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About U3A

Leslie Caron

Gigi, the pretty girl from the 1958 movie of the same name, will be forever young—but what of Leslie Caron who played the part? At age 65 Caron asked her manager how old would be too old to start a new career. "When you are dead," he said. Ten years later she still makes occasional movies (two in the past five years) but now manages her own inn "The Owl's Window" in Burgundy.

Her philosophy is simple—"I think it's the end of progress if you stand still and think of what you've done in the past," she said. "I keep on."

And so it can be for us.

If you are over fifty and retired or semi-retired you may want a new interest, or perhaps the opportunity to follow through on some old enthusiasm that family commitments or a busy life-style forced you to postpone. This could be the time for you to take it up again.

U3A is an informal educational group that allows people with common interests to learn new subjects or to develop their existing knowledge in a friendly atmosphere. You will have the opportunity to tackle academic subjects or learn a new hobby.

WHAT CAN U3A DO FOR ME?
In the Nepean-Blue Mountains chapter (and class venues extend from Werrington to Mount Victoria) there are currently more than ninety courses on offer. You can learn to speak Russian, paint a picture, study science or astronomy, try your hand at cake decorating and learn basic computing. There's an introduction to photography, a scrabble group, and a Friday afternoon slot where you can hone your chess skills.

There are many more. Why not take a few minutes to browse through our list of courses and find one that touches your imagination?

NEW COURSES AND TUTORS
Of course, we don't cover all subjects but if you have a special interest you might consider becoming a tutor yourself.

Our tutors come from many areas. Some have academic qualifications in their field, some have business expertise, some have skills in recreational or general-interest fields. If you have knowledge or a skill that you would be willing to share with others we invite you to discuss it with us. New venues are available in a number of locations and we would welcome tutors and courses to make use of them.

BUT I'M TOO OLD TO LEARN . . .
Don't you believe it! Certainly young people have the ability to assimilate information more rapidly, but older folk have something special: life experience. By relating new subjects to the knowledge we have accumulated along the way seniors have a gift for absorbing new ideas quickly and easily. If you didn't already know that you're in for a pleasant surprise. Of course, young people have the fitness to sit and study for extended periods but that is no handicap either because the things we learn at U3A require only as much study as we choose to give them.

WHAT IS U3A? WHO CAN JOIN?
The University of the Third Age is not a university at all-at least, not in any conventional sense. It is comprised of groups of people pursuing shared interests under the guidance of a tutor who may well learn as much as s/he imparts. Subjects can be academic, general interest or hobbies. In case you were wondering, there are no exams!

The first U3A group was formed in France in 1972 and the movement spread-first throughout Europe and then across the world. U3A reached Victoria in 1984 and soon expanded into every Australian state and territory.

Membership of U3A requires no formal qualifications. Anybody who satisfies the age criterion can join regardless of experience or education.

A SELF-HELP GROUP
The U3A derives its strength from its members' capability and from their shared knowledge and experience. There is little distinction between tutor and student and both work together to make the class a success. Indeed, a tutor in one class will often be a student in another.

CLASSES
Daytime classes usually run for 1 - 2 hours and are conveniently located near public transport. Numbers average about twelve and the subject material and content are tailored to individual needs. There are currently almost 800 members.

BENEFITS
How can we benefit from studying something new? Elizabeth Barrett Browning would have said, "Let me count the ways…"

• There is the obvious benefit of finding new interests and becoming absorbed in new and fascinating fields, learning exciting subjects, extending our abilities, and adding a new dimension to our lives.
• Then there is the benefit of making new friends, with all that implies.
• You may even find a lot to laugh about. U3A classes are fun.
• And, of course, medical studies have shown that active minds remain healthy. The longer we make them work the longer they will be able to do so.

IS IT EXPENSIVE?
Because tutors work in a voluntary capacity, U3A has probably the lowest membership charge of any educational organisation in Australia. An annual fee of $30 entitles members to attend as many classes as they choose. The only other expense would be the purchase of materials required for courses with specialised needs or, perhaps, books and photocopying.