Most of our classes are having a well-earned break. However, don’t worry we will be back bigger and better in 2026. Planning is coming together for next year with thirteen new classes to be on offer as well as all your favorites. The new ones are:

• Book Club 5
• Climate Change
• Cryptic Crosswords
• Digging up your Irish Ancestors
• Ethical use of AI as a writing coach
• French for beginners & travelers
• Global Outlook
• Graphite drawing
• Living in the Environment
• Public Speaking
• Tai Chi for Arthritis & fall prevention
• Tinkering with trivia
• Stockland walkie talkies
• Urangan walkie talkies

You can see the full course list on our website u3aherveybay.net.

You will also be able to enrol in classes and pay your annual fee via the website. This is a new programme to allow this, so if you have any problems please let me know and we can arrange some assistance. Of course, you will still be able to join on Sign on Day. This is scheduled for 3 Feb. 10am – 12 noon at Hervey Bay RSL. You will be able to chat with Tutors and catch up with other members. Coffee, tea and a bickie will be available.

The Committee looks forward to seeing you there!

Don’t forget our first Coffee & Chat morning will be on Friday 9 Jan 2026,10am at Hervey Bay Boat Club. See you there.

I would like to thank all our members, tutors and committee for all your hard work and support of U3A Hervey Bay during 2025.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and hope you enjoy time with your family and friends over the festive season.

Best wishes   

Lyn Quince

President U3A Hervey Bay

Click on ‘Memberships’ and follow the prompts. Once you have paid your annual membership of $40 you will also be able to enrol in as many classes as you wish.

If you have difficulty using the new system please contact our Vice-President, John Alymer, email him at  vice-president@u3aherveybay.net or come along to Sign-on-Day.

* 3-14 Nov the USC room will be unavailable due to university exams. Tutors please note.

* 14 Nov is our regular Coffee and Chat morning at 10am at the Hervey Bay Boat Club. This will be the last one for the year. Starting again in January.

* 19 Nov is our big extravaganza End-of-Year Get-Together. Trivia followed by High Tea will be on once again at Hervey Bay RSL. Heads down at 2.30pm. Please let me know if you will be attending. There will be tables of six for trivia. You can make up a group or I will arrange a table for you. Partners or friends are welcome to attend with you but if they are not financial U3A Hervey Bay members they will need to pay $35 at the door. Colin is busy writing up the questions. Please email president@u3aherveybay.net to secure your place. We look forward to seeing you there. RSVP by 10 Nov.

* 12 Dec is the last day for classes at USC.

* 16 Jan 2026 is the day for the Tutors meeting and lunch. Our
Course Co-ordinator will be sending out notices to Tutors shortly.

* 3 Feb 2026 is our annual Sign-on-Day at Hervey Bay RSL 10am – 12 noon. You will be able to pay your fees and enrol in classes if you haven’t already done so. You can chat to Tutors about the classes and catch up with other members. Tea and coffee will be available. Even if you have enrolled before this date please pop in and say ‘G’day’!

That’s enough from me for now. I look forward to seeing you all soon

Lyn Quince

Run by Meredith Murray

Class to be run via Zoom Video Conferencing starts from 9th October.
Class size is limited to 25
Thursday 1:45m – 3:45pm

This lively series explores the philosophical, ethical and social questions raised by today’s must transformative technologies. We begin with the Internet – a force that now shapes how we see ourselves, communicate, create and engage with society – before turning to artificial intelligence in song, music and art generation, where debates over originality, authenticity and human expression come alive. We also examine biotechnology, renewable energy and blockchain, asking how they reshape our understanding of reality, identity and morality.

The Lifestyle Expo on Friday was a great success. Lots of people there and we were able to pass on information to them about U3A Hervey Bay.
Many thanks to the members who assisted on our stand.
The photo is our stand with member Jeanese putting the finishing touches to the display.
•       Coffee & Chat is next Friday 10 Oct at Hervey Bay Boat Club at 10am.
Come along and have a cuppa and chat to other members.
•       Sign on Day will be on again on 3 Feb 2026. This will be a chance for you to talk to all our Tutors and join if you haven’t already done so via our website u3aherveybay.net. There will be a cuppa and biccies available. Again, this is a chance to meet up with members.
•       If you have a skill or knowledge you would like to share with others why not become a Tutor with U3A Hervey Bay. We are always happy to welcome you.
•       Don’t forget to have a look at our class list on the website. As a U3A Member you may enrol in as many classes as you like.
•       Our Philosophy group will be starting a new topic with their Tutor, Dr Meredith Murray, next Thursday 9 Oct. This is delivered online via Zoom.
All the details are attached.


Regards
Lyn Quince President U3A Hervey Bay

We’re excited to announce that U3A Hervey Bay has transitioned to Member Wizard, a secure, modern membership and class management system now used
by over two-thirds of U3As across Australia.

What’s Changing—and Why Is This Good News?

We’ve moved away from manual paperwork to a streamlined, user-friendly online system. With Member Wizard, you’ll enjoy:

• Automatic Transfer: Your current member details will be securely transferred into Member Wizard—no action needed from you.
• Simple Online Registration: You can register and pay by credit card online, with your enrolments instantly recorded in the system. No paperwork for you or our volunteers.
• In-Person Support: Our volunteers will be happy to assist those members who have difficulty with the new system. We will be making a time and venue available to meet with you. If you’d rather attend Sign On Day, come along to the RSL for a chat with tutors and enjoy a coffee. Our volunteers will be happy to process your payment.
• Easy Tracking: View your course enrolment and payment history online at any time.
• Improved Communication: Stay in touch more easily with tutors and the committee.
• Update Details: Update your contact information whenever you like.
• Flexible Payments: Enjoy quicker, more convenient payment options, including online and card payments.
• Better Tools for Tutors: Tutors will be able to manage class lists, mark attendance, and email their groups with ease.
• Security: Member Wizard is hosted on secure Microsoft SQL servers right here in Australia, keeping your information protected.

We understand change can feel daunting, but support will be available if you need help. Thank you for being part of U3A Hervey Bay as we move to a smoother, more efficient system.

Have questions? Please email vice-president@u3aherveybay.net.  or call 0418 710 051

Trivia Extravaganza followed by an Afternoon High Tea.

Most classes will be finishing up by late November or early December. Our Get-Together will be a chance to celebrate with all U3A members.

• Venue: Hervey Room at Hervey Bay RSL.  
• Time: 2.15pm for a 2.30pm start. 

We’re excited to announce that U3A Hervey Bay is transitioning to Member Wizard, a secure, modern membership and class management system now used
by over two-thirds of U3As across Australia.

What’s Changing—and Why Is This Good News?

We’re moving away from manual paperwork to a streamlined, user-friendly online system. With Member Wizard, you’ll enjoy:

• Automatic Transfer: Your current member details will be securely transferred into Member Wizard—no action needed from you.
• Simple Online Registration: You can register and pay by credit card online, with your enrolments instantly recorded in the system. No paperwork for you or our volunteers.
• In-Person Support: Our volunteers will be happy to assist those members who have difficulty with the new system. We will be making a time and venue available to meet with you. If you’d rather attend Sign On Day, come along to the RSL for a chat with tutors and enjoy a coffee. Our volunteers will be happy to process your payment.
• Easy Tracking: View your course enrolment and payment history online at any time.
• Improved Communication: Stay in touch more easily with tutors and the committee.
• Update Details: Update your contact information whenever you like.
• Flexible Payments: Enjoy quicker, more convenient payment options, including online and card payments.
• Better Tools for Tutors: Tutors will be able to manage class lists, mark attendance, and email their groups with ease.
• Security: Member Wizard is hosted on secure Microsoft SQL servers right here in Australia, keeping your information protected.

What Happens Next?
This is the first in a series of messages & emails to guide you through this transition. We expect to launch by mid-October, ahead of next year’s enrolment. For now, you don’t need to do anything—your details will move over automatically. Our next update will include step-by-step instructions for using the new system. Tutors will also find managing
their classes much easier. Tutor training is planned for this year.

We understand change can feel daunting, but support will be available if you need help. Thank you for being part of U3A Hervey Bay as we move to a smoother, more efficient system.

Have questions? Please email vice-president@u3aherveybay.net.  or call 0418 710 051

• Bi-monthly talk will be on Friday 25 July. Pauline Densley will be chatting about her experiences in Darwin before, during and after Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Please let me know if you will be coming along.
• Our Vice-President, Helen Preston, has tendered her resignation. Yesterday the Committee reluctantly accepted her resignation. Helen has been a long time member of the committee holding various positions over the years and we sincerely thank her for her commitment to U3A Hervey Bay.
• John Aylmer was nominated for the vacant position of Vice-President. He accepted and was duly elected. Thank you, John, for volunteering.
• Helen also had the role of Publicity Officer. Unfortunately, due to John’s commitment to the upgrade of our administration system he is unable to take on the publicity role. Hence, we are looking for someone willing to step into the position. If you would like to assist, please contact me.
• Our monthly Coffee and Chat will be on again on 8 Aug 10am at the Hervey Bay Boat Club. We look forward to seeing you there.
• The Over 50’s Lifestyle Expo will be held on 3 Oct.The committee has commenced planning our display. Next month we will be seeking volunteers to help out on our stand. Watch this space!
• Plans are underway for our End of Year Get Together – Trivia and High Tea. This is always a fun afternoon. More details soon.

Happy U3Aing
Lyn Quince
President U3A Hervey Bay