U3A BRISBANE

OUR CLASS MIX

In early 2021 we returned to face-to-face classes in most venues. We also have many active classes employing various Remote Learning methods, e.g. email, discussion groups or Online Classes using Zoom videoconferencing (over 50 classes are still using Zoom). Congratulations to both tutors and members who have embraced the new learning opportunities.

  eNews for April 2022

  Latest COVID Situation Update
 

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 $40 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 2 CLASSES

Class Schedule for Term 2 2022 is now available and enrolments are open.  Term 1 ends on Friday 1st April and Term 2 starts on Tuesday 19th 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

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT IN MAY

The following special event will be held as an online presentation using Zoom. To book, please use the Book Now button below.

Wednesday 25th May, 11:00am – 12.30pm. Loan Chow, Director of YHC Lawyers. Estate Planning in a time of Covid.

NOTE: Owing to high level of interest, this talk will be repeated Wednesday 15th June 11am to 12.30pm

In a global pandemic, Wills and Estates are front of mind. How do you ensure your loved ones are cared for in worst case scenarios?

How do you make sure that the right people are able to make decisions for you when you have lost your capacity?

How do you minimise the risk of your Will being disputed? What happens when someone passes away?

Even if you have all of this in place, people are needing to make different decisions as the choices made pre-Covid may no longer be practical.

Loan Chow, Director of YHC Lawyers, will share her experiences and insights about:
• Wills gone wrong or no Will at all; Who can contest a Will
• Tips and traps about Enduring Powers of Attorney
• The importance of Advance Health Directives in Covid
• What happens when someone passes away

Join our education session where Loan Chow will highlight some key areas you might want to consider to protect your loved ones and some practical pathways that are available for families going through this process.

Book Now

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022

The Annual General Meeting of U3A Brisbane was held on Wednesday 13th April 2022 as an online Zoom meeting. Audited financial statements, a copy of the revised Constitution and other AGM reports have been made available to members on our News page.

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.

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)

CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS

Current advice can be summarised as:
Protect yourself and others by staying home. Stop the spread by practicing good hygiene and social distancing.

Please read these advisory documents for detailed advice:
Coronavirus (COVID-19), Qld Health

Coronavirus (COVID-19), Australian Government

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

Install the COVIDSafe app on your mobile phone

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

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

In the spirit of reconciliation, U3A Brisbane (the city 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.

2022 Term dates: