The U3A movement began in France in 1973 and now extends worldwide with 214 groups and still growing, in Australia. U3A is short for ‘University of The Third Age’ but don’t be put off by the title! It reflects the classical meaning of the word – groups of people participating in shared learning. The U3A approach is informal with the emphasis on learning with enjoyment and companionship. There are no pre-requisites or exams. Bribie Island U3A embraces this philosophy, running a number of interesting and stimulating courses.
Each U3A, and Bribie Island U3A is no exception, is independent and run by volunteers with tutors willing to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and skills generally to small groups. Research has demonstrated the importance of lifelong learning and joining Bribie Island U3A can provide (at a low cost) a chance to refresh your earlier knowledge, gain new skills and meet new and interesting people: reactivate those grey cells! These groups provide social interaction, and many have developed new friends out of that interaction.
To promote the U3A movement in Queensland and foster new groups U3A Network – Queensland Inc was created in 2008 . Nineteen of the thirty Queensland U3A’s joined this group. Bribie Island U3A is a member of this group.