U3A BRISBANE
WE'VE TRANSITIONED TO REMOTE LEARNING
|
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.
SPECIAL EVENT, Monday 20th July 9.30am - AN INTERVIEW WITH TOM KENEALLY
Our U3A Redlands colleagues have kindly invited interested members of U3A Brisbane to join them in what should be a fascinating discussion. Tom Keneally will be interviewed live in a special Zoom session to be hosted by Liz Jeffs (U3A Redlands member, tutor and author of 17 Browning Street.)
If you wish to participate, please register by 9 July. You will receive joining instructions the day before the session.
Tom Keneally, Australian novelist, playwright and author of many works of fiction and non-fiction, including Schindler's Ark, The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith and Australians Volume I, II and III, will share some of his life story and tell us about his latest novel, the dickens boy. Based on the true story of the youngest son of Charles Dickens being sent to Australia at the age of sixteen to learn how 'to apply himself', it is a wonderful tale of the outback and the characters the lad encountered.
There is no fee for this event.
If you have not used Zoom before, it is quite easy. Please read our Zoom Participant page for more information.
Make a Booking
TERM 3 CLASSES
Class Schedule for Term 3 2020 is now available. Although face-to-face classes are currently suspended, please enrol in Term 3 so that you can continue to receive class information by email or participate in Online Classes if offered by the tutor. Term 3 commences on 13th July finishes on 18th September. Term 2 finishes on Friday 26th June.
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 2 class that you wish to continue attending in Term 3, you can use the Member Dashboard to re-enrol.
Search Classes and Enrol
Class Help Page Download PDF
HOW TO MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONA number of members have enquired about making a financial contribution to U3A during the period of suspension of face-to-face classes. Although U3A Brisbane is in a good financial position at present, we have substantial ongoing fixed costs which would normally be covered by class fees. We are taking various measures to minimize the impact of these costs but, given the uncertainty about how long the current situation will last, it would help if members would be willing to make a voluntary contribution. Please note that any payments you make are NOT tax-deductible, as U3As do not qualify for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. You can make a contribution to U3A Brisbane by either credit card, PayPal or bank transfer here: |
REMOTE LEARNING
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)
CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS
Updated: 26th April 2020
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.
2020 Term dates:
U3A Brisbane follows Qld. State School Term dates.
| Term | From | To | Weeks |
| 1 | 28-Jan | 3-Apr | 10 |
| 2 | 20-Apr | 26-Jun | 10 |
| 3 | 13-Jul | 18-Sep | 10 |
| 4 | 6-Oct | 11-Dec | 10 |
