This week the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre hosted the fifth annual Summer School of the Mature Adult Learning Association (MALA).
Despite its Covid-safe restriction on numbers, it was a great success with more than 700 seats sold and some sessions sold out on advance bookings alone.
With MPAC's commitment to education and life-long learning, the audience was treated to university lecturers and local experts speaking on topics as diverse as underwater forensic crime investigation, the significance and diversity of our wetland bird life, Aboriginal art, blood cancers and the controversy surrounding our state bush burning policies.
Cognitive decline and dementia were examined from both practical and frontier research perspectives and climate change in scientific, legal and policy contexts.
The power of documentaries to examine taboo subjects provoked lively discussion of social rights and personal autonomy.
Gratitude was paid to the course convener, Hazel Butorac, who has regrettably stepped down from her role after five years, but MPAC's committee is determined to keep building upon the academic excellence she has brought to this annual event.
Peel MALA's Summer School will be back, bigger and better than ever in 2022.
Meanwhile, the first courses of the two annual semesters begin in March with details coming soon to MPAC's website, mala.org.au/peel-branch/
Come along and learn!
