It is with pleasure that I present the Annual Report of U3A Benalla Inc. for the year ending 31st December 2025.
Overall, 2025 was a very successful year for U3A Benalla. Our membership grew from 420 members at the end of 2024 to 470 members at the end of 2025, a 11% increase in membership. This increase in membership reflects that people in the community are wanting to come to the 48 courses which are currently being offered by U3A Benalla.
During 2025 we introduced several new courses including Mahjong, Come and Learn Croquet, Train Buffs, American History, Car Torque, Colour Mixing & Watercolour Techniques – Botanical, Writing Children’s Books and French at the Table. Two of these courses were discontinued during the year due to the Convenor being unwell.
U3A Benalla has a marvelous variety of courses, and behind each course is a Convenor who puts a lot of time and energy into running their particular course. The Committee and I would sincerely like to thank each Convenor for the knowledge and effort they all bring to their courses. Without such dedicated Convenors U3A Benalla would not be able to offer the variety of courses we do.
I would like to thank all members of the Committee of U3A Benalla. There are many special jobs which are taken care of by members on the Committee. These include Len Jeffers who is our capable Membership Secretary and Heather Wallace who looks after the Newsletter. Thank you also to Helen Jeffree for keeping our kitchen supplies always up to date. Social interaction is a very important part of U3A Benalla, and what better way to socially interact than with a cup of tea or coffee.
My thanks to Neville Gibb and Doug Smith who are both retiring from the Committee this year. Neville was Treasurer from 2019 to 2023 whilst Doug has been our publicity officer for the past 18 months.
I would also like to acknowledge the work of our new Treasurer in 2025, Gwen Mildren who has transferred the previous ledger entries onto a computer XL spreadsheet. Gwen has also updated our bank accounts to our registered name of U3A Benalla Inc.
Not everything has gone easily this year. Over several months we had six illegal entries to the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre. During those six illegal entries to the premises U3A Benalla lost three lap tops, 10 iPads and Tablets which is digital equipment used for teaching purposes, a large speaker system, an empty cash box and other equipment. The cost to replace these items was estimated to be about $10,000. Also, it should be noted that the people who found these illegal entries were caused quite a deal of stress. Thank you to the Benalla Rural City Council for replacing the external locks of this building in early September 2025.
Unfortunately, we had several members who became ill during the year. As I mentioned previously two courses had to be discontinued because of Convenor’s ill health. Our Secretary Nicole McFarlane also became ill toward the end of 2025, and after a period of leave was replaced as Secretary by Malcolm Sanders.
Communication within U3A Benalla is very important. My thanks to Heather Wallace who has been Newsletter Editor for several years, and also to Bev Lee who has maintained our website since 2015. Both ladies have done a marvellous job. Knowing the importance of both positions we have encouraged during 2025 Ruth Jelliff to become the Assistant Newsletter Editor, and Dawn Stephens to be an Assistant to the Website manager. Succession planning is important. My thanks to Bev who has also played an important role in supporting those U3A members who required Power Point or other presentations for Community Projects.
Our footprint within this building is continuing to grow. With permission from Bill Billman, the President of the Benalla Senior Citizens we have been using the Auditorium every Monday from February to December for Exercises for Fun (which has 94 members enrolled) and Mahjong (which has 38 members enrolled). The Auditorium is also utilised by Let’s Talk Books on the first Monday afternoon of the month.
But some of our groups in Room 1 are too large for that room. Music Appreciation has had 38 members for some sessions, and 38 people in Room 1 is a Health and Safety concern.
The lack of sound proofing within the building also means that we have to be careful when timetabling our Recorder Group and the Ukulele groups. However, with the Masterplan for the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre being examined at the moment, we hope that some of these problems are resolved hopefully within 12 months by creating a new larger room for U3A Benalla to occupy.
There are three members of U3A Benalla Inc. who have made a substantial contribution to our organisation over many years. To recognise these members, I would like to present them each with a Certificate of Appreciation.
Firstly: Corrie Witlox who was Treasurer from 2014-2017 and also in 2024 as well as being a committee member from 2010 to 2025.
Secondly: Dorothy Webber who was President from 2017-2021 and a member of the Committee from 2010-1025.
Thirdly: Nicole McFarlane who was Secretary from 2023-2024.
As I am retiring at this AGM from being President I would like to mention some of the achievements of U3A Benalla during the past four years.
In summary, a sincere thank you to all Convenors, the Committee of U3A Benalla Inc. and all members who have made the past twelve months so successful.
Margaret Jenkins
During 2025 we introduced several new courses including Mahjong, Come and Learn Croquet, Train Buffs, American History, Car Torque, Colour Mixing & Watercolour Techniques – Botanical, Writing Children’s Books and French at the Table. Two of these courses were discontinued during the year due to the Convenor being unwell.
U3A Benalla has a marvelous variety of courses, and behind each course is a Convenor who puts a lot of time and energy into running their particular course. The Committee and I would sincerely like to thank each Convenor for the knowledge and effort they all bring to their courses. Without such dedicated Convenors U3A Benalla would not be able to offer the variety of courses we do.
I would like to thank all members of the Committee of U3A Benalla. There are many special jobs which are taken care of by members on the Committee. These include Len Jeffers who is our capable Membership Secretary and Heather Wallace who looks after the Newsletter. Thank you also to Helen Jeffree for keeping our kitchen supplies always up to date. Social interaction is a very important part of U3A Benalla, and what better way to socially interact than with a cup of tea or coffee.
My thanks to Neville Gibb and Doug Smith who are both retiring from the Committee this year. Neville was Treasurer from 2019 to 2023 whilst Doug has been our publicity officer for the past 18 months.
I would also like to acknowledge the work of our new Treasurer in 2025, Gwen Mildren who has transferred the previous ledger entries onto a computer XL spreadsheet. Gwen has also updated our bank accounts to our registered name of U3A Benalla Inc.
Not everything has gone easily this year. Over several months we had six illegal entries to the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre. During those six illegal entries to the premises U3A Benalla lost three lap tops, 10 iPads and Tablets which is digital equipment used for teaching purposes, a large speaker system, an empty cash box and other equipment. The cost to replace these items was estimated to be about $10,000. Also, it should be noted that the people who found these illegal entries were caused quite a deal of stress. Thank you to the Benalla Rural City Council for replacing the external locks of this building in early September 2025.
Unfortunately, we had several members who became ill during the year. As I mentioned previously two courses had to be discontinued because of Convenor’s ill health. Our Secretary Nicole McFarlane also became ill toward the end of 2025, and after a period of leave was replaced as Secretary by Malcolm Sanders.
Communication within U3A Benalla is very important. My thanks to Heather Wallace who has been Newsletter Editor for several years, and also to Bev Lee who has maintained our website since 2015. Both ladies have done a marvellous job. Knowing the importance of both positions we have encouraged during 2025 Ruth Jelliff to become the Assistant Newsletter Editor, and Dawn Stephens to be an Assistant to the Website manager. Succession planning is important. My thanks to Bev who has also played an important role in supporting those U3A members who required Power Point or other presentations for Community Projects.
Our footprint within this building is continuing to grow. With permission from Bill Billman, the President of the Benalla Senior Citizens we have been using the Auditorium every Monday from February to December for Exercises for Fun (which has 94 members enrolled) and Mahjong (which has 38 members enrolled). The Auditorium is also utilised by Let’s Talk Books on the first Monday afternoon of the month.
But some of our groups in Room 1 are too large for that room. Music Appreciation has had 38 members for some sessions, and 38 people in Room 1 is a Health and Safety concern.
The lack of sound proofing within the building also means that we have to be careful when timetabling our Recorder Group and the Ukulele groups. However, with the Masterplan for the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre being examined at the moment, we hope that some of these problems are resolved hopefully within 12 months by creating a new larger room for U3A Benalla to occupy.
There are three members of U3A Benalla Inc. who have made a substantial contribution to our organisation over many years. To recognise these members, I would like to present them each with a Certificate of Appreciation.
Firstly: Corrie Witlox who was Treasurer from 2014-2017 and also in 2024 as well as being a committee member from 2010 to 2025.
Secondly: Dorothy Webber who was President from 2017-2021 and a member of the Committee from 2010-1025.
Thirdly: Nicole McFarlane who was Secretary from 2023-2024.
As I am retiring at this AGM from being President I would like to mention some of the achievements of U3A Benalla during the past four years.
- During 2023 and 2024 the Committee produced and approved a number of Policies for U3A Benalla Inc. including a Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, Anti-Discrimination, Bullying, Grievance, Health and Safety, Privacy, Risk Management and Sexual Harassment Policies. This was the first time that U3A Benalla Inc. have had their own policies. Previously they have relied on U3A Network Victoria for this guidance, and Network Policies were long and at times difficult to understand.
- In 2024 we were able to avoid having to make Tax returns by fulfilling the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission or ACNC. Prior to 2013 U3A Benalla had been classified as a charity but this had lapsed. So, we had to complete the paperwork for 11 years before we were able to regain charity status.
- In 2024 we changed from having a Constitution to the Model Rules which are designed to simplify the way we operate.
- We have also increased our membership from 356 at the end of 2021 to 470 members at the end of 2025. This is a 32% increase in membership over 4 years.
In summary, a sincere thank you to all Convenors, the Committee of U3A Benalla Inc. and all members who have made the past twelve months so successful.
Margaret Jenkins
