U3A Yarra Ranges is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation, conducting programs for retirees.
There are currently 46 programs offered, some of which have been going since the inception of U3A Yarra Ranges which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2024.
The current membership is 360 and the group aims to increase this over the next year. Members range in age from their 50s to one member who recently turned 100, quite a few in their 90s, plus everything in between.
Program leaders are all volunteers from within the membership and anyone with an interest or passion for a subject is encouraged to start up a class or activity of like-minded people.
Classes and activities are very diversified.
An annual subscription of $50 entitles members to join in all programs – bike riding and walking, languages, yoga, social lunches, needlework, craft to name a few. The patchwork group, who meet twice a month, have made quilts which are donated to the Children’s Hospital through Victorian Quilting. These are given to children who are very ill in the hospital. This term they have been making smaller quilts and toys for the Backpacks 4 Kids charity.
Programs operate from Monday to Saturday and are held in various parts of the Yarra Ranges Shire from Coldstream to Kilsyth. The catchment area is mainly Kilsyth, Mooroolbark, Lilydale, Montrose and Mt Evelyn with other members joining us from further afield.
Registrations for 2024 open on 1 December from 10am. Subscribe anytime either online through the website u3ayarraranges.com.au, or at Japara Living and Learning Centre, 54 Durham Road, Kilsyth. Details of all programs available are on the website.
