What a wonderful weekend we have been blessed with for the first  two days in August,    blue skies, warm sun, plants beginning to bloom:   even the cold nights are easier to bear.

This month’s Newsletter is once again full of information regarding the various groups' activities.

The link for this month’s newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter August 2026


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244

What lovely rainfall episodes we have been having over the past few days.     Just the right weather to sit with your favourite hot beverage whilst reading the July Newsletter, which is full or information about what has been happening at U3A Benalla over the past 30 days.

The Link to this month’s Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter July 2026

Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone: 0418 353 244

Hope you are all keeping warm the night before Winter.    When you click the link U3A Benalla Newsletter June 2026 you will be able to read the June Newsletter which is jammed pack with wonderful group reports and information of upcoming events.

Time to get yourself a cuppa or another beverage and settle back and enjoy your Newsletter.


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone: 0418353244

It has been a beautiful autumn in Benalla, with many U3A members out and about enjoying first the Street Art Festival, then, over the past five days, the sessions offered as part of the National Trust History Festival.  

Time now to take a look at news of the many U3A Benalla courses and activities during April.

The link to the May Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter May 2026.

Please enjoy this Newsletter and update your diary with the activities you would like to attend.  Details can always be found in the 'What's On' Calendar at the back of the Newsletter and on the U3A Benalla Website.


U3A Benalla Newsletter/Website Team
Heather Wallace, Bev Lee, Dawn Stephens and Ruth Jelliff

This month’s Newsletter is larger than usual, with so many activities happening during March.   Members will enjoy this edition with retiring President, Margaret Jenkins report on her many years as a Committee Member and President of U3A Benalla, as well as a contribution from the current President, Anne Nelson.

The Link for this month’s Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter April 2026

Enjoy reading!


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:    [email protected]
Phone:   0418 353 244

​With a bit of luck the humid weather will dissipate following the hoped for rains we keep being promised.   One thing I can promise you is a Newsletter full of information and calendar of March activities you can enjoy.

The link for the March Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter March 2026.

Enjoy,

Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244
​

Isn’t it wonderful, once again the U3a course year commences for 2026.    We can once again participate in groups of our choice.

The February Newsletter has a lot of photos of Enrolment day, end of year activities and various groups, taken throughout the year.    This edition also includes a Nomination Form for the 2026 Committee to be elected at the 2026 Annual General Meeting being held on Wednesday 18th March.

The link to the February Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter February 2026


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244

It has been an extra busy year this year for the ‘media team’ as the number of courses and activities has continued to expand. Dawn Stephens is now working with Bev on the website, while Ruth Jelliff is supporting Heather with the newsletter.  Welcome, Dawn and Ruth!

A big thank you to convenors for contributing newsletter reports each month.  They make wonderful reading on the group ‘blog’ pages on the website.  

Also, a shout out to the photographers who have submitted photos during the year.  Particular thanks to Bev Thornell, Andi Stevenson and Rene Martens, who regularly submit photos for the newsletter and website and post to our Facebook account.

We would also like to thank Malcolm Sanders for his willingness to accept newsletters for posting to the limits of what the Post Office will accept, and Len Jeffers for providing updated email lists each month.  Publicity Officer Doug Smith also plays a key role, covering Meet & Mingle meetings and regularly submitting news articles to the Ensign.

The next newsletter is due for publication on 1st February.  Reports and photographs of sessions held during December will be included in this edition, so feel free to submit them well before the 26th January deadline.

Heather Wallace, Bev Lee, Dawn Stephens and Ruth Jelliff
Email - [email protected]

Only 23 days to Christmas - where has the year gone?

​The December Newsletter is full of lots of information, including enrolment details for 2026 - Wednesday 14th January from 9.30 to 11.30am.

Course information will be forwarded to current members later this month.

The link to the Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter December 2025

Hope you have a safe, happy Christmas and for those who are travelling keep your eyes on the road

Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor
0418 353 244

What a busy month October was, with several groups being involved in the Seniors Festival and 'Come and Try' days for members to sample other courses.

The link to the November Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter November 2025

Enjoy this month’s Newsletter and don’t forget to update your diary with the activities you would like to attend.    Details can be found in the 'What's On' Calendar at the back of this month’s Newsletter.


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

The link for the October Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter - October 2025.

Last month there was a glitch in the Email system where a number of members did not receive their September Newsletter.   Apologies to those members whose Newsletter did not arrive safely. 

If you don't receive an email with the link to the Newsletter, it's always worthwhile going to the website - https://u3abenalla.weebly.com -  there are links to the current Newsletter in a number of places.  It is always uploaded to the website when the emails are sent out.  

The website also contains more photos than can be included in the newsletter, particularly for groups such as Birdwatching, Easy Bushwalking and Wine Appreciation. These groups also post multiple photos on our Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/u3abenalla/.

Another tip - Several group webpages on the website contain links to some of the YouTube videos shown in class - Exploring the Universe and German in particular - while links to videos listened to at Music Appreciation feature on the Music Appreciation page each month.  Links to recommended reading for upcoming sessions are added to the Sustainability page; there's also a new link to 'Exercise of the Month' suggestions on the Exercises for Fun page. 

Enjoy reading your Newsletter.

   
Heather Wallace
[email protected]
Phone:   0418 353 244

What a cold week we have endured, with a couple of more days to go.

Thank goodness the U3A Newsletter is available for you to read whilst keeping warm.

The link to the Newsletter can be found by clicking on U3A Benalla Newsletter September 2025.

Following reading the Newsletter why not take the time to travel around our informative website.   It contains such interesting reading.

Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

After folding and putting the ‘snail mail’ newsletters in envelopes they need to be compressed.  This task falls to newsletter team member Malcolm Sanders who photocopies the newsletter for posting … Malcolm sent in this photograph and message!
“Thank you, Stephanie Alexander and a tape dispenser - you make our envelopes compliant with the Australia Post’s max thickness of 5mm before posting each month.”

Here is the August Edition of U3A Benalla’s Newsletter.     I hope you will enjoy reading as there is a lot of information in this month’s edition.    

With such beautiful weather over the past few days, sitting in the sunshine (out of the wind) with a hot beverage on hand sounds a good way to read the Newsletter.

The link to this month’s edition is U3A Benalla Newsletter August 2025

Regards


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244

At last, your Newsletter has arrived.   Sorry it is two days later than usual, I hope that nobody was inconvenienced by this.

The link to this month’s edition is U3A Benalla Newsletter July 2025

Stay warm

Regards


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244

At last, your June Newsletter is ready for you to read.

U3A Benalla has such a variety of groups taking place each month I hope you find it as interesting as we did preparing it for you.   

The link for this month's edition is U3A Benalla Newsletter June 2025. 

Happy Reading,


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244

What a pleasure it is to be outside, enjoying the lovely weather we have been having in North East Victoria.   

Now that the May Newsletter has been delivered, you have another reason to sit outside with your favourite beverage and read this informative edition of the Newsletter whilst enjoying this lovely weather.   The link to the Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter May 2025

Did you know U3A Benalla has a Facebook page?  If you are a Facebook user and interested in following us, here is the link - https://www.facebook.com/u3abenalla/  There is also a link labelled FB on the top menu of the U3A Benalla website.  


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244

Autumn has at last arrived, with sunny days and cooler nights.     The link to the Newsletter is U3A Benalla Newsletter April 2025

Settle back, pour your favourite beverage, sit in your favourite chair, click the link and read this informative Newsletter.


Heather Wallace

With February being a short month, the Newsletter is out just in time for most early group activities in March, a very busy month for Benalla U3A.   

The Annual General Meeting is taking place on Wednesday 19th March in the Auditorium at the Seniors Community Centre, commencing at 10.00am. An invitation is extended to all U3A Benalla Members to attend.

A Nomination Form to stand for the Committee Included in the newsletter and on the Our U3A page of the website..  All Committee positions are declared vacant at the AGM, and members who may like to stand are able to put their names forward for election to the Committee.   The positions on committee are for 12 months. Additional information relating to U3A Benalla, the Model Rules and Elected Positions at the AGM is available on page 19 of the Newsletter and on the website.  

The link for the March Newsletter is 
U3A Benalla Newsletter March 2025
so grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy this month's interesting Newsletter.


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244

​The deadline for newsletter articles is the 26th of the month or the 24th in February.  Send reports to the Newsletter Editor, Heather Wallace (0418 353 244) at [email protected].   The newsletter is posted at the beginning of the next month. 

Word Limits: 

• There is no minimum word limit, however 150 to 200/250 words is a comfortable range in which to report on the activities of most groups. 
• Groups in which group members contribute content each session may require a higher maximum.  Aim for 350 words, and no more than 500.
• Longer reports with very detailed information about class sessions are better suited to the website.  In this case, please submit a shorter report for the newsletter with the longer report for the website.

While most convenors write the newsletter report for their group, others appoint a newsletter correspondent and/or photographer to share the load. 

Source:  Convenors A-Z 2025 edition

U3A Benalla's program for 2025 is up and running, with additional courses, additional convenors and the return of members all looking forward to another enjoyable year of learning and socialising.

For new members, to access the monthly Newsletter, click the link provided in this Email and you will be able to read what has been happening and what is proposed for members during the following Month

Click the Link U3A Benalla Newsletter February 2025 and enjoy the Newsletter.


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:   0418353244

Only seven weeks until Christmas.    My goodness, where has 2024 gone?    

Preparations are well underway with the 2025 Calendar. This month’s Newsletter is full of information about what is happening in 2025, proposed new courses, the end of year luncheon, and more.  So, get yourself either  a mug of tea or coffee (or a glass of red wine or white wine), sit back and read!

The link for the Newsletter is. U3A Benalla Newsletter November 2024 
​
The links for the Christmas Luncheon booking form Christmas Luncheon Flier 2024 and
What's On in November are also available separately for printing.

Click on the links and enjoy your Newsletter and other documentation included.


Heather Wallace

Tomorrow is the 1st October and the beginning of the Seniors Festival, during which U3A Benalla's Ukes4Fun group members will join in a mass concert at the City Square and we will be holding our annual Get-On-Line Week activity and BBQ.  

U3A Benalla is also getting into the swing of other end of year celebrations with the release of information regarding the annual end of year luncheon.    This can be found on the hyperlink: 

U3A Benalla Luncheon Flier 2024

Just a reminder to Convenors, if you have a guest speaker at your activity, would you please take a photo and forward it to [email protected] for inclusion in the Newsletter.

Now get yourself a cuppa and settle back and read this month’s newsletter which is full of interesting news.   The Hyperlink for this month’s edition is: 

U3A Benalla Newsletter October 2024
​


Heather Wallace
Newsletter Editor

We have for some months been finding ourselves on a tight schedule compiling, editing and proofreading the newsletter ready to post and add to the website by the 1st of the month.   In doing so we have tried to ensure that late reports find their way into the newsletter, however the reality is that this involves follow-up contacts and content including photographs being moved around to be placed correctly in the newsletter, all requiring additional time.

After raising the issue at the Committee and factoring in the consideration that the 25th day of the month deadline was a global figure which could be adjusted to provide extra time, the following new arrangements are being introduced:

1.  Newsletter reports are to be sent for inclusion in the newsletter no later than the 26th day of the month, apart from February, when reports are to be received by the 24th.
  
2.  If an article has been received after the deadline, a note to the effect will be included under the group's heading  “This report was not received at time of distribution.   The report will be included on the group's page on the website.”  Any changes to times, speakers, mentioned in the report will be added to the calendar.

3.  Allowance will be made for groups which meet on the last week of the month when their sessions fall after the 26th (or 24th February)

We always appreciate emails sent earlier in the month; and groups will continue to have the option of not submitting an article.  

We will send out a reminder email around the 20th of the month or the 18th February.

If you have a 'newsletter correspondent' and/or someone who takes photos for your course, we would be grateful if you would let them know about the changed arrangements.  

We would also ask you to check that reports are always sent to [email protected], even if you also send them to Heather or Bev separately.

Regards


Heather and Bev

Good evening to all,

I hope you are keeping warm and comfortable and ready to read the September issue of the U3A Newsletter.  

The link for this newsletter is:  U3A Benalla Newsletter September 2024


There are a number of activities happening this month and next.  I hope you take advantage of the information provided and enjoy these activities.

Regards,

​Heather Wallace