U3A is an international organisation which aims to boost the education and stimulation of seniors, those in their third "age" of life.

Organisers of the inaugural meeting to form Southlakes U3A were overwhelmed when 130 people turned up.

Laurene Mulcahy is the driving force behind the Southlakes branch.

So far there are 16 courses available, including beginners German, bush poetry, painting and drawing, jazzy exercise, photography and creative writing.

There are other courses such as Keep the Marbles Rolling, which encourages people to try different ways of using their brain to solve problems.

Ian Robertson will lead a course in Scottish country dancing, which he has been doing for two years.

Mr Robertson said he enjoys the dance for three reasons.

"It gives you physical exercise, it gives you a mental exercise because you have to memorise the different dance moves, and it's great social fun as it's done in pairs or groups," he said.

Membership and course registration will be held at Morisset Country Club on Monday, February 16, at 10am.

"You can be involved to the degree that you are comfortable with and it's something different that's available locally," Ms Mulcahy said. "We'd be pleased to hear from anyone who would be interested and willing to share their knowledge with others by volunteering to run a course."

■ U3A is open to everyone aged 50 and over. Membership costs $50, after which every course costs only $1.