MEMBERS of the Myall University of the Third Age (U3A) have finished the year with a bang, and are ready to head into 2026 with just as much energy, following several end-of-year events.
On Tuesday 9 December, representatives of Myall U3A Art Group visited both local nursing homes in Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest to deliver Christmas Cards which had been lovingly hand-made by members.
“This has become an annual event,” MU3A Art Group member Roslyn Jones told NOTA.
“The first nursing home visited was Estia Health at Tea Gardens, where a couple of hours were spent talking with residents, writing out a Christmas card to them and one or two for them to give to their family.
“Some of the lady residents were busy having their nails done by a nail technician and staff, getting them all ready for Christmas and visits from their family soon, and one resident had recently turned 106.”
Ros and fellow artist Karen Piggott then headed to Peter Sinclair Gardens to do the same for the residents there too.
Several of the handmade gifts were created as sensory cards for the sight impaired.
“We were greeted with politeness by residents, big smiles and many happy to impart a story about themselves,” Ros added.
“Some residents were not as enthusiastic about Christmas time as they were in younger days, so we hope that after they received a card and a visit, their day was a little brighter.”
The Myall U3A AGM was held at the start of December, celebrating the completion of a very busy and successful year.
The meeting took place within the U3A’s new home in the annex of Hawks Nest Community Hall.
“By the end of January we became the proud tenants of a hall with just two fire extinguishers as furnishings, but since then we have completed the fitting out of this hall,” returning President Roger Digby said.
“It has been quite expensive, but we are very proud of the result, having created a first-class community asset.
“Particular thanks to Denis who organized most of the fitting out, and even secured us a $5000 Federal grant towards the AV system, and thanks to Deborah who organised the orderly transfer of courses from their previous locations.”
The year that was 2025 saw major events for Myall U3A, including a major Art Show and musical events presented by the Choir and Music groups.
Elsewhere the Garden and Nature Group organised a number of interesting horticultural outings, and the Friday presentations covered a huge range of subjects, ably organised at first by Deborah and recently by Felicity.
The Myall U3A ends the year with 254 members, an astonishing portion of the 3000 permanent residents within Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest.
The organisation is looking forward to another big year in 2026, starting with Enrolment Day in the new hall on Tuesday 20 January.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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