U3A is the University of the Third Age, which is the age of active retirement, coming after the age of working life 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 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.
How to 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. Most classes are held weekly for the 10 weeks in a Term, with 4 terms per year based on Qld school terms. For more information see our How to Join page.
Current Classes
Class Schedule for Term 3 2025 is now active and enrolments are open. Term 2 has finished and Term 3 commences on Monday 14 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.
If you were enrolled in a Term 2 class that you wish to continue attending in Term 3, you can use the Member Dashboard to re-enrol.
2025 Term dates:
| Term | From | To | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tue 28-Jan | Fri 4-Apr | 10 |
| 2 | Tue 22-Apr | Fri 27-Jun | 10 |
| 3 | Mon 14-Jul | Fri 19-Sep | 10 |
| 4 | Tue 7-Oct | Fri 12-Dec | 10 |
Exhibition Holiday Brisbane: Wednesday 13 August
Exhibition Holiday Logan: Monday 11 August
Upcoming Special Presentations
Workshop: How the Built Environment Shapes Our Living Experience
Presenter: QUT-ACU Ageing Research Team
Venue: City Campus, 97 Creek St.
This is our first joint workshop with QUT.
Every day, we move through places that quietly shape how we live - where we walk, sit, meet others, or simply feel at ease. It might be a shaded bench, a wide footpath, a friendly park, or a bus stop that’s just not too far away. These small environmental elements can make a big difference to how enjoyable, safe, and connected our daily routines feel.
This workshop is an opportunity to reflect on those everyday places—and to have your voice heard. A team of researchers from QUT and ACU is running a friendly, interactive workshop to better understand how people experience the spaces around them. You’ll come away with a fresh lens on everyday places — why some work well, and others don’t — and how researchers and designers are trying to improve them.
What works well? What gets in the way? What makes a place feel comfortable or frustrating?
There are no wrong answers— just your experience.
The presenters are a QUT–ACU Interdisciplinary Ageing Research Team which brings together experts in the built environment, ageing studies, engineering, law and communication. The team works with older adults as partners — not just participants — to ensure that research outcomes are grounded in everyday experience and can lead to meaningful social change.
This is a free session. Light refreshments will be provided.
Current Bookings: 12 (Maximum: 12)
Members on Waiting List: 6. If you register you will be added to the Waiting List.
Register for this Event
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Vodka in a Vegemite Jar
Presenter: Trevor Hamley
Venue: City Campus, 232 Adelaide St.
In 1983, Trevor Hamley embarked on a 3,000km Soviet Antarctic return over-snow traverse from Mirny to Dome C. In his memoir, Trevor reveals how fate and a touch of destiny propelled him towards this unique experience, including a visit to Vostok- the coldest place on Earth.
At every turn, the Dome C traverse was beset by adversity yet achieved its scientific objectives. Mechanical and scientific equipment succumbed to the harsh Antarctic conditions, where temperatures plunged to minus sixty degrees centigrade. An appendectomy was performed 1,000km from the safety of a permanent station, an unprecedented feat in the annals of Antarctic expeditions. Each leg of the journey became an exhilarating episode. But the narrative does not merely recount the logistical aspects of the traverse; it delves into the intricacies of glaciology and the profound issue of our time: climate change.
In Vodka in a Vegemite Jar, Trevor skilfully intertwines the thrill of exploration with challenging human experiences. He tells us about an extraordinary opportunity and cross-cultural friendship.
Author Biography
Trevor Hamley is the author of Vodka in a Vegemite Jar – an Australian on a Soviet Antarctic Expedition. After finishing a degree in Civil Engineering at Monash University, Trevor joined the Australian Antarctic Division as a Glaciologist - to winter at Casey in 1978. He then commenced a career in engineering construction before re-joining the Antarctic Division to participate in a Soviet Antarctic Expedition in 1983/84. Trevor completed a Master of Science degree in Glaciology at Melbourne University in 1987. He is a life-long enthusiast of outdoor activities and lives in Brisbane with his wife Kerry-Lynne with whom he has two sons and three grandchildren.
Current Bookings: 42 (Maximum: 50)
Register for this Event
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.
