In Australia in 2008, lecturers (or tutors where courses are offered) collectively contributed more than 667,000 hours towards U3A courses and activities. Administrators and other volunteers contributed a further 192,000 hours. These data were used to arrive at a total hourly volunteer figure extrapolated to all 205 Australian U3As. A (modest) notional dollar value of $20 an hour was ascribed to the activities to give a conservative value for Australian U3A voluntarism in 2008 of more than $21 million.

In New Zealand, U3A volunteer tutors and lecturers provided, in 2008, more than 54,000 hours, and administrators and other volunteers provided more than 14,000 hours. These figures were used to extrapolate to all 60 NZ U3As to give a conservative value for NZ U3A voluntarism in 2008 of more than $1.9 million.

The 205 U3A groups in Australia range in size from a low of 24 members to a high of 5500 members (Sydney U3A). The largest free-standing U3A is U3A ACT with 3700 members. Nine groups have 1000 or more members. The median U3A Australian membership number is 414. The 60 U3A groups in New Zealand range in size from a low of 30 members to a high of 824 members (Wellington City). The median membership is 201.

Australian U3As do not appear to limit membership numbers; many New Zealand U3As, on the other hand, do limit membership size to around 200 in order to maximise opportunities for social networking. Most of these capped U3As have membership waiting lists.

In both countries the number of males participating has increased substantially from earlier findings. The female/male ratio is now 3:1.

Few U3As record members’ age ranges. This information would be helpful to assist U3A leaders to understand how their organisation is faring over time. In U3A ACT, one quarter of its 3700 members were aged 65 or under; 14% were aged 80 and older.

Many U3As continue to receive generous in-kind assistance from local community organisations but there are reports of this becoming scarcer due to community changes such as Council amalgamations and society moving more strongly towards a user-pay approach. Finding suitable low cost accommodation remains the most pressing problem facing U3As.

Adapted from an article in the current edition of the Mudgee District U3A Newsletter