The Port Fairy U3A branch was launched this month with a celebration at the town’s community house.
More than 60 people attended the event which included an address by Moyne Shire mayor Mick Wolfe who congratulated the committee in establishing the branch.
Cr Wolfe presented U3A president Kate Donelan with a young olive tree which symbolises peace and friendship and will be planted in the Port Fairy Community House grounds.
He said University of the Third Age (U3A) aligned with the Moyne Shire’s commitment to promoting positive ageing in the community.
Dr Donelan said the idea for a U3A in the town originated from a study conducted by the Port Fairy Community House in 2016.
She said the study identified a gap in the adult education programs offered in and around Port Fairy. It found a large number of retired and semi-retired people were seeking opportunities to continue to learn and stay mentally active and socially connected.
Dr Donelan said Port Fairy was an ideal community for a U3A to flourish. “Many of us who have moved to Port Fairy have been struck by the sense of connectedness, participation and community spirit here – qualities that are so vital to a healthy ageing population,” Dr Donelan said.
There are more than 37,000 U3A members across Victoria and Port Fairy is the 109th branch.
Dr Donelan said that as an educator she believed the best way to learn was to communicate it to others; to meet with a group of interested people to explore ideas, discoveries, understandings and questions.
She said U3A would provide exciting opportunities to participate in a range of education sessions.
These included collaborate learning and sharing of knowledge and skills through group discussions, demonstrations, lectures, forums, creative activities, conversations, problem solving, field trips and many other social and educational experiences.
Dr Donelan said as members drove the types of courses offered, she encouraged members to contribute ideas for future programs.
Classes will begin in February and members will be advised of upcoming courses. For more information or to join email u3aportfairy@gmail.com
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