Future direction

Back from left, Vanessa, Leonie, Neil, James, Peter, Mary and Susan and front, Lynn, Kathy and Sheila at the South Gippsland Region U3A quarterly meeting. 122308 Picture: GARY SISSONS

By BRIDGET COOK

U3A groups from across the region descended on Cranbourne last month to ensure their continued success in supporting and engaging retirees in the community.
The U3A Cranbourne branch hosted the South Gippsland Region quarterly meeting on Thursday 19 June so groups could collectively discuss issues including promotion, policies and goals.
Cranbourne’s tutor co-ordinator Anne Thompson said attendees spoke about a number of topics to ensure they were all on the same page.
“Seniors Week was discussed and what each group was planning during this week, from the 6 to 10 October,” Ms Thompson said.
“Another thing coming out of the meeting was to encourage the ever increasing use of digital literacy into our older population so seniors don’t become isolated in the environment with all the technology available today.
“A lot of friendships are formed with the other groups by these quarterly meetings and lots of ideas shared.”
During Seniors Week, Cranbourne is planning ‘make and take’ classes on Friday 10 October between 10am and 4pm where older people can make a range of different things.
During the week there will also be a mini conference between 13 and 15 October held by Grampians Gathering.
There will be a small conference each day on ways to promote the Grampians and encourage visitors back to the region after the hardship of recent bushfires.
U3A groups that attended the regional meeting were from Phillip Island, Prom Coast, Bass Valley, Wonthaggi, Baw Baw and Cardinia.
There were also guest representatives from U3A Dandenong, U3A Casey and Susan Webster, from U3A Network Victoria.