What do Michelle Obama, Adolf Hitler, Ravel's Bolero and the Sydney Harbour Bridge have in common?

All these topics, and much more, are on the agenda for the August program of Wollongong's University of the Third Age (U3A) and new members are very welcome. The group gathers on Monday and Thursday mornings at the Salvation Army Conference Centre, 11-13 Burelli Street, Wollongong.

With a slogan 'Learning for Pleasure' there's an action-packed program of regular talks during August, promising something for everyone. 

So, what is U3A? "The Third Age" refers to the period of life when people have retired and are looking for enjoyable activities, while "university" is used in the earliest sense – "a community of people who get together to help each other in a learning/social experience."

There are no formal requirements to join, no examinations and no 'awards' – just opportunities to learn for the fun of it in a socially supportive and informal environment and it's open to anyone who has reached their "Third Age".

Wollongong's U3A is one of over 60 U3As in NSW that make up part of the national and international U3A network. The aim is to offere affordable learning opportunities that help keep the brain stimulated and the body active in order to contribute to positive ageing and well-being.

Small group activities also take place at the Steelers Club on Monday afternoons (Family History Research Group), at Wollongong City Library on Tuesday mornings (Philosophy) and Friday mornings (Photography) and at Collegians Wollongong on Friday morning (Mahjong).

For more information visit the U3A Wollongong website, wollongong.u3anet.org.au

Talks in August

This months talks program is as follows:

Monday 4th August

9.30am  –  Jeans for Genes Day: Jennifer Philps, Children's Medical Research Institute

11am – Interpol, Danny Pearson

Thursday 7th August 

9.30am – Moroccan Explorer Ibn Battuta, David Winterbottom

11am – Adolf Hitler Nurenberg, Kerrie Ann Christian

Monday 11th August

 9.30am  –  Ravel's Bolero, John Watson

11 am –  A Creative Marvel, Greg Scott

Thursday 14th August 

9.30am – Ern Malley, Unknown and Famous, Andy Gray

11am – The High and Low of Michelle Obama, Pauline Reynolds

Monday 18th August

 9.30am  –  Sydney Harbour Bridge, Perter Mcllquham

11am – Port Kembla History and Memories, Chris Adams & Stuart Traynor

Thursday 21st August 

9.30am  –   Film Rebels, Keith Allen

11am – The Eureka Stockade, Chris Adams

Monday 25th August

 9.30am – 'What did you do in the War and Afterwards, Mummy?', Kerrie Ann Christian

11am – Life was Better when we were Young, Shareen Verdon & Stuart Traynor

Thursday 28th August 

9.30am – Federal Police, Lia Williams

11am – TBA