October 12, 2026News

A very special thank you to our wonderful committee members who helped with setting up the room and tables, and took on the important job of scoring the trivia rounds. Your time, teamwork and willingness to lend a hand made a huge difference and helped everything run smoothly. We couldn’t have done it without you!

And of course, a huge thank you to everyone who joined in and made the afternoon such a memorable one. Also to Dave with the On the Go Espresso – Mobile Coffee Van we couldn’t have done it without you either

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August 18, 2026News

THIS EVENT IS BOOKED OUT!!

Sunday 11 October | 1:00pm

📍 Millwell Road Community Centre, Maroochydore

Join us for a fun afternoon of trivia, prizes and plenty of laughs as we celebrate 40 years of U3A Sunshine Coast.

⭐ SPECIAL 40th ANNIVERSARY PRICE — HALF THE USUAL COST!

$40 for a table of 8

$5 per person

🏆 Prizes for the best-placed teams
🎟️ Lucky door prizes
🎭 Prizes for the best-dressed/themed tables

Come with a team of eight or book individually and we’ll help you join a table.

BOOKINGS: Call the U3A office
☎️ 07 5430 1123
9:00am–12 noon, Monday–Friday

Get your team together and join the fun!

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July 18, 2026News

A recent Healthy Ageing Forum, ‘Navigating the Aged Care System’ discussed the complex changes to the Support at Home program under the Aged Care Act.

In this video of the forum, Lucy Urquhart from Commlink Australia and Darren Young from COTA Queensland convey important information about what it means, what are the entitlements and where to start under the ‘My Aged Care’ portal.

This is important information about the Aged Care System that many U3A members will access, or are already accessing, during their lives.

View the video of the forum presentations here

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June 29, 2026News

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March 24, 2026News

U3A Sunshine Coast have prepared a conference programme that combines traditional subjects on healthy ageing and membership growth with modern considerations in the use of community engagement in promoting U3A membership along with exciting opportunities that scientific research offers to older Australians to live longer, healthier lives. The social get-togethers will also be something special.

In keeping with the conference theme, ‘Celebrating 40 Years of U3A in Queensland’, we are honoured to welcome the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM to mark this important milestone for the U3A movement in Queensland and to officially open the two-day conference.

The conference also marks the end of tenure as President U3A Network Queensland for Rhonda Weston AM who will hand over to a new president at the Annual General Meeting.

Master of Ceremonies for the conference will be Mr Llew Paulger, a previous Executive Principal of Kelvin Grove College, known for his engaging personality and as an effective communicator.

Some highlights of the conference will include:

• Presence of the Governor of Queensland
• Reflections on 40 years of U3A by Network President Rhonda Weston AM
• Keynote address by UniSC Vice Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett, distinguished academic leader and gerontologist
• Anniversaries of U3A founding U3As in Queensland: U3A Sunshine Coast and U3A Brisbane along with the 30-year anniversary of the University of the Sunshine Coast
• Excellent lineup of guest speakers including Rob Brough, media personality and rugby league coach
• Not to be missed official Network Queensland Dinner featuring three-course fine dining and Spencer Howson as after dinner speaker
• Latest scientific research on healthy ageing from UniSC’s Thompson Institute and its Clinical Trials Unit
• Navigating the Financial Aspects of Residential Aged Care under the Aged Care Act 2024
• Panel discussion and Q&A with Network Queensland Management Committee members
• Closing address by Professor Victoria Trainer will focus on ‘Ageing Today, Offering new Solutions to Pressing Issues’.

As an overview of the conference proceedings, the following notes describe how the conference will unfold over the three days.

Meet & Greet Welcome Function:
Drinks, Canapés and Chats at The Bower Tree with entertainment by ‘Sam and Gemma’

Conference Day 1 – Morning:

• Address by the Governor on contribution of the U3A movement in Queensland to the social framework of seniors statewide.
• Welcome address by Network President Rhonda Weston AM on lived experience of U3A locally, nationally and internationally.
• Keynote address by Professor Helen Bartlett on the reasons U3A is important to the healthy ageing paradigm and as a valuable partner with UniSC
• Neill Gillett on the importance of engagement with Volunteering Queensland in filling gaps in the volunteer cohort of U3As.
• Katie Spence of Sage Care Advice on navigating the financial aspects of Residential Aged Care under the Aged Care Act 2024.
• Professor Alex Elibank Murray on animal research in Conservation, Climate Change Adaptation, Koala Research and Megafauna Protection.

Conference Day 1 – Afternoon:

• Rob Brough on ‘How Fabulous is our Third Age’.
• Guitarists and Singers from U3A musical interlude.
• Alain Brunet from The Thompson Institute on Brain Research, Mental Health & Wellbeing and how we can make the most of our later years.
• Clinical Trials Unit of UniSC explaining the introduction of advanced treatments and therapies into later life.

Official Network Dinner:
Featuring three-course fine dining and Spencer Howson as after dinner speaker.

Conference Day 2:

• Panel Discussion and Q&A involving the current Network committee on membership growth, governance, technology, opportunities and challenges.
• Network AGM, announcement of the 2027 host and presentation by the U3A host.
• Kenzo Sugawara, an expert in social media and communication, on how social media can play an important part in communications and marketing local U3As.
• Closing Address by Professor Victoria Trainer on ‘Ageing Today, Offering new Solutions to Pressing Issues’.

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March 7, 2026News

Registrations are now OPEN for the U3A Network Queensland State Conference to be hosted by U3A Sunshine Coast 12 – 14 May 2026.

U3A Sunshine warmly invites U3A delegates from across Queensland to this year’s State Conference, celebrating the 40th anniversary of U3A in Queensland  and promising an inspiring event with an impressive lineup of great speakers and activities.

Theme for the conference is ‘Celebrating 40 years of Lifelong Learning’.

Register for Conference 2026 here.

“The U3A Network State Conference is coming to the Sunshine Coast,” said President Mike Loftus. “We begin the celebrations of 40 years of U3A in Queensland on Tuesday 12th May, followed by two days of inspiring conference sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. Indulge in a delightful Conference dinner on the Wednesday night.

“We warmly invite U3A delegates and members from U3As across Queensland to join with us to celebrate four decades of U3A in Queensland.”

We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to this exceptional event and sharing the many delights of the Sunshine Coast with members from other parts of Queensland.”

“This coastal haven, renowned for its pristine beaches, lush national parks, and abundant wildlife, provides the perfect backdrop for meaningful discussions and collaboration.”

The two-day conference will be held on the University of the Sunshine Coast campus that coincidently celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The social events will be held at the nearby Bower Tree RSL venue known for its luxurious decor and excellent cuisine.

Beyond the engaging conference program, share and enjoy everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer encompassing beach resorts, surf spots and rural hinterland. It stretches from Caloundra north to the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park.

Find your Sunshine Coast moment here.

Save the Conference Dates:

• Pre-conference welcome ‘Meet & Greet’ event evening of Tuesday 12 May
• Conference Day 1 Wednesday 13 May
• Official U3A Network Dinner evening of Wednesday 13 May
• Conference Day 2 and U3A Network Queensland AGM on Thursday 14 May

Regular updates on conference news and activities will be published on the conference website here.

Above: The Auditorium on UniSC Campus, venue for the two-day conference.

Above: The Bower Tree RSL Club, venue for the conference social events.

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