Australian Culture

**🙋‍♀️**Welcome to our THURSDAY Social + language ​exchange meetup. Meet people from many countries and make new friends. 👉We always have between 250 - 350 people attending our THURSDAY event since this event is listed in 3 different meetup groups. 👉This is a great opportunity to learn to speak English with native and non-native speakers. Many English speakers, Europeans, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and other Asians attend our fun and friendly party. 👉It is suitable for international students, working holiday people, professional ex-pats, and local Australians. 🍺: Discounted 15% house beers and wines 🍸: Extra cost for cocktails and spirit 🍲: Food available is to purchase at the bar with 15% discount on menu. 👉**Fee** of **$4.50** to be paid at the entrance OR you can buy anything from the bar. No Limited numbers but RSVP is a must. 🆔 Please carry a Photo ID as you may be asked at the entrance. 👉**Location**: Diesel bar & Eatery. we book the whole Second floor, Capacity of 500 people. and the welcoming table is at the door entrance. No entry from Melbourne Central. only from 202 Little Lonsdale St.

**Speaker:** Kelly O’Shanassy, former Chair of Australian Conservation Foundation and incoming Chair of Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. **Topic:** The Nature Positive Plan, launched in 2022, sets out the government’s commitment to reform Australia’s environmental laws. These reforms are wide-reaching and ambitious. When will we see measurable improvements? Will they be enough to protect and restore our unique environment? What are the challenges? **Note** this event will be preceded by the Victorian Fabians AGM at 7:00pm - all Victorian financial members of the Fabians are invited to attend - [details here.](https://www.fabians.org.au/fabians_victoria_agm_2026_20260423?e=277add52a01e9b78e1bc863a51d2cd66&utm_source=australianfabians&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=australia_s_nature_positive_1&n=4) **Cost:** Fabians financial members - Free; Non members - $5 (pay at door) Please [RSVP at this link](https://www.fabians.org.au/australia_s_nature_20260423) or on this meetup as places are limited. **After Event Dinner & Drinks:** all attendees are welcome to join us at a nearby venue for dinner/drinks after the event. **Support the Fabians** We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of our members for all our events. Anyone who is not a member can support us by [joining up at this link.](https://www.fabians.org.au/become_a_member) Contributions are to help cover event and guest speaker costs etc.

We invite you to come and practise your English with people from all over the world in a friendly environment. We are open to all levels from beginner to advanced. We have classes in small groups and you will be placed in one of these groups according to your level of English. Our free conversational English classes are every Thursday evening (except term breaks). If you are coming for the first time, please come on time for registration. Please note: English Corner is for non-native speakers. Our team of facilitators is really looking forward to having a wonderful time speaking English with you! **Please scan the QR code upon arrival to register your attendance.** If this is your first time, we recommend arriving a bit earlier to complete your initial registration. In case you aren't able to join us face to face we have an Online Alternate English Conversation Thursday class option too! Sign up for this on Meetup.

**Welcome to our Thursday Social + Language Exchange Meetup 🌍** We meet weekly at **La Di Da — 577 Little Bourke Street (Melbourne CBD).** We ask that you **purchase a drink at the bar** or **pay $3 at entry** to support the venue. *** ### 💬 Find your people (New!) Looking to practice a specific language? Post in the discussion using: * **#LearnSpanish** * **#LearnEnglish** * **#TeachEnglish** * **#LearnJapanese** * etc. 👉 This helps others find you faster and makes it easier to connect. *** ### 📲 Join our WhatsApp Community Stay connected before and after the event, meet people, and find language partners: 👉 **Join here:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ) *** ### ⏰ What to expect We consistently have **100–120 attendees** every Thursday (across multiple Meetup groups). People arrive at different times — **best time to come is between 6PM and 9PM.** Come solo or with friends — most people come alone and join conversations naturally. *** ### 🌏 Who attends? A mix of: * Native & non-native English speakers * International students * Backpackers & working holiday travellers * Professionals & expats * Local Australians You’ll meet people from: Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and more. *** ### 🗣️ Why join? 👉 A relaxed, social way to practice English 👉 Meet people from around the world 👉 No pressure, no structure — just conversations *** ### 🍕 FREE DRINKS & FOOD FOR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS! We’re looking for **friendly volunteers** to help welcome newcomers and keep the vibe social. 👉 You’ll get: * Free drinks (beer/soft drink) * Food (pizza, wedges, etc.) * A fun team to hang out with No experience needed — many of our volunteers are **first-timers too**. Interested? 👉 [www.Linguas.au/Volunteer](www.Linguas.au/Volunteer) *** 📲 **More info:** [https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU](https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU) or **@Linguas.AU**

**This Meetup account will be deleted soon**, but the **Language Exchange hosted by JAPANEASY will continue to be held every week**. **★Notice: JAPANEASY Meetup Account Closure★** Hello everyone, Thank you very much for always joining JAPANEASY’s Language Exchange events and cultural workshops. We are writing to inform you that the JAPANEASY Meetup account will be closed in the near future. Please rest assured that JAPANEASY will continue to run events and programs as usual. If you are interested in our upcoming activities, please visit the links below: (1) **Language Exchange** https://japaneasy.com.au/events/language-exchange/ (2) **Cultural Workshops** https://japaneasy.com.au/workshops/ (3) **Japanese Lessons (Group courses & Private lessons)** https://japaneasy.com.au/courses/ (4) **日本語教師養成講座** https://japaneasy.com.au/courses/日本語教師養成講座/ We sincerely appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at our future events. Warm regards, JAPANEASY \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- JAPANEASY Japanese Language & Culture Learning Centre Tel：0422-266-308 Address：Level 1, 183 Exhibition Street, Melbourne Email：[reception@japaneasy.com.au](mailto:reception@japaneasy.com.au) Website：[www.japaneasy.com.au](http://www.japaneasy.com.au/) Facebook：[http://www.facebook.com/EasyPeasyJapaneasy](http://www.facebook.com/EasyPeasyJapaneasy) Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/japaneasymel/](https://www.instagram.com/japaneasymel/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

Live ANZ vibes from both sides of the ditch 🇦🇺🇳🇿 Kicking off 8:15pm with Jetsons, followed by Charming Sons bringing the heat 🔥 Tonight’s all about good tunes, great company, and celebrating the camaraderie between our two countries through music. And because we love looking after our people — Craig R has hooked our Unique Events crew up with 30% off drinks 🍸 P.S. You need to show the Orange ANZAC day picture for your discount at the bar. So really… what’s your excuse? 😉

We are heading to Bright and Porepunkah to take in the Autumn colours. The spots are limited. We will hire a 24 seater bus with a driver. If you are a content creator/ Youtuber, please message in advance before buying the ticket. Please following these two steps to confirm your spot: Step 1: Please RSVP to this event on meetup. Step 2: Please get your bus ticket ($99 - Lucky Bird, $109 - Early Bird, $119 - Regular): [https://www.trybooking.com/DIMXN](https://www.trybooking.com/DIMXN) Trybooking tickets are non-refundable. There is no option to transfer the ticket to a new date. Trybooking tickets will be only refunded if the event is cancelled or moved. Meeting Point: Let's meet in the Corner of Russell and Flinders Street (Federation Square Bus stop) at 8:45 AM. Payments are managed through Trybooking and not Meetup. You will see an "Unpaid" status on your RSVP. The only thing you need is the Trybooking ticket which you will receive by email. Cost: Bus Ticket: $99 (Lucky Bird), $109 (Early Bird), $119 (Regular) Please follow us on Social Media for photos, videos & updates: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@explore-melbourne) \| [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/exploremelb) \| [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/exploremelb) \| [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/xpmelb/) \| [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@exploremelbourne) \| [ExploreMelbourne.AU](https://exploremelbourne.au/) Explore Melbourne is the largest meetup group in Australia. We have eight simple rules in place to protect our community and for everyone to have a positive experience. ❌ Not a dating group! – We’re here to make friends, not find soulmates. No flirty business, please! 📵 No phone numbers, please! – Feel free to swap social media if both parties are cool with it, but let’s keep our digits private. Please don’t add people to WhatsApp or other groups. 🔞 Our events are only open to people aged 18 and older. 📢 Please do not advertise other events or groups. 😅 Don’t be a social octopus! – Give people space to chat with others. Please don't be clingy. 🚗 We don't allow carpooling due to safety incidents/our public liability insurance not covering motor related accidents. 💰 No sales pitches! – No selling, no MLMs, no pyramid schemes, no “life-changing mentorship” offers—let’s keep things scam-free. 📸 Cameras welcome, but… – please refrain from taking photos of our members for privacy reasons. By joining this event, you’re giving us a virtual pinky promise 🤝 that you’ll follow the rules. Break them, and—poof!—you’re out for good. No second chances, no do-overs. Let’s keep it fun, friendly, and drama-free! **Liability Waiver:** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your safety and well-being. By joining this event, you agree to the liability waiver mentioned here: [https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/](https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/)

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

**Caller: Richard Ades** **Band: The McKenzies** **Clinton Heights Lutheran Church** **15 Clinton Heights Ave, Columbus, OH 43202** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (Tremont Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour.

Let’s meet, wander the exhibits and open galleries, and enjoy an evening out in the Franklinton Arts District. (Nearby pay parking is available in the garage on McDowell, right around the corner from One Line Coffee, and, past it along the curb as McDowell dead ends.)

The aim of this group is to get together and practice our German. Doesn’t matter if are a beginner or a native speaker. The goal is to speak and improve our German. Everyone is welcome! If the weather is good, look for us in the Biergarten. Pro Tip: Get there before 6:00 for happy hour pricing.

Let’s meet Saturday morning for coffee and a treat. La Chatelaine French Bakery & Bistro in Worthington, Ohio, is a family-owned, authentic French restaurant and bakery located at 627 High St. Established in 1992, it offers scratch-made French pastries, breads, and classic bistro dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a rustic, Parisian-style setting.