MATURE age Port Macquarie residents will have greater opportunities to experience learning at the new and expanded facilities at the University of the Third Age (U3A) at Lochinvar Place in Port Macquarie.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss and Federal Lyne MP David Gillespie officially opened the new facilities last week.
Mr Truss said the Australian Government was delivering on its commitment to Lyne after investing $50,000 under the Coalition’s newly established Community Development Grants program.
“Our government is committed to providing long-term improvements in social and economic infrastructure for communities across Australia,” Mr Truss said.
“All up, our Community Development Grants Program is providing $314.2 million toward almost 300 community projects across Australia.”
Dr Gillespie said the former Catholic Care of the Aged facilities had been renovated to create new lecture rooms, information technology rooms and craft rooms.
“The renovations also helped create 22 skilled trade jobs,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Our Community Development Grants program supports needed infrastructure that promotes stable, secure and viable local and regional economies.”
State Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said U3A would provide opportunities for seniors to engage in their choice of more than 60 different classes.
“It will be a place for mature age people and volunteers helping at the university to remain intellectually stimulated and to interact with like-minded people,” Ms Williams said.
In total, the new facilities at U3A cost $156,000 and were jointly funded by the Australian Government, NSW Government, Port Macquarie-Hastings University of the Third Age, Holiday Coast Credit Union and the ETC Community Support Fund.
