U3A BRISBANE

U3A is the University of the Third Age, which is the age of active retirement, coming after the age of youth and work and home making. University is a loose term - there are no academic requirements for membership and no exams.

U3A is a worldwide self-help organisation promoting learning for personal enjoyment and wellbeing. Keeping the brain active, doing interesting things and making new friends are essential for helping older people to maximise their chances of independence, and this is what U3A does very effectively. U3A is making a very substantial contribution to society by helping its members to remain healthy and active for longer.

U3A Brisbane is one of many similar U3A organisations in Australia. Formed in 1986, we are a totally volunteer organisation, and provide leisure and educational courses to local seniors. We have over 4000 members and offer more than 290 courses each term, all of these at a low cost.

Our City Campus classes are held at our own premises at 97 Creek Street Brisbane, and in leased rooms nearby at 232 Adelaide St Brisbane, just a short walk from bus, train or ferry. Other City Precinct classes are held at various locations in the CBD.

We also have classes in surrounding suburbs and districts - in Logan (our largest district outside the city), Southside, Northside, Westside and Wynnum.

See the Class Search page for information on all  current classes, and our How to Join page for information about joining U3A Brisbane.

TERM 2 CLASSES

Class Schedule for Term 2 2020 is now available.  Although face-to-face classes are currently suspended, please enrol in Term 2 so that you can continue to receive class information by email or participate in Online Classes if offered by the tutor. Term 1 ends on 3rd April and Term 2 commences on 20th April.

To join a new class, enrol through the Class Search page by clicking on the Enrol button, or contact the tutor directly by email or phone. If you book online you may assume your enrolment is accepted unless the tutor advises otherwise.

If you are currently enrolled in a Term 1 class that you wish to continue attending in Term 2, you can use the Member Dashboard to re-enrol.

Search Classes and Enrol
Class Help Page Download PDF

Member Dashboard

ONLINE CLASSES

We are recommending Zoom videoconferencing to all tutors to continue classes online while face-to-face classes are suspended. A number of tutors are successfully running their classes online and more will start in Term 2. This facility will not be appropriate to all classes but should suit those classes where presentations are typically made. It is very easy to use and we encourage all members to join these sessions online when invited by the tutor.
  Zoom - Student Instructions
  Zoom - Tutor Instructions

Email Discussion Groups
U3A Brisbane is also recommending that tutors consider setting up an Email Discussion Group. This enables class members to join the group for interactive discussion.
  Discussion Group Instructions (for tutors)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 15TH APRIL 2020

We will be holding our AGM online this year at 10am on Wednesday 15th April. Please register if you wish to attend. We will be using Zoom for this meeting.

CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS

Updated: 28th March 2020
The Management Committee has regularly sought professional advice on how U3A Brisbane might best minimise potential risks from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. While the outbreak in Australia is being managed to limit widespread community transmission of COVID-19, it is important for all of us to protect others and stop the spread with practical precautions as outlined below.

Precautions
1. Wash hands regularly and thoroughly, preferably with soap and water. Otherwise use appropriate alcohol-based sanitisers. Carry a personal sanitiser pack, and avoid touching your face or shaking hands.

2. Cough or sneeze into your elbow/sleeve. If using a tissue, dispose of the tissue immediately into a closed rubbish bin, and then clean your hands.

3. Follow current official advice about social distancing, staying away 1.5 metres from other people whenever possible and avoid physical greetings.

U3A is a self-help community, and individuals do need to be self-reliant, take personal responsibility and keep informed. Members need to be conscious of the potential spread of the infection in the community, and take precautions in all interactions with others, including when on public transport.

Our advice can be summarised as:
Protect others and stop the spread by practicing good hygiene and social distancing.

Please also read these advisory documents:
Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov), Qld Government

Coronavirus (COVID-19), Australian Government

Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The ABC Coronavirus website is an excellent source of up-to-date information.
 

CODE OF CONDUCT

All members should be aware of U3A Brisbane's Code of Conduct. U3A Brisbane is built around interactions between people. All of us have roles here: as students/participants, tutors and group leaders, administrative coordinators and helpers, office staffers, committee and working group members. It's the communication and cooperation between all these parties that makes U3A Brisbane run so well. We need to keep it that way. We expect all members to adhere to the code in their own conduct, and we encourage you to report behaviour that is out of step with these expectations.

Grievance Officer
The Management Committee has recently appointed Rod McLary as the U3A Grievance Officer. His email address is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In any organisation from time to time, there may be disagreements, disputes or grievances. It is important that these are managed effectively and with care for all who may be involved. It is equally important that members who may have a grievance can readily identify the person in the organisation to whom the grievance is to be forwarded. The Committee has now appointed Rod as that person and there is a designated email address for members to use when necessary. Rod is a Social Worker (since 1978) and, until his retirement in 2014, was the Director of Professional Standards with the Anglican Church in Queensland. Please be assured that confidentiality will be maintained and no immediate action will be taken without discussion with aggrieved member. The Committee trusts that the process will be used wisely and will assist members in the resolution of any grievances that may arise in the future.

2020 Term dates:

U3A Brisbane follows Qld. State School Term dates.