U3A Network NSW Inc.

Supporting our Members for over 30 years

Welcome to our website

We trust it will assist those who are:
  • from an affiliated U3A group,
  • current or prospective members of a U3A group,
  • wishing to locate a U3A group, or
  • simply inquisitive.

12 August, 2023

Message to U3A Network Members

As the year has progressed, I’m pleased that Covid-19 has somewhat diminished allowing two important events to occur.  I refer to the State Conference – again I thank all who were involved in organising the event in Deniliquin and those, who were speakers at the sessions. View the 2023 Conference page.

The second ‘event’ was your Network’s 2023 AGM. Your Committee chose to hold it using Zoom as in 2022 to allow a greater number of Member U3As to participate. More U3As participated than when the AGM was bracketed to the State Conference. Again thank you for your contribution and participation. In 2023/4 we have a much more representative committee with only one region not represented. Regional Representatives are the communication conduit between U3A Members and your Network. As a “bottom up” organisation, communicating your requirements to the Network is essential for it to try to satisfy your needs.

It is now August and your Committee is turning its attention to the needs of Member U3As in 2024.  The Annual Census is already being planned and we have reported by means of U3A News (formerly Newslink) that OneMusic has changed the fee structure for their ‘licenced’ service. This means savings for most U3A Members. Click to view U3A News (page 1).

If your region has not held a Regional Conference recently, Regional Representatives are planning them for September to ensure U3A Members contact details are obtained prior to the Census commencement in October.

The State Conference-2024 is planned for 8th and 9th April, 2024. Please add these dates to your diary. The planning of the program has already begun and the Conference will be both fulfilling and enjoyable. Thank you, Eastlakes U3A for offering to host this important event. It will be held at Belmont on the shores of scenic Lake Macquarie, close to the Hunter Valley. Both locations have plenty to offer participants attending the Conference. Again, for information, click this link to view U3A News (page 7).

U3AAA, the Australian alliance, has recently been incorporated as U3A Australia Ltd. This development will give U3A Members a Federal Government advocacy opportunity. As U3A Australia commences to provide benefits for NSW U3A Members, your RR will keep you informed.

Finally, three different sized U3As have commenced the free trial of the “Member Wizard” Data & Course Management & Accounting system. When the three months’ trials are finished we will certainly let you know the results. So far the feedback is promising. You can learn more about this U3A Queensland initiative at the Member Wizard website.

Denis Simond
President
U3A Network Inc.
Email: u3answ.pres@gmail.com

About the Network

The U3A Network NSW Inc consists of over 60 autonomous U3As throughout NSW and several more groups from interstate, who are dedicated to providing life-long learning opportunities for their members in their 'third age', “The Age of Retirement”. Retirees, using the skills and interests gained during their working years either participate and/or present for the sheer pleasure of affordable “learning for fun”, engaging in physical activities and the resultant social benefits from meeting like-minded people.

The primary object of the U3A Network NSW Inc. is to assist the U3A Network Members by providing advice and relevant services to them and to encourage their involvement in the wider community, while recognising their autonomy.

Through Regional Representatives, U3A Network NSW encourages and facilitates cooperation and networking between Member U3As and shares experiences and benefits for all affiliated members.

By participating with other Australian State Networks, the NSW Network keeps in touch with Australia-wide U3A developments to ensure that Members of U3A Network NSW are made aware of initiatives that can benefit them.