Origin and History of the Western Victoria U3A Cluster
2000 - Our beginning and first project
Late in February 2000 an invitation was sent out to registered providers of Adult Community Education to attend a Ministerial launching in early March that year of new Victorian State Government initiatives in this field. Those were the setting up of Learning Towns, and Clusters.
Among those who attended the Ministerial launch at Bacchus Marsh were the then President of Ballarat U3A, and one of its committee members. As the Minister’s announcement that day made it clear that a considerable amount of additional funding would be available to Clusters that would not be on offer to individual ACE providers there was an obvious advantage in becoming part of a Cluster.
The then President of Ballarat U3A, with the co-operation and assistance of the Central Highlands and Wimmera Regional Director of Adult Community and Further Education, convened a meeting of U3As to the West of Melbourne held at Ballarat on 6th April 2000.The purpose of the meeting was to consider applying to form a Cluster of U3As. To get the funding on offer one had to make formal application to establish a Cluster,have it approved, and get this done by early May.
Eight U3As attended that meeting, and five agreed to participate in the application. Late in May 2000 we received official approval of our application, and about a month later received funding of $25000 for our first year.
The five original members were – Ballarat U3A, referred to as the convening member, Bendigo U3A, Geelong U3A, Stawell and District U3A, and Western Region U3A.
The first tasks undertaken by the Cluster were setting up the machinery for its operations, such as establishing its committee of management, consisting of one representative from each member U3A, opening a bank account, registering for GST, and getting an ABN.
Then came the first major project, which was conducting a demographic survey of the membership of the U3As in the Cluster, and a number of neighbouring ones. This involved engaging a consultant, preparation of a four page questionnaire that was sent out to over 1600 U3A members, and having the responses computer analysed. In addition interviews were conducted with the committees of the U3As involved, and select groups of their ordinary members. When all of this had been completed the results were published, both in book form, and on compact discs.
The results of the survey have been of great value in assessing both the strengths and weaknesses of the member U3As, in determining ordinary members' levels of satisfaction, and dissatisfaction with their U3A, and in assessing the resources of the groups.
At the end of 2000 we reported to ACFE on our achievements to then, and applied for a grant to cover our plans and the objectives we wished to achieve in the year 2001. At that time the Cluster also acquired another member, namely U3A Werribee.
2001 - A new member and new projects
With the addition of Werribee U3A, the Cluster had now grown to six U3As and in due course we were granted funding to operate as such.
Based on the research conducted in 2000, our aims for 2001 were much broader.
Publicity was an area of concern to most of the member groups, so a publicity assistance scheme was initiated giving assistance on a common footing to each group based partly on membership and partly on level of activity.
In addition steps were taken to develop this web page to serve the Cluster and its member U3As.
Insurance was a heavy burden for some, so we took over the insurance costs of all members, and ensured that all had the same level of cover.
To ensure smooth electronic communications between the member bodies, assist with their administration, and improve their training capacity we acquired a high level computer for each.
To further assist with publicity, and with training we have acquired a digital camera for each member body. Many of the photographs used in this web page have been taken using these digital cameras, and in addition they are already in use for training people in digital photography.
Other activities of the Cluster in 2001 included a tutor exchange programme, and a student transport assistance programme for those with specific transport problems. Plus provision of equipment on a common basis to meet some of the specific needs of our member bodies in regard to office, and classroom equipment.
Plans for 2002
In 2002 we hope to begin providing some exchangeable course material.
Graham Douglas,
Chairman WVU3AC
December, 2001
Location
of U3As in the Western Victoria U3A Cluster
Click a location
on the map above to visit the Cluster U3As' web sites
For more
information about Clusters, see the ACFE web site.
