University of the Third Age U3A shall consist of a body of persons who undertake to learn & help others to learn. Those who teach shall also learn & those who learn shall also teach. Peter Laslett, founded U3A in UK in 1981

U = University Definition (ancient): A group of people who gather together to study a particular topic of interest No exams and no formal lectures It is not a university in the legislated sense Qualifications required – Passion for on-going learning – The will to actively contribute to interest groups

3A = Third Age Third Age maturity ………which comes after the First Age growing up …………….and the Second Age earning a living and raising a family

Origin: University of Toulouse, 1972 Academics recognised retirees’ great reservoir of knowledge Invitation to attend lectures Université du Troisième Age Then University of Cambridge, England Australian & Cambridge Conferences (NZ reps) 1987 U3A Remuera 1988

U3A – a world wide phenomenon U3A Browns Bay U3As in Auckland 65 U3As in New Zealand 782 U3As in UK, 250,000 members 19,300 U3As in China, 1.81 million members! Google – – ‘ Locate a U3A’ – U3A Browns Bay

What does U3A do? Monthly meeting: Invited guest speaker usually of national & usually international standing We look for: Outstanding New Zealanders making outstanding contributions. Excellence Also features: Special Interest Group presentation by member/s

Some of our General Meeting Speakers

Professor Richard Faull Director of the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland. The excitement and challenges of the human brain

Dr Judith Littleton Associate Professor of Biological Anthropology at the University of Auckland. How discoveries since 2000 have changed our picture of human evolution Judith is currently involved in projects in Mongolia, Australia and Syria

Geoff Walker Former editor of Penguin books. A life in Publishing Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Dr Jason Ingham Associate Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Auckland ‘Making Buildings Safe in an Earthquake’

Our Special Interest Groups

The U3A Philosophy…. a reminder U3A shall consist of a body of persons who undertake to & help others to learn. Those who teach shall also learn & those who learn shall also teach. Peter Laslett, founder of U3A UK, 1981

We have 25 Special Interest Groups at U3A Browns Bay Ancient Civilisations Anthropology Archaeology Art * Art Potpourri * Exploring Art for Fun Computers Creative Audio Visual Creative Writing Current Affairs Film Appreciation Français Pour Rire Inventors and Inventions Literature Local History Making History Medical Science and History Modern History Music Music Mainly Classical Music Appreciation and History Classical Music Play reading The Renaissance Travel Walking to exercise the mind World Religions World War II New ideas always welcome for more exciting SIGs

Inventors and Inventions Group’s trip to view plane construction and reconstruction. Mosquito at Drury War Birds at Ardmore Menestral at Tuakau

Art for Fun Group Patterns in Scrabble. Geology Group Aboard the “Jane Gifford”

Français Pour Rire Group at a French Cafe Music – Mainly Classical Group have just entertained and informed our general meeting

“Rinse the Blood off my Toga” The Play Reading group entertain our General meeting

Modern History Group What Really Happened at Chernobyl?

The Walking Group On the trail and exercising our bodies and brains.

Our website has lots more information.

The Launch of our Website or Google U3A Browns Bay

Our website today.

People join U3A to Continue their passion for learning Keep their mind active Enjoy the fellowship of like minded people Make new life-long friends Have fun