New U3A office

On October 9, as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, the new U3aSurfCoast office will be opened at the Senior Citizens, 16 Price Street Torquay, at 2pm by U3A’s oldest member Valerie Buckley, aged 95.

The event, which will also showcase U3A courses like tai chi, drawing, ikebana and creative writing, is expected to play host to a number of other Torquay seniors groups like Probus, Lions, Men’s Shed, TIA and Surf Coast Life Activities.

Surf Coast mayor David Bell and a number of councilors will also be attending. The initiative to open the U3A office was supported by the shire as part of its policy to make use of any underused shire buildings.

As well as providing about 20 classes and activities each term, U3A Surf Coast is committed to tackling social exclusion amongst elderly residents.

Recent research has revealed that loneliness is not just a social problem but also a health issue. UK research found that every dollar spent on preventing loneliness saved three dollars in the health system.

Surf Coast Shire, as part of its “Access and Inclusion Strategic Plan 2014-24” is committed to inclusion particularly for residents aged over 55. This is also the demographic targeted by U3A Surf Coast.