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.
![A City Campus Art classes City Classroom](/images/artclass2.webp)
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 200 educational courses each term, all of these at low cost. Most classes are in-person, but we also offer online classes.
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, Southside, Northside, Westside and Wynnum.
See the Class Search page for information on all current classes, or download our current term's Class Schedule in PDF form. Our Site Map provides links to all pages on our website.
Join Our Learning Community
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.
Special Online Events in July
Australia’s Ancient Past
Presenter: June Phillips
Date: Wednesday 17 July 11am – 12.30pm (via Zoom)
The first Homo Sapiens came out of Africa, but there is no universal agreement as to when this occurred. Analysis of modern human genomes reveals that humans interbred with Neanderthals resulting in the DNA of all modern humans outside of Africa containing between 1.5 and 2.1 percent DNA of Neanderthal origin. The Neanderthal marker is present in Australia’s First Nations people. Numerous DNA analyses support the idea that Australia’s First Nations people were part of an early wave of human expansion out of Africa, before the subsequent wave that established Europeans and Asians. Australia’s Aboriginal people are the planet’s most ancient non-African people. Many archaeological sites across Australia show occupation from at least 50,000 years and some amazing examples of ancient rock art. The remains of "Mungo Lady" and "Mungo Man" have been dated to around 42,000 years. The Wallace line is an imaginary divider used to mark the difference between animal species found in Australia and Papua New Guinea and those of Southeast Asia. South and east of the Wallace line marsupials and monotremes dominate, whereas placental mammals such as apes, tigers, elephants, monkeys, and rhinoceroses dominate north and west of it.
About June Phillips
I was raised on a sheep and cattle property near the town of Dalby on the Darling Downs. I studied Arts and Law at the University of Queensland, was admitted to the Queensland bar on 16 December 1976 and practised at the private bar for several years. In 1981/82 I took my two sons to London while I completed a Master’s degree in law at the University College London. I lectured in law at the Queensland Institute of Technology (now Queensland University of Technology) and then at the law school of University of Queensland for some years. In the late 80’s, I joined the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions as a prosecutor and remained with the CDPP in various roles, working at different times in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney until I retired in December 2010.
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Treaties, Politics, and Agreement making with Indigenous peoples in Australia
Presenter: David Allinson
Date: Wednesday 31 July 11am – 12.30pm (via Zoom)
In this seminar you will gain key insights into the history, and current situation, of treaty-making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This seminar will explore some of the key historical moments since settlement, as well as providing an update on the current state of the Path to Treaty legislation in Queensland, which is expected to be an issue at the upcoming election. No prior knowledge is assumed, and all questions are welcome.
About David Allinson
David Allinson in an Australian lawyer, academic, and corporate affairs professional. He has led national and state-wide Reconciliation activities, including as Chair of Reconciliation Queensland. As CEO of Uphold and Recognise, he contributed to the Uluru Statement From the Heart, which generated the national conversation around the ‘Indigenous Voice to Parliament’. He has advised various non-profit boards on Indigenous matters in governance and strategy. The best job he’s ever had was working for an Aboriginal corporate in Kununurra, in remote Western Australia. He now lives in Brisbane with his wife and daughter, Dorothy (Dottie).
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Current Classes
Class Schedule for Term 3 2024 is now active and enrolments are open. Term 3 commenced on Monday 8 July.
To join a new class, enrol through the Class Search page by clicking on the Enrol button, or contact the tutor directly. If you book online you may assume your enrolment is accepted unless the tutor advises otherwise.
You can use the Member Dashboard to view your class enrolment status.
2024 Term dates:
Term | From | To | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Mon 22-Jan | Thu 28-Mar | 10 |
2 | Mon 15-Apr | Fri 21-Jun | 10 |
3 | Mon 8-Jul | Fri 13-Sep | 10 |
4 | Mon 30-Sep | Fri 6-Dec | 10 |
Exhibition Holiday Brisbane: Wednesday 14 August
Exhibition Holiday Logan: Monday 12 August
Artificial Intelligence
![AI brain](/images/aboutai.webp)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here, and anyone can use it. In order to assist U3A members in understanding AI, we have developed a resource to provide practical information on using the various AI tools publicly available, and to outline some of the thorny social issues AI presents:
The technology has advanced more quickly than expected, and has the potential to reshape our world. This resource page is offered primarily to provide information about the numerous ways in which AI can currently be used. In the longer term, there are philosophical and even existential considerations, but the more we know about practical AI, the better we will be equipped to understand the deeper issues for humanity.
We are running various presentations on AI as part of this educational process. Tutors and Members are encouraged to explore the creative opportunities of AI.
Our Class Types
![Online classes](/images/online_classes2.webp)
We currently have over 175 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 33 Online Classes using Zoom videoconferencing. Congratulations to both tutors and members who have embraced the new learning opportunities.
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.
![ACNC Registered Charity ACNC Registered Charity](/images/acnctick2.webp)