The Melbourne Walk and Shoot Group

Sunset & Milky Way over the Mornington Peninsula (placeholder)

Sat, Jun 13 · 4:30 PM AEST

Location not specified yet

THIS EVENT IS WEATHER DEPENDANT.
CHECK THIS PAGE/COMMENTS AGAIN CLOSER TO THE EVENT DATE.
Join us for a night of astrophotography as we capture the sunset and the core of the Milky Way from the coastline of the Mornington Peninsula.

Draft Schedule
4.30pm: Meet at Sunset Location TBC
5.00pm: Sunset (Location TBC - Arthurs Seat)
6.00pm: Dinner (Location TBC - Flinders Hotel)
7.30pm - 8.30pm: Milky Way Photography- the Galaxy Core will be visible from 6.40pm (Location TBC as Flinders Jetty is under construction)

Weather Policy: Astrophotography is highly dependent on clear skies. If the forecast predicts 70% or greater cloud cover, we will postpone the event to our backup date (likely 11 July). Please check this space or the event comments for the "Go/No-Go" status at 7:00 PM on the day before the event.

Camera Gear Suggestions:

• Mirrorless or DSLR Camera (learn how to manual focus - you will be doing it in the dark)
• Lenses for Landscape: wide-angle / telephoto
• Lenses for Astrophotography: wide-angle anywhere between 14mm to 24mm or wider, fast aperture lens f/2.8 or faster (unless if using a star tracker)
• Tripod
• Remote shutter release
• Filters (ND, polariser)
• Extra Batteries
• A headlamp or torch (preferably with a red-light mode to preserve night vision).
• Warm layers and sturdy footwear

If you are new to astrophotography, this guide covers essential camera settings, must-have gear, and provides links to a few introductory YouTube videos to help you get started.

Disclaimer & Waiver of Liability
By attending this photography meetup, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• RSVP: You must update your status immediately if you can't attend this event; failure to do so may result in a ban from future limited-number activities.
• Liability Waiver: Participation in all activities and travel is at your own risk. Organisers are not liable for injury, death, wildlife encounters, or loss/theft of property.
• Insurance & Expenses: Attendees are strongly advised to have their own health and ambulance insurance. You are responsible for all personal costs like food, travel, and accommodation.
• Event Changes: Organisers may modify or cancel events for safety (e.g., weather) and are not responsible for any financial losses you incur as a result.
• Conduct & Equipment: You are responsible for your own gear and must follow local laws and property regulations while navigating various terrains.
• Informal Advice Only: Any demonstrations, settings suggestions, or tips provided during the event are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional technical instruction.
• Technical Proficiency: You are expected to have a working knowledge of your own equipment. As we will be operating in low-light conditions, you should be confident in performing the following tasks manually:
  -- Adjusting Aperture, ISO, and Shutter Speed by feel or memory.
  -- Toggling and using DSLR Live View or mirrorless EVF settings.
  -- Engaging and fine-tuning Manual Focus (autofocus generally does not work for stars).
• Media Consent: By attending, you consent to being photographed or recorded in public settings and waive claims related to the use of that media.

By signing up and attending this event, you and your guest agree to the above disclosures and the MEETUP GUIDELINES

Annie and Andrew and Rowan

Sorrento Solstice & Burning Man

Sat, Jun 20 · 2:00 PM AEST

Sorrento, Erlandsen rd, AU

Celebrate the year's shortest day. (Draft Schedule)

For all of us who can't make it to the original Burning Man festival in the USA, the next best option is the Sorrento Fire Festival (or Sorrento Fire Night), a free, annual winter solstice celebration on the Sorrento Foreshore (Victoria, Australia) featuring a major "burning of the man" spectacle. Held on June 20th, it features a 6-metre burning effigy, fire cannons, performers, live music, and food trucks, celebrating the longest night of the year.
Sorrento Fire Festival

This is a free but ticketed event, so please grab your tickets at Tickets

Schedule:
2:00 pm Gates Open

5.00 pm lantern Walk

6.20 pm Fire Dance

6.30 pm watch the effigy burn

9.00 pm events ends. (Optional astro if conditions are suitable.)

Check this page the day before the event in case we need to cancel due to weather conditions.

SAFETY & IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This event involves outdoor activities, including easy walking. To help ensure we operate safely and inclusively, we ask all members and guests to abide by the MEETUP GUIDELINES.
Please take a moment to read the following important disclosures and recommendations carefully:

• Event Adjustments: Your safety is our highest priority. Though we do not plan high-risk activities, we reserve the right to modify or cancel parts of the event if unforeseen risks, such as extreme weather, are identified. Our goal is a fun, stress-free, and secure weekend for everyone.
• Personal Responsibility: Participation in all activities, including travel and carpooling, is at your own risk. The organisers are not liable for any personal injuries, or damage/loss of personal belongings.
• Insurance: We strongly advise all attendees to have comprehensive ambulance and health insurance to cover potential medical emergencies. While we take every precaution, accidents can happen.

By signing up and attending this event, you and your guest agree to the above disclosures and the MEETUP GUIDELINES

Schwerkolt Cottage and Yarran Dheran National Reserve

Sun, Jun 28 · 12:00 PM AEST

Schwerkolt Cottage, 2 Deep Creek Road, Mitcham, AU

The Schwerkolt Cottage is a historic museum located in Mitcham and surrounded by 2.2 hectares of bushland. An interesting place to visit and photograph and we will take a nice walk to the Yarran Dheran National Park not far from this cottage.

For more information on Schwerkolt Cottage and Yarran Dheran:
https://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/things-do/arts-culture/schwerkolt-cottage

https://yarrandherannaturereserve.wordpress.com/

Draft Schedule

12.00pm Meet at The Coach Sports Bar for lunch
https://thecoach.net.au/

1.00pm Leave for Schwerkolt Cottage and meet at entrance for briefing.
(there is parking at Schwerkolt Cottage)
1.15pm Explore Schwerkolt Cottage

2.30pm Meet again at the entrance of the Cottage to regroup and leave for Yarran Dheran (on foot)

4.30pm Event ends.

This is an event that is weather dependent - so please check this page the day before the event for any updates if we need to cancel due to bad weather conditions.

Rowan and Andrew P

Rone Exhibition (free) and Light to Night (possible entree fee) (Placeholder)

Sun, Jul 5 · 4:45 PM AEST

Chadstone Shopping Centre, Enter From Mcdonalds Side of Centre, Melbourne, AU

Rone Exhibition called Home is a free exhibition and is part of the Chadstone exhibition called Light to Night (which may be a paid event). The tickets to Light to Night are not on sale yet and will let you know as soon as I get the information on tickets.

Rone Exhibition (one of our favourite artists)
If you are interested in attending this free event, please sign up in the link below to receive the free ticket. Given I plan to run the Rone and Light to Night exhibitions as our event on 5 July, I encourage you to get your Rone ticket for 5pm on 5 July. Here is the link:

https://www.chadstone.com.au/light-to-night/home-exhibition-by-rone?utm_medium=email&utm_source=partnership&utm_campaign=LightToNight_26&utm_content=link_post&utm_term=Rone

Light to Night exhibition
I will post information on getting tickets as soon as I receive it. So keep a look out for it. We will combine Light to Night and Rone exhibitions as our event.

https://www.chadstone.com.au/light-to-night

A schedule will be posted soon.

Rowan