Our community's U3A always generates a lot of enthusiasm - it officially boasts the largest membership (per capita) of any other U3A in the state. And each year its open days attract a large crowd of people eager to sign up.

But this year the excitement has intensified.

Last year the creep of COVID forced most courses to be abandoned before they'd even had a chance to really get rolling.

Course Coordinator Sandra Edmonds said she was only two weeks deep into her Tudor Dynasty class when "it became apparent that getting together in large groups was suddenly not a good idea".

"Some hardy souls wanted to keep going but the U3A committee made the sensible decision to suspend classes, about a week or ten days before that became a legal necessity," she said.

The toll of COVID on our society has been great and varied. But for some of our elders the greatest impact has been from social isolation.

"For many of our members U3A is their primary social interaction, and I think that initially this is what was greatly missed when courses were suspended," Sandra said.

Some outdoor courses were able to start back from June onwards. U3A Secretary Avril Daniels said her Garden Group was one of the lucky ones.

"I remember when we met back for the first time it was like everyone had been let out of prison," she said.

However, conducting indoor classes was still too risky.

"As the months wore on, many of us looked forward to renewing the mental and physical stimulation that U3A provides and a number of members asked me if we would be able to resume our program in the second semester (August to December). August was a bit optimistic, but I was able to re-start The Tudor Dynasty classes at the beginning of September, with social distancing and COVID-safe practices written into a safety plan," Sandra said.

"I was really pleased that more than half the original class attended the remaining six sessions, and they all were delighted to be back into the swing of a more normal life.

Which stands to reason when you consider the range of new courses being offered this year.

"I think that the amazing reaction I have had from people willing to commit their time and expertise to help make this semester's course list such a varied and stimulating one is evidence of their continued support of U3A. It seems that everyone just wants to be involved again, which is pretty terrific!" Sandra said.

There are over 40 courses on offer in semester one; members can choose to delve into sustainability, law for seniors, colonial history, Italian, break out some Zumba or ballroom dance moves, or take a carpet ride through Anatolia. And that's just the beginning.

"We're so motivated by the new courses on offer this year," Avril said. "And over a quarter of them are new."

With membership renewal and course registration now able to be completed online, Avril said there have been quite a few enthusiastic people who have already reserved their spots.

But there will also be a COVID-safe Open Day held at the Nambucca Community And Arts Centre on Wednesday, January 27 from 10am-2pm.

"It might look a little different, but it will still be a very welcoming Open Day," Avril said.

"And we're expecting a good turn out.

"We've had a difficult year, but we're back online, and there's a lot of excitement about getting back into it."

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