The 2017 Network Victoria Conference ‘Communities Learning Together’, held recently at the Rendezvous Hotel in Melbourne, featured high quality presentations on ‘U3A and the Community’ (Day 1 - September 4) and ‘The Power of Your Community’ (Day 2 - September 5) .  
In planning the conference, convenor Elsie Mutton had clearly asked people she had been impressed in her role as Network Victoria’s President to speak. 

​Presenters spoke tellingly about the power of the community and of community partnerships; the need to have excellent relationships with local councils; the benefits of seeking upgraded shared accommodation and of working with competitors; the benefits and strategies of drawing upon ABS statistics in advocating for our U3A’s, and strategies for improved promotion/marketing of U3A  in our community. 

Many of the themes resonated with U3A Benalla’s experiences over the past year in working with the council to achieve upgraded shared accommodation at the Benalla Senior Citizens Community Centre.  

While the 2017 Network Victoria conference did not incorporate coverage of program and practice issues so valued two years ago, it was definitely thought provoking in terms of reflecting on the ‘big picture’ and well worth attending.

​Bev Lee