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. View Menu

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’.