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We use the term University in the medieval sense of a community of like-minded scholars, pursuing shared interests under the guidance of a ‘tutor‘ who may well be students themselves. Subjects can be academic, general interest, or hobbies. In case you were wondering, there are no exams and no homework. Just the joy of learning. The Third Age refers to the life period of active retirement. This is a time of creativity and learning for older people. It follows the first age of childhood and formal education and the second age of working life. There is no entry requirement for membership of U3A and no distinction in status between tutors and students. Most tutors come from within the membership. They tap great reservoirs of learning and experience amongst members who, by tutoring classes, pass on their knowledge for the benefit of all. In addition to the educational aspects, U3A provides the platform for comprehensive physical and social programs. Activities include exercise classes, choir, band, archery, theatre, and bus trips. Being in your third age is the only criterion needed to become a member. No educational qualifications are required. There is no restriction on age or residential address. All the leaders and committee people give their time to their U3As voluntarily. Being a mutual self-help organization, the costs of running U3A are kept very low. U3A Pine Rivers Inc. will take reasonable technical and organizational precautions to prevent the loss, misuse, or alteration of your personal information. U3A Pine Rivers Inc. will store all the personal information you provide on its secure servers. Information relating to electronic payment transactions entered via this website will be protected by encryption technology. In addition to the disclosures reasonably necessary for the purposes identified elsewhere above, U3A Pine Rivers Inc. may disclose your personal information to the extent that it is required to do so by law, in connection with any legal proceedings or prospective legal proceedings, and to establish, exercise or defend its legal rights. View full university

The U3A movement is a unique and exciting organization that provides, through its U3As, life-enhancing and life-changing opportunities. Retired and semi-retired people come together and learn together, not for qualifications but for its reward: the sheer joy of discovery! Members share their skills and life experiences: the learners teach, and the teachers learn, and there is no distinction between them. The U3A movement is a volunteer organization providing educational, creative, and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment for the community's retired and semi-retired members. U3A Network Victoria is the peak body for 100+ Member U3As representing around 37,000 members. U3A Network Victoria is operated by its elected volunteer Committee, several subcommittees, workgroups, and paid officers. A quarterly meeting is held with a Council of Delegates, representing each Member U3A. Network representatives may be contacted through the Network Office. Victoria's 100+ U3As are grouped in geographical regions to facilitate communication and strengthen U3As by sharing local information about marketing, tutors, administrative procedures, potential partners, and many other matters. The aims of the Region's structure within Victoria include providing a communications channel for regions to give information and influence U3A Network. This also provides support when approaching Local Government Areas. Most Regions meet twice yearly at an agreed venue within the Region. Often these meetings will include a workshop on an area of interest or need. The Regions movement is supported and guided by the Network Development and Support Officer. A Regional Representative is elected by the group to attend the Region's meeting attached to Network Council meetings held four times a year. View full university

Are you aged 50+ and are retired or semi-retired from the workforce? Want to keep your brain – and body – active and develop new social networks? Want to share your skills and experience with others? Then come and join U3A Melbourne City, located in vibrant Flinders Lane in Melbourne CBD's heart. Our volunteer tutors and course leaders offer an extensive course program, and there is bound to be something that sparks your interest. There are no academic prerequisites or entrance requirements other than a passion for and interest in learning and, wherever possible, sharing your knowledge and skills. There are no examinations or tests, and no awards are granted. U3A Melbourne City is self-help, voluntary, not-for-profit organization and part of the worldwide network of Universities of the Third Age (U3A). U3A Melbourne City. It is the oldest university of the Third Age in Australia, established as a result of a public meeting in July 1984. We are an incorporated association, currently with approximately1500 members. Although members travel in from many suburbs and some from outlying districts, we are located in the Melbourne CBD. In keeping with the U3A ethos, we are a self-funded, voluntary organization formed to provide learning opportunities to members aged 50 plus who are retired or not working full-time. Our courses cover a wide range of stimulating subjects. Details can be found on the MyU3A page and also in the current issue of our newsletter City News - which also advertises social activities and other items of interest. A critical feature of all U3As is the self-determination and self-help principle. A committee of management is elected annually from the membership, and volunteers carry out all administration and tutoring. There is an expectation that every member will, at some time, contribute to the extent that they are able. You do not have to be a tutor and do all the teaching yourself to run a group. And you do not necessarily have to have a background in teaching or lecturing or be an expert in the field! If you are passionate about or have a strong interest in a particular subject – an interest you think others might share - perhaps you might consider convening your particular interest group. One way in which we can help get a particular interest group up and running is by using course materials from U3A Online. U3A Melbourne City has recently become a member. This means that, for a small cost, we can download course materials that a group can work through together, face-to-face, at their own pace. There are about 55 independent study courses (and course materials) to choose from. View full university