Community & Business
9 November, 2023
‘Gang of three’ recognised
THREE stalwarts of the University of the Third Age Atherton Tablelands (U3AAT) were recognised recently for their 10 years of service to the group.
Affectionately called the “Gang of Three”, Barbara Whybird, Fran Herriott, and Alf Hogan have been on the committee since the group set up in 2011.
To mark their more than decade of service, the trio was presented with a personalised pen, a framed certificate and a voucher to a local restaurant.
The three members, along with the late and revered Glynn Davies, are considered founders of the Atherton group.
The inaugural meeting of U3AAT was held at a private home in May 2011. Fran Herriott was secretary, Alf Hogan was (and still is) the Webmaster and Barb Whybird was Minutes Secretary. Glyn Davies was the first president.
The group moved to Room 6 in the 42 Mabel St community complex in Atherton shortly after being established in 2011 and to their current premises in Room 22 a few years after that.
Fran Herriott continued to serve as secretary until the 2022 AGM, and remains on the committee, while Barbara Whybird is the current president and has been in the role for six years.
U3A is a volunteer-based community organisation that promotes the physical, intellectual and social wellbeing of those who are in the third age of life beyond full time work.
Although the majority of members are of retirement age, anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to join.
U3A is an International Organisation that started in 1972 in France, and there are now more than 20,000 U3As across the world. U3A began in Australia in 1984 and as of 2023, has grown to 250 groups with approximately 100,000 members.
Membership of U3AAT costs $25 per year, giving members access to the group’s activities. Go to www.athtablands.u3anet.org.au for more information or to join the group.
