Find below information of interest to U3A Geelong members, as received from U3A Network Victoria.
Ageism: The Inclusion Issue Hiding in Plain Sight
Ageism is one of those things we often recognise more easily when it happens to someone else.
A joke about “having a senior moment.”
An assumption that an older person will struggle with technology.
A compliment that doesn’t quite feel like one: “You’re amazing for your age.”
A decision made on someone’s behalf because, surely, they wouldn’t be interested.
None of these moments may seem dramatic on their own. But together they shape expectations. And expectations shape opportunities.
That is why ageism belongs squarely in the diversity and inclusion conversation.
We often think about diversity in terms of culture, gender, disability, background or experience. Age is part of diversity too. And inclusion is about much more than simply allowing people to be present. It is about whether people feel respected, valued, listened to and able to participate fully.
We are not all the same because we are older
One of the biggest problems with ageism is the way it compresses an enormously diverse group of people into a single label.
“Older people” can describe someone in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond.
Within that span are people with completely different lives, abilities, interests, cultures, ambitions, health conditions, confidence, experience and expectations.
Some are working. Some are volunteering. Some are travelling. Some are studying. Some are caring for others. Some are learning their first digital skills while others have used technology throughout their careers.
Age tells us something about how long a person has lived. It tells us very little about who that person actually is. And yet age can quietly influence who is invited, who is encouraged, who is listened to and whose ideas are taken seriously.
That is where diversity becomes an inclusion issue.
Sometimes ageism comes from us
Ageism is not always something “other people” do.
We can absorb ageist attitudes ourselves.
How often do we hear — or perhaps even say:
“I’m too old for that.”
Sometimes it’s simply a joke. But sometimes we have begun accepting a limitation before we have even tested it.
We can also make assumptions about other people with the best of intentions.
She probably won’t want to come at night.
He won’t be interested in learning that.
They won’t understand the technology.
We may think we are being considerate, but there is a difference between offering support and removing choice. Inclusion means asking rather than assuming.
The small moments matter
Changing ageism doesn’t necessarily require a confrontation or a campaign. Often the most powerful opportunities arise in ordinary conversation.
Someone makes an ageist comment.
We hear it.
And there is a small moment when we can either let it pass – or become a “quiet Ambassador” and gently challenge the assumption behind it.
The shift can be subtle, but powerful. We move from limitation to possibility.
From assumption to choice. From age to the individual.
Inclusion is not pretending age doesn’t exist
There is an important distinction here.
Being inclusive doesn’t mean pretending ageing is irrelevant. Peoples’ needs can change. Accessibility matters. Health matters. Energy levels, confidence and circumstances can change too.
But recognising a person’s needs is very different from deciding what that person is capable of purely because of their age.
Good inclusion asks:
What does this person need to participate?
Ageism says:
People that age probably can’t participate.
That difference matters.
Imagine if we became better at noticing
What if more of us simply began noticing ageism when it appeared? Not with anger. Not with embarrassment, but with curiosity.
What if we became comfortable asking:
“Why do we think that?”
“Are we making an assumption?”
“Have we actually asked them?”
Those are small questions, but they can open surprisingly big doors. Because ultimately, tackling ageism is not about being “politically correct”.
It is about allowing people to continue being fully themselves as they grow older.
To learn, contribute, change their minds, try something new, take leadership, make mistakes and belong. Perhaps that is the simplest definition of inclusion we can carry with us:
See the person before the age.
Notice the assumption.
Challenge it when it matters.
And keep the Ageism conversation open.
Because none of us should reach an age when other people quietly begin deciding who we are allowed to be.
Lyn Goodall, U3A Victoria Vice President – Growth & Sustainability
Ageism Awareness Day – October 9 each year – is an annual event that highlights the impacts of ageism in Australia and is supported by the EveryAGE Counts coalition, which works to challenge stereotypes, discrimination, and mistreatment of older Australians.
The day encourages public awareness and community engagement, with activities such as discussions, events, and symbolic gestures like lighting up Melbourne Town Hall in green to show support.
The campaign emphasises the importance of ending ageism to improve job prospects, confidence, health, and quality of life for older Australians, while promoting their full participation in society.
EveryAGE Counts provides resources, guides, and materials to help individuals and organisations actively challenge ageist attitudes and practices,
In 2026, Australians are encouraged to participate in events and conversations during Ageism Awareness Day to recognise the contributions of older people and advocate for a society free from age-based discrimination.
RMIT and U3A Victoria Host Survey on Adult Learning
YOUR HELP NEEDED NOW!
U3A Network Victoria and Professor Bernardo Figueiredo of RMIT University have announced a survey responding to the need for lifelong learning opportunities for older adults.
The survey was launched at the May U3A Victoria Members Council, with Professor Figueiredo presenting on RMIT’s development of the survey project, and the input and co-design of the survey by members of U3A Victoria.
The survey seeks to understand barriers to university study for older learners – barriers in areas like policy, finance, confidence, and prior learning. Professor Figueiredo says the outcome of the survey will be a pilot program that enables older adults to participate in existing RMIT courses alongside the broader student cohort.
Building this survey is part of U3A Victoria’s ongoing work with RMIT University, which over the past six years has included development of the Shaping Connections research program on bridging the technology gap for older Australians and several other specific target investigations.
The survey can also be accessed through the link here: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
U3A Victoria President Annie Grigg has urged all U3As to distribute the survey to all members. She noted this opportunity to contribute to academic research can boost the sense of achievement of all U3A members and will certainly increase the visibility of the U3A movement.
Susan Webster, U3A Victoria Committee Member
2026 Annual General Meeting
After the recent AGM we welcome a new committee to U3A Geelong. Returning and new committee members look forward to working for and with the membership in the months ahead.
The following new/further documentation is supplied to members regarding the upcoming AGM.
Members are invited to download the current notices regarding the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday 31st March at 10am in the Cobbin Farm Chapel.
Please read these documents carefully and take note of the due dates.
More information about the Nominated candidates, Notices of Motions and Proxy voting forms will be emailed in line with the timelines.
Life Membership Nomination Form 2026 can be downloaded from the button below:
Special Class Notice: Wiser Driver program
The Wiser Driver program is a refresher course for responsible older drivers. Join this class for an informative, informal and friendly refresher course, to upgrade your knowledge and build on your experience to keep you driving safely.
Course objective – to provide participants with:
• up-to-date information on current Victorian Road Rules;
• openly address any questions or concerns participants have about driving;
• encourage participants to think about changes in their fitness or health that may impact their driving; and
• an awareness of safer driving habits over the 4 week course.
The Table features Dates and Events for your diaries.
2026 Event Dates.
The table will be updated as new events are scheduled, further details can be found on the home page.
Our Facebook and Instagram pages also have regular daily updates with more information and flyers for events.
Contact the office with any questions about events, many require registration through the Member Wizard system, some require payment.
| DATE | EVENT |
| Friday 6, 13, 20, 27 March | Wiser Driver |
| Tuesday March 31st | Annual General Meeting |
| Thursday April 2 | Last day of classes for Term one. |
| Friday April 3 | Good Friday |
| Monday April 20 | First day of classes for Term two. |