This year’s Summer School, which ended last week, provided a record number of lectures and activities for members over the long summer break. From making baskets out of used plastic to making digital photo albums, there was something for everyone.
From boot camp to ikebana, from shaking a tambourine to embroidering in a hoop, the Hub was alive with activity over the six days.
Our outside classes – golf, table tennis, lawn bowls and walking – also participated in Summer School and this year we included excursions to the Johnston Collection and the Chanel Exhibition at the NGV.
While concerns over Omicron did affect attendance figures with late withdrawals, the much higher than usual initial Summer School enrolment meant that most classes still had good numbers on the day.
Feedback has been very positive about the variety of classes on offer and the quality of the presentations. In addition, comments on our Facebook page have been very enthusiastic and it’s been great to see lots of photos. You can see these and many others in our SUMMER SCHOOL PHOTO GALLERY here
In excess of 70 classes and activities were planned with only five needing to be cancelled at the request of the Leader, due to COVID-related issues. This was a very satisfying result after so much uncertainty in the lead-up to Summer School.
Our thanks to the many U3A Leaders and Members who offered to run classes and to our outside presenters for enriching the program.
My sincere thanks to Summer School team (pictured above) for their work before and during the two weeks of Summer School.
Also, particular thanks to Elsie Mutton who assisted with the very high volume of email traffic related to Summer School and to Lindsay Glen and Bert Lopes who provided essential audio/visual support to presenters throughout the fortnight.
Thanks also to our Reception Desk Volunteers, Duty Committee Members and Council staff Melissa and Craig for their willing assistance at the Hub throughout Summer School.
Everyone involved showed great willingness to do whatever was required at short notice to make sure each class could go ahead. When classes had to be swapped at the last minute due to maintenance work, members of the Summer School Committee raced around moving furniture and setting up the rooms as requested by the presenters to ensure everything was ready on time.
Valerie Donlon
2022 Summer School Convenor