U3A Redlands District Key Dates
Learn about the history of U3A Redlands District Inc
U3A Redlands began as a branch of U3A Brisbane in 1988. Helen Huck was our first coordinator, 1989-1993, followed by Joy Buhmann from 1993-1998 with John Butters as coordinator from February 1998. In July 1998 a special public meeting voted for the creation of U3A Redlands District and John Butters became the inaugural president and continued until 2003.
John Butters was instrumental in forming a partnership with the Cleveland District State High School which spanned 25 years. The U3A office was established there in 1998.
John handed over the Presidency in 2003 to June Busfield, then Edward (Ted) Grant became President from 2008 until 2010. In 2010 Julie Porteous became President until 2018, with Debra Barker as President from 2018-2020, and Janese Lowe from 2020 to Current. U3A Redlands District has grown from 120 original members in 1998 to over 1,200 post-Covid current members in 2023 enjoying 80 courses with new courses starting up each term. In 2023 the U3A Movement celebrated its Golden Anniversary and U3A Redlands District Inc. celebrated its Silver Anniversary 1998-2023.
Learn about the history of U3A world wide
U3A began in France in 1973. U3A is the University of the Third Age, which is the age of active retirement, coming after the age of youth and work and home making. University is taken in its original meaning a “community of teachers and scholars”. There are no prerequisites for membership and no exams.
U3A is a worldwide self-help organisation promoting learning for personal enjoyment and wellbeing. Keeping the brain active, doing interesting things and making new friends are essential for helping older people to maximise their chances of independence. U3A is making a very
substantial contribution to society by helping its members to remain healthy and active for longer.
Learn about how we built our future- The Journey
On 27 April, 2022 U3A Redlands (U3AR) District Inc. announced their plans to build a U3A Redlands Centre on land which has been offered through the Redlands Research Facility.
U3AR has had a long-standing association with Cleveland District State High School where our office has been located since 2001. This was only intended as a temporary accommodation site with the aim of establishing a purpose-built stand-alone building as the goal. Current and past Presidents have worked tirelessly to try and secure land or premises to realise that goal. Finally, an opportunity presented itself to relocate to the grounds of the Redlands Research Facility at Delancy Street in Cleveland. U3A Redlands will join a number Universities and community tenants already on the facility and welcomed the opportunity to create a learning and administration centre alongside the existing U3A Garden.
Building our Future (BOF) Project commenced with the establishment of a U3A Redlands Building Fund and in February 2023, we received Australian Taxation Office approval of Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) endorsement of the fund, meaning donations to the fund would be tax deductible.
By Jul 2022 U3AR we had applied for and won a Redland City Council (RCC) Project Support Grant for $9,577 for Stage 1 preliminary costs. This allowed us to engage an architect to prepare drawings and engineers to conduct some preliminary tests.
We needed to gather funds quickly so applied for two more grants for Stage 2 (slab, frame and roof) and Stage 3 (to lock-up) respectively. Stage 2 RCC Capital Infrastructure Grant for $49,896 was awarded in Dec 2022 on the proviso that U3A Redlands match the funding with another $49,896. This was the long-awaited confirmation that ensured the building project could finally get underway.
The game changer and huge financial boost to the Building our Future (BOF) Project was the announcement in September 2023 that we had been awarded the Gambling Community Benefit Fund Grant of $100,000. We now had funds up to Stage 3 (to lock-up), but we needed to contract a builder.
Invitations to Quote were distributed to a selection of builders, who were slow to respond. We compared quotes and conducted due diligence and were told that construction could be delayed due to the lack of availability of tradespeople and materials.
Shining a Light on Learning – In 2023 University of the Third Age (U3A) Redlands District celebrated 25 years of “Shining a Light on Learning”.
The Silver Anniversary Hero Image is a collage of photos taken over 25 years including two different U3A Redlands Logos. 25 years of “Shining a Light on Learning” was celebrated with an exhibition held at the Redlands Museum, Cleveland from the 7th June to 31st July 2023.
The Exhibition featured important historical moments and achievements in the life of the U3A Redlands District and promoted a wide range of academic and leisure courses.
Short, dynamic and fun displays were presented to the Redlands Coast community by talented U3A Redlands’ members at various times and locations attracting many visitors to the exhibition.
Visitors were treated to watercolour and jewellery workshops, dancers, singers, theatre, and music by the ukulele band and the piano performance group.
The Exhibition and the Dynamic Displays showcased U3A Redlands District’s services and role in the community.
An example of the Dynamic Display program is featured to the right.
