As an organisation it is unique in that every person involved, including the committee and the tutors, are volunteers.

Among the many offerings is Scottish dancing. Every Monday afternoon during term, up to 30 members get together to learn new Scottish dances.

A qualified teacher and a couple of trainee teachers are leading the class. It takes up to 7 years to become a fully qualified teacher.

During the first half hour, new class members are taught the basics; afterwards the others join in to learn a new routine.

“Age is no barrier,” said Patricia, one of the older members.

Another enthusiast, Peter, became involved to keep fit and to learn new skills. 

“Dancing is a social activity to keep both brain and body active,” he said.

Joy, who joined the group 16 years ago, totally agrees.

“It is dementia prevention, it is fun, we laugh a lot but we also take it seriously.”

For Rona, who had a brain operation three years ago and was partially paralysed, but is fully recovered, it is rehab and she is loving it.

If you think you might like to join, both U3A members and non-members can come to a class and talk to the teachers and participants.

Classes are Mondays from 1.30pm–4pm at Batemans Bay Community Centre, Museum Place, Batemans Bay.

For more information about the Scottish dancing class contact: Kathryn Johnson kejohnson2502@gmail.com.

For information about other activities and how to join U3A, go to: bbay.u3anet.org.au or phone 8250 5262.

Registration day, where you can join the 2019 classes and talk to the tutors, will be held on January 24, 2019 in the Batemans Bay Community Centre.

It is $20 to join U3A for the remainder of this year. Full year membership from January 2019 is $40.

If you require transport to go to any U3A class, phone Eurobodalla Community Transport on 4474 1040 for more information.