PM Submission - Angela Le Mare - MCU18/0138.msg

Subject: Noosa U3A
From: Angela le mare
Date: 2019-01-29T16:54:10+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

Dear Councillors

I am responding to an article in the local free newspaper Noosa News  towards the beginning of January. This referred to a change of use of the U3A building if I recall and I believe submissions about this had to be received by the council before the end of January. Unfortunately, I had to be overseas in mid-January and am, in fact, writing this from London. (This is why I do not have the details to hand.)

When I read the newspaper article, I was very concerned to learn possibly only 30 people at a time might be able to use the building. I think you should know that there are some truly amazing people living in the Noosa/Tewantin community and they give their time to inspire others. Most of these are retired. To give one example, a member recently had researched for a year to produce four 90-minute audio-visual presentations about T E Laurence in our auditorium. The attendance probably averaged around 45 people. Under the change of rules, an audience would be limited and all other classes that run concurrently would have to be scrapped.

In the building, there are a number of rooms: art studio, games room, language room, computer/AV room and the auditorium. The range of classes held is wide - physical fitness, foreign language, audio-visual, computer studies, science, photography, history of religion, several types of painting tuition and much much more. With my husband, I run a Movie group on a Wednesday in the auditorium. Attendance is usually about 24. Under the new rules, we would have to refuse some loyal members entry to our class if the French class was still to run at the same time in the language room and all other classes at this time would have to be cancelled. (Just another possible example illustrating the impact.)

I have belonged to U3A for about a decade, was on the committee for a while, and have made many friends. The classes have had a tremendous impact on my life and, in turn, I have been able to inspire others through the various classes I have given.

Given our age group, quite a few people have gone through traumas such as being widowed. People have spoken to me sometimes saying they do not know what they would have done without the companionship of other U3A members at a difficult time. One lady told me she saw the future like a black abyss and, felt like throwing herself off a cliff, until she started coming to classes and making friends. She said U3A had totally transformed her life for the better. I know two people who use wheel chairs but can get to classes. What a difference this has made to their lives.

I have just given a few examples. I would be sad if we had to limit classes and/or attendance. I cannot believe this is because of parking. Many people use the bus, some walk, other share lifts, there are spaces in the local church car park and spaces in many local streets. I never have trouble parking if I come by car. (No need for parking in Toolar Street either.)

I urge you to see what an important service U3A brings to its members and frequently to the wider public. Please don't make changes to a successful valuable operation that is working so well.

I will not be back in Australia until close to the end of February so cannot really contribute more to the discussion until I am home.

Sincerely -

Angela Le Mare