We have received news from Benalla Rural City that solar panels and new internal and external light globes will be installed before the end of June. Our presentation to Council was very well received. We continue with our strong relationship with Council.

A Regional Workshop was held at BPACC 1 & 2 April, with 45 in attendance and around 20 staying overnight in town. These Regional meetings are a valuable time to meet and get to know the Executive and members of other U3A’s. We all share our highs and lows, with generally more highs than lows.  Great work by all who volunteer with U3a.

Thanks to all who have helped me over the past months. After a week away my husband Laurie and I are feeling nice and relaxed.

Dorothy Webber

The past year has seen Benalla U3A go from strength to strength. This time last year our membership was 275. Currently membership stands at 308 and is still growing.
 
Our classes are proving as popular as ever. The new classes running in semester one have had great start and with the dedication of our convenors, all our classes are having a successful year.

This semester is the first time we have had to close numbers for some groups as space is tight.  As numbers continue to grow our accommodation will become an issue. We as a Committee have started discussing this for the years to come. 

We ran a very successful ‘Be Connected’ Summer School.  Thank you, Jenny Sawyer. I hope the concept of Summer Classes will grow and become a major part of January

Grant money from the Good Things Foundation enabled us to train 30 people in the use of their devices.

Age Friendly Benalla donated three iPads for our use and also a grant towards our Seniors Month Morning Tea which was enjoyable and successful.

We will continue to apply for grants as the need arises.  Thanks go to Margaret Jenkins, our grants guru.

Getting some office space has seen us being able to bring together the office materials that members had in their homes.  A new computer and printer has been purchased.  Great work from Geraldine setting up the filing cabinet.

The Singing for Fun group piano was replaced.  I trust the new piano will give sweet notes for many years.

Thanks to Terry Dillon for the many hours he has dedicated to supporting and training us in the use of our technology.

The overhead projector was purchased and installed with grant money from the U3A Network, and with the painted wall is now a greatly used part of our technology.

Last week the problems with the computer and television were sorted, with a number of the committee spending time with Michael Plex.

I'm pleased to announce the connection to the NBN was installed on 12 March. As Benalla Council decided not to connect to the NBN, U3A has gone it alone.  An offer was made to the Senior Citizens committee to share with us.  They have not decided as yet.
 
Congratulations to our two new life members Joyce Borschmann & Vaughan Cowan!

Joyce & her husband Bob, started the Singing for Fun group & Joyce has been the convener from the start till last year. Over the years the singers have gone from strength to strength and have become one of the most popular groups.

Vaughan has like wise led the Bush Walking groups for 16 plus years.  It is always great to see the photos of smiling faces and wonderful scenery on our website and Facebook page.

Both Joyce and Vaughan started with U3A in 1996 and after U3A closed down took up their roles again in 2002 with the new formation of U3A in 2002.

I thank them and congratulate them on their many years of volunteering to U3A.

Lastly I must thank and congratulate your committee for the support they have given me and the hours they volunteer to make U3A Benalla the successful and vibrant club that we are. 

​I am looking forward to 2019 continuing in the positive way it has started.

​Thank you.
 
Dorothy Webber, President

Congratulations to all on the successful start to 2019.
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Our numbers are amazing - 303+ members - and a number of the classes have had to limit numbers. This is the first time we have had to do this. This goes to show U3A Benalla has courses people want. We apologise if you haven’t been able to join the group you wanted. If numbers drop off this will be looked into.

Thank you to our existing and new convenors who are the reason for our success. I have been getting great comments from members on how they are enjoying their classes  Thanks go to Jenny Sawyer for running the summer school of Be Connected

Thank you to Terry Dillon. Terry has retired as our go to computer expert - he has donated many
hours of his time to this and thanks will never be enough.

Michael Plex will now be taking on the role of looking after our computer needs.  As we will be paying Michael all requests for his services must go through me. Ring 0412263071 and I will arrange with Michael what is required.

The NBN is due to be installed on Tuesday 12th  March (hopefully it will be a smooth process). Politics may be disrupted as the time I’ve been given is between 8am -12noon.

On Wednesday at Meet & Mingle 50 members had lots of questions for Sean Ginnivan of Benalla Rural City Waste Management.

The March Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 20th March is the U3A Annual General Meeting.

Dorothy Webber, President

​Our last Meet & Mingle on Wednesday saw 70 members attend. Singers,  recorder players and audience all enjoyed a lovely musical morning. Thanks to the singers for the delicious spread to have with our morning tea.
 
It has once again been a busy and successful year for Benalla U3A. Our membership is steadily growing and the courses we have on offer are attracting many new members.

The biggest of thank you's go to all the hard working and dedicated convenors. With out them Benalla U3A would not be as successful as we are.

On a personal note my thanks to the Committee for a great years work and all the support they give me.

I wish all members a Very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year. 

See you all happy & healthy at Registration Days in January.
​
Dorothy Webber:  President

As the beautiful weather is with us and members are returning home, our classes are as active as ever.

Following is part of a letter sent to all U3A members 

‘I am delighted to share with you the news that the U3a Movement in Victoria has won the Age-Friendly Victoria award, for an organisation in our State that promotes active ageing. The awards were presented on 9 October at Government House by the Honourable Linda Dessau AC. Governor of Victoria. We at Network were thrilled that our movement has been recognised during the Seniors Festival as playing such an important role in the lives of seniors.
Network Victoria President Susan Webster’

We should all feel justly proud.
​
Dorothy Webber President

With Spring in the air, the Program Committee is busy planning for next year.  We are always looking at new courses.  If you have one in mind, please let us know.

Our Membership continues to grow. It's very gratifying to be told we have something for everyone.

Mine and the Executive Committee’s thanks go to Cheryl Turner for her time on the Committee.  We will miss your input, Cheryl.  All the best.
 
Members attending our ‘Morning Tea and Poetry Reading’ on Thursday 25 October during the Seniors Festival may also like to stay on and enjoy Lunch with members of the Seniors.  Lunch needs to be booked and costs $11.30. Please see the Seniors’ notice board for booking.
​
Dorothy Webber
 

I have had a wonderful trip to Melbourne and lunch with great friends I've not seen for a number of years, all because of modern technology catching up on Facebook. You too can do this by joining the Be Connected Program and learning the ins and outs of your device.

We have three new iPads to lend out. Try before you buy. We thank Age Friendly Benalla for the iPads.
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Dorothy Webber

Mid-Winter and members that are home continue to enjoy what we have to offer.  I think it’s good to have place to be on a miserable day and friends to share it with. We continue to welcome new members and are closing in on 300.

At our July Meet and Mingle, members were greatly entertained by our guest speaker, Tim Bowtell, and now we all wish we could paint a portrait upside-down.

In Thursday, 25th October, for Seniors Month, we are holding a morning tea. More about this later.

We now have a microwave oven in the kitchen beside the fridge.
​
Dorothy Webber President

Firstly, a very big thank you must go to Benalla Rural City for the Grant of $900 from the Community Grants Program.
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After a couple of weeks of problems with the air-conditioning all are now fixed. We have moved into our office space. Thanks to Council for removing the hand-basin and supplying a desk.

As we head into the depths of Winter, make sure to keep those cold and flu bugs away. For those on their annual pilgrimage North, think of us on these cold, frosty mornings.

Please note my new e-mail address is dotwebber2608@gmail.com

​Dorothy

The Annual Network Presidents Briefing Day was held on 16th May. My thanks go to Margaret Jenkins for attending in my absence. Some points that came out of this meeting are:-

• U3A has 109 branches with 36,000 members in Victoria
• U3A has more members than Mens’ Sheds
• Mens’ Sheds have received $4.3 Million in funding since 2010
• Membership fees range from $40 to $75 per annum. Benalla is the only group in the state with a membership fee of $30
• A number of groups receive council funding up to $1500
• Most councils see U3A as a positive effect on the ageing population
• Funding is a major concern for many U3As
• Some U3As report that Utility charges are up to $6000 per year

U3A Benalla is indeed fortunate that previous committees have used good management and have been able to show a surplus over several years.

Starting in June the Recorder Group will be meeting at NEA on the second and fourth Wednesday from 10am-12noon.

Any group using a bus for outings must have it approved by the Committee.

A Blu-ray CD/DVD player has been purchased and installed and I hope this solves the problems that have occurred in the past.

As we will need up-to-date figures for grant applications, all convenors of external groups need to get their First Semester records to Geraldine at the end of the semester.
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Dorothy Webber, President