Get involved with University of the 3rd Age CRU3A

Rodney Stevens

The Clarence Valley University of the 3^rd Age (CRU3A) is celebrating its 22^nd year of operation offering members of the community aged 50 plus, academic, artistic and physical education and stimulation, in a social, fun environment.

From its beginnings at a university in France in 1973, the University of the 3^rd Age U3A concept has spread throughout the world, expanding from delivering only academic learning, to include practical skills, knowledge, and experience across a wide spectrum of activities.

Since the CRU3A was established in 2001, volunteer leaders who are also members have donated thousands of hours of their time to the not-for-profit organisation, which is dedicated to life-long learning.

Active CRU3A member Anita Neville said when she moved to Yamba in 2015, she was looking to become more engaged with the community and meet people, so when she heard about U3A from Treelands Drive Community Centre staff she was excited to get involved.

“I joined four groups and met beautiful people of a similar age with similar interests, and many have become really good friends,” she said.

“I’m still doing bushwalking for exercise, book club to keep the brain alert, photography to express my creative side and musical theatre to enjoy lots of music and fun.”

Since she joined, Ms Neville said membership of the CRU3A had grown and there is still the capacity for many more people to get involved.

“We had some new members sign up last week, which took us to more than 500 members,” she said.

“We have 30 regular activities to choose from, which are held on either a monthly or a weekly basis.

“From time to time we host forums on topical events and occasionally we have social events a couple of times a year.”

Members of the CRU3A Mah Jong group, including Jan who has been a member for 22 years, always enjoy a laugh. Image: Anita Neville

The 30 CRU3A activities available are Iluka Art Group (Tuesday’s), Art on Thursday (Wooli St Hall Yamba), Art at Yamba (Catholic Church Hall, Fridays), Photography (4^th Wednesday of month), Chess Group (Thursday’s, Palm Lake Resort Roundhouse), Rummikub (Wednesday’s, Yamba), Mah Jong (Tuesday’s, Yamba), Oriental Mah Jong (Thursday’s at Maclean), Hebel Sculpting (Monday’s, Townsend), Joy of Gardening (4^th Friday, Wooloweyah Hall), Leadlighting (Wednesday’s, Townsend), Pottery (Monday, Wooli St Hall), Yamba Book Club (each 2^nd Friday of month), Book Club (3^rd Tuesday, month, Wooli St Hall), Maclean Book Club (3^rd Friday, month, Maclean Bowling Club), Men’s Shed (Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, Townsend), Let’s All Sing (Thursday’s Wooli St Hall), Scottish Country Dancing (Monday’s Wooli St Hall), Current Affairs Discussion Group (Monday’s Wooli St Hall), Discussion Group (Wednesday’s Wooloweyah Hall), Bushwalking (various times), Croquet (Tuesday and Friday Raymond Laurie Sports Centre), Pickleball (Tuesday Raymond Laurie Sports Centre), Musical Movie Nights (Tuesday’s every 6 weeks Yamba Cinema) and The Women’s Shed (Friday’s, Townsend).

“With such a great variety of activities available and a lot of new people moving to Yamba and the Clarence Valley I wanted to spread the word that the CRU3A is the best community-based organisation you can join,” Ms Neville said.

“Come along and join in the fun, you don’t know what you’re missing.”

Anyone wishing to participate in any of the CRU3A activities is advised to call the group leader for the activity time and location.

For more information about the CRU3A and details of the group leaders for each activity visit the website https://cru3a.u3anet.org.au