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Origin of the Universities of the Third Age

The concept of U3A was developed in Toulouse in 1972, to bring older people into contact with academic programmes at the University. It spread rapidly through France and throughout Europe. Many universities either arranged for older people to participate in existing academic programmes or established new programmes specifically designed for Third Age students.

The first British U3A was established in 1982 at Cambridge. In contrast with the French experience, where U3A have a close association with traditional universities, as providers of educational programmes, the British U3A have developed only outreach links with the universities.

Instead, they have embraced principles of self-help and self-determination, structuring programmes and courses to meet the wishes of members and drawing on resources available within the membership as far as possible. These same principles have been adopted by U3A in Australia.

Development in Australia

In July 1984, a public meeting was arranged in Melbourne to gauge public interest in U3A. As a result the first U3A was established in Melbourne City, followed by another in Hawthorn and the first courses were offered at the beginning of 1985. During that year two other U3A, one at Monash and one at Ringwood, were inaugurated. There are now some 98 U3As in Victoria with some 18,000 members and more than 232 Australia-wide with a total national membership exceeding 45,000.

Whilst there are common objectives shared by all U3A, there are also broad differences of interest patterns, structure and organization, determined by the particular needs of each U3A and the resources available locally to meet those needs.

In the Latrobe Valley

In the Latrobe Valley, U3A has been going since 1988.  In 2011 our membership was around 210. With most of our classes held at  i-GAIN Quality Learning down the end of Commercial Road Morwell.  In 2012 most classes will be held in our new home in TAFE College grounds with one art class the Latrobe City Band Hall on the Morwell Town Common in Elgin Street Morwell.