SaaS (Software as a Service)

We’re excited to bring our community together again — this time with a focus on **Building resilient AI**. As LLM-powered applications move from experimentation to production, a new challenge emerges: **how do we secure what we don’t fully understand yet?** In this session, we’ll explore two critical layers of AI defense—**protection** and **proactive testing**—through real-world practices and practical demos. **Topics** **1\. Shielding your LLMs with AWS Bedrock Guardrails** Ever felt like deploying an LLM is a bit like letting a genius but unpredictable intern talk to your customers? Join me as we explore how to move past the unregulated nature of unregulated AI using AWS Bedrock Guardrails. We’ll dive into the six pillars of AI safety and deploying guardrails to build AI that isn't just smart, but is fundamentally trustworthy and brand-safe. **About the speaker** [Maitreyi Singh](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maitreyisingh/) is a Data Scientist at [REA Group](https://www.realestate.com.au/), currently working on developing AI agents and intelligent systems. She has experience in Generative AI and enjoys exploring innovative applications of AI in real-world solutions. Outside of her professional work, Maitreyi enjoys painting as a creative hobby. **2\. Red Team Your LLM App Before the Bad Guys Do** As LLM-powered apps become more common, they're also becoming bigger targets. Prompt injection, jailbreaks, and harmful content exploits are real threats — and most developers don't discover them until it's too late. In this talk, we'll cover why guardrails are essential for any production LLM app, and why red teaming is one of the most effective ways to uncover vulnerabilities before bad actors do. We'll then put theory into practice with a live demo: a vibe-coded AI app on Amazon Bedrock, attacked using an open source red teaming tool — first without guardrails, then with them. The difference will speak for itself. **About the speaker** [Vanessa](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-kong-8069601a7/) is a Senior Product Security Engineer at [REA Group](https://www.realestate.com.au/) with five years of experience spanning cloud infrastructure security, security tooling and automation, and AI security. She specialised in building secure systems end-to-end, automating security workflows, wiring up tools to catch issues earlier in the pipeline, and exploring the evolving security challenges that come with AI-powered applications. She loves getting into the weeds of how things break — and helping people build them more securely. **Agenda** 5:30pm – Food and networking 6:00pm – Presentation 1. Shielding your LLMs with AWS Bedrock Guardrails 6:30pm – Presentation 2. Red Team Your LLM App Before the Bad Guys Do 7:00pm – Networking We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsor — [REA group](https://www.rea-group.com/) for supporting our community and making this event possible. Join us for an evening of learning, meaningful conversations, and great company, we can’t wait to see you there!

You've built the POC. Leadership loved it. Now what? The gap between a working AI demo and a production system is where most projects quietly die. This event tackles the hard part, the decisions that come after the proof of concept gets the green light. Hosted by Zendesk! **What we're covering:** 🏗️ Architecture decisions that don't show up in tutorials when to build, when to buy, when to stitch things together 💰 Cost and efficiency trade-offs, what it actually costs to run AI at scale, and how teams are managing it 🔒 Governance and guardrails, who owns the model in production, and what happens when it breaks 🎤 Talks, panel, and Q&A from practitioners who've shipped AI into production, not just theorised about it **Our panel of experts:** * Darragh Kennedy, Director - Software Engineering, Zendesk * Fernando Mourão, Head of Responsible AI, Seek * Brad Ryan, Chief AI Officer, i-screen, Ex AI Lead - AWS * Romina Sharifpour, AI Engineering Lead, CBA **Details:** 📅 Thursday 4 June 2026 🕕 6:00 – 8:30pm 📍 Zendesk Office Level 13/550 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 **Format:** Talks + Panel + Q&A (6:00–7:30pm) → Networking & drinks (7:30–8:30pm) This event is part of AI Week Melbourne (June 1–7) and is run in partnership with Web Directions / AI Engineer Melbourne. Whether you're an engineer wrestling with inference costs, a leader trying to get your AI strategy past the pilot stage, or just curious about what production AI actually looks like, this one's for you. Spots are limited. RSVP to secure yours.

You've built the POC. Leadership loved it. Now what? The gap between a working AI demo and a production system is where most projects quietly die. This event tackles the hard part, the decisions that come after the proof of concept gets the green light. Hosted by Zendesk! **What we're covering:** 🏗️ Architecture decisions that don't show up in tutorials when to build, when to buy, when to stitch things together 💰 Cost and efficiency trade-offs, what it actually costs to run AI at scale, and how teams are managing it 🔒 Governance and guardrails, who owns the model in production, and what happens when it breaks 🎤 Talks, panel, and Q&A from practitioners who've shipped AI into production, not just theorised about it **Our panel of experts:** * Darragh Kennedy, Director - Software Engineering, Zendesk * Fernando Mourão, Head of Responsible AI, Seek * Brad Ryan, Chief AI Officer, i-screen, Ex AI Lead - AWS * Romina Sharifpour, AI Engineering Lead, CBA **Details:** 📅 Thursday 4 June 2026 🕕 6:00 – 8:30pm 📍 Zendesk Office Level 13/550 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 **Format:** Talks + Panel + Q&A (6:00–7:30pm) → Networking & drinks (7:30–8:30pm) This event is part of AI Week Melbourne (June 1–7) and is run in partnership with Web Directions / AI Engineer Melbourne. Whether you're an engineer wrestling with inference costs, a leader trying to get your AI strategy past the pilot stage, or just curious about what production AI actually looks like, this one's for you. Spots are limited. RSVP to secure yours.

Thursday Futsal in Footscray! ⚽⚽⚽ 5-a-side Futsal (indoor soccer), played on an indoor pitch. Cost: $10 (pre-pay) 10 players min/max. Court booked for 1 hour. RSVPs only please. Normal Runners/Sneakers or Futsal shoes are fine (no studs). Location: Victoria University Footscray Park Campus - 3rd Floor (court 3), Corner of Ballarat rd and Geelong rd, Footscray (near the Flemington Racecourse). Located in Footscray, which is just 5km from the CBD. Plenty of Parking available. Also serviced by public transport. It is a 15 min walk from Footscray train station. https://www.vu.edu.au/campuses/footscray-park Refund Policy: Please be aware that if for some reason you cannot attend, that you provide at least 24 hours notice to allow a sufficient replacement. Failure to not attend or withdraw in a timely manner will lead to removal from the group. https://youtu.be/iF65zrwsIaY

Welcome to Elixir Melbourne's monthly meetup. Where we go over Elixir ecosystem news, listen to great talks, and socialise with other Elixir developers of all levels. We’re rebooting the meetup after a hiatus with new (and old) organisers, a new venue and emphasis on more time to socialise. There are still speaking spots open. If you want to talk about anything Elixir related, get in touch. **Agenda** * 6:00pm - Arrive, socialise * 6:30pm - Welcome; introduction; “who’s hiring” pitches. * 6:45pm - Josh Price - Ash Framework * 7:15pm - Food, socialise * 7:45pm - Maybe another talk (speaking spot open!) * 8:15pm - Finish up and head to Saving Grace downstairs (32 Church Ln, Melbourne, VIC 3000) **Sponsor** Huge thanks to [SuperAPI](https://superapi.com.au/) for catering and venue.

🌟 **Unlock Your Full Potential with CPA Toastmasters!** 🌟 Are you ready to become a more confident speaker and a stronger leader? CPA Toastmasters is here to help you *grow* both personally and professionally! Whether you're looking to improve your public speaking skills, enhance your leadership abilities, or build self-confidence, Toastmasters provides a supportive and encouraging environment for you to thrive. 🚀 **Why CPA Toastmasters?** * **Improve Public Speaking**: Learn how to communicate clearly and confidently in front of any audience. * **Build Leadership Skills**: Develop the tools and techniques to become a stronger leader in your personal and professional life. * **Friendly, Supportive Community**: Join a group of like-minded individuals who are all working toward their personal growth and success. * **Real-Time Feedback**: Get constructive feedback in every meeting to help you continually improve. * **CPD Hours**: As our member, you are eligible to claim CPD hours under CPA for attending our meetings! 📈 **What to Expect at a Toastmasters Meeting:** * **Prepared Speeches**: Deliver speeches on topics you’re passionate about (Members only) * **Impromptu Speaking**: Practice thinking on your feet with quick, fun exercises. * **Constructive Feedback**: Receive valuable tips to help you improve, delivered in a positive, encouraging way. * **Leadership Roles**: Take turns leading the meeting, which helps you refine your organizational and leadership abilities. Come visit us in our next meeting and learn how our club can support your public speaking journey!

Business Agility is continuously improving, as is the Domain Model that underpins how we think about it. In June we welcome Evan Leybourn co-founder of the Business Agility Institute and Chief Product Officer at the newly founded X2A to run a deep dive on how the Domains, their Capabilities, and exhibited Behaviours evolving. The goal of the update is to further support practitioners' understanding of their organisation's standing today (their "X") and map a viable approaches to meet their ambitions (their"A"). Thanks to TeamForm for providing the space and funding the refreshments on the night. Without sponsors great events like this don't happen.T

It's Jugger time! Get on down to Hawthorn for fun, sun, exercise, and silly shenanigans! * ✅ Free to attend * ⚔️ Jugger Equipment is supplied * 🍜 Post-training social lunch - all welcome * ➡️ [Find us on Discord](https://discord.gg/WHnMyk56Cu) Jugger is an exciting, mixed-gender soft combat sport. Two teams use a selection of padded foam spars to tag opponents as they aim to put the jugg (the game ball) into their opponent's goal. **Watch Jugger being played in [this excellent short demo video](https://vimeo.com/28592980).** Jugger Melbourne training sessions include both full games of jugger, as well as a variety of training drills designed to promote **teamwork, communication, exercise, health and fitness, and teach core game skills.** After training we head across to Glenferrie Rd for lunch and socializing, which you are welcome (and encouraged!) to join. **‍🏃‍♀️‍➡️ New Player Info / Who Can Join** New players are always welcome! Our experienced coaches will teach you basics to get you and and swinging in no time Jugger is easy to pickup the basics while deep to master. We have a minimum age policy of 16 years (please note, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian), but other than that we welcome anyone of all fitness levels. Jugger is a great way to keep active, and a fun way to meet new people in a friendly and inclusive community! **👟 How to Join a Session and What to Bring** Joining is simple - just show up! RSVPing on Meetup or Discord is a big help as it helps us plan around expected numbers. You are also welcome to bring along any interested friends and family. **⚔️ Jugger equipment is supplied.** We have a collection of gear to loan out to new players. Bring a water bottle (there is a tap nearby), sunscreen, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes for running around in - and that you don't mind getting a bit dirty! Recommend but not required items include: sunglasses, football boots, kneepads, and gloves if you have them. You don't need any of these to get started, but you may find you want them if you become a regular. **✅ Are there any costs are involved?** Our training sessions are **free to attend** as often as you like, we are essentially just a group of friends that meet for training and socializing on the weekend. The Australian Jugger League has a voluntary annual membership that helps to support the sport (including maintaining equipment and paying for Meetup), and we encourage people to join once they become a regular attendee or begin attending tournaments. However there's no obligation so spend any money when you're first trying it out or just attending casually. **➡️ External Links** We organise our regular players through our Discord group and their attendance is not often represented in the Meetup attendance numbers (we use Meetup to reach out to new people). Events are also (though less regularly) posted to Facebook, while event photos and videos are shared on our Instagram. * [Join our Discord](https://discord.gg/WHnMyk56Cu) * [Jugger Melbourne on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/JuggerMelbourne) * [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jugger_melbourne/) * [Australian Jugger League website](https://www.jugger.au/) \*\* See you on Sunday \*\*

**Important Note:** the venue requires a guest list in advance. To lock in your spot, please connect with me on LinkedIn and I will send you a private booking link. **Once you've doen both of these, you’re in.** LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewstuckings/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewstuckings/) If you’re building something and wouldn’t mind doing it around other switched-on humans, come join us for a relaxed co-working day at **Edinburgh Villiage Studio.** **Location:** [https://edinburghvillagestudio.com.au/contact/](https://edinburghvillagestudio.com.au/contact/) No formal agenda. No awkward icebreakers. Just good people, decent coffee, and focused work. ☕ **Loose plans on the day** *10:00–11:00am* Coffee, chat, and a quick “what are you working on?” round. After that, everyone settles in and gets on with their own work. *12:30–1:30pm* Optional tag-along lunch nearby if you feel like stretching your legs. **What to expect** • A mix of founders, consultants, marketers, and side-project builders • Light conversation, real work • Space to focus without being isolated You can network as much or as little as you like. **Who this is for** • People actively building something • Those who enjoy thoughtful conversation • Anyone who prefers productive days over scrolling at home Please RSVP only if you genuinely intend to attend. Spots are limited. Bring your laptop, your to-do list, and something meaningful to move forward.

Hi Radiant Ladies, After our morning walk, come and join us at Windchimes Café for coffee, warm conversation, and a lovely relaxed catch-up with your favourite ladies! 🅿️ Easy 2-hour parking right out front. See you there! Lyn ☕💓

TO MAINTAIN A GENDER BALANCE ALL MALES MUST ATTEND WITH A FEMALE FRIEND, NO EXCEPTIONS. All females are welcome to attend alone but encouraged to attend with a female friend too for free drinks and food! MUST TAP “ATTEND” and include all guests. UNLIKE other meetups which are overwhelmingly male dominant, we provide ONLY gender balanced events where females also have a chance to meet other females, not only men. WE ARE COMMITTED TO EQUAL GENDER REPRESENTATION IN THE IT INDUSTRY. 8PM EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY (LAST ENTRY STRICTLY 8.30PM) AT 215 QUEEN’S

Topic to be announced. **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

Couldn't make Knowledge? Or want to debrief the dancing robots or Autonomous Workforce? Join us for a Knowledge '26 recap, insights sharing, a couple rounds of golf, and fun at Topgolf. As always, drinks and food will be provided. More details to come — mark your calendar, RSVP, and save your spot today!

We are bringing Microsoft Build sessions to Columbus Ohio! The Central Ohio Azure Meetup and Central Ohio .NET Developer's Group (CONDG) are coming together to bring some of the labs and breakouts from Microsoft Build to your backyard. In this free, 1 day event, you are going to Build stuff with us! And yes, there will be free food. So please RSVP for a head count!

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/

QA or the Highway is a one-day, affordable, regional, professional conference featuring real-world experience and thought leadership in the QA and testing industry. This is a ticketed event please register here: https://www.qaorthehwy.com/ Featured Keynote Speakers: **Matthew-Hope Eland** **(Wizard at Leading EDJE)** \- An AI Specialist and Wizard at Leading EDJE who is known to teach software engineering\, AI\, and data science concepts in the most ridiculous ways possible\. Matt has used machine learning to settle debates over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie\, reinforcement learning to drive the behavior of digital squirrels\, data analytics to suggest improvements to his favorite TV show\, and AI agents to play board games and create an AI agent with the personality of a dog\. Matt is the author of "Data Science in \.NET with Polyglot Notebooks" and "Refactoring with C\#" as well as several LinkedIn Learning courses\. Matt helps organize the Central Ohio \.NET Developer Group\, runs several blogs and a YouTube channel\, has a Master’s of Science in Data Analytics\, and is a current Microsoft MVP in AI and \.NET\. **Tatyana Arbouzova** **(CEO at Innovate QA)** \- Tatyana Arbouzova is an engineering and business leader with a strong background in Quality Engineering across multiple industries\, including Big Tech\, Healthcare\, and Entertainment\. She has held leadership roles at world\-class companies such as Microsoft\, VMware\, Disney\, and The Pokémon Company International\, where she focused on building quality\-driven cultures and scaling teams to deliver high\-impact products\. With decades of experience\, Tatyana has helped organizations transform their quality practices so teams can deliver software efficiently\, confidently\, and with measurable business outcomes\. Today\, Tatyana advises software companies on adopting AI to optimize quality practices and improve how software is delivered at scale\. She is also a passionate community builder and the founder of Innovate QA\, a thriving Seattle\-based community and conference for quality professionals\.

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm

**The Behavior Gap: Where Products Win or Lose** Teams today have more data than ever, and yet many still struggle to understand why customers adopt, engage with, or abandon their products. Teams sprint, ship faster, and chase more signals… all while metrics stall and confidence drops. The missing piece isn’t more data. It’s often the behavioral insight between the metrics, explaining why the numbers move in the first place. Dashboards can tell you what customers did, but understanding why they did it (and how to influence what they do next) requires a deeper blend of insights. This session is about closing that gap. Drawing from real-world experience designing and scaling products as [ZoCo Design](https://zocodesign.com/)’s CEO, [Lacey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) will share how to cut through the noise and identify the insights that actually change behavior—moving people, and moving metrics. You’ll learn: * Why understanding customer behavior is a quant and qual challenge * How to spot the signals that actually predict behavior change * Where AI accelerates insight, and where it creates distraction * How to get meaningfully closer to customers, without adding more tools This talk reframes how to evaluate performance and identify what levers actually improve it, helping your team to make smarter bets with greater confidence. Every meaningful outcome is driven by behavior change. And when you know how to design for behavior, you stop guessing, and start building things that work. **About Our Speaker** [Lacey Picazo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceypicazo/) is the Founder and CEO of ZoCo, a healthcare product studio that turns complex, high-stakes ideas into products that drive real-world adoption. She partners with healthcare organizations to uncover critical care delivery insights, focus product strategy through behavior design, and build solutions that patients and providers actually use. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)