At the April Meet and Mingle, members of U3A Benalla marked 30 years since the organisation began on 24 April 1996.
Carmyl Winkler, a member of the memoir writing group, presented a history - ‘U3A Benalla 30 Years’ –compiled from committee records. Carmyl is pictured on the right of his photo with U3A President Anne Nelson.
In 1996, U3A Benalla had four groups—Art Appreciation, History, Book Group and South East Asian History—with 24 members. By 1997, membership had grown to 30, with new groups including Computer, Bushwalking and Investment. The number of courses and activities continued to grow.
Some early members attended, including Shirley Kearney and Margaret Walshe, who are still involved. They recalled how, in the early days, most members attended every group because numbers were small. Margaret Walshe & Joyce Borschmann later started the Singing group after a walk around the lake in 2006.
John Avery, President from 2005 to 2011, oversaw significant growth in groups and worked to secure grants so the annual fee could remain at $30.
Early meetings were held in W4 at the old Benalla High School in Bridge Street. In 2017, the main venue moved to the Benalla Seniors Citizens’ Centre in Fawckner Drive, now the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre (renamed in 2024).
Today, U3A Benalla has 459 members and offers 48 courses.
A booklet documenting the 30-year history was produced by the committee and shared at the celebration. The presentation was followed by lively conversation over tea, coffee, and a generous spread of homemade cakes and slices.
Carmyl Winkler, a member of the memoir writing group, presented a history - ‘U3A Benalla 30 Years’ –compiled from committee records. Carmyl is pictured on the right of his photo with U3A President Anne Nelson.
In 1996, U3A Benalla had four groups—Art Appreciation, History, Book Group and South East Asian History—with 24 members. By 1997, membership had grown to 30, with new groups including Computer, Bushwalking and Investment. The number of courses and activities continued to grow.
Some early members attended, including Shirley Kearney and Margaret Walshe, who are still involved. They recalled how, in the early days, most members attended every group because numbers were small. Margaret Walshe & Joyce Borschmann later started the Singing group after a walk around the lake in 2006.
John Avery, President from 2005 to 2011, oversaw significant growth in groups and worked to secure grants so the annual fee could remain at $30.
Early meetings were held in W4 at the old Benalla High School in Bridge Street. In 2017, the main venue moved to the Benalla Seniors Citizens’ Centre in Fawckner Drive, now the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre (renamed in 2024).
Today, U3A Benalla has 459 members and offers 48 courses.
A booklet documenting the 30-year history was produced by the committee and shared at the celebration. The presentation was followed by lively conversation over tea, coffee, and a generous spread of homemade cakes and slices.
At the next Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 20 May at 10am, the guest speaker will be Mark Beazley. Mark is a professional grave digger, a retired funeral director and a marvellously engaging storyteller.
Mark’s business covers a large geographical area, including Winton, Benalla and other local cemeteries. Mark has extensive knowledge of the legislative guidelines of the funeral and burial business.
He’s a very engaging orator and not to be missed. All welcome!
Margaret Jenkins, Anne Nelson and Malcolm Sanders
Mark’s business covers a large geographical area, including Winton, Benalla and other local cemeteries. Mark has extensive knowledge of the legislative guidelines of the funeral and burial business.
He’s a very engaging orator and not to be missed. All welcome!
Margaret Jenkins, Anne Nelson and Malcolm Sanders
