U3A Toowoomba

U3A Toowoomba U3A in Toowoomba Inc. is one of many similar U3A organisations in Australia. Formed in 1990 we provi The concept of U3A was developed in Toulouse in 1974.

The University of the Third Age (U3A) is an international organisation, embodying the principles of life-long education and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, in an atmosphere of mutual learning and teaching. Each U3A is a learning community, organised by and for people who can best be described as being active in retirement - the so-called Third Age of their lives. The term "University" i

s used in the original and medieval sense of an association or community of teachers and scholars, united in the pursuit of knowledge. Third Age refers to the life period of active retirement, which follows the first age of childhood and formal education and the second age of working life, and which precedes the fourth age of dependence. It spread rapidly through France and throughout Europe. The first Australian U3A was established in 1984, in Melbourne City, and the first courses were offered at the beginning of 1985. The first Queensland U3As were established in 1986. commenced in 1990. It has grown and evolved since commencement and now welcomes over 1800 members who have the opportunity to participate in over 140 classes/activities each week of term. While there are common objectives shared by all U3As, there are also broad differences of interest patterns, structure and organisation, determined by the particular needs of each U3A and the resources available locally to meet those needs. does not receive any government funding and relies entirely on the membership fees and class fees to meet the cost of managing and running the organisation.

Remember to come and support our Music, Arts&Crafts groups. We have 4 beautiful Vintage cars coming to set the scene.
06/09/2026

Remember to come and support our Music, Arts&Crafts groups. We have 4 beautiful Vintage cars coming to set the scene.

Spring has sprung and the Stroll Patrol celebrated the new season with a walk through beautiful Laurel Bank Park. Laurel...
02/09/2026

Spring has sprung and the Stroll Patrol celebrated the new season with a walk through beautiful Laurel Bank Park.
Laurel Bank Park was gifted to the City of Toowoomba by local resident Samuel George Stephens (junior) in 1932. Members of the Stephens family were important Toowoomba pioneers. Samuel George (senior) was one of the owners of the Darling Downs Gazette, he was a founder of the Darling Downs Building Society and was involved in the establishment of the Toowoomba Grammar school, the Toowoomba Hospital and the Fire Brigade.
Samuel George (junior) had been cultivating the 4.3-hectare garden at Laurel Bank for 30 years before giving it to the Toowoomba City Council. It was Heritage Listed in 2018 and, as one of the city's major attractions, it has a longstanding association with the city's annual Carnival of Flowers festival.
As we strolled around the beautiful park this morning, it was bursting into colour with Spring annuals blooming, the deciduous trees showing off their new green spring colours, and the tulip bulbs were just peeping through the soil encouraged by the warmer days of Spring.
We were lucky to be able to speak with some of the dedicated Council gardeners who coax the flowers to bloom at exactly the right time. This morning, they were deadheading the pansies so they will still be flowering during the Carnival which begins on September 18th and continues until 5th October. Some of the gardeners were lying on planks, picking off the spent flowers from the centre of the garden beds. That is dedication for you!
Urban Grounds Café, which is opposite Laurel Bank Park, was a perfect place to relax after our enjoyable stroll through the flowers.
Anna Carson

'Photography' group with Tutor Lyn Wetzig walked the 'Williams Great Short Walk' at Highfields - a little patch of rain...
01/09/2026

'Photography' group with Tutor Lyn Wetzig walked the 'Williams Great Short Walk' at Highfields - a little patch of rainforest in the midst of suburbia.
Geranium, Wonga Wonga, Jasmine, Clematis grow along the path and curl their way into the trees.
We enjoyed a coffee at Cafe 63 afterwards.

"Speakers Hub" welcomed Mayor Geoff McDonald on Monday. Geoff spoke with considerable enthusiasm about the future of the...
31/08/2026

"Speakers Hub" welcomed Mayor Geoff McDonald on Monday. Geoff spoke with considerable enthusiasm about the future of the Toowoomba Region, the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 and the changes to Cressbrook Dam.
See your Term 3 Newsletter (out last week of term) for more detail.
Thanks to Anna Carson for the photos.

'Showcase' is a wonderful celebration of the U3A Singing & Instrumental groups and our talented Art and Craft Groups.The...
28/08/2026

'Showcase' is a wonderful celebration of the U3A Singing & Instrumental groups and our talented Art and Craft Groups.
There will be prizes awarded as well as a Lucky Door, tea, coffee and light refreshments.
4 amazing 1920's Vintage cars will set the scene!!
Hope lots of Members come and enjoy the fun!

RSVP on our website at:
https://u3atoowoomba.au/courses/

Today, under beautiful blue skies and springlike weather, the Thursday walkers strolled around the streets and parks of ...
27/08/2026

Today, under beautiful blue skies and springlike weather, the Thursday walkers strolled around the streets and parks of Highfields.

Highfields forms part of the traditional lands of the Jarowair and Gaibal peoples. European settlement began in the 1840s with the land being used mainly for cattle grazing. Then in the 1860s the region developed more intensely around timber getting, resulting in the construction of several sawmills.

In 1867, the completion of the Ipswich to Toowoomba railway bought in more workers, with many of them later settling in the Highfields district and establishing dairying farming and crop growing industries on the land that had been previously cleared of timber.

The first school in Highfields was opened in 1870 inside the Rising Sun Hotel, marking the formal start of the township.
The first dedicated school was built in 1877-1878.
The following year saw the construction of the Christ Church Lutheran Church, serving a community where almost half the farming families were of German heritage.

Up until the 1980s, Highfields remained a quiet, rural town, before the subdivision of residential land resulted in significant changes to the landscape. The 1990s saw rapid growth with both residential and commercial expansion.

Today the town, 12km north of Toowoomba on the New England Highway, boasts 2 supermarkets, many specialised art, craft and food outlets, the Highfields Pioneer Historical Village, multiple schools both private and public, beautiful parklands and walking tracks and great community facilities, including the Cultural Centre, library, and the Aquatic centre.

To complete a wonderful morning, the walkers enjoyed coffee and cake at the Danish Flower Art Gourmet Cafe where one of our favourite treats is any one of the large variety of delicious scones made on the premises.
Maureen McHugh
Photos: Lesley Walker

Photos by Birding group
25/08/2026

Photos by Birding group

'Birding with Mick'. The group met at Lilyvale West Meringdan Park for an outing to the Yalangue-Glencoe district target...
25/08/2026

'Birding with Mick'. The group met at Lilyvale West Meringdan Park for an outing to the Yalangue-Glencoe district targeting some nice birds of the Eastern Downs including the White - winged Fairy-wren. Yes they spotted this bird!

Visited Rosalie Eustace U3A Nature Journalling Tutor who opened her home studio for the High Country Art Trail.Very insp...
22/08/2026

Visited Rosalie Eustace U3A Nature Journalling Tutor who opened her home studio for the High Country Art Trail.
Very inspirational. An amazing collection of art work. Most enjoyable.

Address

7 Matthews Street
Toowoomba, QLD
4350

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4pm
Friday 9am - 12:30pm
1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+61746877659

Website

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