Meet the Board
President – Wayne Turner
I have been a U3A Inner North member for several years and have thoroughly enjoyed participating in programs such as Table Tennis, Sci-Fi Book Club, Trove, On the Tip of My Tongue, Cryptic Cross Words, and more recently commenced Pickleball as well as looking forward to listening to several guest speakers. I also tutored in 2024 and again in 2025. I grew up in Blair Athol and attended Gepps Cross Primary School and then Enfield High School before University. I continued living in the northern suburbs after marriage and for the past 26 years have lived in Collinswood. I have three daughters who all went to a local school, and each now live with their respective families in the western suburbs. I have 7 wonderful grandchildren.
Vice President – Janet Hawkes
I joined U3A in 2019 and now do Mah Jong, Art, Craft and Pickleball, plus the monthly groups Photography (which I coordinate) and Classical Music.
I have lived all my life in Adelaide and worked for 45 years as a real estate valuer in state and local government and private organisations.
I enjoy being outdoors, walking or cycling.
Treasurer – Joe Hoogland
Born in the Netherlands, migrated to Australia makes me that paradox – dogmatic, arrogant Dutchman and laconic, relaxed Aussie 😊
After a decade in banking, I started my own business with an engineering friend. Selling in 2019, I headed off into retirement, free of stress, no more worries reconciling bank accounts, meeting regulatory requirements … wonderful! Here I am in July 2025, refreshed, volunteering in the role as Treasurer while enjoying the classes and activities. Away from U3AIN my wonderful children and grandchildren make my life.
Secretary/ Admin Officer – Trish Benson
I have and still do enjoyed many courses at U3A Inner North since joining in 2019 and welcomed the opportunity to join the committee in June 2024 and be part of this wonderful organisation.
Although I always have lived in Adelaide, my love of travel takes me to destinations both internationally and domestically every year and even more so since retiring some years ago from the IT Industry when my mantra became “retire from work, but not from life” !
Membership Officer – Linda Christie
I retired from my work as a Registered Nurse 10 years ago and joined U3A Adelaide shortly after. I joined U3A Prospect (now Inner North) 2019. For many years I was a volunteer with Kidney Health Australia, giving community talks and working on their Helpline. The promotion of kidney health and support of those suffering kidney disease remains a keen interest. My other interests include cryptic crosswords, reading and travel. I am the group leader of our monthly Quiz “On the Tip of My Tongue”.
I joined the Board of U3A Inner North this year (2025) and I am the Membership Officer
Program Manager – Sue McMillan
I’m an inquisitive, energetic and positive person who loves nature, gardening, IT, fun, Science, the Arts, History and my grandkids. I grew up in Magill. My path as an educator meandered through metro and country SA and Hong Kong with leadership roles in R – 12 schools and SA/national/international education programs and organisations. in 2006 I retired, established a 2-acre garden, and then returned to work for 11 years in the Road Safety Directorate of the SA government. My U3A roles provide me with opportunities to meet and learn from our amazing members. Let me know if you have something to talk about (or know someone who has), have an activity to share, or place you’d like to visit. I don’t do photos! – yes, that is the real Jacky Chan on my right.
Policies – Kristina Barnett
I enjoy connecting with people and am a passionate advocate for community involvement and volunteering.
My professional background has included community development manager for a state organisation, teacher (primary & special education), cultural diversity trainer, lecturer, local government neighbourhood development officer and aged services team leader.
I have several tertiary qualifications including Masters of Education, Bachelor of Social Science, Diploma of Volunteer Management and Human Resources and Business Management.
Before retiring from paid work in 2016, I worked for COTA SA as State Coordinator Volunteers and Over-50s Clubs Project Officer. Currently I am a Prospect Council elected member (27 plus years) a volunteer for local community groups and for U3A Prospect as a Committee Member (policy) and Canasta tutor.
General Board Member and Newsletter Editor – Cathy Birchmore
My professional background has centred around Mindfulness, Japanese Language teaching, Well-being coordinator and setting up Sister School relationships with Samoa, all in the Primary School domain. I am a passionate volunteer with an amazing not for profit organization, South Pacific School Aid (Please see our Face book page). We collect resources that schools and teachers discard and recycle them for distribution to schools in need throughout the world. On average we send 55 pallets a year to over 30 schools. U3A IN has enabled me to have the privilege of teaching Japanese to a wonderful group of members, participating in so many stimulating and fun courses and the bonus of working with a dedicated professional team on the U3AIN Board. As newsletter Editor I am challenged and rewarded with producing the U3A Inner North Newsletter each term. Last but not least, I am a proud and grateful Nana.
General Board Member – Ian Drake
I have served on U3A inner north committee previously for several years. I retired in 2010 after serving as grounds manager at Rostrevor College and then PAC. For three years I presided as President of the Turf Managers Association. I am currently a committee member of NORA, which works to assist local resident issues. I look forward to assisting the board in the excellent work they do, in providing a fantastic Inner north U3A.
David Kilner (Public Officer)
Arno Attema (IT support)
Peter Szalay (Website)
Jude Hennig (Office Manager & Venue Coordinator)