Boating

Kick off the New Year by joining your fellow LGBTQIA+ folks for a social evening of board games at Marché Board Games Cafe. We have access to the games library at the cafe. If you have a game that you want to share, please feel free to bring it along. We play all sorts of games - card games, party games, strategy games - and we're happy to teach new players. Groups for games usually form between 6:30-6:45, so it's important to try arrive on time to ensure you're allocated to a game/group. Anyone arriving late may have to wait for a game if all groups have started. The cafe has drinks and food available. Check out their menu here: https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf We only accept payment at the time of booking to reserve your spot. This means you will need to pay the booking amount via PayPal at the time of booking to confirm your spot. If you can't make it to the event, please ensure you get in touch by messaging the event hosts or emailing rainbowbg.melbourne@gmail.com at least one day before the event, and we can reverse your payment via PayPal. The cafe does NOT have a liquor licence. Consuming alcohol on the premises is illegal, and will result in any members being banned from future events. See you on New Year's Day!

Join us for an evening of Japanese Riichi Mahjong at **Marché Boardgame Cafe**! Players of all skill levels are welcome, and no experience is needed! If you want to learn how to play, we can teach you, and if you already know how, then join our shuffle and monthly leaderboard! This event has a $10 fee which you can pay on the night. This money is used to pay for our use of the store space, maintaining equipment and other meetup services, and organising larger events open to everyone! Members get a special discount - ask the organisers for more details. Marché provides food and drink for purchase to consume at the table. Check out their menu here: [https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf](https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf) Tables are shuffled at around 7:00 pm and again at 8:30 pm. If you're looking to learn, please aim to arrive at 5:30 pm, otherwise there might not be an open seat - you're more than welcome to stay, watch, and ask lots of questions! Be sure as well to check your RSVPs leading up to the event as attendances and wait listed attendees may change. We take photos and videos at our meetups for posting on social media, you may potentially appear in these. Hope to see you all then! *** Scores tracking: [https://scores.vicriichi.org/](https://scores.vicriichi.org/) The mahjong ruleset we play with: [https://www.vicriichi.org/mahjong-meetups#meetup-rules](https://www.vicriichi.org/mahjong-meetups#meetup-rules) Join us on Discord and connect with other jongers! [https://vicriichi.org/discord](https://vicriichi.org/discord)

Arrive at 18:15 for a 18:30 KO. Bring boots and water. Slide tackling is strictly prohibited and will result in a penalty awarded to the opposition - stay on your feet.

Looking to get outside, clear your head, and connect with good people? Join us for a relaxed walk around the beautiful streets and coastline of Port Melbourne. This is a casual meetup—no fitness goals, no pressure. Just a friendly stroll, good conversation, and a reason to step away from screens and into the fresh air. Whether you’re new in town, working from home, or just want a social reason to walk, you’re very welcome. Come as you are. Comfy shoes, water bottle, and curiosity are all you need. **Optional:** After the walk, some of us might grab a coffee nearby — feel free to join if you’re up for it!

Melbourne Flames Dragon Boat Club is your gateway to the exhilarating sport of dragon boating. As one of Australia’s fastest growing water sports, dragon boating is truly unique as men and women of all ages can train and compete together in one crew. We welcome new members regardless of gender or fitness level (minimum age is 12 years). Come along and try dragon boating with one of Australia's top teams for FREE! Simply sign up for a Dragon Pass (1 month free trial) via the link below and follow the instructions sent to your email. You will need to download TeamApp and RSVP there to confirm your spot. [Registration - Melbourne Flames](https://members.melbourneflames.com.au/registration/) We recommend you attend a welcome Sunday session for your first training. After you've learnt the ropes, you can join any of our Tuesday and Thursday on-water sessions or gym workouts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. **What to bring to a training session** * Water bottle * Weather appropriate clothes that you don't mind getting wet i.e. hat and thongs in summer, thermals and shoes in winter * Towel and a change of dry clothes * Any friends you think would be interested, get them to register for DragonPass and TeamApp as well! * A sense of adventure and a positive attitude! All equipment, including a lifejacket and paddle, are provided. If you have any questions, please message the page!

**🌞 Eat, Drink, Dip & Coast — Summer Social Ride along the beach to Point Ormond - 22km Return** A breezy, cheeky, sun‑kissed roll along Melbourne’s waterfront Ready to flirt with summer? We’re taking our wheels, our wit, and our warm‑weather charm on a coastal cruise from the Skyline Ferris Wheel at South Wharf all the way to Point Ormond — with beach dips, café temptations, and plenty of banter stops to keep things loose (especially my muscles, which will absolutely need it). **🚲 Meet & Greet (and maybe a cheeky pre‑ride coffee) 10:15 a.m. — Arrive early** at the Skyline Ferris Wheel, right next to the Love Café by the Exhibition Centre. We'll leave by 10.30 a.m. Grab a snack, sip something energising, and warm up your social muscles. 10:30 a.m. — We roll out. Smooth, slow, and social. **🌊 The Route: Waterfront flirtation** We’ll glide along the cycleway to Beacon Cove, then follow the coastline past Port Melbourne, hugging the bay all the way to St Kilda and finally Point Ormond. It’s about 11 km each way — a breezy 22 km return — and absolutely not a race. Think: leisurely cruising, sunshine, sea breeze, and the occasional “wait, look at that view” pause. 🩱 Swim Optional… but highly encouraged if it’s hot If the day turns steamy, we’re making a splash. Bring towel + bathers if you’re feeling brave, beachy, or both. **☕ Lunch & Swim Stop — Group Choice** We’ll hit the café‑rich stretch around St Kilda for our mystery lunch decision point. The group decides where we land — café, swim, or both. Add an extra hour if we settle in for food or a dip. **🕒 Timing** Expect around 3 hours of rolling and chatting, plus optional extra time for lunch/swim indulgence **💬 Vibe** Light. Flirty. Inclusive. A summer ride with a wink — perfect for loosening up, meeting new people, and letting the coastline do its magic. **👍Requirements** Make sure your bike works and is capable of doing 22km return. Bonus if you can do it as well lol! Bike helmet and Bike Lock **Optional** Consider getting RACV Bike assist insurance. Only $23.50 per year that covers bike repair, or if you need repair and transport and can't finish the ride. Download their Arevo bike navigation app which contains the discount code. Beach towel and bathers (thongs) if an ocean dip is on the cards If you need a bike rental consider [Blue Tongue Bikes](https://bluetonguebikes.com.au/), just across the river at Batman Park, next to King St.

Join us at Easton Town Center for a casual evening of board gaming. Play from our library or bring one of your favorites to share. We usually bring along Catan, Ticket to Ride, Cascadia, etc... We'll be set up at the Donatos Pizza Party Room. It was free for us to reserve, but you may want to buy a drink or go in on a pizza. Why Easton? Although there aren't any board game stores / cafes here, it's a nice area. More importantly, this event coincides with LifeTime Fitness Parent's Night Out, so our kid will get babysat. If you happen to be a member of Lifetime you too can get free babysitting and play some games.

CHANGED to WEDNESDAYS COLUMBUS RECREATION CENTERS require membership fee to play. Register & Pay at the desk when you arrive. $5 day pass is available. I have some extra pickle ball paddles and balls if you don’t have one. Definitely bring your own paddle if you have one and bring some balls if you have them. Legal Stuff: The event hosts/Organizers are just fellow member volunteers. By participating in any event, you assume all risks of liability and injury inherent in these activities. You are responsible for your own safety and for determining if you are in condition fit to participate. You are also responsible for knowing and abiding by all laws and rules during your participation in any event.
 Photos & or Video: by attending these events you acknowledge photos and or video may be taken and used on this and other platforms.

######## NEW LOCATION ####### We are going to be at The Forge on Bethel Rd this week and until further notice! The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~$20 per person. Soft drink refills are $1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area! Parking can be challenging. There is a parking lot behind the building that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.