University of the 3rd Age (U3A) Sapphire Coast

U3A SC is part of a world-wide volunteer-based movement that provides learning, social and physical activities to people over 50 who are no longer in full-time employment. It's main aim is to give retirees opportunities to keep their minds and bodies active opportunities to engage socially as part of a community of people with shared intierests opportunities to share the knowledge and skills they've gained through professional or life experience. by volunteering as course leaders.

U3A SC serves seniors in the Bega Valley from Tanja to Eden and their hinterlands. It's headquarters is in Tura Beach but it provides courses in a variety of venues throughout the region.

U3A SC courses are provided by volunteers and can be one-off activities like excursions or lectures, short-courses, or ongoing courses that generally meet once a week and which follow the NSW school terms.

With around 500 members, U3A SC provides some 40 courses plus a varying number of one-off activities each term. Examples of its programs are:

Adventure walking

Computing

Languages - French, Spanish, German, Arabic

Games - Mahjong, Rummikub, Bolivia, Scrabble, 500, trivia

Film, poetry or music appreciation

Dancing - line dancing, ballroom dancing

Taboo Topics - a current issues discussion group)

Art groups - painting and drawing

Reading groups/book clubs

Writing - creative fiction and non-fiction

Philisophy, Linguistics, History

Wine and Food Appreciation,

Physical and mind/body activities - Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, Qigong, Personal Development

Membership is $25 per year and entitles members to attend any number of courses for a small sessional charge ($2 - $5) that covers costs like venue hire, materials, morning and afternoon teas. 

Non-members are welcome to attend a total of 2 sessions of any courses on a trial basis before joining U3A. They are also welcome to attend any of the one-off activities.

Volunteer course leaders do not need to be members of U3A SC so can be of any age. U3A SC will welcome, and consider, any proposal for courses that might be of interest to its members.

Eligibility Criteria

Anyone over 50 years old, not in full-time employment and living in the Bega valley is eligible to join. Non-members are also welcome to attend a total of 2 sessions before joining, and are very welcome as volunteer course leaders.