At U3A Waverley, it’s never too late to learn

ballroom dancing couples at U3A in chadstone

At this time of year there’s always a lot of focus on Year 12 students, how they did in their exams, and where they might be heading for further studies.

One group, however, is dedicated to the notion that education and learning should be a lifelong pursuit and shouldn’t just stop when we turn 18.

U3A, University of the Third Age, is a worldwide community devoted to learning. Staffed and run by volunteers, the organisation is a co-operative of retired and semi-retired people who share educational, creative and leisure activities.

Based at the Batesford Community Centre in Chadstone, U3A Waverley offers courses and activities spread over a varied subject range including art and craft, computers, ballroom dancing (pictured), entertainment, exercise, health, history, languages, music and science to name but a few.

The U3A movement has been half a century in the making.

“The original concept was established in Toulouse, France (1972) and it grew out of a university lecturer creating a summer school (for older students),” U3A Waverley president Jane Evans said.

In the 50 years since that first program, which was aimed at bringing older people into contact with academic programs at the university, the model has evolved. Now, rather than being aligned with or attached to a particular tertiary institution, U3As recognise that there is an incredible pool of knowledge and a passion for learning out in our local communities.

While there’s no rigid minimum age for U3A, its focus is on people who are at a time of life when they have the opportunity to undertake learning for learning’s sake – not for school requirements or qualification for employment.

Jane said that generally means people who are retired or semi-retired and are probably aged 55+. She said most Waverley members are in the 70-80 age bracket, though about 15% are aged 80-90.

“We’ve got to keep the little grey cells active,” Jane said. “We’re all living longer these days; science tells us keeping mentally active is important.

“We don’t have exams; we don’t have assessment. There’s a very relaxed environment and it’s a very social thing they (members) feel as well.”

And it seems it’s not only the student members who have a love for the learning U3A Waverley offers.

“We’re 100 per cent voluntary,” Jane said. “All the tutors are volunteers; all the administration are volunteers.

“What courses we offer depends on what tutors we have available to teach what they are teaching. We have 70-odd tutors, not only to conduct the courses but who do the research for their classes.

“We’re always on the lookout for tutors. If there’s anyone with an interest, we can guide them through the process.”

Last year U3A Waverley boasted 690 members, the same as a decent-sized state school, and there were some 100,000 members Australia-wide. Jane said the size of Waverley’s membership was only limited by a “trifecta” of factors.

“We have to find the space to put people, then we have to find the tutors to teach the classes,” she said. “And then we have to go out and get people to sign up for the classes.”

Although the final leg of that trifecta doesn’t seem to be too difficult to achieve.

Every term, as soon as the online enrolment portal opens, Jane said there are hundreds of eager keyboard fingers ready to pounce on available study places. For some of the more sort after classes, that enthusiastic enrolment scrum resembles the pile-on when doors first open for the Boxing Day sales at Myer or the online fight for tickets to a Taylor Swift concert or seats at the AFL Grand Final.

U3A Waverley is always keen to welcome new members, but learning can be addictive for some. Most members take one or two classes a term, but Jane said some are enrolled in as many as three or four.

U3A Waverley – find out more

To enrol in a course or activity, you must be a member. Ordinary members ($40 per calendar year) are entitled to enrol in courses throughout the year. The membership fee covers the cost of courses, however a small charge is sometimes required to cover materials or a tutor’s expenses.

Courses on offer in 2025: 2025-11-12-Course-Booklet.pdf

Find out more and enrol now

U3A Waverley term dates 2025

Term 1: 28 Jan - 04 Apr*

Term 2: 22 Apr - 04 Jul

Term 3: 21 Jul - 19 Sep

Term 4: 06 Oct - 28 Nov

*Enrolment for Term 1, 2025 has already opened.

Get in touch

U3A Waverley

Level 1, 94 Batesford Road

CHADSTONE 3148.