Information from our Membership brochure
What is a U3A?
A U3A is a body of people who have joined for the purpose of teaching each other, learning with and from each other, and engaging in suitable intellectual, social and physical activity together, in order to keep their minds and bodies as active as can be through their third age.
The term "U3A" stands for University of the Third Age (though only real universities are legally allowed to use the word "university" in their titles). "The Third Age" is a French term referring to the period of active life after employment. The movement began in France in 1973 when the University of Toulouse invited retired public servants to sit in on courses. In France U3As still have close ties with Universities, but in Britain the U3As are independant, and this pattern has been largely followed in Australia. Our tutors are mostly found from among our membership, and a member tutoring one course will often be a student in another.
U3A Bendigo
U3A Bendigo Inc, founded in 1990, is an independant incorporated body governed by its members, under the auspices of La Trobe University, Bendigo. It is a member of the Victorian U3A Network, through which we keep in touch with the movement throughout the country and the world.
Latrobe University allows us the use of a pair of rooms in an old school building in the Osborne Street Campus (formerly the Teachers College), for a nominal fee. There are two class rooms and an office which doubles as our Information Technology education centre.
In a small measure of return for the university's support we are occasionally able to assist the university with research projects and the like. Our membership is equal to about 5% of the university student enrolment.
The Purposes of U3A Bendigo, as stated in our constitution, are:
1. To provide, for mature people in complete or partial retirement from paid employment, or at home, programs of learning activities which will give stimulation to their lives.
2. To create an association in which there is no distinction, in terms of membership, between those who teach and those who learn, and where as much as possible of the activity is voluntary, freely given by members to their fellows.
3. To operate this association in such ways that learning is pursued without any reference to entry criteria, qualifications, assessment or awards.
4. To foster the notion that older adults have potential for intellectual, cultural and aesthetic experiences and to provide opportunities for these.
5. To assist, where appropriate, investigations into the process of ageing in society and the condition of the elderly in our community.
6. To exchange ideas and resources with other U3As, both in Australia and overseas.
7. To encourage the establishment of similar organisations in other parts of Australia.
U3A activities.
U3A Bendigo organises daytime courses and activities for members from February to December, sometimes with a Summer School in January. Our courses include straight study such as History; discussion groups such as Current Issues; music groups such as recorder and choir, craft groups such as embroidery; activities such as walking, table tennis and chess; and seminars on Heritage issues with tours to heritage sites.
We hold a monthly Social Get-together each month in the Burnett Lounge, near the class rooms, on the fourth Wednesday of each month from February to November at 2 pm. At these gatherings we have a guest speaker, after which committee members present reports and members can ask questions. When necessary the gathering is constituted as a formal meeting so that motions can be debated and voted on. Our monthly newsletter, The BUZZ, is posted to arrive before the meeting.
An elected committee meets monthly, and reports to the monthly general meetings. Any member may make a submission to the committee, or raise a matter at a monthly get-together.
Your initial subscription (or joining fee) entitles you to membership until the next calendar year. When people join late in the year their subscription covers the next year too. No further payment is required, except in some courses for incidental expenses. Members may enrol in any approved course, subject to number limitations.
The BUZZ gives information about our current and prospective courses, and how to enrol; but it is best to attend the monthly meetings and meet the course convenors and other members.
Our classrooms are at the Osborne Street Campus of the University. By car you enter from Osborne Street about 200m up from Retreat Road. On the internal road there is a street sign pointing to our building. A door with an access ramp faces back to the street. A door with stairs faces the triangular car park, which is reserved for residents of the nearby student accomodation. A university parking permit is required (at a concessional fee for U3A members). Many members prefer to park in the street.
U3A and La Trobe University Bendigo.
Members of U3A Bendigo are allowed by the university to attend lectures in most courses without fee. This does not include attendance at tutorials or assignmemnts. The university allows any member of U3A Bendigo to obtain Library Borrowing Privileges, for the usual student fee (half the community fee). This requires the member to show evidence of membership of U3A. We have a form for this purpose.
Courses and Course Convenors.
Most of our courses are weekly; some last a few weeks but others are continuing courses which you may join at any time, subject to class size limits.
Every course must have a nominated Convenor who is responsible for its administration. In some courses this is also the expert who is tutoring in the subject of the course, although Tutors are encouraged to have a member of the class appointed as the Convenor. Some groups (e.g. writing, discussion and walking groups) have no tutor, only a convenor. All convenors are issued with a folder of information and copies of stationery used.
Attendance is not compulsory, but leaders appreciate your regular attendance, and your sending apologies for your absence, preferably by telephone before the class.
A member proposing to lead a course can inquire at a monthly meeting or in the BUZZ to ascertain the level of interest, but should not begin to enrol students until the committee has approved the course (there is a form for submitting the proposal to the committee) and a time, place and starting date has been allotted by the Courses Co-Ordinator.
Course convenors should obtain a course roll form from the basket in the office, on which they should list those enrolling, and their attendances. At at the conclusion of the course, or when the roll form is full, or the end of the year, the roll is to be placed in the Data Entry tray in the office.
How to Join U3A Bendigo.
Membership is open to mature persons living in retirement, or at home; although some of our members have part-time occupations, and all have home duties. No educational qualifications are required. All you need is an inquiring mind and a desire to share.
You may join U3A Bendigo at any time of the year, but you will be required to renew your subscription at the start of the next calendar year. New members are required to fill in an enrolment form, and pay the annual fee which is currently (2005) $30 (couples at $50 receive only one newsletter) as well as the cost of a U3A name label (currently $2.00). This is the only fee for all our classes, although in some courses there are some minor expenses to be met or personal materials to supply.
As in all organisations membership requires the approval of the committee, after which you will receive our monthly newsletter, The BUZZ, (one per household) which lists current courses and activities, and the contact person for each.
Enrolment forms and a copy of The BUZZ will be sent to you if you leave your name and address on our answering machine (5444 0362), with a course leader, or with a committee member. You may attend a class for a session or two prior to paying your subscription.
You will be welcome to U3A Bendigo. We are sure you will enjoy learning with us, and we hope that you will find ways to share your own knowledge and experience with other members.