Members of Horsham's University of the Third Age have rejoiced at the return to regular classes following the COVID-19 shutdown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Classes have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with preparations for the group's annual general meeting on April 16.
The volunteer organisation had to shut down most classes during COVID-19 due to its at-risk members' restrictions and health concerns.
U3A Horsham branch President Bob McIlvena said the lockdown was particularly hard for members with little family in Horsham.
"During the pandemic, our members really were terribly inactive. They all relied on their activities with U3A of course and we stopped everything completely," he said.
READ MORE:
"It was very difficult to keep in touch with members during the lockdown. We couldn't even get our newsletter out, which made it very difficult.
"A lot of our members, their families have grown up and moved away. For a lot of them, their husbands, wives, partners, and mates have passed away, and they are alone.
"It was very hard on them."
The Horsham branch of the U3A was formed in 1988 to offer members a chance to socialise through creative or educational activities.
The group has 32 classes on offer, covering topics like oil painting, tai chi and technological literacy.
The University of the Third Age was founded in Toulouse, France, in 1973 to engage all members of society in learning experiences.
Members share their time, knowledge and expertise voluntarily, with many leading classes on their areas of interest.
Mr McIlvena said the Horsham branch had 213 members after the pandemic - compared to 330 beforehand.
He said the group had to get creative to keep members engaged.
"During the pandemic, we did manage to get a couple of virtual groups going to play bridge and 500," he said.
"We had one member move from Horsham down to Mount Gambier and she would play in the group every week from there."
OTHER NEWS:
Mr McIlvena said the use of video conferencing would continue for members too sick to attend events in person.
Horsham U3A Treasurer Rick Walker said the pandemic was an isolating event for many U3A members and encouraged people to join.
"It had a very bad effect on a lot of people, it isolated people away in their house away from everybody and that's bad when you are not young," he said.
"The big concern that we have is that people who have retired and after COVID are staying home, so it is not good for their health.
"We desperately want people to come along to U3A and see what they can do - there are so many classes to be a part of and only for $40 a year."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.mailtimes.com.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Wim_Mail_Times
- Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/wimmeramailtimes/
Did you know you can receive updates straight to your inbox? To make sure you're up-to-date with news from across the region, sign up below.