Oaks Day
Fourth term is the busiest time at U3AM. It is also a very exciting time when we can look forward to several social events. The first is the Oaks Day Celebration on the afternoon of 6 November in the Pines Function Room. Along with fostering an environment of lifelong learning, we are aware of the significance of engendering a warm, friendly, social ambience for our members. The Oaks Day Celebration is one incentive to encourage our members to let down their hair, kick up their heels and enjoy a fun day with their friends. The day will include the running of The Manningham Cup, a fashion parade and photographs, and prizes and trophies for the best hats and outfits. Afternoon tea will be provided along with plenty of music, singing and dancing. Thanks to our Oaks Day organiser Graeme Mills and Events and Catering Manager Maureen Bowman, assisted by Graeme Martin and the catering team.
Artistic Showcase and uniFEST
This special day on 27 November allows our members to demonstrate the skills they have developed over the year. The Artistic Showcase from 10 am to 3 pm will proudly display the fine art and craft work of our members – a testament to their many and varied talents. At uniFEST, from 12 to 4 pm, our members will demonstrate their outstanding skills in the Performing Arts. Luncheon will be served from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. We warmly welcome friends and families of members to come along and enjoy the day. Our thanks to Liew Staras and her support team for organising the Artistic Showcase. Our thanks also to John Liew and the Multi-Instrumental Group for organising uniFEST. See here for a flyer publicising the uniFEST event.
Summer School
For members who would like to continue the year’s enjoyable activities into the holidays, Summer School provides the opportunity to connect with friends, keep up with exercise and enjoy short courses. Summer School will offer a range of classes on Wednesdays 14, 21 and 28 January 2026 at The Pines. Click on the SUMMER SCHOOL tab in the Course Information section of our website for details of the 2026 classes. Due to problems with the MyU3A system, enrolments for Summer School are being done manually this year. Once you’ve decided on the classes you’d like to attend, please drop in to the U3A Office to enrol.
Our thanks to Summer School Coordinators Liz Haylock and Don O’Gorman for making available an exciting experience for our members during the summer break. Our grateful thanks to the tutors as well.
Membership registration and enrolments
Membership fee prepayment commences online on 20 October. New members are welcome. Eligibility for membership is straightforward. Membership is open to people who are interested in engaging with others in sharing educational, creative, leisure and social activities to keep their minds and bodies active.
A reminder also that enrolments start on 19 November. Members will enrol in turn, according to their priority rating. The dates for enrolment for different priority levels are available under the Calendar on our website.
New tutors welcome
In my other hat as New Course Coordinator, I have enjoyed enlisting new tutors and a range of interesting courses this year. To further enrich this eclectic mix of courses, I am looking for tutors able to offer courses in Basic Japanese, Basic Spanish, Financial Management, the Sciences, Healthy Aging Incentives, and any others with engaging themes. I can be contacted via our Office.
Visitors to U3AM
The security of our members is a priority at U3AM. As such it is important for us to know, and have on record, who is in our building among our members. Our guest speakers do not fall under the occasional visitor category as they have been officially recorded beforehand in our Course Information and Enrolment records. Outside of this group, visitors invited by tutors or members of a class should be recorded by the tutor on a Visitor Record Form before the time of their visit. The procedure is as follows:
- Tutor to access the form from our website or get a printout from the Office.
- Visitors sign in on the form when they arrive.
- The tutor hands out a Visitor tag available from the Office. Note that the Visitor tag is only for visitors at The Pines and the tag is to be returned at the end of the visit.
- Completed form is hand-delivered or emailed to the Office and a copy will be filed there.
I envisage tutor invitation of occasional visitors to be infrequent and know this procedure will not be too demanding of them.
Year end
We have had a productive and eventful year at U3AM, thanks to the many volunteers who ensure the smooth day-to-day running of our organisation. The success of U3AM relies primarily on the participation of our volunteers, and we have so many of them so willing to do their part. I thank you all most sincerely. I am always conscious of the diligence of our Committee of Management. To every member of the Committee, my grateful thanks for your constant support.
As we approach the holiday season, I would like to wish you all a restful and safe holiday and return to us energised for another exciting year at U3AM.
With my very best wishes,
Shirley Fung
President