There were perfect conditions for Whakatāne U3A members to celebrate two decades of community last week.

The club’s 20^th anniversary event was hosted at Ōhope Beach Golf Links last Tuesday and drew a crowd of more than 80 people.

The day was full of laughter, applause, speeches and activities – and a glass of bubbles before lunch.

Whakatāne U3A was started in 2005, inspired by the international University of the Third Age movement, which began in France.

Anne Wicks, who went on to become the local group’s first president, was among the people to attend a meeting organised by Nan Penberth 20 years ago to hear from Tauranga branch members about U3A.

Another meeting followed to establish a Whakatāne branch committee, with Mrs Wicks as chair, and their first public meeting was held on September 13 that year.

From 17 paying members at their first meeting, Whakatāne U3A has grown to boast current membership numbers exceeding 200.

In an effort to drive an increase in membership in the early days, Whakatāne U3A held a special first birthday celebration which was open to the public.

The two-day event started with a social meal and speaker on the Friday evening, followed by two more speakers the next day, lunch, a walk to The Heads, and afternoon tea.

Numbers took until 2008 to pitch upwards, but they then found there was a gender imbalance, with significantly more women than men.

An impassioned plea by Allen Tierney for women to bring their husbands along, and the organisation of some men’s only events, saw the proportions begin to balance.

Mrs Wicks said the club has given her a lot of pleasure, and many friendships, over the years.

U3A has a couple of dozen interest groups for members to participate in, and that’s one of the key things that Mrs Wicks thought had made the club so successful, coupled with its comparatively small committee.

“Each group takes responsibility for themselves and supports individuals to make decisions about their own levels of participation, and this has led to us all having the opportunity to learn and develop at our own pace and develop friendships.

“The benefits of the companionship aspect can almost not be measured. Having something to go to and to be with other people of our age group, and our stage in life, is such a great opportunity and so important.”

Other members noted that the club was a place for them to meet like-minded people, keep the mind and body active, and the activities were rewarding and important to their mental health.

Whakatāne U3A meets monthly at Whakatāne Baptist Church to hear from various speakers, with interest groups meeting at different frequencies.