U3A comes to Australia – and Monash
U3A Waverley (then known as U3A Monash) was one of the first four U3A organisations established in Australia in 1984 and 1985.
The first two were U3A City of Melbourne and U3A Hawthorn formed in 1984, followed by U3A Monash on 12 February 1985 and U3A Ringwood on 26 March 1085.
All four organisations came about as the result of an initial public meeting arranged in July 1984 in Melbourne to gauge community interest in establishing the U3A movement in Australia. It stemmed from a far-sighted initiative by four people with a professional interest in education for mature students: Jack McDonell, Jill Thompson, Cliff Picton, and Ann Whyte.
As Monash University was central to the southeastern suburbs, a planning committee agreed the new University of the Third Age should use the university as its base. Jack McDonell obtained the consent of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ray Martin, for the use of the word ‘Monash’ in the title of this new U3A creating ‘The University of the Third Age at Monash’.
While not an official offshoot of Monash University, the new U3A did receive support from the university, particularly from the Centre for Continuing Education. It was the only U3A attached to a university.
Cliff Picton, instrumental in the formation of U3A in Australia, is a member of U3A Waverley and until the 2024 AGM a member of the Committee. U3A Waverley celebrated the 40th anniversary of U3A in Australia at the 2024 AGM when Cliff provided an overview of how U3A came from Toulouse to Australia. He explained some of the difficulties encountered at the time in Australia and how the world membership has now reached 10 million in numbers.
In recognition of his role in this momentous event, the first Honorary Life Membership to be awarded by U3A Waverley was presented to Cliff, together with a display trophy carrying his name and listing his achievements, by outgoing President, Robert Taylor.
Courses began at U3A Monash in April 1985. The first newsletter to members in March 1985 announced the commencement of the following classes: Art Appreciation, British History, Computers, Creative Writing, Current Affairs, Current International Affairs, Literature, Eastern Philosophy, Practical Art and Public Speaking. Many of these courses are still available today!
There was also an invitation to interested people to meet to discuss the formation of a group with the somewhat ambitious title “Rational Thinking: The Psychology of Mathematical Lateral Thinking and the Metaphor”. Two other possible groups were advertised: “Ageism” and “Japanese Studies”. While these proposals indicate the breadth of thinking about the potential of U3A Monash, there is no evidence that these three groups eventuated.
The next major event in 1985 was the first general meeting of U3A Monash on 19 August. A report from the Policy Committee from that meeting did not give a figure for current membership but did say that 30 courses had been commenced in the first six months.
The main business of the meeting was described as “reviewing the operations of U3A Monash to date and considering a document which, for the first time, would set out the aims, guiding principles and organisational details of the group and also to elect such office-bearers and committee members as needed”. The document referred to was a “Draft Charter” for the U3A Monash. Its adoption was the first step towards the later process of incorporation.
In 1991, following a move to Wellington Primary school, the name U3A Waverley Inc was formally adopted. A number of other locations followed until U3A Waverley moved into the Hub in Batesford Road in 2012.
A booklet, ‘The Beginnings of U3A’, was compiled by U3A Network to celebrate the first 20 years in Victoria. Available here https://u3awaverley.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/u3a-history-Booklet.pdf
U3A Waverley produced its own book, ‘Alive with Learning! History of the University of the Third Age, Waverley’ in 2008 as a record of achievements and events from 1985.