The Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) is celebrating its first anniversary, which makes it a fitting venue for the first official celebration of 50 years of U3A. RMOA are looking forward to hosting the ‘Meet and Greet’ function where members of U3A from Queensland and interstate will join with international delegates and representatives from government and industry to celebrate U3A’s 50th Anniversary.
The U3A President Cheryl Wickes and Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams will welcome delegates from 5.30pm on Monday, May 8 for an evening of socialising and networking, with background music by a quartet of young musicians.
Catering will include canapés by the Hummingbird Cafe and drinks will be available at the restaurant bar.
A highlight of the evening will be the People’s Choice judging of the U3A Network Art Competition.
As a special treat for delegates wearing their conference lanyards, Capricorn Carriages will have the option of taking a short tour in a horse drawn carriage of historic Quay Street – the longest stretch of historical listed buildings in Australia – and take in the sights of the city. There will be short, guided walking tours of the surrounding area to learn of some of the less known shady aspects of early Rockhampton along with guided tours of the Art Gallery.
U3A Rockhampton President Chery Wickes said those attending the Meet and Greet will be able to meet up with old friends and make new ones while exploring the art gallery, best seen at night nestled next to the historic Customs House.
For most of 2022, RMOA staged its first major exhibition drawn from RMOA’s diverse and nationally significant collection of artworks. It includes acquisitions from 67 artists, and the collection highlighted 75 artworks.
Placed alongside Tunuba (Fitzroy River), with Nurim (Mount Archer) in the distance, these landmarks shape Darumbal Country upon which the museum stands today. Locals describe RMOA as the home of a nationally significant painting collection acquired in the 1970s in an acquisition coup, driven by then Mayor of Rockhampton, Rex Pilbeam.
