U3A BRISBANE

University of the Third Age Brisbane


Connecting Seniors to Lifelong Learning

University of the Third Age Brisbane


Connecting Seniors to Lifelong Learning


Upcoming Special Events
Thursday 13th November 2025, 10:15am. Qld Art Gallery Tour - Under a Modern Sun - Amanda Roan (host)

Friday 14th November 2025, 9:30am. A Global Garden Journey: Exploring the Art of World Gardens - Anqi

Friday 14th November 2025, 10:15am. Qld Art Gallery Tour - Under a Modern Sun - Sheila Mackay (host)

Sunday 23rd November 2025, 10:15am. Qld Art Gallery Tour - Under a Modern Sun - Amanda Roan (host)

More Info and Bookings


Monday 10 November, Term 4 (week 6)



Click on class name to obtain more information, or to enrol.

City Campus


9:00am
N14 The Silver Screen
N14 The Silver Screen (class full)
Tutor: Jim Henry
This fourth term of 2025 will offer a strong selection of classic movies with background notes. We will commence with "Twelve Angry Men" and continue with "Dr Zhivago" (in two parts) "Volver"; "Odd Man Out"; "Jean De Florette" and "Manon Des Sources" and the Australian classic:"Gallipoli". As a special event, we will expand the term to 9 screenings - rather than the usual 8 - to end the term on 8th December with a unique movie documentary that will show you how movies are created. This is a wonderful opportunity to expand your knowledge of the Silver Screen.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 16
Monday 9:00am to 12:30pm
(full) Jim Henry (9:00am to 12:30pm)   (3+ hours)  (Adelaide St, Room 16)
E02 Current Events
E02 Current Events (class full)
Tutor: Ian Fraser
A group discussion of current events, with a general objective of improving our understanding of them. U3A students bring a wide range of knowledge and life experiences to the discussions, so come and share your knowledge and opinions with others.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 18
Monday 9:00am to 10:30am
(full) Ian Fraser (9:00am to 10:30am)  (Adelaide St, Room 18)

9:30am
F64 Canasta Card Game Variations
F64 Canasta Card Game Variations
Tutor: Alan Don
Canasta and its variations are popular social card games. This is an opportunity to polish up your playing skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Knowledge of Canasta is necessary. New members with Canasta knowledge are welcome. This is a double class so members have plenty of time to enjoy the game.
Venue: Creek St, Room 5
Monday 9:30am to 12:30pm
Alan Don (9:30am to 12:30pm)   (3 hours)  (Creek St, Room 5)
J150 Russian - Beginners Level 2
J150 Russian - Beginners Level 2
Tutor: Vera Kochnieff
This is a beginners course for people who would like to study Russian: learn to speak with correct grammar and correct pronunciation, and learn to read and translate as the course progresses.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 13
Monday 9:30am to 10:45am
Vera Kochnieff (9:30am to 10:45am)  (Adelaide St, Room 13)
B39 Medical and Health
B39 Medical and Health
Tutor: David Bartholomeusz
The facilitator is a retired medical practitioner, and each week will discuss a general medical topic (e.g. circulation, heart attack, stroke, blood pressure, common endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism etc), arthritis, osteoporosis, nervous system, dementia). Other topics can be discussed as nominated by class members. This is a general information class and individual medical advice cannot be given.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 14
Monday 9:30am to 10:45am
David Bartholomeusz (9:30am to 10:45am)  (Adelaide St, Room 14)
J24 Latin Intermediate
J24 Latin Intermediate
Tutor: Michael Dougherty
Latin may well be the most important and influential language ever spoken or written by human beings. It has been in use for some 2800 years. It was first spoken by the ancient Romans around the 8th century BCE and first written by them a few centuries later. It was then in continual use throughout Europe as a lingua franca for scholars, merchants, the clergy, and the upper classes generally, right through to the Middle Ages and beyond. Latin is also notable for having spawned the modern European Romance languages, including French, Italian, Spanish and a number of others.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 15
Monday 9:30am to 10:45am
Michael Dougherty (9:30am to 10:45am)  (Adelaide St, Room 15)

9:45am
L55 Literature in Context
L55 Literature in Context (class full)
Tutor: Margaret Hill
In 2026 we study two novels by Niall Williams: "This is Happiness', set in Faha, a village on the most western coast of Ireland, and "Time of the Child" -set in the same village four years on. Williams' prose in these mature works is unique, powerful, subtle and descriptive. It is also compassionate and at times very funny.We move on to a very different village in Jane Austen's classic, "Emma".To close the year our choice will be between Ruth Ozeki's " A Tale for the Time Being," and"Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee. All these novels deal with the question of change.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 11
Monday 9:45am to 11:15am
(full) Margaret Hill (9:45am to 11:15am)  (Adelaide St, Room 11)

11:00am
J81 Spanish Intermediate (A2)
J81 Spanish Intermediate (A2) (class full)
Tutor: Rose Murray
Participants in this class have been learning Spanish for about a year. We do use a textbook, Easy Spanish Step-by-Step, but also make use of a variety of other materials from different sources such as Youtube videos, songs and stories. We have a strong focus on speaking and striving for the correct pronunciation. We also have a strong focus on having fun and getting to know this fascinating language and its associated cultural aspects in so many corners of the world.
Venue: Creek St, Room 3
Monday 11:00am to 12:15pm
(full) Rose Murray (11:00am to 12:15pm)  (Creek St, Room 3)
Y03 Early Buddha Dhamma
Y03 Early Buddha Dhamma
Tutor: Doug Phillips
What the Buddha taught: the original teachings of Gotama before they were changed into religions. Please contact the tutor via the U3A office before enrolling.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 12
Monday 11:00am to 12:15pm
Doug Phillips (11:00am to 12:15pm)  (Adelaide St, Room 12)

11:15am
J106 French - Read a Novel (Group 1)
J106 French - Read a Novel (Group 1) (class full)
Tutor: Robert Ward
Taking turns during each class, members read original French novels and share their interpretations in English. The current novel is Nymphas noirs by Michel Bussi and was commenced on 27 October 2025.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 15
Monday 11:15am to 12:30pm
(full) Robert Ward (11:15am to 12:30pm)  (Adelaide St, Room 15)
J35 Russian - Advanced
J35 Russian - Advanced
Tutor: Vera Kochnieff
For those with a grounding in Russian grammar, featuring pronunciation, conversation, reading and translation.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 17
Monday 11:15am to 12:30pm
Vera Kochnieff (11:15am to 12:30pm)  (Adelaide St, Room 17)
H20 The History of Rome from 753BC to 1453AD
H20 The History of Rome from 753BC to 1453AD
Tutor: Patrick Johnson
The History of Rome from 753BC to 1453AD
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 18
Monday 11:15am to 12:45pm
Patrick Johnson (11:15am to 12:45pm)  (Adelaide St, Room 18)

11:30am
J64 Italian Conversation
J64 Italian Conversation (class full)
Tutor: Olga Colavitti
This is not an Italian lesson. There are no books, no formal grammar, but a class structured to give all participants an opportunity to practise the Italian they've already learnt.
Venue: Creek St, Room 4
Monday 11:30am to 12:45pm
(full) Olga Colavitti (11:30am to 12:45pm)  (Creek St, Room 4)
H45 Japan in a Nutshell - A Short Course in History and Culture
H45 Japan in a Nutshell - A Short Course in History and Culture (class full)
Tutor: Norm Boniface
In this year-long course we have covered a lot of ground and have been progressing sequentially through the various eras of Japan's history and culture. In Term 4 we will continue to deal with the cultural aspects not yet covered: such as fine, performing and martial arts. In addition we will deal with the history post-WW2: the end of the Showa Era, embracing defeat & meeting the economic, social and political challenges of the fluid 21st Century, the economic miracle and the bubble, modern international relationships and (dare we say) future predictions.
Venue: Adelaide St, Room 11
Monday 11:30am to 1:00pm
(full) Norm Boniface (11:30am to 1:00pm)  (Adelaide St, Room 11)

1:00pm
S09 Getting to know Insects, Nature's 6-legged Wonders
S09 Getting to know Insects, Nature's 6-legged Wonders (class full)
Tutor: Colleen Foelz
A basic course for the insect curious about "the little things that run the earth". It will introduce you to how insects are classified and identified with user-friendly hard copy and online resources. By knowing what species an insect is (or the group it belongs to) you can better understand their life cycle and role in nature. The course will reveal the startling diversity and complexity of insects and their life histories. Although mostly focused on commonly encountered insects there will also be examples of the weird and bizarre. The course will be a combination of theory and hands-on activities.
Venue: Creek St, Room 4
Monday 1:00pm to 2:30pm
(full) Colleen Foelz (1:00pm to 2:30pm)  (Creek St, Room 4)
F70 Cards - 500 for Beginners
F70 Cards - 500 for Beginners
Tutor: Dianne Brinkworth
Card game 500 for beginners and intermediate players, all welcome to learn. Friendly and helpful class. Please contact tutor to enrol.
Venue: Creek St, Room 5
Monday 1:00pm to 2:45pm
Dianne Brinkworth (1:00pm to 2:45pm)   (2 hours)  (Creek St, Room 5)

Zoom Classes (Online)


10:00am
J91 Chinese - Mandarin Level 3
J91 Chinese - Mandarin Level 3
Tutor: Joe Smith
This is a year-long course by Zoom for those continuing from last year, or who have studied some Chinese before. There is only one Zoom login for the whole year. Each class is recorded, so you don't have to worry about missing any. 600-word vocabulary.
Venue: Online via Zoom
Monday 10:00am to 11:30am
Joe Smith (10:00am to 11:30am)
J166 Mandarin - Advanced
J166 Mandarin - Advanced
Tutor: Fay Lee
This course is for students who have some knowledge of reading and writing in Chinese.
Venue: Online via Zoom
Monday 10:00am to 11:15am
Fay Lee (10:00am to 11:15am)

11:00am
F28 Cryptic Crosswords - Advanced
F28 Cryptic Crosswords - Advanced
Tutor: Sarah Davies
For people who enjoy words, lateral thinking and activating those little grey cells. This is a class for those who already have experience in completing cryptic crosswords, including SMH and "The Times" among others. Any potential students should contact the convenor to discuss level attained. In the class, we share, discuss and analyse the answers to clues and complete crosswords. It is essential to have an email address for clues, crosswords and answers to be sent out.
Venue: Online via Zoom
Monday 11:00am to 12:00pm
Sarah Davies (11:00am to 12:00pm)

2:00pm
J51 Latin - Level 6
J51 Latin - Level 6
Tutor: Yvonne McGann
In Term 4 we will be continuing with Book IVB of the Cambridge Latin Course. We also do other readings and grammar exercises.
Venue: Online via Zoom
Monday 2:00pm to 3:15pm
Yvonne McGann (2:00pm to 3:15pm)

2:30pm
T08 Travel Talk
T08 Travel Talk
Tutor: Graham Fuller
This friendly, relaxed class on Zoom thrives on members' discussions of their travel experiences and knowledge of independent travel and organised tours, both international and domestic. The knowledge shared assists experienced and inexperienced travellers. Volunteer class members present up to 30 minutes on a travel experience of their choice. This allows us to see places we may not have been before, or new perspectives on places we have. We also have occasional fun quizzes for light relief. This class is ideal for armchair travellers and experienced travellers alike.
Venue: Online via Zoom
Monday 2:30pm to 3:45pm
Graham Fuller (2:30pm to 3:45pm)

3:30pm
J13 Mandarin - Intermediate 1
J13 Mandarin - Intermediate 1
Tutor: Fay Lee
This course is for the students who have finished the beginners class or those who have studied Chinese for a year or more.
Venue: Online via Zoom
Monday 3:30pm to 4:45pm
Fay Lee (3:30pm to 4:45pm)

7:00pm
G01 Making a Family Tree free-ish
G01 Making a Family Tree free-ish
Tutor: Joe Smith
A year-long course. We will investigate techniques to build your family tree using your computer from your own home. Some face-to-face tutoring could possibly be arranged to get set up. We will use the biggest free family tree building website: familysearch.org, but we can also look at the paid sites if necessary. You will only need your parents' birth details, name, date and place and death details if they have passed. Having your grandparents' details will make it easier. New students encouraged to join at the start of each subsequent term: Mon 21st Apr, Mon 14th Jul, Mon 6th Oct.
Venue: Online via Zoom
Monday 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Joe Smith (7:00pm to 8:00pm)

City Precinct


9:45am
J02 Russian - Colloquial
J02 Russian - Colloquial
Tutor: Greg Hausler
If you have some (even rudimentary) knowledge of the Russian language, and wish to try out some conversation with others, you are very welcome to join our friendly informal social group. We normally have some conversation practice and also translate a simple prepared text. Phone the tutor/co-ordinator to enrol. New members most welcome.
Venue: Brisbane Square Library
Monday 9:45am to 11:00am
Greg Hausler (9:45am to 11:00am)  (Brisbane Square Library)

Logan District


9:00am
H36 History
H36 History
Tutor: Jim Ancliffe
Talks cover the broad spectrum of history.
Venue: Elements Living
Monday 9:00am to 11:00am
Jim Ancliffe (9:00am to 11:00am)   (2 hours)  (Elements Living)
B112 Tai Chi for Seniors - Intermediate
B112 Tai Chi for Seniors - Intermediate
Tutor: Mary Langler
Explore the health benefits of this ancient art in a gentle form of exercise which combines relaxation, strength, and meditation. We will continue our journey with warm-up exercises and QiGong (Chee Koong), building energy and preparing you for Tai Chi form. This class has been running for several years and is suitable for people who have already done some Tai Chi. From 9-10am, we do Shibashi Sets 1-3, 8 Brocades, Lohan, Lotus, Tai Chi 10 as well as some other breathing and stretching exercises. More advanced students continue after 10am to practise the full Tai Chi Form and Fan. This option is not available to new members.
Venue: Riverdale Park
Monday 9:00am to 11:00am
Mary Langler (9:00am to 11:00am)   (2 hours)  (Riverdale Park)

1:00pm
J49 Spring into French
J49 Spring into French (class full)
Tutor: Peter Mason
This French class uses modern day-to-day French with interaction. Content will provide fundamentals of the language plus methods of self-improvement, using free resources readily available. Whether it's resuscitating French from younger days, or just some knowledge of this language, come join in. Our meetings include current French culture, music, anime and we enjoy listening to Francophile adventures of our class members. Sometimes we meet for outside events socially, near Daisy Hill or occasionally around Springwood in parks or coffee shops.
Venue: Contact tutor for details
Monday 1:00pm to 2:30pm
(full) Peter Mason (1:00pm to 2:30pm)  (Contact tutor for details)

Southside


9:30am
F09 Mahjong for Fun
F09 Mahjong for Fun (class full)
Tutor: Gwen Ledger
We play the western way, using games from the book "The Mahjong Player's Companion" by Patricia A. Thompson and Betty Maloney. All participants will need their own copy. We do not score, we play with or without walls, and we play by a basic set of mahjong rules which are laid down clearly as house rules. At the moment we cannot accept new members.
Venue: Holland Park Library
Monday 9:30am to 12:00pm
(full) Gwen Ledger (9:30am to 12:00pm)   (2.5 hours)  (Holland Park Library)

1:00pm
J01 Italian Communication A
J01 Italian Communication A (class full)
Tutor: Kevin Mahoney
THIS IS NOT A CONVERSATION CLASS. Activities include:-1. Reading extracts from newspapers, tourist brochures, short stories etc. 2.Listening to Italian music. 3. Giving class talks - both prepared and Impromptu. .4. Some additional aspects of grammar.Class members need to have completed 2 years of Italian with Kevin or elsewhere.
Venue: The Village Coorparoo
Monday 1:00pm to 2:30pm
(full) Kevin Mahoney (1:00pm to 2:30pm)  (The Village Coorparoo)

Northside


10:00am
C07 Alternate MS Office programs
C07 Alternate MS Office programs
Tutor: Keith Catts
"Do you need MS Office? MS now use a subscription payment for this programme and the costs have increased substantially payable yearly. MS Office has many features that for the most we don't use. There are alternative programmes that are completely free and will satisfy most if not all of our needs. The two issues are - is the alternate compatible with MS Office so it and read and write files so that those files are readable; and how easy is it to transfer the know-how of using MS apps to the alternate? How much re-learning is needed?Come along and we can discuss and look at the options to change.
Venue: Chermside Library
Monday 10:00am to 11:30am
Keith Catts (10:00am to 11:30am)  (Chermside Library)

12:30pm
P08 Digital Photography - Beyond Point-and-Shoot
P08 Digital Photography - Beyond Point-and-Shoot
Tutor: Peter Hardie
Want to move beyond full auto point-and-shoot? Become a better photographer by learning your camera's creative settings and how best to use them to improve your images. Cameras must be either DSLR or mirrorless with interchangeable lenses or advanced bridge cameras with fixed lenses. Please provide camera details (make and model) when enrolling to ensure your camera is suitable. Email camera details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Cost of course: FREE. (MIN 4 students)
Venue: Grange Library
Monday 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Peter Hardie (12:30pm to 2:30pm)   (2 hours)  (Grange Library)

Wynnum


1:00pm
Y05 Philosophy Ancient and Modern
Y05 Philosophy Ancient and Modern (class full)
Tutor: David Anderson
In this class we discuss the ongoing relevance of philosophy and ideas from the ancient Greeks to the 21st century.
Venue: Wynnum Library
Monday 1:00pm to 3:00pm
(full) David Anderson (1:00pm to 3:00pm)   (2 hours)  (Wynnum Library)