U3A Brisbane
OUR CLASS MIX
We currently have over 160 face-to-face classes in our City Campus and district venues. We also have many active classes employing various Remote Learning methods, e.g. email, discussion groups, including over 50 Online Classes using Zoom videoconferencing. Congratulations to both tutors and members who have embraced the new learning opportunities.
LATEST eNEWS, September 2022
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 3000 members and offer more than 220 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.
HOW WE OPERATE
To attend our classes, you must first become a member. Membership is for a calendar year and costs $45 per annum. You can then enrol in classes via the Class Search page. District (suburban) classes are generally free of charge, but our City Campus classes require an upfront fee for the term. There are 4 terms per year based on Qld school terms. For more information see our How to Join page.
TERM 4 CLASSES
Class Schedule for Term 4 2022 is now available and enrolments are open. Term 3 ends on Friday 16th September and Term 4 starts on Tuesday 4th October.
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 3 class that you wish to continue attending in Term 4, you can use the Member Dashboard to re-enrol.
Search Classes and Enrol
Class Help Page Download PDF
2022 Term dates:
| Term | From | To | Weeks |
| 1 | 24th January | 1st April | 10 |
| 2 | 19th April | 24th June | 10 |
| 3 | 11th July | 16th September | 10 |
| 4 | 4th October | 9th December | 10 |
SPECIAL ONLINE EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER
The latest in neuroscience research from QBI: Can adding Selenium to the diet mimic the effects of exercise and reverse cognitive decline?
Date: Wednesday 28th September 2022, 11:00am-12:30pm
Dr Tara Walker, Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) Research Fellow and winner of a prestigious Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship at the Centre for Regenerative Therapies in Dresden, Germany, will talk to us about exciting research developments in neuroscience.
Dr Walker is currently investigating novel ways to mimic the rejuvenating effects of exercise to promote new neuron generation and improve cognition in normal ageing, or following stroke and in Alzheimer’s disease.
There is overwhelming evidence that regular physical exercise can counteract cognitive decline in both healthy ageing and in Alzheimer’s disease. However, for many people the prospect of exercising is often not feasible due to health conditions, mobility limitations or advanced age.
There is now a growing interest in the identification of pharmacological interventions that can mimic the effects of exercise – so-called “exercise mimetics”.
Dr Tara and her team have identified the trace element Selenium as a novel exercise mimetic. They found that dietary Selenium supplementation can increase new neuron production and reverse cognitive decline in mouse models of normal ageing and stroke.
QR CODE ATTENDANCE SYSTEM
U3A Brisbane uses our own internal QR Code system to record class attendances. See Using the QR System for more information.
U3A DISCUSSION FORUM
U3A Brisbane now has a Discussion Forum, mainly intended for members to discuss class content with each other. In order to access the forum, members who have not otherwise registered a password as Tutor or staff Volunteer need to firstly:
Register a username and password via Website Registration. Make sure you respond to the security email otherwise the password won't be registered. If you ever forget your password, you can re-set it via the same process.
Once you have a username and password:
1. Login via the login window at top right of home page.
2. Go to Members menu that will then show on the right and select Discussion Forum.
Tutors may request a new forum category for their class. See Discussion Forum explanatory page for more information.
COVID Safe Plans
U3A Brisbane is required to have COVID-19 Safe Plans in place for face-to-face classes and current plans are available below. Tutors must contact the relevant District Coordinator if you wish to conduct a face-to-face class and you must agree to abide by the relevant Plan.
COVID Safe Plan - City Campus 2022COVID Safe Plan - District Classes 2022
REMOTE LEARNING
We are recommending Zoom videoconferencing to tutors who do not wish to conduct face-to-face classes. Many tutors are successfully running their classes online at present. 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)
Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation, U3A Brisbane (the inner city area is traditionally known as Meanjin) would like to acknowledge the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples, the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connection to land, sea and community. U3A extends this acknowledgement to all Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
