Welcome to Shellharbour City U3A
U3A (University of the Third Age) is a volunteer not for profit based organisation involved in the sharing of knowledge, skills and interests of mainly retired members of the community while promoting the many benefits of life long learning.
Learn, Laugh, Live
We have had some interesting speakers this term ...
Our speakers for Tuesday 25th were Anne Lawler from Legacy and one of our members Jacqui Price
Jacqui gave us a great overview of her and husband David's involvement with The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) long-running event Goodwill Hunting. The event was held annually to help cash-strapped university students moving out of home for the first time and setting up new accommodation. Students could pick from thousands of donated household items for free.
For ten years UOW staff and community members come together to donate goods in huge quantities to support the worthy cause.
While it is hard to estimate the total value of the donated items due to the enormous amount of donations received, it is estimated that the total value of time invested by volunteers is close to $100,000. The community and staff supported event started 10 years ago but unfortunately it was discontinued after 2022.
Anne Lawler is the current President for Wollongong and South Coast branch of Legacy and gave us an interesting talk about her ongoing work with Legacy. She was assisted by Robyn Campbell. The Legacy Club of Wollongong & South Coast is dedicated to caring for the families of Veterans’ who have lost their life or health in service to our country.
Legacy is a voluntary organisation supported by veterans, servicemen and women, and volunteers drawn from all walks of life. Established in 1947, and extending from Helensburgh in the North to Bega in the South, the Club is comprised of 5 Groups located at Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay/Milton-Ulladulla, Narooma and Bega Valley.
Historically, Legatees were returned servicemen. Today, Legacy welcomes membership enquiries from people from all walks of life. There are currently approximately 3100 Legatees throughout Australia, some having served Legacy for more than 50 years.
The U3A members and committee presented Anne with a donation of $500 for Legacy following her presentation.
Mark Burns came along on the 4th August and told us about the Man Walk that he first instigated in Kiama. Strengthening communities is one of the three core values of The Man Walk fostering connection, conversation, and support across 50+ communities nationwide.
He described it as a platform to share experiences and advice and a place to connect beyond just your local walk. A place to tap into a broader network of like-minded men, and contribute to a supportive, growing community.
Linda Sattlecker followed Mark and gave us a demonstration of one of our new courses - Chair Yoga. She involved the audience in the session which left us all going home in a calmer state after a session of Crystal Singing Bowls Chakra Meditation which is used as a method for sound healing.
The next week on the 18th of August , a very interesting presentation was given by Peter Eales - an Introduction to AI for Seniors. It certainly opened our eyes to the use of AI in today's world.
The second half of the afternoons program consisted of a number of interesting stories presented by members of the Life Writing Group. With poems to stories about their ancestry and life events we were greatly entertained by members of this group and we look forward to the next installment.
A very important meeting held on 11th of August was our Annual General Meeting.
The Committee for 2026-27 are:
President Virginia Castray, Vice President John Croll, Secretary Mary Flynn, Asst. Secretary Julie Drysdale, Treasurer Brian Castray, Asst. Treasurer Kathleen Taylor, Talks Co-ordinator Sue Moran, Social Co-ordinator Kim Lynch, Course Co-ordinator Joanne Griffiths, Public Officer Brian Castray, Newsletter Co-ordinator Brian Castray, Communications Team and Website Co-Ordinators Stephanie McCarron and Clare Farrell, Membership/Data Entry Co-ordinator Clare Farrell, Health & Safety Co-ordinator Kristine Hughes and Welfare Officer Jacqui Price
We welcome Virginia as our incoming President and two new members to the committee ... Kathleen Taylor and Jacqui Price
We began the term with a Christmas in July Luncheon on the 28th July...
What a lovely day was had by one and all at this function at Oak Flats Bowling Club.
There was a nice surprise for those members who's lucky door ticket was drawn out to receive a prize of $30 each! Congratulations to ... Gordon, Zoe, Clare, Dirk, Darryl, Jane, Lyn, Pam, Heather and Annette.
An early Christmas gift.
A significant birthday for Joan Fell - 90 years young. She just happens to share the day with President, Kevin Fuller.
Happy birthday to you both.
Waiting in anticipation for their delicious Christmas lunch ...
Here are some of the Christmas fairies...
