Bribie University of the Third Age (U3A) has successfully completed Term 1 2021, after being closed down for virtually all of last year.
The difficult but decisive shut down decision by the Committee was a challenge for the 2000 senior students (actually 1989) that enjoy 160 different classes each week.
However, with all the challenges of a required Covid-19 plan sorted out, enrolment and resumption of the 166 classes was achieved for Term 1 of this new year.
There is now a new “Normal” requiring limited class numbers, class sizes, start and finish spacing, and separate entry and exit.
All students have cooperated totally with all the requirements, and U3A is now back to conducting 166 different classes again, with some additional external venues, and slightly reduced numbers.
President Greg Sibthorpe, Chris Clark and the Programme Coordinators, and all the Committee must be congratulated for maintaining communication throughout the shut down, and the effective start up under demanding conditions.
At the recent Annual General Meeting Greg Sibthorpe stepped down after two years as Vice President and five as President, during which time U3A has undergone significant changes. Systems for Administration, Programming, Enrolment and Communication have all been substantially improved, and will continue to do so, with many processes eventually being on-line.
The new President is Maree MOSSLAR, who was Secretary, and Jennifer Falknau joining the Committee in that important position. Most Committee roles will continue to be performed by the same people, but Kaye Keene replaces Ailsa Gaffey as Reception Coordinator, and Greg Sibthorpe takes over Technology Coordination from Roger Platt. Margaret Spooner and Juri Linins continue as Vice Presidents, Chris Clark continues as Program Coordinator with Robyn Connolly and Rose Barnes, with Ian Corin as Treasurer with assistant Shona Shergold. Facilities are looked after by Barrie Boodle, Functions by Judi Irvine and Publicity by Barry Clark.
Bribie Island U3A is recognised as one of the most successful of the 35 U3A’s in Queensland, and in recent years has sponsored the launch of new U3A operations at Caboolture and Beachmere.
Term 2 will resume after the Easter holiday on Monday 19th April and continue until Friday 25 June.