Lunchtime Forums

U3A/COTA Tuesday Lunchtime Forums

Forums focus on local events, politics, science, the environment & international events, and run for an hour followed by Q&A.

Sessions will be held in alternating Face-to-Face and Zoom formats on Tuesdays from May to November commencing at 12:45pm.

Pre-registration is required for both formats - see details below for how to register for individual sessions.

Face-to-Face Sessions in Main Hall, Hughes Community Centre.

Held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month
Limit of 80 attendees
Entrance fee: $2 per session to be paid by cash or credit card; does not include refreshments

There is a hearing loop in the hall – people with hearing aids should adjust them to the 'T' position.

Zoom Online Sessions

Held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month
Limit of 100 attendees

For further details contact Alex Gosman at

Date	Forum details
4 May	Intelligence without the science fiction: demystifying neural networks Speaker: Dr Lachlan McCalman, Chief Practitioner, The Gradient Institute Venue: Hughes Community Centre Hall The media presents Artificial Intelligence (AI) & artificial neural networks as mysterious technologies out of the pages of a science fiction novel, but the reality is much more prosaic. This talk aims to dispel the mystery & give a conceptual overview of modern AI: how it works, & how it is being put to use. Registration by email - including your U3A membership number - to opens at 9:00am on Tuesday 27 April. NOTE: Registrations before 9:00am on Tuesday 27 April will not be accepted.
18 May	Priorities for an incoming Immigration Minister and the latest Inter-Generational Report (2021) Speaker: Abul Rizvi Former senior Immigration official and media commentator Venue: Hughes Community Centre Hall Registration by email - including your U3A membership number - to opens at 9:00am on Tuesday 11 May. NOTE: Registrations before 9:00am on Tuesday 11 May will not be accepted.
25 May	The Future of Public Broadcasting Speaker: Quentin Dempster, Former ABC current affairs host and commentator on media Online Zoom session <b>Registration by email - including your U3A membership number - to opens at 9:00am on Tuesday 18 May. NOTE: Registrations before 9:00am on Tuesday 18 May will not be accepted.

Date

Forum details

4 May

Intelligence without the science fiction: demystifying neural networks

Speaker: Dr Lachlan McCalman, Chief Practitioner, The Gradient Institute
Venue: Hughes Community Centre Hall

The media presents Artificial Intelligence (AI) & artificial neural networks as mysterious technologies out of the pages of a science fiction novel, but the reality is much more prosaic. This talk aims to dispel the mystery & give a conceptual overview of modern AI: how it works, & how it is being put to use.

Registration by email - including your U3A membership number - to opens at 9:00am on Tuesday 27 April.
NOTE: Registrations before 9:00am on Tuesday 27 April will not be accepted.

18 May

Priorities for an incoming Immigration Minister and the latest Inter-Generational Report (2021)

Speaker: Abul Rizvi Former senior Immigration official and media commentator
Venue: Hughes Community Centre Hall

Registration by email - including your U3A membership number - to opens at 9:00am on Tuesday 11 May.
NOTE: Registrations before 9:00am on Tuesday 11 May will not be accepted.

25 May

The Future of Public Broadcasting

Speaker: Quentin Dempster, Former ABC current affairs host and commentator on media
Online Zoom session

<b>Registration by email - including your U3A membership number - to opens at 9:00am on Tuesday 18 May.
NOTE: Registrations before 9:00am on Tuesday 18 May will not be accepted.