U3A Manual Arts Workshop ready for making

AFTER years of development, the University of the Third Age Ballarat’s Blake Gordon Manual Arts Workshop has officially opened in Ballarat North. On site at the Ballarat Specialist School Farm Campus, the facility is home to classes for older adult students in woodwork, metalwork, jewellery making, mosaics, lino printmaking, felting, lead-lighting and more. There is space to display and store work, and a kitchenette. The shed has been named after Mr Gordon, the U3A member who spearheaded the project alongside a team of dedicated committee members. There is scope for BSS students to also learn from U3A members in the shed. The $170,000 project also receieved support from the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program, and the City of Ballarat.