A BEECHWORTHIAN jumped at the chance to sign up as an Indigo U3A member at the organisation's enrolment day last week held in the Beechworth Serviceman's Memorial Hall.

Impressed with the many opportunities offered, Lisa Kirton said U3A (University of the Third Age) brought like–minded people together in a variety of interest areas as well as providing social connection.

"Being a member keeps people physically and mentally active and bringing people together is fantastic," she said.

"The educational side with its courses is also awesome, where people can learn new things".

Lisa's mother Dawn Kirton has signed up too.

"I joined the family history group which I think will be very interesting as it's something I started many years ago and never finished," she said.

Indigo U3A program manager Deb Borleis said the event had been well attended.

She said members overall found social connection important as well as the opportunity to learn new skills and gain knowledge.

She said the U3A planning committee met monthly to review programs, explore new ones with guest presenters considered too.

With a visual showcase for this year's event, Deb said potential members could see the variety of programs running with a representative from each activity to chat to.

"Representatives in their areas of expertise provided information and answered questions," she said.

"It's been a really successful format this year."

The Indigo group, designed for retired or semi–retired people aged 50 and over, runs courses which cover a wide range of interests, from academic to more physical activities such as walking and e–bike riding.

Local ecologist Dr Richard Loyn will be a guest speaker this month with his presentation 'Birds and Other Local Wildlife' while federal member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines will in March present a talk on her parliamentary life.

For more information, visit www.indigou3a.org.au.