President Tony Dawson said the open day, part of the creative ageing festival, is on Saturday.

“We will have convenors available to talk directly with people on what each course involves,” Mr Dawson said.

“There will be demonstrations, performances by our renowned multi-cultural dance groups and our choirs.

“The open day will also include a display of telescopes and exhibitions from our photography and arts and crafts groups.”

Mr Dawson said the nature of Port Macquarie now lent itself to many newcomers wanting to be involved in a variety of course opportunities.

Some of these new members had been part of the U3A movement elsewhere.

“These enquiries has helped boost membership to close to 900, from just 80 members when the organisation started here 12 years ago,” he added.

The president said U3A and the creative ageing festival were a good fit.

With six teaching rooms and total seating for about 200 people at any one time at its Lochinvar Place headquarters, U3A offers a variety of courses throughout any year.

Some of these courses include computers, foreign languages, sketching with pencil and paper or an iPad, play reading, fabric colouring, Botany for Gardeners and Ukulele for beginners. 

“The most popular courses are Australian history – where we have two classes with about 50 people each enrolled – and world geography is also quite popular,” Mr Dawson said.

U3A offers four terms of eight weeks for year which works out at around $1 per hour for a course.

The U3A Port Macquarie Hastings open day is at 2 Lochinvar Place, Port Macquarie on March 11 from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

For more information contact 6584 4192 or enquire about course programs and fees at www.pmhu3a.org.au