FAQ

Learning should not stop as we get older. U3A provides social and intellectual stimulation for older people who are not in full-time paid employment. Courses are designed to be enjoyable as well as educational. U3A may give you the opportunity to learn something that you have always intended to learn but have not had the time to pursue.

While operated independently by volunteers, U3A Bentleigh is one of more than 100 Victorian U3As supported by U3A Network Victoria, which provides organisational and planning support as well as facilitating broader relationships between Member U3As and affiliates, peer organisations and Government.

Membership is open to retired and semi-retired people. There are no qualifications required to join and enrol in courses.

Visit the Memberships page to join or renew your membership, and the Courses page to view the latest offerings and to enrol in a Course or Activity.

There is an annual subscription fee listed on the Memberships page.  Some courses may have a separate fee for equipment or materials, but that will be indicated on the course details.

Yes. Please see the Memberships page.

Payments may be made by cheque, cash, EFTPOS or by bank transfer. Details on the Memberships page.

U3As are run entirely by volunteers, and offer the opportunity not only to learn, but also to become a course tutor yourself. You may be interested in sharing your knowledge and skills in an area you have a lifetime of experience in or you may have a new interest you are exploring and learning about that you would like to share.

Without tutors there would be no U3A. All of our tutors volunteer their skills and time. If you have a skill or passion that you would like to share, please consider offering a class. Have a look at the range of classes that are currently on offer. Many of our classes have waiting lists. You might like to offer an additional or similar class to one currently on offer, or you might like to offer something altogether different.

We have a range of courses over two semesters each year. Most courses run through both semesters.  Other courses run for shorter periods and some are “one-off.”  See what’s available on the Courses and Activities page.

Tutors and the Course Coordinator are members who give their time voluntarily. Courses mostly run during the day and are held at our main campus.

You will be placed on a waitlist and notified when a place becomes available.  We strongly recommend you register your interest even if the course is Full as this gives us an indication of the level of interest and we may be able to run a parallel course.

Yes. You can apply for any classes that have vacancies, or be waitlisted for others. In addition, new classes will be offered during the year so keep an eye on our Website, Class Bulletins and Newsletters.

Please click on Contact Us and use the appropriate email form to withdraw from a course or activity. That way, another member on the waitlist may be able to take your place.  Where possible, please also advise the tutor or leader.

All classes are held at our main campus.

A new name badge is issued to active members each enrolment year.  Members retain their membership number for life.  New members (never having been a previous member) are allocated a new membership number upon joining.

U3A Bentleigh is a not-for-profit incorporated association administered by a volunteer Committee of Management. We welcome any assistance you would like to offer. To contribute some of your time or knowledge please contact us.

In 1988 a new U3A was established and classes held at various venues including the Brighton Town Hall and Moorabbin Tafe. This new organisation was registered as U3A Bayside Central, Inc.

In 1990, Moorabbin Tafe was expanding and there was now no room for U3A Bayside Central. Coincidentally, Moorleigh Secondary School in Bignell Road was closed due to falling enrolments, and rooms were leased to U3A Bayside Central.

In 1994 Council boundaries were changed and Bignell Road became part of Glen Eira (formerly Moorabbin).

In April 1996, the committee of U3A Bayside Central Inc proposed their name be changed to U3A Moorleigh Inc, particularly because the new Bayside Council was being confused with U3A Bayside Central.

In 2022 U3A Moorleigh Inc finally changed its name to U3A Bentleigh Inc, to better identify with and serve the local communities.

U3A Bentleigh is funded from a variety of sources.  Members pay an annual subscription fee and we are fortunate to receive grants from time-to-time from organisations such as Glen Eira Council, ACFE (through U3A Network Victoria) and donations from local businesses and also members. We are grateful for any support we receive.