Spread your wings- The Broadband for Seniors course has opened up a new world of inspiration for Gladys Pfeiffer and Jean Groves, seen here with internet trainer Rosy McGinnis. 59188

GETTING started is often the most difficult part of getting off your … seat and enrolling in a new hobby or career course.
There are all sorts of reasons for not signing up but there has never been a better time to start than now.
Neighbourhood Houses, community learning centres and University of the Third Age (U3A) are all great places to start.
They not only offer a variety of physical, social and educational activities, they provide a supportive, welcoming environment aimed at encouraging individual and community involvement.
Fees vary from organisation to organisation but most of the centres offer some courses and workshops which are low cost and represent excellent value for money.
Courses on offer at local neighbourhood houses range from hobby courses and workshops to those which provide career pathways for people of all ages.
Among the A to Z of opportunities are adult literacy, animal studies and aged care to Zumba.
In between are diploma and certificate courses in business administration, hospitality, hairdressing and horticulture.
Students can complete their tertiary education with VCAL programs, there are first aid and cheesemaking courses, art and yoga, tennis, fitness walking, fashion design, broadband for seniors, creative writing, learn to speak Italian, or Japanese, join a bicycle users’ group, make beautiful cupcakes, and learn all about your consumer rights.
Different community houses also offer different types of courses and these can change from term to term, year to year.
It’s well worth making a phone call to find out what others have on offer.
Under a new networking of Yarra Ranges U3A branches, members can take advantage of more than 100 courses and interest groups across the shire.
Some numbers that will provide a starting point are:
Healesville Living and Learning Centre – 5962 5982
Steels Creek Community Centre – 9730 2685
Toolangi Community House – 5962 9060
Kinglake District Neighbourhood House – 5786 1301
UYCH Community College, Healesville – 5967 1776
UYCH Learning Centre, Yarra Junction – 5967 1776
Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre 9730 2887
U3A, Healesville – 5962 1990
U3A, Lilydale – 9739 7605
U3A, Yarra Junction – 5966 6038
Morrison House, Mt Evelyn – 9736 1457
Seville Community House – 5964 3987
Warburton Cerini Community Centre – 5966 2672
Woori Community House – 5964 6857