Maureen Cooper: Gold Coast Women of the Year nominee a force for seniors learning in retirement
Learning in retirement is about more than finding new hobbies. It can some times be a life saver, according to this Gold Coast Woman of the Year nominee.
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LEARNING in retirement is about more than finding new hobbies. It can some times be a life saver, according to this Gold Coast Woman of the Year nominee.
Maureen Cooper, the cogs behind the scenes of the Gold Coast’s University of the Third Age (U3A) movement, dedicates most waking moments to the organisation that provides education and stimulation to seniors.
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For the past five years Ms Cooper has worked as the curriculum manager for the 500-member group.
She shrugs off praise for her dedication and selfless approach, claiming it is instead a matter of love at first sight.
“I was looking for something to do in my retirement and it was suggested I join the U3A choir,” Ms Cooper said.
“From that moment I threw myself into it. I love it.”
“I believe people need to be given the chance to make the most of life at any age.
“You wouldn’t believe the changes some of the activities have on people, it gives them a whole new purpose.”
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The classes on offer include language lessons, art, philosophy, yoga, opera and even poetry.
“For some people this is their only change of social interaction. It may be small but I believe the group is about helping people find their purpose again.”
“We have some members with wives or husbands with Alzheimer’s at home who use this as a bit of me time, others who haven’t any family in the area.
“I have always worked in retail, so for me this is just about providing a service, and letting people discover something new about themselves.”
The Gold Coast Bulletin’s inaugural Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year campaign celebrates the city’s leading females.
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