Committee members – 2024-2025

Ann Madigan

Ann has lived in Eltham for 27 years and joined Nillumbik U3A in 2021.  Prior to retiring, she worked as an organisational development consultant in the corporate and education sectors. Her interests include yoga, walking, reading, gardening and history.

“After retiring, I wanted to keep my brain active and engaged in a social setting so, among other things, I started Spanish classes with Nillumbik U3A. It’s a lot of fun, so last year I added Italian classes, just to make things more interesting. Joining the committee in 2024 gives me an opportunity to support this valuable organisation and the people who do a great job running it”.

Carole Meade

Carole, who lives in Diamond Creek, has been a member of Nillumbik U3A since 2020, having joined after retiring from teaching. She had decided then to participate in a Tai Chi class and a neighbour suggested Nillumbik U3A as a possible provider.

“I like to think I am a ‘people person’. I was a teacher and I loved teaching, no matter who it involved. All were very rewarding.”

Carole’s main interests are keeping active, crafts, gardening and, of course, my family, especially my grandchildren.

Oh yes, another ‘main interest’ is our U3A. “It’s a great organisation which offers much more than its courses to our many members. One important ‘extra’ is the opportunity for them to socialise. I believe, as we age, it is even more important that we stay connected to others and can spend time enjoying their company.”

“I believe an organisation supported by volunteers can only operate efficiently if its members are prepared to put in their time and effort and so, as a Nillumbik U3A member, I’m keen to help out in the best ways that I can.“

Dianne Parslow – President

Dianne, who lives in Lower Plenty, joined our U3A in 2017 to learn Tai Chi. She also tried a few other classes, but had to cut back on her classes when she became course coordinator. She now does Gentle Walking Group, a book group and Tai Chi. Dianne has also worked in the office and on the book swap at the Old Eltham Courthouse.

As Course Coordinator, Dianne is always on the lookout for new tutors and possible new venues for our wide range of classes, as well as other people to help with various timetable issues as our organisation continues to grow. If you would like to help or have any ideas you can contact her at coordinator@nillumbiku3a.org.au.

As President, Dianne is now on the lookout for new committee members as well.

Dianne and her husband enjoy gardening. In retirement, they have travelled widely around Australia in their caravan and also overseas. Stories from many of their travels can be seen on our website.

Dianne is also a biography writer and Board member with Beyond Words.

Gareth McDonnell (co-opted)

Gareth lives in Hurstbridge, having moved in 1981 from Mount Gambier. Meditation courses offered in the area helped him to manage his work-related stress levels.

In the new century, he became a tutor at Allwood House in Hurstbridge and then at the Panton Hill Neighbourhood House assisting people in using their computers and other new digital devices. He has with an ongoing interest in things technical and he also enjoys early morning walks and working in the garden.

He retired in 2020 from a career in the insurance and security industries. After the COVID restrictions ended, he joined U3A in 2023 to improve his writing skills by joining the Creative Writing Group at Wattle Glen.

At the recent morning tea in 2024 for new members, Gareth said: “The President requested the participation of male members to join the committee. I found that this invitation was one I could not ignore.“

Karen Redrup

Karen, who lives in Montmorency, is a former nurse midwife.

She volunteered to assist in the office when she joined U3A in 2019 and has been our Office Manager since 2021, when she also joined the committee. Her main reason for joining Nillumbik U3A was to meet people and make friends having only moved to Melbourne in 2018. She says that the U3A has more than met those needs.

Karen is engaged in our Art and Craft classes, the Tai Chi group and the Dining Out group. She is also the group leader for the Fourth Monday Film Discussion Group. As a committee member she is the office representative and oversees membership and enrolment processes, the asset management process and participates in the art selection for display in our office space in the Eltham Pavilion.

Margaret Schooneveldt

Margaret has lived in Plenty for about 15 years. She retired in 2019 from a career in Finance and Risk Management and then, in 2020, she joined our U3A. She says she “wanted to meet new people and to develop new skills.”

She hasn’t had time to enrol in any courses yet as she has been busier with grandkids and tennis than she expected to be. She lists walking, riding and reading amongst her pastimes and these are interests which align quite well with our range of courses on offer.

Why did Margaret nominate to our U3A Committee? She says, “I have always been passionate about supporting the community and have served on a number of committees in various roles over the past 30 years. I see U3A as a place that I can learn and develop new skills, meet new people and continue to give back to the community. I believe we can always continue to learn and grow.“

Milena Gojanovic

Milena, who lives in Eltham, joined Nillumbik U3A in 2023 primarily because she wanted to learn Spanish.

She is a keen walker, lately she has have been doing Nordic walking too. She also likes reading, gardening, playing tennis, bike riding and being active.

“I worked full time before retirement and didn’t feel like suddenly coming to a halt, so was looking for an opportunity to keep going, but at a slower and not very stressful pace. I thought that both this organisation and a role on its Committee could give me that. I feel that I can contribute to the U3A and I am happy to be part of it. I also enjoy the camaraderie and the opportunity to meet new people with interesting backgrounds.“

Violeta Georgievska (co-opted)

Violeta has lived in Eltham North since 2019, but her appreciation for Eltham began when she first arrived in Melbourne from New Zealand in 2006. Previously, she worked as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. Her interests include travelling, taking walks in our beautiful surroundings, gardening, reading and learning.

Since joining U3A in 2022, she has wanted to become more involved in the community. She began by volunteering in the Office and then enrolled in a Spanish for Beginners class, where she made great friends and had a lot of fun while also learning some Spanish. She is also enrolled in Jazz Appreciation, Movie Appreciation and the recently formed Wine Lovers.

Violeta is eager to contribute to the seniors’ community and to assist in any way she can.