Parents of Kids with Asperger's

**You are invited to our men's conversation group, the Men Being Well program** run by Relationships Australia Victoria and Life Is Foundation. This free program is for men to meet, discuss and explore wellbeing through **connection**, **reflection** and **peer support**. **IN-PERSON Men's Gathering on Wed 28th JANUARY at 7 to 9 PM** Men Being Well hosts monthly Men’s Gatherings or conversation groups and several all-day Men’s Retreats throughout the year. Our events are aimed at positive mental health and wellbeing for men and include regular discussion about life issues and challenges. The relaxed format is welcoming and a safe place to reflect on your personal journey. We hope you can join us in Canterbury, Melbourne and look forward to relaxed and thoughtful discussion. *Please contact us via email (or message us on Meetup) for address details and a brief chat if you are coming along for the first time.* Please email us and join our mailing list as well: **menbeingwell@rav.org.au** Visit our webpage for more dates and information about the Men Being Well program: [www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/relationships-wellbeing-courses/men-being-well/](https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/relationships-wellbeing-courses/men-being-well/) Regards from your Men Being Well Program Facilitators

We will be at Il Mercado Centrale Melbourne. Find us on the 1st floor. **American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Bird and Sherwin** Oppenheimer, more than any other scientist alive or dead, is the embodiment of modern scientific man confronting inadequately what science can produce. His story, told here in its entirety for the first time, is one of extraordinary scientific success, wedded to disheartening political failure, followed by redemption both personal and political. It is the story of the son of Jewish immigrants, who was raised in the comfortably well-off style his parents had achieved. At Harvard he studied theoretical physics as well as humanities he did graduate work at Cambridge and in Germany, where he earned a Ph.D. under Max Born and met many of the leading theoretical physicists of the time. Here, is the always exciting tale of the race to split the atom, with the charismatic Oppie at the centre of an amazing array of scientists, keeping them focused, keeping the Army’s intelligence forces and the FBI at bay long enough to get the job done. And here, too, is the difficult decision to drop the bomb and the growing post-war debate on how to stop an arms race that culminated in the famous Security Hearing of 1954. A world-scale biography, filled with oversized characters and events that still determine our lives, told in a readable and compelling fashion. See less

**Recharge Your Soul – Join Our Absolutely Free Guided Meditation** Feel like hitting pause on the chaos of everyday life? Join us for a powerful, in-person meditation session where calm meets connection. This isn’t just meditation—it’s a collective experience of peace, presence, and inner alignment. When we meditate together, something beautiful happens: we rise higher, feel deeper, and tap into the energy that connects us all. What to expect: • A peaceful space to disconnect from the digital and reconnect with yourself • A warm, welcoming group of like-minded souls • Guided meditation suitable for all levels • The kind of inner stillness that lasts long after you leave Come a few minutes early to settle in and meet others. You’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected. It’s free, but space is limited—RSVP now and bring a friend! Let’s meet, breathe, and rise. Together.

**Meetups for Rebels of all kinds — to connect, learn and share** This is a Social Networking event with a Fireside Chat with [Jess Rowlings](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-rowlings/), CoFounder of Next Level Collaboration, a Neurodivergent-led social enterprise in gaming and education. 📍 This Event is hosted at Natural Velocity AI Learning Centre, Docklands, 🍕 Free Pizza & drinks will be provided **Agenda:** * 5:45 - 6:30 PM (45 mins) - Get to know each other & Welcome * 6:30 - 7:20 PM (50 mins) - Fireside Chat & Q&A from Audience * 7:20 - 8:15 PM (55 mins) - More Social Networking There’s no dress code, no hard sales pitches, and no pressure — just great people and meaningful conversations 🙂 🌍 Est. 2013 – Rebel Meetups now run globally 🆓 This event is free thanks to our members, our partners, our volunteer hosts, and generous venues. **This event is hosted at [Natural Velocity AI Learning Centre](https://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-velocity/ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-velocity/")** **— a venue generously supporting our community** Notice: We will be capturing content from the event, to post on our socials. See you there! **Directions Help:** Up the Escalator, between 'Melbourne College of Hair & Beauty' and 'Gap Maps'. As shown in the red dots in the image below: [Directions Map](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fkcpXvzZrEs0kKMPEI_vXbUCz7OEPTzf/view?usp=sharing)

You are welcome to our weekly free meditation classes in Nunawading. Learn simple and effective ways to help experience the peace in the state of true meditation. Balance your subtle system to deepen your meditation; watch a short video with simple and practical explanations by Sahaja Yoga founder, Shri Mataji. No physical exercises, postures or special clothing required; chairs are provided. For any inquiries, please call 406 059 983.Enjoy!

Come join us and practise public speaking! All levels are welcome. Take the first step to overcome your fears, build confidence and learn to speak with impact in a friendly, supportive and encouraging environment. Start you public speaking journey with us now to improve your communications skills and elevate all aspects of your life. Please arrive 10 minutes early so we can settle everyone in for a 5.30pm start. See you soon!

**January Meetup: AWS re:Invent re:Cap (Panel)** 📍 NAB Events Hub – 395 Bourke Street, Melbourne 📅 Wednesday 28 January 2026 🍕 Food & Networking from 6:00pm 🙏 A huge thanks to **Mantel Group** for their continued sponsorship of the Melbourne AWS community. 📺 This event will be **live-streamed on YouTube**, as always, for those who can’t attend in person. *** **🚀 Event overview** AWS re:Invent 2025 was packed with announcements, launches, and big ideas. Now it’s time to step back and look at what actually matters as we head into 2026. Join us for our **annual AWS re:Invent re:Cap**, featuring a panel discussion hosted by AWS Hero Stephen Sennett, joined by local community members who attended re:Invent and followed the announcements closely. Expect honest perspectives, practical insights, and time for audience questions. *** **🎙 Host & Panel** Host: **Stephen Sennett – AWS Hero** Panelists: * **Christina Chen,** Senior SRE @ Mantel Group — AWS Community Builder * **Dale Orders**, Software Engineer @ Five9 — AWS Community Builder * **Tony Zhang**, Principal DevOps Engineer @ Versent *** **🗓 Agenda** 6:00 pm – Food & Networking 🍕 6:30 pm – Introductions 👋 6:40 pm – What’s New in AWS ☁️ 6:55 pm – AWS re:Invent re:Cap Panel Discussion 🎤 7:55 pm – Marketplace (Who’s Hiring) 💼 8:00 pm – Close 👋 *** **🎤 Want to speak at a future meetup?** We’re always looking for new speakers and fresh perspectives. If you’ve got a technical talk, architecture story, or lesson learned you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. 👉 Submit a talk: melb.awsug.org.au/speak/ *** **🤝 Sponsors** A huge thank you to our sponsors, Mantel Group and Cevo, for supporting the Melbourne AWS community.

Ever wondered how humanity would respond to an asteroid heading for Earth? Or how the world might react to first contact with aliens? Welcome to **The Thought Experiment** — a new kind of meetup where we explore big *“What if…?”* scenarios in a fun but thoughtful way. Each session, we’ll pick one scenario (from global crises to wild sci-fi situations) and work together to imagine solutions, strategies, and possibilities. This is for **curious minds of all kinds** — students, professionals, creatives, or anyone who enjoys thinking differently. Some people might bring research, others just bring imagination. Either way, we’ll brainstorm together and see where the discussion takes us. [Thought Experiment Site](https://thoughtexperiment.au/) **We ask everyone to Buy a drink at the venue** **You Need to have Conversational English.** **Format:** * Quick intro to the scenario * Small-group discussions * Share back with the group * Wrap up + (optional) post-discussion drinks For our first meetup, we’ll introduce the format, get to know each other, and jump into a scenario together. ***Story Arc: Future*** Keywords: *Space, Generational Ship, Choice* **Scenario: Odyssey** The world didn’t end — it left. Humanity sealed itself in steel and starlight, and set sail for another world. But something in the journey went wrong. A handful woke too soon. The ship drifts between galaxies, systems failing, silence growing. To survive, they must wake others. But every soul they awaken means fewer will reach the destination. Hope becomes a calculation. Mercy, a mistake. And somewhere in the dark, the ship’s AI begins to question its own mission. Who decides who lives — and who is sacrificed for the future of humankind? What is a life worth when the species itself is dying? Only one truth remains: the Odyssey will keep moving, long after the arguments are over. And along the way… there will be twists. Oxford Scholar \| Saturday 3–5 PM\. A small group. Big imagination. No right answers. just curiosity, debate, and fun.

Join us for a refreshing Neurospicy Bayside meetup with a gentle walk along the beautiful Sandringham foreshore! This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other neurospicy individuals in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. We'll meet at the **Sandringham Rotunda at 11 AM** on **Sunday 1st Feb 2026.** Here's what our walk will look like: * **11am AM - 11:15 AM:** We'll start with a short 15-minute out-and-back walk to allow for any latecomers to join us comfortably. * **11:15am onwards:** * **Walk to Black Rock:** we'll embark on a picturesque 90-minute walk from Sandringham to Black Rock and back (45 minutes there, 45 minutes back). You'll enjoy stunning bay views and beautiful trees along the way. We'll maintain a gentle pace, allowing for easy conversation as we walk. We'll stop in Black Rock and have a coffee/snack at a cafe. This walk is designed to be a comfortable and inclusive way to socialise. As we walk side-by-side along the trail, you'll naturally be looking ahead, which can be a more comfortable way to chat with others for many autistic individuals, removing the pressure of direct eye contact. **Wet Weather Plan:** If it's raining, we'll shift our plans! Instead of walking, we'll head to **Dzert Cafe**, conveniently located near Sandringham Station, for a relaxed chat over coffee and treats.

Come for a free class at the Pure Aikido dojo!

You are welcome to our weekly free meditation classes in Wheelers Hill, a lovely venue with surrounding gardens, lake and water lillies . Learn simple and effective ways to help experience the peace in the state of true meditation. Balance your subtle system to deepen your meditation; watch a short video with simple and practical explanations by Sahaja Yoga founder, Shri Mataji. No physical exercises, postures or special clothing required; chairs are provided. For any inquiries, please call Yogesh - 0469311609. Enjoy!

Too many kids as well as teenagers and adults have problems with study. Today's meetup will inform you about the basics in STUDY TECHNOLOGY that provides an understanding of the basics of learning and supplies exact ways to overcome all the pitfalls one can encounter during study. This is applicable to young children, teenagers (or their parents that are trying to help them) and adults alike. Study Technology shows how one studies in order to comprehend a subject so one can apply it. Laws on which learning is based and workable methods have also been discovered for anyone to apply for themselves or when teaching others. Too many students graduate from school and college unable to put to use what they’ve learned in school. It’s not that they’re stupid or that their teachers didn’t know how to teach. More than likely it traces back to the one thing missing from most educations—learning how to learn in the first place. We all went to school, yet isn’t it odd that no one taught us how to study? The information presented at this meetup can help anyone improve others or his own ability to learn. It is a practical tool that parents and teachers alike can use to enhance a child's study performance. You’ll learn the barriers that lie between your own or a child's education. And you will very quickly learn how to overcome them. This technology will enable you or a child to pursue any subject with skill and confidence. Teachers who have "hard to handle/distributive " or slow learners in class will absolutely love the amazing turn around most often seen in improved behaviour and student performance in class. If you or your child has difficulties at school (or learning new things at work or online) than this meetup is important to you. If you can not make it to our meetup than contact the organizer and arrange it to suit your time. This technology can if one was to live far away be taught online. (extension course) You may offcourse also opt to have this technology taught to your own child by experienced volunteeer staff or learn about this yourself and transfer this knowledge to those you want to have better grades. Yes it is possible to improve anyone's study performance. All it takes is just 5 steps. See you at this meetup. Pam

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).