Give us some of your great ideas for our U3A
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We are always looking for ideas/suggestions for activities and courses for U3A Benalla. Do you have any you would like to share? Contact us through the form on this page.
Ideas for our courses come from many sources. After hearing about a popular play reading group at Deniliquin U3A and an Antiques group at a Melbourne U3A, programs were developed for 'Play Reading' and 'Collectors'. 'Bird Watching' was inspired by observing a member with undoubted skills in this area, while 'Demystifying Psychology' was inspired by the name of a course offered by U3A in Shepparton and knowing a psychologist happy to introduce it ‘when I retire’. Some courses have been developed with a suitable convenor to meet demand, such as 'Photography' and 'Mahjong'. Other courses have involved sourcing a teacher prepared to offer it as an associate member. From time to time, we are approached by a member who suggests they would like to offer a course, for example, 'Exploring Writing Children's Books' in 2025. Most courses are year-long,10 session courses. Semester length courses of five sessions are also offered such as Meg Dillon's 'A Night at the Opera - French Style' and John Barry's course about World War I, 'Over There'. Jane Rushworth offers both a semester length 'Demystifying Psychology' introductory course and a year long 'Demystifying Psychology' discussion group. Short courses of two to four sessions are offered at times, including 'Digital Upskilling' in 2025, with John Barry's 'Legal Matters' popular alongside single session courses 'Living in Your Home for Longer', 'Advanced Care Planning' and 'End of Life Care & Decision Making'. The U3A meeting room at the Seniors Community Centre is in constant use, with three sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays, and two sessions on other days. 'Exercises for Fun', 'Mahjong' and 'Let's Talk Books' are held in the Auditorium while 'Family Research--Getting Started' and 'Tech Talks' are using the small classroom in 2025. 'Hands on' courses include 'Play Reading', 'Patchwork', ‘Brain Games’ and 'German'; with our instrumental music portfolio of 'Recorder' and 'Ukes4Fun' expanding in 2026 with the introduction of new course 'Learning and Playing Traditional Celtic Music'. |
'Easy Bushwalking' and 'Birdwatching' are popular with those who like being outdoors; with by 'Come and Learn Croquet', 'Pickleball' and 'Social Golf' providing other options for exercise in 2026.
A light-hearted fortnightly ‘hands on’ activity is‘Cards '500’, while two new courses in 2025, 'Car Torque' and 'Train Buffs' pick up on the long term interests and hobbies of some of our members. Serious matters are discussed in 'American History', 'Critical Thinking', ‘Investment’,'Politics & Current Affairs' and 'Sustainability' Monthly ‘Meet and Mingle’ sessions feature a guest speaker on a matter of community interest. Courses offered at outside venues include 'A Taste of Art' (Broken River Painters' Studio), 'Art Appreciation' (Pop Up Benalla Art Gallery); 'Singing for Fun' & 'Community Singing' (Cooinda Hub) & Social Golf (Benalla Golf Club).. 'Garden Team' and 'Page Turners' are held at people's homes, while 'Garden Appreciation' draws upon venues with exceptional gardens throughout the region and 'Birdwatching' our local lake and bushland habitats. Local restaurants provide the venues for monthly ‘Chat ‘n Chew’ lunches, while regional wineries and restaurants are visited by ‘Wine Appreciation’ members each month. Drawing upon adult learning principles, 'Collectors', 'Coin Collectors', 'Creative Writing', 'As Time Goes By', 'Family Research', 'Let's Talk Books', 'Film Discussion', and new course in 2026 'Poetry Appreciation', involve class members contributing content. Lesson content is included on the website for later review for 'German' 'Music Appreciation', 'Exploring the Universe', 'Family Research-Getting Started' and more. Courses continue to evolve to meet the digital literacy needs of members. 'Using My Android Phone' and 'Digital Upskilling for Lifeling Learners' join 'Tech Advice' sessions providing one to one support in 2026.
Courses including 'Cooking Solo', 'Chess', 'Spanish', 'Exploring Children's Book Writing','Colour mixing and watercolour techniques' & 'French at the Table' and 'Photography' aren't being offered in 2026, but may reappear in future - refer to 'Past Courses'. |
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Perhaps you’ve heard or thought of an idea for a course? The possibilities are endless!
If you have an idea for a course or activity, completing a Program Proposal can help to clarify your ideas. Contact our Course Coordinator Anne Nelson on 0438 447 379 to talk about your idea. |
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