Awarded 2021

Pat joined U3A Melbourne City in 2004 and has been a committed Core Volunteer of this organisation ever since.

Office

Pat joined the office roster in her first year and continued in this capacity for 10 years. During this time Pat was a very capable, committed and reliable asset to our organisation and assisted in the training of new volunteers when the opportunity arose. Over this time Pat experienced going from a total paper based membership and class management system to the introduction and use of our very first data base “Canopus” and handled all this with great professionalism, friendliness and respect for our members. Pat only stopped volunteering in the office in 2014 so that she could concentrate on her Mahjong class.

Tutoring

In 2012 having learned to play Mahjong Pat initially became co-leader of Tues Mahjong with Dorothy Davis, then again in 2013. She initiated the Wednesday Mahjong course in 2013 and has been running it since then and also co-tutoring for the Tuesday Mahjong Class with Julie Mills.

As her students note, Pat has been a very welcoming, patient and skilful tutor readily accepting total beginners who initially need a lot of support and hands on teaching/supervision to help them master and enjoy this game. She has provided an invaluable opportunity for our members to continue or to learn to enjoy the English version of Mahjong.

Pat also has a keen interest in Philosophy and in at least 2017 was class Assistant for the Philosophical Issues and Arguments course.

Based on her sustained and enthusiastic contribution to the success of U3A Melbourne City, Pat was highly commended for and awarded Life Membership of U3AMC in 2021.