=== GOLDEN BAY U3A ===
(University of the Third Age)

What is U3A?

U3A (The University of the Third Age) is a voluntary organisation where retired people from many different backgrounds meet with others to learn and share knowledge and skills. It originated in France over a decade ago, and was set up in the style of the medieval universities where communities sought greater knowledge through interactive learning, hence the term University of the Third Age. The concept has spread widely through the Western world.

As an organisation, it is loose and informal. Each U3A is an independent body, but there are shared characteristics. Courses take place in daylight hours. Learning topics, and the style of presentation, are selected by the group. Facilitators are frequently members of the group, but outside experts may be invited to contribute. The atmosphere for learning is friendly and informal. There is no compulsion and NO examinations!

U3A is a non-profit organisation. The group decides on a small annual fee for membership, and course costs are kept to a minimum. The Golden Bay U3A was formed early in 2005, and is still evolving.

* Musicals and Light Opera * with Ann Lewis (convenor)

* Opera * with Dick Wenzel

* Jazz * with Alan Swafford

* Geology * with Penny Griffith (convenor)

* NZ's Small World * with Jenny Treloar (convenor)

* Bird Watchers * with Robby Robilliard (convenor)

* Climate Change Group * with Peter Foster (convenor)

* Play Reading * with Judith Richards (convenor)

* Comparative Religions * with John Weston (convenor)

* Bach * with Charles Naylor

* Papermaking * with Adrian Maloney

* Criminal Justice and Human Rights * with John Lee

* The Historical Jesus * with Charles Naylor

* Botany of the Bay * with Geoff Rennison

* Conversational French * with Jim Mackie

* The Artist at Work * with Margaret Maloney and Colin Coke

* Astronomy with Dr Harry Naylor *

* Art - Figuratively Speaking *, with Margaret Maloney and Colin Coke

* Music Appreciation * with Ruth Field

* Comparative Religions * with Charles Naylor

* Fibonacci Series * with Adrian Maloney

* Geology * with Geoff Rennison

* Botany of the Bay * with Geoff Rennison


If you have ideas for new groups and courses or would be willing to convene a group, please let a member of the Committee know.

We usually have a guest speaker at our AGMs and Quarterly Meetings.  In addition, we sometimes invite a special speaker to speak to us on a current topic.  Examples:

Arthur Clarence - Policing in Golden Bay

Lloyd Geering (Special guest) - The Greening of Christianity, Gaia God and Us

Robby Robilliard - Camino de Santiago (her 40-day pilgrimage across northern Spain)

Use GOOGLE to search for the text "U3A" and you'll get lots of interesting stuff!