Uncover a new skill or hobby with U3A Caboolture

Published 5:00am 27 August 2022

Mature aged people who are looking to learn a new hobby or skill are invited to head along to the upcoming University of the Third Age (U3A) Caboolture Showcase Day.

The Showcase Day, which will be held on Saturday, October 22, will include demonstrations and workshops by local tutors.

The event will run from 9am-1.30pm at Caboolture Memorial Hall.

President Julie Simpson says the group is the perfect avenue for people who are looking to try something different, share a hobby, or meet new people.

“For mature aged people, U3A is great for your mental health, a great way to use your brain, a great way socialise and make new friends, and have a few laughs over a cup of coffee,” Julie says.

“At U3A Caboolture, we hold 45 different classes a week, which might be yoga, exercise classes, languages, art, card games, board games, music - you name it.

“For me, I am passionate about music, so I hold a music class each month where we will listen to and talk about different pieces of music.

“There is also a lady who learnt how to make floral arrangements from her grandmother, and she now teaches other people who are interested how to do it.

“You can find out all of this, plus meet many of the members, at the upcoming Showcase Day.

“We hope to see lots of new faces coming to find out more about us.”

Origins of the U3A

“The University of the Third Age started in France almost 50 years ago and originally it was connected to a university, so the idea was that people would come to this place and share their knowledge and information with people,” Julie explains.

“However, over the years it has become less academic and more about social get togethers.

“The theory behind it is, if you have a passion, skill or knowledge that you would like to share with other people, then you put your hand up to become a tutor and see if other people want to know more.”

Moving forward after COVID

Like many other community groups, U3A Caboolture were forced to temporarily shut down their activities due to the COVID pandemic, but now the group is thriving once again.

“We were worried there might be some hesitancy from people who were scared to get back out again after all the lockdowns, so what we did was email all our tutors and ask them if they would feel comfortable in coming back to host classes if we put in all the necessary precautions,” Julie explains.

“What we found was 98 per cent of the tutors were thrilled to start up again, and our members were just as keen because many of them felt very lonely and isolated during the lockdowns.

“They wanted to go back to seeing their friends.”

History of the group

The group has more than 600 active members and will be celebrating its 10^th anniversary in December.

“The group actually stared off 11 years ago and was run under the Bribie Island banner until such a time they came an association in their own right,” Julie says.

“We have members and tutors who have been with the group since the very beginning, and they have all made very strong friendships with one another and other members in the group.

“In those 10 years, we have had more than 2000 members, and we currently have 630 active members, which is terrific.

“Our members say they find the group invaluable and lots of fun.”

Membership is $10 per year, as well as $4 per class you would like to attend.

The group host some activities at “Riverside Cottage” which is located on the corner of Short and William Streets in Caboolture.

They also host events at various locations throughout the year such as the Caboolture Memorial Hall, Grant Road Sports and Community Complex, the Caboolture Bridge Club and the Narangba Community Hall.