Myall U3A celebrates federal grant for equipment upgrades

MYALL University of the Third Age (MU3A) members gathered for a special presentation on Friday, 19 September, welcoming two levels of elected government representatives to their new building on Booner Street, Hawks Nest.

After hearing a special presentation on ‘secrets’, MU3A members were joined by Federal MP for Lyne Alison Penfold, and local MidCoast Councillor Thomas O’Keefe, to celebrate the successful outcome of the federal Stronger Communities Grant Round 9.

“Back in March this year, we moved into our new premises at the Hawks Nest Community Centre, and we welcomed Dr David Gillespie, our then-Federal MP, who obtained the original grant for the new building,” MU3A President Roger Digby announced.

“As part of our deal with MidCoast Council we have had to pay for all the furniture and fittings for the new hall, and have spent close to $21,000 of our members’ reserves, and are very pleased with the level of comfort and attractiveness that we have been able to achieve.”

The Myall U3A then sought to improve the experience with a proper modern audio-visual (AV) system, leading them to apply for the Federal Stronger Communities Program Round 9, and were successful in receiving a further $5000.

The new AV system was expected to have arrived already, however delays outside the U3A’s control meant it was still incoming.

Federal MP Alison Penfold was in town to meet the Myall U3A and several other local community groups who had benefited from being chosen to receive funds from the Stronger Communities grant program.

Ms Penfold noted that the grant success was handled by her predecessor, Dr David Gillespie, before the 2025 Federal Election in May, and was proud to honour that successful legacy, especially as the new MU3A building was also funded via a grant also through Dr Gillespie’s office years prior.

“The Stronger Communities grant will provide a large TV to add to the equipment available to the very active community here on the Mall Coast,” Ms Penfold told NOTA.

The Myall U3A Hall also boasts a new picture hanging system, which will be fully utilised by the MU3A Art Group to set up a permanent display of some of their work in the next few days, the finishing touch to a finally completed home base for the local group of clubs.

The MU3A now has over 250 members partaking in learning of multiple disciplines and interests, including art, choir, gardening, French, Spanish, Writers’, Metaphysics (debut this year), music, guitar, cards, yoga, opera appreciation, films, speaker presentations on Fridays.

“We have created a very worthwhile community asset,” Mr Digby concluded.