Art group members Sharron Gray, Sue Horneman, Marg Telford, Gina McGrath and Robyn Crossley with their displayed works.
Deniliquin’s U3A celebrated its 15 anniversary last week, with members gathering to mark a successful period of education and connection in the community.
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U3A stands for University of the Third Age, and it’s an international movement with an aim to educate and stimulate mainly retired members of the community — those in their ‘third age’ of life.
Classes and programs run each weekday during the NSW public school term, and are led by locals.
Founding member Sue Gatacre said while the celebrations were based on the last 15 years, the 18 months before the official formation were also acknowledged on the day.
“Prior to U3A starting, Joy Moore and Bob and Anne Apedaile were instrumental in organising a Play Reading and Photography group,” she said.
“U3A Deniliquin then started with a project meeting on November 30, 2010 at Intereach.
“It was chaired by Bobby Murphy and there were about 30 people present.
“As there was definite interest, a committee was formed and classes were arranged to start in February 2011.”
In that inaugural year, classes were held two days a week. Interest has seen it expand to five days.
Many of the original classes continue today, and have included bushwalking, discussion group, poetry, languages, exercises, local history talks, flower arranging and gardening, cooking, bridge, music and Scattegories.
More recently there has been book club, tai chi, iPads, mahjong, world history, basic art, ukelele, craft group, canasta and 500.
“We started with 36 members and now have 145, and in fact we run more classes than some of the larger U3As,” Mrs Gatacre said.
“Also, we have enjoyed many lunch outings with trips out of town. As you can see, there is plenty of variety.”
U3A also partners with other local groups and organisations to run workshops and special events, including Intereach, Edward River Council, South West Music, Edward River Art Society, Deni Stitching Group, Mental Health Group and Edward River Library.
“We have been fortunate in receiving grants for our activities such as Seniors Week, community concerts and bus trips, and we have a very active and dedicated grants subcommittee.
“Some of the highlights (of our 15 years) have been Andrew Harper's talk on his Outback Camel Company in 2013, our Italian class lunching and singing with the local Italian group, our enrolment day and lunch on the Thomas' houseboat in 2015 and our visit to the Altina Zoo in 2017.”
U3A’s original home was at Intereach, but in recent years most activities have moved to the Deniliquin RSL Club.
“The RSL meets our needs and are very helpful and generous to us,” Mrs Gatacre said.
“We look forward to many more years of U3A Deniliquin.”
For more information about the U3A timetable and how to participate, call Lorraine Plant on 0414 486 482.
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