You’re familiar with the motivational adage “Live, laugh, love”, what about “Learn, laugh, live”?

It’s the motto of the University of the Third Age, or U3A: a community where curiosity, connection, and culture don't retire with age.

For Ōamaru member Heather Brown, U3A might just be the best-kept secret in lifelong learning.

Heather’s U3A journey began back home in England.

“My uncle in Britain belonged to U3A and really enjoyed it. And when I came here and semi-retired, I thought, I wanna carry on learning, that's what I wanna do. That's how I joined up.”

The “Third Age” refers to the third stage of life, the post-work period, the golden years, Heather says.

It offers the opportunity for new experiences and pursuits.

“It provides members a chance to re-discover past passions or new interests and activities in an informal and friendly atmosphere.

“We are a group that likes to listen to speakers and we're a group of inquiring minds, who want to continue learning, but not necessarily through to some kind of certification or recognition.

“The university part of the University of Third Age is a bit misleading. You don't have to have been to university to come along to us.

And the third age just means we are mature learners.” Heather says.

The group of about 30 members meets weekly during term time and considers a wide range of subjects according to the specialism of the invited speaker.

Speakers are “very diverse”, and it's a big job finding the right ones who are willing to speak in front of an audience, she says.

“We have a programme for the first three weeks of the term, [with] our speakers, and then the fourth week is something else - it might be a quiz, it might be people talking about their own experiences within house - and then we carry on with another three speakers in the next three weeks.”

Examples of previous speakers who have educated the group include international figures from Antarctica to Zimbabwe—a true A-Z of learning.

The general manager of the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe, has been a speaker, Heather says.

“We've had a cancer specialist come and talk to us about genome sequencing when we all had COVID; we've had someone talking about their trip from Ramsgate in England on a bicycle to Budapest - 2000 kilometers on a push bike, two of them.

We've had someone come and talk about his year in Antarctica.”

For local U3A members, variety is the spice of life. Artificial intelligence and the career of a nun have also been memorable learning highlights.

The most recent speaker to impart his expertise is local specialist Andrew Killick from Silenzio Pottery, “coming to talk about his potting and all his things”.

Heather says U3A is for anyone.

“Everyone can come along as long as they have an inquiring mind.

“If they want to continue learning, if they want to continue challenging their own mind, this is a fantastic group. It's very supportive and very friendly.

“It's very open and some of the subjects are very challenging. And that's exactly why it was set up, to continue that challenge of learning for life.”

Members never know what they might learn, and it gives them something to think about when they leave, she says.

“There are no essays to write, no tests.”

All that’s required to attend is an open mind and sense of humor.

Meetings are held at St John’s Hall on Exe Street, on Tuesday afternoons, with doors opening at 1.50pm for the speaker to begin at 2pm.

“There is a cup of tea in the middle, and there's always challenging questions for the speakers.”

As a lifelong learner, Heather’s takeaway as a local U3A member is you never know what you will find interesting.

“The speaker might, on paper, look quite dry. It might look a bit weird.

“We had a balloon lady come once and she went to conventions all over the world and it was amazing.

“I'd thought, oh, I'm not sure about that one, but you never know what you're gonna get.”

Consider this your invitation to be part of a vibrant learning community because even if it’s your third age, the learning never stops.

For people aged around 55-plus, who are interested in joining the U3A Ōamaru, contact Catherine on 021 687 637 or Pat on 027 479 1725.