KILMORE U3A group held its annual registration day on Friday at JJ Clancy Community Hub and the turnout was impressive.
The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a self-help movement run by retirees for retirees and the bell will ring for classes next month thanks to many helpful hands working together to ensure the new program is stimulating to help keep our senior citizens’ minds and bodies active across the new year and beyond.
Vice President Cheryl Spencer said: “[Mitchell Shire] Council have given us permission to use the breezeway for a pickleball court. We have brought concrete tape to start with and hopefully we’ll get a proper court in due course”.
New activities will also include weekly Jazzminton with Deirdre Bolland and a monthly cinema outing with Chris Hollingworth.
Former Assumption College English teacher Mary Elliott, who has registered for history classes, gardening and luncheons, said: “I’d do more if I could still read”.
Craft tutor Glenys Crome, who has also registered for gardening, said: “Tuesday craft is about knitting, crochet, patchwork, and embroidery. The ladies bring what they are working on at the time. It saves us money on going to a psychologist. It’s a friendship group really”.
Kevin Hitchman and Stephen Moir are volunteering their skills in creative writing and computers.
Mr Hitchman said: “You keep learning all the time. I started creative writing because of my grandchildren, I want them to pick up a book, so I’m writing one that features them as the protagonist”.
Mr Moir is returning to teach his students how to approach computers confidently and he will facilitate learning for all levels of experience.
What’s exciting is the associate member offer across the Kilmore and Wallan U3As as for an extra $5 per person, class options are doubled.
Wallan Secretary Brenda Nicholas told the Review that they have a general meeting in early February to determine their registration day and on this day all their enrolments will be open. The annual membership is $35 for an individual, or $60 per couple.
In the meantime extra-curricular activities and course ideas are always welcome.
For more information, email secretary@u3awallan.org.au
