President's Report

President’s Report U3A Godley, 26 November 2023.

Well, I didn’t really know what to expect at the start of the year coming in as your new president but I did know that things would be in order following on from Prue….and they were, thank you Prue. This year there were four ‘newbies’ to the team i.e. a new president (me), a new secretary – Margaret Harper, a new treasurer – Sandra Caldwell and one new committee member - Dick Clayton, but it’s a very well-oiled machine and it just keeps on keeping on and we hope it stays that way…..

I feel we’ve had a very positive year together. I think that one of the reasons U3A Godley is such a ‘successful’ group is the huge goodwill shown across the board - at every level and from a wide variety of people: from the committee office bearers, the audio visual group, Pam and Lorraine at the front desk, the kitchen team, the website, the programme committee, the Places of Interest trips, the recent wine tours, the various ‘clickers’ on the door, the walking and movie groups, managing the membership, finance, book group, art appreciation group, cycling, recorder, the travel and writing groups…..that’s a lot of people giving and sharing but it’s also a lot of opportunity for anyone to take part at whatever level one wants, and get to know a different group of people. It is very satisfying to be part of such an impressive network of participation and a big thank you to everyone who’ve shared their knowledge and passions with others for the good of all.

Our programme is another reason we’re going well – we average anywhere from about 145 – 155 attendees most weeks which is good turnout in anyone’s book and we have had 33 new members this year – but because we are a group of ‘mature’ people we lose a few with sickness and ill health. I believe our programme has real integrity, it’s ‘meaty’ and we cover a wide variety of subjects. Obviously one can’t expect 100% engagement every single week but I think we hit a pretty high average. Thank you very much to Pam Craig and her programme committee – I’ve been involved in that group and I know there’s a lot of organizing to run it smoothly and the hiccups are few and far between – we did have one recently which was rare….but we got there, after a patient pause….

Food is an important part of any get-together and I think Steph Coster does a great job with her hospitality team – swapping the once-a-series lunches with end-of-series morning teas has been a good move – the new time seems better suited as more people are coming for a cuppa and a chat than came for lunch. Steph organized today and she’s behind the little touches like the hot-cross buns at Easter and the fruit mince pies and Xmas cake we were treated to last Monday. Thank you Steph.

Margaret Harper stepped in as secretary this year and she also has done an excellent job – she’s been right ‘on the case’ since day one – very obliging and super efficient – thank you Margaret – it’s much easier with good support like the support you give me.

Our committee meets once every series, everyone has an area of responsibility. They’re a very positive group but no one is locked in forever and this year Michelle Blackmore is stepping down - thank you Michelle for your long standing commitment, we’ll miss your common sense attitude around the table but the good news is that Michelle is going to continue with the digital side i.e. the website and the emails, although she would like an ‘assistant’ with the website so if anyone feels they could help in that area please let either Michelle or myself know – you don’t have to be Elon Musk to qualify! All help is good help!


Our new treasurer this year Sandra Caldwell, is also moving on. Sandra is not able to be here today – it’s been just a one-year tenure but Sandra and her husband would like to do a lot more travel and you can’t be in two places at the same time….so thank you to Sandra – she picked it up really quickly and was always very efficient and very good at following things through. I’m sure she will enjoy her travelling and hopefully we’ll see her at U3A between trips. BOTTLE OF WINE (not here to accept)

In the background throughout the year we have been lucky enough to have Ross Nicholas keeping an eye on things – pointing us in the right direction when needed and mentioning necessary things that we perhaps had no idea about and, he prepared the accounts for this last financial year and presented them to you today – thank you Ross, please don’t retire 100%, your experience and wisdom is very much appreciated and we would like it as long as you can give it.

I realise this report is a bit of a ‘thank-fest’ but thank ‘YOU’ for your ongoing support, enthusiasm, encouragement and commitment. As I’ve already implied, I’ve found U3A Godley a very positive group to be part of and who could ask for more than the goodwill and positive vibe at our luncheon today?

I would like to wish you a safe, happy and healthy festive season and I hope you’ll be able to spend time with your family and/or friends.

Enjoy the rest of the luncheon and keep on learning!

Ask someone to move the report be received