U3A Kingborough

Committee

U3A Kingborough

U3A Kingborough Inc started in 2000, offering courses at the old school building (8 Hutchins Street) in Kingston, (managed by Libraries Tasmania), at the West Winds Community Centre in Woodbridge, and other venues as appropriate.  There were 118 members.  The committee was: Sheila Given (Pres), Bernard Pettifer (V/P), Marjorie Major (Sec), Pat Neilson (Treasurer), Michael Atkinson, Don Gregg, Thelma Rider, Netta McLaren, Pat House and Sylvia McCarthy.

Class offerings covered the humanities, arts, languages and science.  Costs would be kept to a minimum ($25 initially).  Tutors and administrators would all be volunteers and an annual subscription would cover any courses available.  Classes would be during the day, over 3 terms.  The Kingborough Council provided practical support.

In the first term of 2000 there were 6 classes and 118 members; by 2010 there were over 267 members and 25 courses. Membership in 2010 was $39.  During this decade, U3A Kingborough opened up to the internet and introduced a digital database, maintained by Richard Gardham for over 12 years thereafter.  In 2020 there were around 380 members and fees were $50.  In this period the range of exercise classes increased and a new commercially-developed system and website were introduced.

The U3A's Origins

Research and governments are increasingly recognising the importance of education in delaying or minimizing dependence in the rapidly growing older population.  

The University of the Third Age (U3A) is an international movement aiming to offer a range of activities associated with well-being in later life. Third Age refers to the life period of active retirement, following the first age (childhood and formal education) and the second age (working life), and preceding the fourth age (dependence).  It’s a time (not necessarily chronological) where you have the opportunity to take on learning for its own sake.  An underlying principle is that there are no entry requirements or exams.

The concept of U3A was developed in Toulouse in 1972, to bring older people into contact with academic programs at the University. The first British U3A was established in 1982 at Cambridge. They embraced principles of self-help and self-determination, structuring programs and courses to meet the wishes of members and drawing on resources available within the membership as far as possible.  The concept spread to Spain, Australia, Canada & many other countries.

The first Australian U3A opened in Melbourne in 1984. Many others rapidly opened across the country. There are now about 300 U3A’s in Australia, with about 100,000 members. The Australian model has U3A’s established as autonomous groups, with their own administration and curriculum according to the needs and interests of each group.  Whilst mainland States have formed State co-ordinating bodies and U3A Australia represents those bodies at a national level, Tasmanian U3A’s have not to date taken this step. However, U3A’s in Tasmania support the concepts, liaise periodically with local U3A’s and maintain contact with U3A Australia. U3A Kingborough has a cooperative arrangement with the New South Wales U3A Network.

Privacy Policy

To administer our organisation and classes, U3A Kingborough collects only necessary personal information about members.  That information is securely stored in U3A’s Member Wizard computer system, which is developed and administered by a registered Australian IT company.  Members can view and correct that information via the Member Login.   U3A Kingborough will use its best endeavours to restrict access to only those requiring it for the purposes of administering U3A or delivering U3A courses, to ensure the privacy members’ personal information.  Members’ personal information will only be disclosed for purposes directly relevant to U3A Kingborough operations, such as tutors and committee members.

Constitution of U3A Kingborough Inc.

Download the Constitution of U3A Kingborough Inc.

ACN  35753676206