Open Writing

Many of those who go on-line to read the stories in Open Writing Web magazine are members of a University of the Third Age group somewhere in the world. Those who are not may be interested to learn these groups, more commonly referred to as U3As, provide a place where retired people can acquire new skills and knowledge in a friendly non-competitive atmosphere.

The concept of establishing groups linked to local universities to provide on-going education for senior citizens was first developed in France in 1973. The idea spread to Britain where the link with universities was dropped in favour of providing community based classes with tutorage coming from within the ranks of the membership. From Britain the movement found its way to Australia, then on to New Zealand.

I belong to U3A Tawa. Tawa is the northern-most suburb of New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. It was originally known as Tawa Flat as it was first established on the floor of a valley which provided one of the few areas of flat land in the hilly Wellington area. As the population grew the houses spread to the bordering hills and its name was changed to Tawa. Today it has a population of 13,000. Being bordered on two sides by hills and Porirua City to the north, Tawa has developed an identity of its own and at one time even had its own mayor and council.

The idea of developing a U3A in the Tawa-Linden area was first mooted in 1996 by local Rotarians. A public meeting was held and Tawa-Linden University of the Third Age was born. By 1998 a constitution was prepared and the group became an incorporated society. In its infancy there were 55 financial members who were offered a choice of nine courses. The present membership is 475, making it one of the largest in the country. About three quarters of the members are local residents with the remainder being scattered over Greater Wellington. Despite never advertising for members or running recruiting drives the membership continues to grow.

Early in 2006 Tawa-Linden University of the Third Age received advice from the Registrar of Incorporated Societies that it was committing an offence under the Education Act by using the term “university” as this term was reserved for properly established universities. The group was therefore required to change its name.

The Tawa-Linden University of the Third Age argued that it used the word ‘university’ in its original sense of being ‘a place of learning’. This was not however accepted and at a special general meeting in June approval was given to change the name to U3A Tawa Inc.

For an annual subscription of $10 a year members are able to select from over 40 courses every six months, with a dozen or so new subjects offered each time. Although some of the courses, such as botany, English literature and sociology, could be labeled academic others, like quilting, ramblers and music nostalgia are merely hobby groups. There is also a theatre and a dining group which are purely social.

U3A Tawa is very aware that if older people want to continue to participate in society they need to keep abreast of new technology, so courses such as basic computing, the use of cell phones and texting and digital photography are now offered to members.

To encourage a more social atmosphere, preference is given to holding courses in private homes. If a course is particularly popular and a larger venue is required the committee member responsible for finding venues arranges an appropriate sized meeting place. Happily there are many community facilities in Tawa available for hire. Members donate a dollar a session to towards the hire of the hall.

U3A Tawa is administered by a committee of eight. Each person is responsible for a task, such as secretary, treasurer, arranging venues, collecting subscriptions and maintaining a membership list, the compilation of three or four annual newsletters containing items of interest to members, the distribution of equipment and the monthly e-mail newsletter for those connected to the internet.
A sub-committee is responsible for coming up with ideas for courses and finding tutors who are willing to give their time free of charge.

Although the bulk of ideas come from the sub-committee itself, many come from within the membership. The courses committee is also responsible for compiling a booklet outlining the courses on offer. This is issued to every financial member prior to each of the bi-annual general membership meetings held in January and June. At these meetings members have the opportunity of listening to the tutors speak briefly about their course before completing their enrolment form. Courses are also listed on the website www.tawalink.wellington.net.nz

Through the effort of the committee members, tutors, course conveners and others who have given freely of their time and energy over the past decade, U3A Tawa has provided senior residents of the Tawa community with a vehicle to receive the mental and social stimulation they once got from being in the workforce.

Such is the community spirit of the citizens of the area there is no doubt U3A Tawa will continue to grow from strength to strength.

Happy Birthday U3A Tawa!