Memberships of U3A Benalla have started off very well for 2026. Currently we have 417 members which is about 20 higher than this time last year, which was a record year.
This is a lot of work for our Membership Secretary, Len Jeffers, and I would like to thank him for all the time he has spent recording memberships. Following an advertisement in last month’s Newsletter I am pleased to be able to tell you that Beth Grant has accepted the position of Assistant Membership Secretary.
Our enrolment of 417 members means that already we have big numbers for some groups. Music Appreciation, run by Bill Squire in Room 1 has 41 enrolled. Bill tells me that the first two weeks saw 38 members coming to the group. Now 38 in Room 1 is very tight and further emphasises our need for a larger room for some of our groups.
We have 94 enrolled for Exercises for Fun and 38 for Mahjong, both of which are in the Auditorium.
This is a lot of work for our Membership Secretary, Len Jeffers, and I would like to thank him for all the time he has spent recording memberships. Following an advertisement in last month’s Newsletter I am pleased to be able to tell you that Beth Grant has accepted the position of Assistant Membership Secretary.
Our enrolment of 417 members means that already we have big numbers for some groups. Music Appreciation, run by Bill Squire in Room 1 has 41 enrolled. Bill tells me that the first two weeks saw 38 members coming to the group. Now 38 in Room 1 is very tight and further emphasises our need for a larger room for some of our groups.
We have 94 enrolled for Exercises for Fun and 38 for Mahjong, both of which are in the Auditorium.
Groups operating outside the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre are also very popular: Garden Appreciation has 85 members enrolled; Birdwatching has 35 members; Easy Bushwalking has 44 members whilst Wine Appreciation has attracted 65 members.
Gwen Turner has asked the Committee to look at establishing a Heat Policy for U3A Benalla. We have made a start to this and hope to have it finalised at our next Committee meeting.
On 18th February 2026 I attended a meeting at the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre regarding a sound system which the Benalla Social Dance Group wish to install in the Auditorium. There were members of the Benalla Senior Citizens, The Benalla Bridge Club as well as members of the Benalla Social Dance Group and U3A Benalla there.
Through the Benalla Senior Citizens, the Social Dance Group are going to apply for a Grant from Benalla Rural City Council to assist with the purchase of the sound system. We will supply more information as it comes to hand.
This year the Singing for Fun Group are celebrating 20 years since Joyce Borschmann established the group. This quite a milestone and will be celebrated on Thursday 5th March at the Hub at Cooinda at 10am. Members who have been involved with the group in previous years are invited to attend the morning which will take the form of songs chosen by Joyce and Gwen Barnes, who has been playing the piano for the group also for 20 years. There will also be a special morning tea with current members asked to bring a small plate of food for sharing.
U3A Benalla Inc. are celebrating 30 years since we were established in 1996 at Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 15th April 2026 at 10am in Room 1 of the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre. Thank you to Carmyl Winkler who has compiled a 30-year history of our group, and to Bev Lee for supplying the photographs. Your committee is producing a small booklet including the history and 6 photographs which will be available at the April Meet and Mingle for those interested. Thank you to Carmyl who has agreed to present the history at Meet and Mingle.
The AGM of U3A Benalla Inc. will be held at the March Meet and Mingle in the Auditorium of the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre on Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 10am. Peter Keane, the CEO of Benalla Rural City Council will be the guest speaker. There will also be the election of office bearers and Committee for the 2026-2027 year.
It is important that we have new people on the Committee every year so that we get new ideas to work with. If you would like to come onto the Committee, please fill in a Nomination Form, which was part of our February Newsletter, and send it to our secretary, Malcolm Sanders at [email protected] or telephone him on 0408 194 469 before 11th March 2026. You may also drop the envelope at the RedB4 bookshop before 11th March 2026.
If the number of Nominations is greater than one for each of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President then an election for that position will be held at the AGM.
Margaret Jenkins
Insurance
The Committee of U3A Benalla Inc. have been discussing our insurance cover at the last two Committee meetings.
Through U3A Network Victoria insurance for U3A Benalla activities is provided by VMIA (Victorian Managed Insurance Authority) which is the Victorian Government insurer and risk adviser. Public liability insurance is also provided by the Benalla Rural City Council for accidents within buildings owned by Benalla Rural City Council.
The VMIA insurance provides liability coverage for U3A Benalla Inc., its employees (none yet) and volunteers in relation to any liability to pay compensation where a third-party becomes injured or their property is damaged as a result of negligence. The Personal Accident policy provides cover for volunteers and Committee members and other eligible people, while performing their duty, for accidental bodily injury that results in loss of life, permanent or temporary disablement.
However, it does not provide cover for participants of U3A activities. Members recourse should be through Medicare or Private Health cover. Ambulance cover for members is highly recommended.
Margaret Jenkins
Gwen Turner has asked the Committee to look at establishing a Heat Policy for U3A Benalla. We have made a start to this and hope to have it finalised at our next Committee meeting.
On 18th February 2026 I attended a meeting at the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre regarding a sound system which the Benalla Social Dance Group wish to install in the Auditorium. There were members of the Benalla Senior Citizens, The Benalla Bridge Club as well as members of the Benalla Social Dance Group and U3A Benalla there.
Through the Benalla Senior Citizens, the Social Dance Group are going to apply for a Grant from Benalla Rural City Council to assist with the purchase of the sound system. We will supply more information as it comes to hand.
This year the Singing for Fun Group are celebrating 20 years since Joyce Borschmann established the group. This quite a milestone and will be celebrated on Thursday 5th March at the Hub at Cooinda at 10am. Members who have been involved with the group in previous years are invited to attend the morning which will take the form of songs chosen by Joyce and Gwen Barnes, who has been playing the piano for the group also for 20 years. There will also be a special morning tea with current members asked to bring a small plate of food for sharing.
U3A Benalla Inc. are celebrating 30 years since we were established in 1996 at Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 15th April 2026 at 10am in Room 1 of the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre. Thank you to Carmyl Winkler who has compiled a 30-year history of our group, and to Bev Lee for supplying the photographs. Your committee is producing a small booklet including the history and 6 photographs which will be available at the April Meet and Mingle for those interested. Thank you to Carmyl who has agreed to present the history at Meet and Mingle.
The AGM of U3A Benalla Inc. will be held at the March Meet and Mingle in the Auditorium of the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre on Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 10am. Peter Keane, the CEO of Benalla Rural City Council will be the guest speaker. There will also be the election of office bearers and Committee for the 2026-2027 year.
It is important that we have new people on the Committee every year so that we get new ideas to work with. If you would like to come onto the Committee, please fill in a Nomination Form, which was part of our February Newsletter, and send it to our secretary, Malcolm Sanders at [email protected] or telephone him on 0408 194 469 before 11th March 2026. You may also drop the envelope at the RedB4 bookshop before 11th March 2026.
If the number of Nominations is greater than one for each of the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President then an election for that position will be held at the AGM.
Margaret Jenkins
Insurance
The Committee of U3A Benalla Inc. have been discussing our insurance cover at the last two Committee meetings.
Through U3A Network Victoria insurance for U3A Benalla activities is provided by VMIA (Victorian Managed Insurance Authority) which is the Victorian Government insurer and risk adviser. Public liability insurance is also provided by the Benalla Rural City Council for accidents within buildings owned by Benalla Rural City Council.
The VMIA insurance provides liability coverage for U3A Benalla Inc., its employees (none yet) and volunteers in relation to any liability to pay compensation where a third-party becomes injured or their property is damaged as a result of negligence. The Personal Accident policy provides cover for volunteers and Committee members and other eligible people, while performing their duty, for accidental bodily injury that results in loss of life, permanent or temporary disablement.
However, it does not provide cover for participants of U3A activities. Members recourse should be through Medicare or Private Health cover. Ambulance cover for members is highly recommended.
Margaret Jenkins
