Learning is for life
THE study environment advocated by well-known educator Freda Whitlam is thriving in its 28th year and showing no signs of slowing down.
The Dubbo chapter of the University of the Third Age is proof that it’s never too late for learning. Just ask its members whose mission is to quench their lifelong thirst for knowledge. The local group boasts an incredible 400 members and a huge array of subject material, making it one of the biggest chapters in the state.
Dubbo U3A president Nola Younghusband said the worldwide movement had its beginnings in France and came to the local area in 1991 with the aim of providing further education for mature age students. The group is volunteer-driven and classes are determined by a committee when there is sufficient interest.
“We hope to keep abreast of new things, we have over 30 courses. It’s for your own enjoyment and information,” she explained.
“There are no exams, no qualifications. It’s an informal lecture and there’s a lot of interaction.
“Most class sizes have between 12 and 20 participants, but there can be up to 50,” she told Dubbo Photo News.
Topic areas include calligraphy, English literature and endangered species, to name a few.
“We study everything from Australian and military history and art history to exercise and tai chi, along with recorder and ukulele classes.”
As a retired secondary teacher, Ms Younghusband loves the concept of lifelong learning. She currently teaches painting, art history and printmaking and intends to add botany to her teaching credentials in 2019.
“Once you are a teacher, you always teach,” she laughed, after 12 years in the role.
But her tone becomes more earnest when she talks about the overwhelming benefits of belonging to U3A – including social interaction and keeping your mind active.
“People benefit greatly from coming to our classes where they can be socially interactive, it mitigates isolation.
“Lifelong learning is a very important part of keeping your awareness and your ability to absorb things,” Ms Younghusband said. “General learning is good for everybody.
“It’s a social thing, the love of learning, the desire to keep our minds turning over.”
The Dubbo U3A chapter is funded through government grants and support from Dubbo Regional Council. It has a quarterly newsletter which includes a timetable of classes and for a $20 joining fee, participants can attend as many as they like.
The 2019 open and enrolment days will be held between 10am and 12pm on February 1 and 4 at the Community Arts Centre, Western Plains Cultural Centre. For more information, call Nola Younghusband on 6884 5127.