As Dorothy our President goes through the process of moving house, I am happy to give her report this month.  Our sympathy to Rupe Cheetham and family on the passing of Gwen.  Gwen will be missed very much in U3A.  Hopefully, all those who have been unwell are feeling much better as restrictions begin to lift and the future looks brighter. 

Many of our members are enquiring about the possibility of resuming our activities in the near future.  The negotiations with Council and venues such as the Bowls Club are continuing.  The Benalla Bowls Club have been very helpful, but as they run their rooms as a business we have to fit around their ongoing commitments.  It is a real possibility we will be using their facilities for some of 2021.  Council still cannot give us a definite answer as to when we can use our room at the Seniors complex, but we continue to talk with them. 

The committee have had another Zoom meeting and are confident of having a real face meeting next week, as timetables and venues for 2021 need to be finalised.  The committee moved that enrolment fees for existing members in 2021 will be waived, new members will still have to pay enrolment fees. 

Some of the smaller groups are looking forward to having a reunion before Christmas, in the form of lunch or a gathering in the gardens.  We are also holding an informal pre-Christmas social gathering for all U3A members under the trees near the Benalla Art Gallery on Wednesday 16 December from 10 to 11.30 am – bring your own chair, beverages and Christmas cakes. 

A newsletter with further information and an Enrolment Form will be sent out in January informing everyone of our movements for the first semester. 
  
Have a Happy Christmas everyone and may 2021 be a much better year all round. 
​
Geraldine McCorkell
Secretary

The morning get-together in the Gardens was most enjoyable.  We plan to continue these social gatherings, with the next gathering to be held on Tuesday November 10th from 10 – 11.30, again in the Benalla Gardens near the Art Gallery.

We are continuing to work with Council and are looking at possible venues for sessions next year while the air conditioning is being renovated at the Seniors Community Centre. 

With changes in Covid-19 rules happening all the time, it has been hard to plan additional sessions with any degree of certainty.  Convenors are encouraged to organise end of year meetings/celebrations for their groups in line with social distancing regulations.

My thanks go to all our Convenors for being positive and keeping in touch with the Committee and Members.  To the Convenors who have been able to run their groups - Congratulations. 

The Committee will be meeting soon to discuss next year’s program.  We hope in the New Year we can once again offer our Members the wonderful selection of courses U3A Benalla is known for.
​
Dorothy Webber

Photograph - Proud Richmond supporter and U3A President Dorothy Webber with committee member Margaret Jenkins at October's 'Meet and Mingle' (covid-style!) in the gardens.

​Here we are in October 2020, the year we could never have expected.

I need to look at the positives, having the time to pack up the house and get ready to move.   Also, the time to help clear out my sister’s unit.    Barbara is now living in Echuca. 

Like many of you, I’ve missed seeing my family.  l’m very grateful for my friends in Benalla, and it’s been great when we have been able to meet for a coffee or lunch.

As a Committee we are keeping in touch with the Council and you will hear any news when we do.

Stay positive!
​
Dorothy Webber, President

Well, they say no news is good news, but not in our case at U3A.  Council have no plans in the foreseeable future to reopen the building.

With the changes still happening daily, we can only continue as we have been for the last 3 months.

At a recent Zoom Committee Meeting we decided to get together for lunch in the gardens next to the Art Gallery on Wednesday 22 July at 12 noon. BYO lunch, tea/coffee, chair etc.  This will depend on numbers that can gather, and of course the WEATHER. 

Stay safe and sound and we will all survive.
​
Dorothy Webber,
President

I hope you are all safe and well, and not feeling too down by the quarantine.     At least now we can visit family and friends.    We still must practice social distancing.

I know a lot of you are missing the company of your U3A friends and are longing to be back together.

This newsletter contains news that some of the external groups are starting up, while some groups are using Zoom.  The Zoom groups are working well, and we may have more on the way.   Other contact with members is also happening, with some Convenors ringing and emailing their groups.

The Committee held its first Zoom Meeting recently. It was great to see everyone together, to catch up with Network and other news.

We have received a Community Grant from the Benalla Rural City to replace our old heavy Whiteboard with a light-weight magnetic whiteboard.

As I write, there is no news as to when the Council are going to reopen the building.  As you will understand, we cannot plan for restarting at this time because we don’t know what the rules will be in the future.

Dorothy Webber,
​President

What a trialling time we are all having. I must say I am up one day and down the next. Missing what was my normal life. I wonder if our old normal will ever return. 

I have been receiving a Newsletter from U3A Network Victoria each week, so we the Committee are keeping in touch with the Network’s recommendations.

A number of our Conveners are running their Courses by email, we have been having Zoom Meetings and some Courses have started using Zoom. Your Convener will contact you if this is one of your classes. Of course, this is not available to all. 

We may be able to run a future Meet n Mingle as a Zoom meeting.  We could listen to a guest speaker using the mute feature, so all we would hear is the speaker.

As we are all missing our families and friends, make use of Technology and be thankful we have it. If you need tech support, I may be able to help, no promises. 0421263071.

Stay Home and Stay Safe

Dorothy Webber
President

​Because of the situation with the Corona virus and the latest spatial requirements, the Committee has decided to shut down Benalla U3A.

We will review this decision at the end of Semester 1. This  decision includes all off-site Groups.

We hope that when we resume you are all fit and healthy. Stay safe.
​
Dorothy Webber
President
21 March 2020

It is with great pleasure that I make my report for the last year.

We have had many social events this year:   A Benalla Rural City Sponsored Morning Tea at which the Recorder Group entertained us, was held in October.  On the same day we followed on with a Be Connected sponsored BBQ lunch, a busy day as both events had to be held that week.  The November Meet n Mingle was once again entertained by the Singing for Fun Group and the display of the work of the Patchwork Group  Our first evening event was held in February.  A good time was enjoyed by all with tasty Pizzas and a cake to celebrate Benalla’s involvement with Be Connected.

​We continue with our meetings with Council and other users of the building.  Looking to the future we were asked to put forward our suggestions for the redesign of the interior of the building.  We await what that decision will be.  My thanks go to Margaret Jenkins who put a very professional design together.  With a view to utilising the space more efficiently, the Thursday mornings Singing for Fun and Community Singing now meet in the auditorium.

The success of U3A Benalla is largely due to the wonderful Conveners who continually put themselves forward to lead sessions, and my wonderful Committee who have worked so hard for you this year.

The growth of the Benalla retirement community sees our membership growing.  Currently we have 341 members - 246 Ladies and 95 Gentlemen.  This is an increase of 66 from what we had last year.  Considering that we had 60 new members last year and so far 68 this year that is incredible growth.  We have 48 courses on offer in Semester 1. The future of Benalla U3A is looking very positive as we continue to grow our membership and courses.

Once again I have kept close relationship with the Network by attending the Regional Meetings. 
A two-day meeting was held here in Benalla at BPACC in April and a one-day meeting was held In Seymour in September.  Having myself and members of our committee attending and networking is beneficial to us and all U3As across our region.  Geraldine McCorkell regularly attends the meetings at the Network in Melbourne and keeps us updated.  My thanks to Geraldine for this service.
 
Once again my thanks to the Committee who have helped me no end over the last year.

Dorothy Webb
​President

​We have started the new year with plenty of enthusiasm and continue with new memberships daily. Our numbers are very impressive.   Of course, this is due to our wonderful Convenors and the courses we have on offer.

My biggest thank you to all the volunteers at the RedB4 Book Shop for handing out our Membership packs and handling the Registration Forms.

Benalla U3A’s Annual General Meeting will be held at Meet & Mingle on Wednesday 18th March from 10am to 12 noon. A Nomination form has been sent out with the March Newsletter and is available here. Give a thought to coming on the Committee. It is important to have new people with new ideas to keep our U3A growing in the future.

It has come to my notice that many Members aren't aware that they can claim Travel and Accommodation when they travel 100k or more to a Medical Appointment. One member only found this out after 2 1/2 years of travelling to Melbourne. Seems it’s one of those things you only find out about by word of mouth.
​
A wonderful Social Dinner was held recently in conjunction with the Be Connected program. Thanks to tBe Connected for the Grant that enabled us to enjoy a get together and meal.

​
​Dorothy Webber