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President, Ruth Hawley's message: October 1009
We are nearing the end of 2009 and I’m looking back at some of the important events of my first year as President.
We decided late last year that we should seek a suitable person to take up a half-time position for 2009 as U3A Development Officer. The main task would be to seek out communities in Victoria which would benefit from establishing a U3A in their area and to assist them to become established. We had several good applicants for the position, but Harry Dobson, Treasurer of Moonee Valley U3A was appointed. He has travelled widely and met with many community groups and talked to many U3A members. This year there have been three new U3As – Moorabool U3A which is in the Bacchus Marsh area, Creswick and District U3A and Ararat and District U3A. There has been a meeting recently in Beechworth where a decision was made to establish a U3A there. Harry has made valuable contacts throughout Victoria and his reports have included a good deal of information which will be useful in the future.
In May we had our Conference, and it has been said it was one of the best Conferences we’ve ever had. Deirdre Meredith and Jean Melzer OAM planned and organised it. It included a memorable series of events including addresses by our patron the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretsa, Professor Richard Larkins, Mr Justice Alistair Nicholson former Chief Judge of the Family Court, Dr Beth Wilson, Health Services Commissioner of Victoria and Mr Phillip Adams, film producer, radio personality and much more.
Also at the time of the Conference we were visited by inter-state U3A members who are planning a National Alliance, and I had discussions with them about Victoria joining that Alliance. Of course, I was not willing to make a commitment on behalf of Victoria, and explained that a decision as important as this would need a decision by Council. Since that time in May the Executive have considered the matter carefully, and passed on the findings to our members. The Council will vote on the issue on 18th November.
I have visited many of our U3A groups during the year. Several have invited me to their AGMs, others have invited me to special celebrations. I have attended all of these whenever possible, because I want to get to know and understand our various groups. Every one has been most enjoyable. Our Secretary, Tom Potter, Vice President Elsie Mutton, Assistant Treasurer Pauline Clarke and Past President John Mitchell have also paid some U3A visits.
Recently I was invited to Government House to be present at the presentation of the Senior of the Year awards. It was a pleasant occasion and it certainly drew our attention to the remarkable community work done by Seniors. I was surprised that none of the recipients mentioned commitment to U3A in their descriptions. I believe that we have some worthy members who would receive an award if nominated, and I encourage our groups to put forward nominations for worthy members next year.
In discussions with the Office of Senior Victorians it was made clear that we all need to keep in touch with the Officers, MPs and Minister to inform them of any special events that we are planning. If they are given plenty of notice, they will possibly attend. The Minister has a wide and varied portfolio with many demands on her time and resources and we need to be vocal. She needs to know we are a very active part of the community. It is not in our interests to be forgotten. Special concerts, celebrations, art and craft displays are all events which they may like to attend. They are interested to get to know us.
The Office of Senior Victorians is asking for more information from our Member Groups. This will involve a good deal of collating of information by the Committees as well as information from class members on their age groups. We will contact you soon about this.
The Executive members have had several meetings with Government Officers to discuss our commitment to the Funding Agreement which was entered into three years ago and resulted in the funding we receive from the Department of Planning and Community Development. Although we expect and hope to have a new funding agreement there is still no certainty yet. Adult Continuing Funding for Education (ACFE) funding is entered into on a yearly basis and there is no information yet on whether it will continue next year.
I joined with other representatives of Seniors groups in a “Aging in Victoria Policy Framework Roundtable” with Lisa Neville, Minister for Senior Victorians and Government Officers where priorities were categorised for Seniors. Transport and suitable accommodation are pressing needs for Seniors, and these are being addressed by Government. I mentioned that many U3As have a pressing need for suitable classroom accommodation and this was noted.
Several regions of Victoria have now formed regional groups to share information and provide mutual support. I have attended the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Group meeting and the North Eastern Regional meeting and I am impressed with the reports and the interaction that occurs there. I encourage all U3As to approach others in your region with the aim of regular meetings which can be really beneficial. These meetings could be monthly, quarterly, or yearly, whatever suits your region.
I attended the Seniors’ Leisure and Lifestyle Expo at Caulfield Racecourse and helped “man” the U3A stall. We were kept busy with plenty of enquiries and interest over the three days. As usual we of the Network Executive received the support of U3A members in delivering the U3A message to the public and our thanks go to them.
Another event which delivered the U3A message to the public was the Carnival of Learning at Federation Square, along the Riverside Promenade and in the BMW Edge. It was the first event during Seniors’ Week. I counted 33 U3As who performed and occupied marquees there. The event was well organised by Department of Planning and Community Development Officer, Chris Reidy, and attended by Hon Lisa Neville MP, Minister for Senior Victorians. It seemed to me that thousands of people passed by and showed an interest in events staged by a variety of Seniors Groups. U3A was particularly well represented. The event was a wonderful success in showing the public what University of the Third Age is about and provided an opportunity for U3A members across the State to see what is happening in other U3A groups.
Our last Council meeting for the year will be 18th November and we hope to have most of our U3As represented there. Your U3A’s vote on the proposed National Alliance is important. Also our Policy and Planning Committee have devised several topics which need your input and discussion groups will be formed to gauge opinions. It is important that your U3A is represented.
I hope all our members will continue to enjoy and benefit from their University of the Third Age activities for the remainder of 2009, and after the holiday season, return to further U3A activities next year.
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Letter from Nillumbik U3A
Sabi Beuhler~President~Nillumbik U3A
Despite the dramatic start, Nillumbik U3A is growing and serving an important role in maintaining a sense of normality‘ in the community and I wish to acknowledge the support and encouragement from other U3As who have helped us and our community in various ways.
Special thanks must go to members of Dandenong U3A who knitted scarves and hats which are now being distributed to fire-affected families via the Nillumbik Women‘s Network and a local Baptist Church, Forster Toncurry in NSW who have offered free accommodation to anyone (not only Nillumbik) who needs a break after the stress of the fires, Whittlesea U3A is giving free membership to U3A members hit by the fires and Nunawading is planning a U3A concert benefit and U3A Online has been most generous in giving us some courses which will be a great help next term as we are very short of Tutors. It is very rewarding to to be able to make a contribution towards the well-being of our community in difficult time
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