or would like to find out more. We explore various themes such as music from a particular country and take it in turns to present our own choices to the group.
Dying in Good Old Age (90+)
Convenor: Phillipa Molloy
10-12 noon. 10 Ashdonleigh Grove. Dates are 2023, Feb 23, March 23, April 20, May 25
Short term study group(4 sessions in total meeting weekly)
What the end of a good "long long" life may look like....the choices you may make and how you may choose to communicate that. This group is not suitable for those - with a newly diagnosed condition
- who are recently bereaved
- still grieving from a previous loss
Exploring Political Thinking
Convenor: Kay Hunter
Kay's place in The Wood, 1.30pm, 1st and 3rd Wednesday
An exploration of differing political systems. We examine country by country, researching and presenting how each country elects their political leaders, discussing how the political landscape affects the people.
Facts, fakes and fortunes
Convenor: David Turner
2nd Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00, 6 Seville Place, Olive Estate
Content; from YouTube documentaries view and discuss art works that have been stolen,looted, forged, lost, recovered/rediscovered/returned.
There are many treasures world-wide which the group can discuss.
Finance and Investment
Convenor: Alec Waugh
Oakwoods, 4th Monday of the month, 9:45 - 11:45
Aims to increase understanding of topics as diverse as Inflation, Consumer Price Index, Bankruptcy, Taxation, Maori Economy.
Forum
Convenor: Sally Warren
85 Cleveland Tce., Nelson 10-12am, fourth Tuesdays
Free discussion of current events
Galleries
Convenor: Gordon and Carol Suddaby
3rd Thursday of the month between 10.00 am and midday at 11 Hollybush Drive, Brightwater
To share knowledge and information about various galleries of the world. We would hope that some/most/all of the participants in the group will be able to share their experiences of having visited particular galleries as well as complementing their experience with the rich resources available online and from their own photographs. However, those who have not visited galleries, but who are interested in this group are also welcome to join.
Gardens Unlimited
Convenor: David Turner
1st Monday, 1.30. - 3.00. 6 Seville Place, Olive Estate, Richmond
Content; viewing and discussing notable gardens from around the world: e.g. Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, The Eden Project, Les Quatre Vents, the gardens of the Loire Valley, Italian gardens, Japanese gardens, the Mughal gardens of India. There are so many: group members will be encouraged to share their "garden" preferences.
Viewings will be from YouTube.
Genesis to Exodus
Convenor: David Wright
Enner Glyn: 2 + 4 Tuesdays, 2-4pm
Formation of the solar system/other known planetary systems, geological history of the Earth, Life on Earth, various extinctions + evolutionary leaps,current climate change and potential to mitigate it. xxx
Geology
Convenor: Alan Mathews
1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month.
The Geology course is a series of practical hands-on sessions. A lot of rocks will be handled and examined, with the aim of understanding their make-up and what we can learn about the environments in which they were formed.
We will look at different types of geological structures, plate tectonics, classic NZ landforms, some Nelson and NZ geology, fossils and a local field trip if possible.
The content of the course is (wait for it) not fixed in stone. It can vary according to the specific interests of the group and may include a practical session on cleaning fossils for show, or a DVD on mass extinctions or the fate of the dinosaurs.
In short, it is not an academic study but rather one to get you thinking about our past environments.
Great Britain
Convenor: Ngaire Birch
2nd Tuesday of the month, 10:00 to 12:00 starting 14 April.
This group will look at the history of Great Britain through architecture, language, customs, personalities etc over the centuries.
Great Discontinuity
Convenor: Brian Kepple
10am - noon. 1st and 3rd Fridays at 8 Austin Ward Heights, Enner Glynn
Viewing of selected documentary dvds with discussion about the environmental, energy, and economic crises facing the world, such as peak oil, global warming with climate change, overpopulation, and probable financial collapse.
Into The Wide BLUES Yonder
Convenor: Ian Macdougall
Villa 89, 455 Lower Queen St, Nelson 2-4pm, second Mondays
This group will study the origins and evolution of the genre once known as 'race music' and which we now call the Blues from its earliest-known performers through to the present day.
Movies to Cheer
Convenor: Kay Hunter
1.30 2nd and 4th Fridays at Kay’s home in The Wood
Why do some movies have you getting out of your seat with a spring in your step and a smile on your face? What makes it work? A reviewing of some favourite films - rom coms / classics comedies.
No serious films here
Musical renditions
Convenor: Kay Hunter
1st and 3rd Mondays 1.30pm
Rock, concerto, rap, R&B, medieval, jazz, requiem, are a few names plucked out of a very long list of musical genres.
If you are convinced that your musical taste is limited to a particular musical genre, this group is not for you.
But if your mind is open to exploring the wonderful world of music, then I’d love you to join me twice monthly, at my home in The Wood, at a time negotiable with the group.
If that’s you, and you have the time . . . .
Nightingale Reading Group
Convenor: Averil Kepple
Tahuna Library pm, second and fourth Mondays except Public Hols
Discussion of books by members who love reading at the Tahunanui Library.
Opera
Convenor: David Turner
Second and fourth Fridays of the month, 9:45 - 12:30. At convenors' homes.
For opera lovers. DVDs of well-know opera performances will be shown and discussed.
Senior DIG
Convenor: Hans Everts
Last Friday of month, 1.30 at Olive Estate
Sustainable Best Practice Gardening
Convenor: Bill Brett
Starts on Thurs Aug 3 10.00 – 12.00noon. Meeting fortnightly until Nov 23. Venue - LeCren room, Broadgreen House in Stoke
8 x 2-hour sessions – Power Point presentation with questions/discussion
Cost - $2 per person per session to cover room hire.
Te Reo 2
Convenor: Miriam Loretto
2nd and 4th Wednesdays 1.00-2.00pm 10 Cupola Crescent starting Feb 8
TED Talks 1
Convenor: Max Robertson
15 Forget-me-not Lane, Richmond 2-4pm, first and third Mondays
Members of this group watch 20 minute, cogent, persuasive speeches from some of the world's great thinkers.
Each talk is followed by a discussion on the ideas that are introduced.
Members of the group take turns to select and present the talks.
TED Talks 2
Convenor: Paul Lunberg
The group meets at the home of Brian Say,47/16 Sargeson St, Stoke, at 9.30 each 1st and 3rd Thursday
Viewing and discussion of presentations on various topics of interest from TED Talks on Youtube.
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design.
WEA Book Discussion Group
Convenor: Frances Taylor
Various venues pm, first Mondays
A book discussion group that uses the WEA System.
NB: An annual membership subscription fee of $60 + postage to WEA applies to each member.
Write Your Life 7
Convenor: Angela Greig
1st Thurs, 2-4 pm at 381 Suffolk Rd Stoke