1. In line with U3A Network requirements it is mandatory for U3A Benalla members attending face to face U3A activities to produce evidence of being vaccinated.
2. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 either by using a RAT test or by phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.
3. An Attendance record for each class will be located on the table inside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue will be ticked off on this attendance record which contains the COVID-19 immunisation status of members. 
   
4. Persons not currently enrolled for a particular group or class or who have not had their COVID-19 immunisation status recorded, are required to give their name and produce evidence of their COVID-19 immunisation status to the Convenor who will record it on the attendance sheet. 
5. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions may choose to wear a face mask indoors.
6. It is suggested that members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions keep 1.5 metres apart at all times.
7. Outdoor groups such as Bushwalking or Bird watching do not have to wear masks, but U3A members may choose to do so.

Margaret Jenkins,
President,
​8 July 2022

Of our 360 members at present, about 215 have had their Covid-19 Vaccination status recorded as Fully Vaccinated by showing their Vaccination Certificate to their Coordinator while attending classes or activities.  That means there are about 145 members who have not had the opportunity to have their Covid-19 Immunisation status recorded on our database.

As you will be aware, it is now mandatory for U3A Benalla members attending U3A activities to produce evidence of being Covid-19 Fully Vaccinated.  Unvaccinated persons are unable to attend classes or other U3A activities.

In preparation for 2022 it would streamline the enrolment process if we could have the vaccination status of members recorded as soon as possible.  Once recorded on our database all 2022 rolls and other records will show your Covid-19 vaccination status as ‘YES’ if you are fully vaccinated.

I will be sending individual emails to those members who have not yet presented their vaccination certificates to their coordinator for recording.  It will ask you to respond to the email, with a copy of your COVID-19 digital certificate attached.  Your Covid-19 immunisation record will then be amended to ‘YES’ for all future programs.

Please send response email to len.benalla@gmail.com.

If you are one of the 17 members without email and have not presented your Covid-19 certificate to your coordinator, you could drop a copy to my home address at 108 Thomas Street Benalla and I will update your record.

If you are unable to respond, as above, you will need to show a copy of your Covid-19 certificate on enrolment day in January 2022.

Thanks for your cooperation.
​
Len Jeffers

​We are closed, then open, then closed again... then open, again!  ​

With the relaxation of restrictions in regional areas on Monday 9 August from 11.59pm, classes in the U3A Meeting Room will resume at 2pm on Tuesday 10 August with Tech Talks, while classes at the Hub will recommence with the Harmony Group on Thursday 12 August at 10am.  All relevant guidelines are to be followed.  Outdoor activities which can be run in separated groups each of 10 people (including convenor) can recommence from Wednesday 11 August.  Facemasks are mandatory indoors and outdoors.

Our Covid Plan is continuously being revised - click here to read Version 4. Remember, it is most important to sign in to all venues with the QR Code using the Services Victoria App.  A Sign in sheet is also available.  

Dorothy

1. There is a QR code at the Benalla Senior’s Centre which must be used when entering the Benalla Senior’s Centre. There will be a manual sign in sheet for those members who require it. The Convenor or a person designated by the Convenor will act as Sign in Marshall to ensure all U3A Members are signed in.      
2. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class will be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue will be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes. If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
3. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
4. Maximum group size for U3A members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions is 10, at a density of not more than 1 person per 4 square meters of floor space. Each group of 10 must stay the same and cannot change or mingle.
5. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors if this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
6. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A. Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.
7. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.  
8. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.

 
Dorothy Webber, President
30 July 2021  

Message to all U3A members
 
Due to this afternoon's lockdown announcement we are cancelling all groups and activities, other than those conducted by Zoom, for the next five days.

Hopefully this restriction does not have to be extended.

Keep safe.
 
Dorothy
President

​Thursday 15 July 2021

Please note:  Our COVID Plan has been updated and is available on the Convenors' page.

COVID Safe Plan for U3A Benalla Version 2
 

1. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions, are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
2. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to be at a density of not more than 1 person per 2 square meters of floor space.
3. Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors providing this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
4. Hand sanitizer is to be provided at the entrance to the Seniors Community Centre building, to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A.  Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the room.
5. Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla.  
6. Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class is to be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue is to be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes.
7. When entering the Seniors Community Centre Building:  There is a QR code for the building at the entrance and on the display board next to the door to the U3A Meeting Room.  If possible, please use this code, otherwise provide details on the form on the table next to the QR Code and hand sanitizer at the entrance to the building in addition to ticking the attendance record.  
8. If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
9. Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.
10. Close contact of members in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A Benalla is to be avoided in accordance with COVID restrictions. 

 
Dorothy Webber and Margaret Jenkins,  Monday  1 March  2021​

• Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions  are required to keep 1.5 meters apart at all times.
• Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to be at a density of not more than 1 person per 2 square meters of floor space.
• Members when attending U3A Benalla groups, classes or functions are required to wear a face mask when indoors providing this is currently mandated by the Victorian State Government.
• Hand sanitizer is to be provided at the entrance to the U3A Benalla room and any other venue being used by U3A Benalla. Members of U3A Benalla are requested to use the hand sanitizer when entering the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A.  
• Hand wipes will be provided for Convenors or their assistants to wipe down furniture such as chairs, tables and door handles after each class held in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A.  
• Attendance Records. An Attendance record for each class is to be located on the Table outside the U3A room or other venue being used by U3A. Every person entering the U3A room or other venue is to be ticked off on this attendance record. U3A Benalla will hold in another location the phone number and address of all members attending groups or classes.
• If a person is not currently enrolled for this particular group or class, they are to write their name and phone number legibly on the attendance sheet.
• Any member of U3A Benalla who is feeling unwell is asked not to attend a class or group to which they belong, but instead get tested for COVID 19 after phoning Benalla Health to make an appointment.
• Close contact of members in the U3A Benalla room or other venue being used by U3A is to be avoided due to COVID restrictions.   

​Dorothy Webber and Margaret Jenkins