Some quick-thinking and initiative has resulted in the establishment of Wanaka's second U3A.
Organiser of the new Mt Aspiring U3A, Richard Paxman, decided to set up the group upon learning the Upper Clutha U3A was full and "had a waiting list for a number of years".
The Mt Aspiring U3A already has more than 50 members since it was established last month and had its first committee meeting on Tuesday.
The U3A movement started in France in the early 1970s and is aimed at encouraging further learning for retired people.
There are more than 80 U3A's around New Zealand, but each group is run autonomously and the format can often vary.
A former member of the Pakuranga U3A, Mr Paxman said he used that group's style and format as inspiration, and subsequently believed the Mt Aspiring U3A would be different from any other society in Wanaka.
"It will have not only invited speakers to a monthly general meeting but will lay equal emphasis on the setting up and running of study groups. These are instigated and run by a convener, usually in his or her own home, therefore numbers are limited to 10 to 12."
"Regular meeting of a small group sharing one particular interest proved extremely popular in Pakuranga ... and I fully expect the format to prove popular here."
He said study groups were likely to be held once a month and he had already had offers from members to host study groups on astronomy and the history of medicine.
"In my view, the key word is participation. We don't want a passive society in which members come, listen to a speaker, and then go home. We want and expect them to contribute."
He said the group hoped to have its first general meeting in mid-May.
