What is U3A?

In New South Wales, U3A stands for University of the Third Age. Despite the name, it is not a university in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a community-based organisation that provides opportunities for lifelong learning, social connection, and personal development for people who are generally retired or approaching retirement.

The "Third Age" refers to the stage of life after full-time work and family-raising responsibilities, when people have more time to pursue new interests, hobbies, and learning.

U3A groups in NSW are typically:

• Volunteer-run and not-for-profit.

• Led by members, who often teach classes based on their own skills and experience.

• Open to adults who are retired or semi-retired (the exact membership rules vary by group).

• Focused on learning for enjoyment rather than formal qualifications.

Activities vary from one U3A to another but often include:

• Languages

• History and current affairs

• Art and craft

• Computers and technology

• Book clubs

• Music and singing

• Walking groups

• Exercise classes such as tai chi or yoga

• Photography

• Gardening

• Card and board games

There are more than 90 U3A groups across NSW, coordinated through U3A Network NSW. Each local group, such as U3A Inverell, develops its own program of classes and activities to suit its members and community.

The guiding principle of U3A is often described as "those who teach shall also learn, and those who learn shall also teach", reflecting its emphasis on members sharing their knowledge and experience with one another.