What a great time we had at Enrolment Day! Lots of members came to enrol for 2022, as well as several new people enquiring about our various courses. 

Thank you to all our Convenors for giving up their time and answering questions. It was pleasing to see so many of our members trying new subjects this year.

In 2022 we are offering 44 courses including a new course in Russian Literature as well as the return of Brain Games.

It was also interesting to see the interest in the Info Hub which was staffed by members of Age Friendly Benalla. The Info Hub normally runs each Thursday morning at the Benalla Library, and tried a special day at our Enrolment. Judging by the number of people who asked questions, they were very happy to be part of Enrolment Day.

I would like to thank Len Jeffers for all his work as Membership Secretary. Len’s latest figures show that we currently have 248 members of U3A Benalla including 23 new members and 4 life members.

Our Benalla Citizen of the Year nomination Geraldine McCorkell was one of 14 nominations. The ceremony was different this year, in that only participants and their guests were allowed to attend the ceremony at BPACC, and the event was live streamed for the general community.

The winner of the Benalla Citizen of the Year was Dr Lee Manning.  Whilst Geraldine did not win the honour, her nomination gave U3A Benalla as well as Friends of the Library the opportunity to showcase the marvellous work Geraldine has done for both organisations for over a decade. U3A Benalla are certainly grateful for Geraldine’s roles as President from 2011-2013, Network Representative in 2016 and Secretary from 2016 to the present. Well done, Geraldine.

U3A Benalla and District’s Annual General Meeting will be held prior to Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 16th March. There will be more information in the next newsletter.

Whilst a few of our courses started in January, most are beginning in February 2022. Thank you everyone for accepting the requirement for double vaccination to attend our courses.

We look forward to a more continuous year in 2022.
​
Margaret Jenkins
Vice President

Nomination of Geraldine McCorkell for Benalla Citizen of the Year

U3A Benalla has nominated Geraldine McCorkell for Benalla Citizen of the Year in 2022. The nomination was co-ordinated by Wendy Sturgess, our Publicity Officer, with the assistance of other organisations and members of U3A.

We have received notification from Benalla Rural City Council that the presentation of Australia Day awards will take place on Wednesday 26 January 2022 Benalla from 10 am.  Winners of the awards will not be announced until the day.

Benalla Rural City Council has announced that the planned event has been scaled back and will now be live streamed to the community.  

Benalla Rural City’s Australia Day Award presentations can be watched online from 10am on Wednesday, January 26, at benalla.vic.gov.au. 

​Further information can be obtained by contacting the Council’s Event Coordinator, Sharon Geer on 0498 204 648 or sharon.geer@benalla.vic.gov.au     Good luck Geraldine!

U3A Benalla – On Target for Better Digital Skills
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Earlier this year U3A Benalla participated in the Building Digital Skills in Regional Areas Pilot, a joint initiative run by Good Things Foundation Australia and Wesfarmers, with our ‘On Target’ digital skills program.  Through the ‘On Target – Learning to Shop Online’ program, we supported a small group of interested Benalla residents to learn how to use technology for everyday tasks, like shopping online and scanning QR codes. The program made a difference to those who participated, increasing motivation and enjoyment at being able to use their new skills at home.  

Read more about how On Target has helped our community on the Good Things Foundation Australia website:   https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org.au/news/on-target-for-better-digital-skills/

2022 Enrolment Day - Wednesday 12 January 9.30 pm to Midday Seniors Centre Auditorium

The Program Guide and Timetables for 2022 are now available.   Demystifying Psychology is taking a break in 2022 while Bushwalking 'Midweek Walks' is reverting back to its Benalla Bushwalking Club program origins. New courses include  Russian Literature and Family Research - Beginners.  Brain Games is resuming There are time slot changes for Armchair History and Meditation, while the German courses–Advanced and Beginners – are being offered weekly in new time slots. 

An individualised Membership Renewal Form has been emailed or posted to members enrolled in 2021.  Please print your form, make any corrections to your details, then add your program selections to bring on enrolment day.  A Membership Application form for new members will be available on enrolment day.  It can also be downloaded from the website or collected with program documents from the RedB4 Bookshop in Bridge Street (next to Hide's Bakery).  Proof of double vaccination of COVID 19 is to be provided upon enrolment or at attendance at chosen classes if not already recorded. 

Looking forward to seeing you all in 2022,

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Margaret Jenkins, Vice-President