Our names are Jean and Ron Westrup from U3A Brunswick Valley Inc. which is in New South Wales, Australia. It is approx. 15k from Cape Byron the most easterly point in Australia. The principal towns in our area are Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, Ocean Shores and Mullumbimby. We are approximately an hours drive away from three other U3A clubs one each to our north, west and south.

2.. We have approximately 120 members

3.. Despite our small membership we have managed to cover a wide range of interests - languages (French, German and Japanese), social history, Australian history, philosophy, comparative religion, yoga, tai-chi, drawing and painting, clay modelling, china painting, music appreciation, keyboard, book discussion, play reading, film appreciation, genealogy, needlework and beadcraft, wine and cheese appreciation, a monthly restaurant assessment (luncheon), mah jong, solo, scrabble, writing for posterity, laughter for health, tennis, croquet and boules. But by far and away the most popular activity that we have, and which has been run ever since our club was formed is our "Speaker's Forum" which is presented three times a month and has been on the go ever since our club was formed in 1999. This attracts approximately two thirds of our membership each meeting, whereas other classes may only contain six members and perhaps only last a short time.

4.. We like the opportunity to meet people from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.

5.. We'd like to think that more people in Australia could be encouraged to take a wider interest in worldwide cooperation It is a big country a long way from Europe and North/South America making personal visits expensive and time consuming both within Australia and internationally. We think the internet offers real opportunity to establish worldwide U3A cooperation and develop understanding and worthwhile activities among our U3As. We congratulate Jean and her group on this initiative.