Dear Members of Mudgee District U3A
The good news is that Mudgee is to come out of lockdown on Friday 1st October.
That means that from Tuesday 5th October (Monday is a Public holiday), U3A can recommence operation BUT there are still restrictions.
Everyone must check in, the 4sq m rule applies to all indoor settings and masks must be worn inside. Exercise and dance classes remain capped at 20 people.
Importantly, you need to be fully vaccinated (or have an exemption) to participate.
The restrictions will continue to impact the operation of some classes - so not all classes will be be able to restart. Please contact your Presenter to find out if your class will be operating.
There has been one change during lockdown. Cheryl Russell and Barbara Vickary have taken over from Janet and Margaret as joint Program Co-ordinators. If you have any questions about courses, please contact Cheryl (0407 915 277) or Barbara (0404 921 639).
The U3A Committee will meet next week and a decision will be made about when and where the AGM will be held.
Once again, could those of you with friends without email addresses please let them know what is happening.
It’s good to be back.
Heather

In light of this morning’s announcement that the lockdown will be extended for another two weeks, sadly classes will remain suspended (except Current Affairs which is on-line).
At this stage the lockdown is meant to end at midnight on the 10th September, but again, there are no guarantees. Given this uncertainty and the fact that Term 3 ends on the 17th September, the decision has been made NOT to recommence classes until the start of Term 4, which would be the 4th October (Health orders permitting).
The continuing lockdown also means that the AGM has been postponed, probably until October (date and venue to organised).
Let’s hope the situation in NSW improves and that some certainty returns.
Once again, can those of you with friends who do not have email addresses please let them know what is happening.
 
Thanking you for your patience.

Despite the Greater Sydney lockdown being extended for another month, there have been requests for U3A classes to recommence. In response to this groundswell, our hardworking Program Coordinator, Janet, has been busy surveying presenters to find out who is willing to work within the current restrictions in order to bring back some classes. An enormous ‘thank you’ goes to those presenters who are willing to 'give it a go’.
 
In order for this to happen, strict COVID rules must be observed. All participants  MUST WEAR MASKS indoors (if you do not feel comfortable wearing a mask for the duration of the session, please do not attend) and social distancing must take place (one person per 4 sq m). This is on top of the usual check-in requirements and the COVID cleaning after each class.
 
Thus, from Monday 2nd August, the following classes will operate if you are willing to leave the safety of your home: (Pease note that there are some venue changes)
 
Lions Club
Persian Prophets
Calligraphy
Book Group 2 - Thursday 11.30
 
Baptist Church 
Please note that for this venue there are upper and lower limits on some classes. The upper limit is due to social distancing. The lower limit is because this is a venue that we hire and too few people makes it economically unviable.
 
Balance’n’Bones  Max 20 Min 8
Painting with Watercolours Min 10
Line Dancing Max 20 (inside) Min 10 (weather permitting, this group may try operating in the breezeway)
Local History  Min 10
 
Zoom
Current Affairs
Book Group 3
 
Venue closures, social distancing (4 sq m) and mandatory mask wearing make it impossible for some classes to operate. These include Canasta, Mah Jong, First Aid, Floor Yoga, Material Crafts, Book to Movie, Art Group and Sunday Movie Matinee. These will recommence when Regional restrictions are lifted.
 
Again, if you know a U3A member without an email address, please pass on this information about the partial recommencement of classes next Monday.
 
One socially distanced event that is still going ahead is the Mudgee District U3A AGM 10am, Saturday 28th August at the Baptist Church. If you wish to attend, please contact the Secretary, Marianne Matthews ([email protected], ph 0419 218 648) or send her your proxy vote.