ABOUT US

The U3A concept was first developed in France in 1973 and later spread to the UK and then more widely internationally. While initially the movement had extramural links to universities, this is no longer the case, hence the abbreviation of the name to U3A. The movement’s aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community—those in their third 'age' of life. Each U3A group is a stand-alone organisation, with only loose connection to other such groups either locally or nationally.

There is no universally accepted model for U3A groups, but two main types exist:

Those that hold regular lecture series on a topic, with invited external lecturers
Those that draw on the knowledge and experience of the group’s members to study particular topics over time, in study groups.

The Upper Clutha U3A Incorporated (abbreviated to UC U3A) was established in 2005 by Alison Brown of Hawea, who had previous experience with U3A in Dunedin, and formed an establishment group from interested Upper Clutha residents. The current organisational structure was established in 2006 and incorporated in 2022, and follows the first model above, holding regular lecturer series with invited external lecturers.

The UC U3A is an incorporated society, and is registered with the NZ Charities Service as a charitable entity (registration number CC29719). The group has a large membership who pay annual subscriptions. The group has its own Rules and is managed by a committee elected from the membership at the annual AGMs.

The Upper Clutha U3A has enjoyed strong success, growing since 2005 from a small establishment group, to a current membership of 350 individuals. Venue capacity limitations have required that the membership is currently capped at 350.

The UC U3A usually holds four lecture series each year in the months of March, May, July, and October. These lecture series are held on the Friday mornings of these months. The group’s lecture series typically draw over 170 registrants to each two-hour Friday morning lecture session.

The UC U3A does not host discussion groups amongst its members.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR OUR FOUNDER ALISON BROWN

In 2022 the Executive Committee approved the awarding of Life Membership to the Society's Founder Alison Brown

After moving permanently to Hawea, Alison in 2005 set about establishing a U3A in the Upper Clutha, following on from her experiences with U3A in Dunedin.

This involved Alison in:

Placing advertisements in the local papers for a public meeting of interested individuals at her own cost
Convening the public meeting which supported her concept of establishing a U3A in the Upper Clutha
Organising helpers to stage the first meetings of the proposed Upper Clutha U3A
Organising the first lecture series for the new group in 2005 and early 2006

The initial Upper Clutha U3A lecture series Alison organised in 2005 and early 2006 were entitled:

Our Rocks: Geology of the Upper Clutha (this lecture series included a geologic field trip)
Moa, Mammals & Man: past and present flora & fauna in Central Otago
Encountering the World’s Religions

These lecture series were an immediate success and drew good audiences, confirming that an Upper Clutha U3A was viable and would enjoy strong community support.

Alison convened a General Meeting in early 2006 to elect officers and a committee and to give the fledgling society a proper structure. A set of Rules for the Society was established in mid 2006 and the UC U3A has gone from strength to strength ever since. It is now an organisation of 350 members, with a membership waiting list.

In the Society’s first committee Alison took the role of Course Organiser, and held this role for a number of years. This role involved:

Leading the Committee’s selection of lecture series topics
Arranging speakers
Preparing the brochures for each lecture series and mailing them to members
Managing the lecture attendance register
Hosting the post-lecture lunches for the speakers

Over time the course organisation role was devolved to all the Committee members, but in the early years Alison played a key role as the main Course Organiser, and the success of the UC U3A is based on the stimulating and educational topics that the Society has offered to its members.

Alison served on the Society’s Committee continuously from the establishment of the Society until she retired from the Committee at the Society’s 2018 AGM. An outstanding record of service unmatched by any other past or present Committee members.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR DIANA MECHEN

At the 2023 AGM Diana Mechen was presented with her Life Membership Certificate, honouring her service to the Society since its formation, providing the Morning Teas at each meeting.

Diana was a member of the Society's Committee when the Society was first formed and served on the Committee for a number of years. After retiring from the Committee she continued to lead the team providing morning tea to members

until early 2024, a service much appreciated by the membership.