Welcome to the University of the Third Age - U3A Bunbury

What is U3A

First developed in France and later in the UK U3A has developed into a major international phenomenon with thousands of local branches and members around the world.

Each branch caters for local membership by providing learning opportunities and fellowship.

News and events

Our Semester 2 2026 program kicks off on Friday 14 August at ECU. All welcome. Meetings are usually held at ECU but are moved to other venues from time to time (see details below). Gather from 9:30am for morning tea (bring a mug) and proceedings commence at 10:00am.

Note our regular Friday meetings are always on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. If a month is lucky enough to have a fifth Friday (eg October 30) then an outing is usually scheduled for that day.

August-November Program - Bunbury 2026

No bookings required - just turn up.

Regular venue ECU Bunbury Campus off Robertson Drive and follow signs to U3A.

Note parking is no longer free.

At ECU park in Student area 4 or other visitor parking (pay at a machine or via the PayStay application).

Please check session details below for possible venue changes.

14th August 2026 – Room 5.132 - Mr Laurie Barnes - Collaboration and Customer Service......how businesspeople of our age need to adapt.....OR NOT?? Join Laurie for a vibrant discussion.

28th August 2026 – Room 5.140 - Mr Norm Flynn - Props and Productions - Learn about another side of Norm - how he designs and produces the many props he has contributed to BREC productions and amateur theatre.

11th September 2026 – Room 5.140 - Larissa Beeby, Advocacy WA - Do you think you know how to talk with someone who is disabled? Come and find out!

25th September 2026 – Room 5.140 - Danielle Sartorelli - Author of "Life in Instalments". This book explores the often unspoken impact of addiction and crime on families. Danielle speaks from experience as her brother died from his addiction, and she adds her journey while writing her book.

9th October 2026 – Room 5.140 - Angelika Bailey et al. - 12 Stories and More. Angelika has been facilitating one of our first "courses" - 12 Stories. Angelika, along with some of the participants, will give you an insight into this exciting, revealing and sometimes emotional journey taken by the group.

23rd October 2026 – Room 5.140 - Rachael - Regional Tech Hub. During Get Online Week, Rachael will explain some of the best deals for Seniors regarding technology and update us on some of the latest scams.

30th October 2026 - OUTING T.B.A.

13th November 2026 – Room 6.103 - Georgia Williams - Royal Lifesaving of WA - Make The Right Call - Older Australians are sadly overrepresented in drowning statistics with 33% aged 65 or older. Georgia will educate us on recognising risks, making informed decisions and preventing tragedies, as well as enlightening us on the wonderful work of the Royal Lifesaving Society WA Inc.

April- May Program - Bunbury 2026

April 10 th – Jacquie Ross
What does a Music Therapist do? Jacquie will be here to tell us what she achieves with her Music Therapy with patients and children.

April 24 th - Peter Murphy
Peter has just released a book called Fremantle to Freedom, about the escape from Fremantle of some Irish convicts. This year is the 150 th Anniversary of the Catalpa Escape, and Peter will
enlighten us on the story.

May 8 th - Brendan Kelly
Many SW people will know Brendan. He has been a Bunbury Councillor and written a few books on fascinating histories around Bunbury. Brendan last visited us in 2018, talking about London Street, and this time his subject will be “Amateur Entertainment 1875 – 1895 – Sex, Drugs and Gilbert & Sullivan".

May 22 nd - Christine Penny and her journey with Solaris Cancer Care.
May is Cancer Awareness Month, and we all know about “Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea”, which is a very worthy cause. However, Solaris Cancer Care does not receive any money from this fundraiser. Bunbury U3A will hold a “Solaris” morning tea, with some of the food donated by the Kulbardi Café (ECU) and the rest brought to you by members of your Commitee. We will try and raise some extra funds for Solaris, which is one of our local cancer care facilities. So, save some money from
your Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea outing and use it for funds for Solaris. Christine will give us a talk about Solaris and its liaison with E.C.U. and SCENIC (an ECU study in the southwest).

May 29 th – Outing – Visit to King Cottage, followed by lunch at

Sylvana’s Café in the Bunbury Bowling Club

When was the last time you visited Kings Cottage? Come and join us for a visit, finding new pieces that they have acquired and listening to one of their talented volunteers talking about the Cottage. After our visit we can walk over the road to the Bunbury Bowling Club and enjoy a lunch at Sylvana’s Café at our own expense.

June 12 th - Stay on Your Feet: Shaan Brems will deliver a presentation on "Move Your Body", in the "Stay on Your Feet" Programme.

June 26 - Wayne Custodio : An Introduction to AI (Artificial Intelligence)

ECU Building 5, Room 132/133

July 10 th - Bunbury Orchid Society: Norm Martin & Warren Cruickshank, life members of the Society, will talk about Orchids and all the different genuses there are. As they are both judges their insights into the "Best of Show" should be enlightening.

July 24 th - Ric Stacey - The Artist Ape: Does the making of art make us unique in the animal world? Ric will follow on from his presentation on Portraiture lecture last year with this interesting question. Note this meeting will NOT be held at ECU and instead will be held at the Dalyellup Community Centre, 7/6 Gosse Way, Dalyellup WA 6230. Ample parking can be found around the centre off Gosse Way, particularly in Bass Fairway.

July 31st - Outing - Visit to Harvey Cheese followed by lunch at Brugan Brewery, Wokalup (details to be announced)

February-March Program - Bunbury 2026

09:30-11:30 Friday 13 February, Room 5.132/133, ECU Bunbury

Meet and Greet, Come along and meet current and new U3A members.

A Life in Community Radio with Barry Green

Barry was instrumental in starting Donnybrook Balingup Community Radio, Western Tourist Radio and the Harvest Highway which runs from Pinjarra to Manjimup along the Southwest Highway.

9:30-11:30 Friday 27 February, Room 5.132/133, ECU Bunbury

The Regional Men's Health Initiative -

Wellbeing tips with Glen Dunkerton

Glenn will take us through a variety of issues including mental health, physical and social aspects of our health and wellbeing. This will be a light-hearted session identifying some of the things men do, or don't do!

U3A Committee Member Lyn will provide a poster for attendees to take with them at our first meeting to encourage other men to join us. The Initiative has kindly given us a grant to buy some morning tea.

Men, and those who have men in their lives, are encouraged to attend.

9:30-11:30 Friday 13 March, Room 5.132/133, ECU Bunbury

Bunbury U3A Annual General Meeting

follwowed by some short films.

9:30-11:30 Friday 27 March, Room 5.132/133, ECU Bunbury

Riding for the Disabled with Jean Lishman.

Jean will discuss the Southwest Riding for the Disabled and what it is all about.

Tuesday Topical Talking

Sessions held at the the Bunbury Library at 10am on every second Tuesday. No formal agenda just come along and share your ideas.

Tuesday Dates for 2026:

17 Feb;

3,17,31 March - "Refreshment area," Bunbury Library