U3A Clarence is a cooperative learning community for retired and semi-retired people, run by volunteers on a non-profit basis. While there are no age limits, its courses attract the over 50s. It was founded in 1993 and now has about 350 members.
We have something for everyone
Get Moving!
Whether it be dancing or Tai Chi. Fluid movement can help reduce tension of the body and mind. It can also be a lot of fun too.
Painting Classes
Awaken your inner Picasso! Beginners and intermediate course on painting and sketching are available now.
Our Stories
Discover the writer within. Read and Listen to new contributions from members. Share thoughts and ideas with like minded individuals.
Science
Join us to learn more about celestial space, our bodies, mind and matter.
President’s Welcome Message
The University of the Third Age Clarence (U3AClarence) has been providing quality courses and activities for the residents of Clarence and beyond for 25 Years.
The original concept of U3A was to extend the intellectual learning life of older individuals. U3A Clarence does this and more with a varied program of lectures and other activities.
There are no defined age requirements but is usually most suitable for those 50 to 55 and older. Some of our members are over 80 and still enjoy interesting activities with like minded people in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Unlike universities for the young there are no exams and no previous knowledge of the subject matter is required. All are welcome regardless of educational level, past occupations, and backgrounds.
There no competitive components, except perhaps in Mah-jong and chess. We get together to exercise our minds and bodies at entirely our own pace, with co-operative and mutually supportive other members.
Our varied activities cover lectures and discussion groups on geography, science, history, art and issues of topical interest. For our physical wellbeing we have Tai Chi, circle dancing, yoga and line dancing. During the year we also organise social activities such as a trivia afternoon and visits to places of interest.
Rosny Library (LINC) is our meeting place which is well appointed, warm and convenient. We are run entirely by volunteer members which is why we can keep our annual subscription to $45 to cover essentials. Subscription and enrolment forms are available on other pages of this website.
Our current program is now available and is as varied as usual. I am sure there is something of interest for both our long term members and newcomers.
New members receive a warm and comfortable welcome. You may choose to simply attend the sessions you are interested in. But we hope you will join us for morning tea in Room 6 at 10.30 am.
I look forward to meeting you soon
Jocelyn Head
Honorary President U3A Clarence
President’s message Nov 2018
25 Years of Successful Learning
2018 has flown by even faster than usual. This is, in part, because we were busy planning for our 25th Anniversary Celebration. Many members contribute to our success always and this year the numbers have swollen as members supported the celebration in many varied ways.
We gratefully received a grant from the Clarence City Council Community Support Grant Scheme to offset some of the cost of publication of our booklet, In Celebration of Silver.
We have again enjoyed a varied and interesting program. Thanks to all the tutors and committee involved. We also appreciate all our members who attend and show us how much they relish our activities. I know we all gain a great deal and this makes U3A Clarence so worthwhile.
We are having our Christmas lunch on Monday 26th November at the Howrah Recreational Centre as usual and I am looking forward to that very much. Please join us for our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 20th February. The Program for term 1 2019 will be included in our next newsletter of Monday 21st January.
Now is the time to tackle Christmas. I can remember the pleasure and excitement of wrapping presents with my mother and making decorations with my brother as a child. Such fun! I must admit that I do much less shopping than I used to. Now my grandchildren are older I give them money because I cannot keep up with their fashions and interests so my presents disappoint. What little shopping I do, I do early because I can no longer face the crowded shops and the repetitive carols. Oops! I have turned into Ebenezer Scrooge!
I am looking forward to a more relaxing few weeks ahead. I have planted tomatoes and strawberries and my scarlet runner beans and pinkeye potatoes are coming up. I intend to get more time to work in the garden and nurture a bumper harvest. I am ever hopeful, despite past experience, that I will defeat the weeds, well, temporarily at least.
‘Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.’, Ovid
Best wishes of the season to all.
Jocelyn (President U3A Clarence)
Regular Bulletin
Newsletter August 2018
In this newsletter, we have another exciting program to interest us in the third term of 2018. I am perpetually grateful to the tutors, who give their time to provide us with new and continuing information and activities. I find that when I have completed a course, I...
read more
U3A News from around the State
U3A State-wide meetings are held around every 6 months and with invitations to all current U3A groups to attend. The meetings are in Campbell Town, the last on March 1st, 2017 and attended by myself and Carol Rossendel representing Clarence.
read moreOur Photo Albums
20th Anniversary Celebrations
Revisit a great occasion.
15th Anniversary Celebrations
Were you there?
Some stories from our writers
The Nobel Peace Prize
MY nominee For The NOBEL PEACE PRIZE The person, whom within MY lifetime, has done more for Peace and the preservation of good Literature in my lounge room, is the inventor of the MUTE BUTTON. Eugene Polley of the Zenith Radio Corporation is credited with creating the...
Looking Back
Looking back from 20 years in the future You are only 5 minutes late, don't get so bothered about a little delay. I can remember when people had to line up for hours just to get on one of those big cramped, noisy aeroplanes in order to go from Hobart to Sydney. Then...
Where the Wind Comes From A storey for Fia A little girl named Fia sat watching the leaves being swirled in the air by a Dust Devil when her Grandfather came and sat beside her. "you look very thoughtful, what are you thinking about?", asked the old man. "Where does...
Animals in my Garden
Hello to the Animals in my Garden I am sitting in my small secluded back garden, the air around me is redolent with the perfume of roses, the trees and shrubs sway in a light breeze. I am watching the tiny silvereye birds joyfully playing in a terracotta bird-bath...
Borders of Sleep
I have come to the borders of sleep, Yet my eyes will not close. I am wondering why. Was it what I ate tonight? I’m wondering. Or the wine that I drank; Or perhaps the heat of the day Which has continued till now. I’m wondering. Why? Is it the warmth of the body Now...
Waste, ain’t it!
“Mum, Mum, wait till you see this!” The girl was hard to see in the darkness: a vague silhouette, slithering over piles of rotting rubbish, fruit, vegetables and other unsold and out-of-date foodstuff. Behind the shopping centre a yard was enclosed by a brick wall,...