Postmodernism

We have joined forces with the Statistical Society of Australia to broadcast their "Di Cook Award Seminar". **When:** Wednesday 8th of April, 6:30-8:15pm **Where:** 750 Collins St, Room 853, Level 8 (Studio Room) **What:** Free food & drinks while watching the Di Cook Award Seminar! The [Statistical Computing and Visualisation](https://www.statsoc.org.au/Statistical-Computing-and-Visualisation-Section) section of the Statistical Society of Australia proudly presents the Di Cook Award webinar, promoting open-source statistical software development. This event will showcase outstanding work submitted to the [2025 Di Cook Award](https://statsocaus.github.io/dicook-award/). The award winner will present their winning project in a 30-minute talk, highlighting the motivation, methods, and key insights behind their work. Two highly commended applicants will also share their submissions, each delivering a 15-minute presentation that outlines the ideas, approaches, and contributions of their projects. Together, these talks will provide an engaging overview of innovative software development represented in this year’s award submissions, offering attendees the opportunity to learn from and discuss exemplary work in the field. For more information about the award and the event, see the [SSA website](https://www.statsoc.org.au/event-6618285).

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!

This course, facilitated by Wendy Dixon, explores the concepts and exercises in Wallace Slater’s book *A Simplified Course of Raja Yoga*, which follows the Yoga Sutras or Aphorisms of Patanjali. We meet online every Wednesday night and follow the 10-lesson structure created by Slater, allowing a month for each lesson. We will thoroughly explore each step, with time for discussion and practice. Each session contains material on one or more of the eight limbs of yoga, so named by Patanjali - self-restraint (yama), self-discipline (niyama), posture (āsana), control of breath (prānayāma), control of the sense (pratyāhāra), concentration (dhāranā), meditation (dhyāna) and contemplation (samādhi). Additional material is sourced from I. K. Taimni, Swami Vivekananda, H. P. Blavatsky and contemporary Raja Yoga books. We begin and close each session with sitting meditations. **This is an ongoing course that you can join at any time.** **COURSE LINK** Please click on this link to join: [https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86376822389](https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86376822389) Meeting ID: 863 7682 2389 Passcode: 251130 **Admission by Donation:** A suggested donation of $5 or more per session assists Blavatsky Lodge to continue to offer online Theosophical courses. Please donate via PayPal here: [https://tinyurl.com/blavatskylodgedonation](https://tinyurl.com/blavatskylodgedonation) or email info@tssydney.org.au for other payment options. The course is run by **Wendy Dixon**, a National Lecturer for the Theosophical Society in Australia. She has been a member of the Theosophical Society for over 53 years, attending the youth group for at least 4 years prior to joining the TS at the age of 16 years. The works of Blavatsky, Hodson, Krishnamurti, Taimni, Besant, Leadbeater and the Dalai Lama are the cornerstone of her ever-continuing studies.

At Parkville Toastmasters we are all about helping you to develop the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. You can prepare for the next big presentation at work, for a job interview or just generally work on your confidence in communicating with others. Progressing through the sessions at your own pace, Toastmasters is the most effective, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining great communication and leadership skills. Our members are from various backgrounds, including students, professionals and retirees and we welcome all members of the community to visit and join our club. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the improvised speaking parts of the meeting. Guests will get to watch members of all levels of speaking experience talk. Only club members can give prepared speeches as these are projects assigned by Toastmasters to help members achieve their speaking goals. Dress in comfortable clothes and bring that smile you love to share. It's important to know that Members of this Meetup are not automatically members of the club. Meetup refers to people who belong to the Parkville Toastmasters Meetup group as 'members,' but from a Toastmasters point of view, people are only members if they've paid their club dues. For further details of the club, how to get there etc, please visit our website: https://parkvilletoastmasters.org.au/ or have a look at our Facebook Page to see what we get up to: https://www.facebook.com/parkvilletoastmastersmelbourne/

Join us every **Wednesday at 5 PM** at the Emporium food court (located behind Grill’d Burger Restaurant in the CBD, not near Melbourne Station) for a dynamic networking event tailored for filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts. Afterward, we continue the evening with Happy Hour drinks at a nearby bar and a chance to grab dinner together. Understanding that schedules vary, feel free to join at any time that suits you. Rain or shine, our community has gathered every week for the past year, maintaining a consistent and welcoming environment. Our group has grown remarkably, with a **weekly turnout of over 50 participants**, blending newcomers with regulars to create a vibrant, diverse community. Feel free to bring friends interested in filmmaking; it’s a great way to introduce new faces to our expanding network. Whether you’re a writer, actor, animator, or independent filmmaker, come share your experiences, discuss current projects, or chat about favorite films. This event fosters connections among like-minded individuals, encourages friendships, and opens doors for collaboration. At **7 PM**, we move to The Carlton Club, a five-minute walk away, where we continue networking in a more formal rooftop setting over drinks and food. This change of venue offers an ideal environment to keep conversations flowing. **RSVP** to help us gauge attendance and become part of a growing network of film professionals and enthusiasts. Though the event begins in the afternoon, the relationships you build here can last well into the night and beyond. **What to Expect:** *Our Wednesday meetup is primarily a large networking event for industry professionals. There’s no set theme, workshop, or speaker. It’s a relaxed gathering where filmmakers, actors, and creatives can connect, discuss projects, share needs, and learn from each other. Conversations flow freely around the table, fostering an environment of growth and camaraderie. Beyond Wednesdays, we also host exclusive events such as table reads, cinematography workshops with Panasonic, member screenings, and more. Each week brings fresh dialogues—some participants discuss their weekend shoots, others exchange insights with seasoned producers and directors, and a few engage in filmmaking exercises. It’s a space designed for creative engagement without strict structure or formal oversight.* *Note: Our community emphasizes collaboration, friendship, and goodwill rather than promotional activities. If you wish to promote a workshop, course, screening, or similar event, please contact the organizers first. Promotional privileges are generally reserved for trusted, long-standing members.

🌟 Welcome to Melton Toastmasters Club 🌟 Learn. Laugh. Grow. Looking to build confidence, sharpen your communication skills, and enjoy the journey along the way? Melton Toastmasters Club offers a relaxed, supportive environment where you can become a stronger speaker, listener, and leader at your own pace. Whether you’re aiming for personal growth, professional development, or simply meeting new people, Toastmasters provides proven learning pathways and plenty of encouragement to help you thrive. 🤝 **A Friendly & Diverse Community** We’re a welcoming group of around 15–20 attendees from all walks of life—retirees, students, stay‑at‑home parents, and professionals from many cultures and backgrounds. This diversity creates rich learning opportunities and a warm, inclusive atmosphere for everyone. **When We Meet** 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month ⏰ Meetings start at 7:30pm Please arrive by 7:20pm so we can begin on time. 🎤 **What to Expect at a Meeting** Guests are warmly welcomed and given a copy of the agenda so you can easily follow along. * **Opening & Introductions** – Meet the host and discover the theme for the evening * **Prepared Speeches** – Members present speeches from the Toastmasters learning program with clear goals and supportive guidance * **Table Topics** – A fun, impromptu speaking session where members—and brave guests—can respond to short questions * **Break Time** – Mingle, snack, hydrate, and chat * **Evaluations & Feedback** – Thoughtful, constructive insights to help speakers grow * **Meeting Reports** – Light‑hearted observations on timing, filler words, listening, and language use ✨ Come along, bring your curiosity, and see what Toastmasters is all about. We’d love to meet you! 📧 **For enquiries, reach out to our President, Dearne Rout, at:** [meltontoastmastersclub@gmail.com](mailto:meltontoastmastersclub@gmail.com) To help with ensuring we know who is coming along, please register as a guest on our Website through Contact Us. 🌐 **Club Website:** [https://melton.toastmastersclubs.org/](https://melton.toastmastersclubs.org/)

We are moving to a new platform and will be only running the new platform in 2025. please signup here: [https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers](https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers) This is the time to write whatever it is you want to write. \-\-\-\-\-\> IMPORTANT <\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We ask for the Nook which is to your left as you go in, but it is not always available. Ask for the table under "Mat Clarke". Sometimes we do not have an official host, so please say hi to people as they arrive and make everyone feel welcome. Thanks. No limitations. Come along and bring your laptop or pen and paper and work on whatever you want. There are no rules :) You can write. You can chat and write. You can share your work. Or not share your work. (If you need silence to concentrate then headphones are a good idea considering it is in a cafe/bar.) Coffee, hot chocolate, etc., available to buy. Also food and drink. Please buy something to show our thanks for the space they give us free of charge. There are some people that will want to chat, but most will be writing. So bear that in mind. See you there :) \-\-\-\-\-\-Please only RSVP if you can make it\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \-\-\-\-\-\-Un\-RSVP if you need to cancel\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We're booking the area, so we will need you to turn up if you say you are coming. Thanks. Thank you, Melbourne Writers. Great Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters Website: www.worldwriterscollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com **Help us by adding to these social pages and site**

Jim Jarmusch‘s new film with Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, Charlotte Rampling and Tom Waits. “Father Mother Sister Brother is consistently beautiful. It is not easy to create visual variety and interest in scenes in which by design the most important thing that is happening is that nothing is apparently happening.” Variety. “There’s something comforting about the fact that Jarmusch is still doing his thing, exactly how he wants to, and that so many great actors are lining up to be part of it. He’s a singular voice in a landscape that’s always in danger of flattening.” The Associated Press. We will meet at the Nova Bar from 3:30 p.m. onwards, please book your tickets early, Stefan - 0437777522

Want to be able to articulate your thoughts with clarity and precision? Want to overcome your public speaking anxiety and become a confident presenter? Want to develop leadership skills and become a better communicator? Join Elsternwick ToastMasters Club! Toastermasters is a not-for-profit organisation that is run by volunteers. We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. We have meeting regularly, each meeting has a range of activities for you to participate in, such as impromptu speaking, prepared speech, debate,etc. You will also receive constructive feedback which helps you improve your performance. Guests are welcome! We offer three meetings for free to our guests before joining as a member,so you can get a taste of how ToastMasters works and decide if it's right for you. When: 2nd and 4th Thursday, 7pm-9pm Where: 450-452 Kooyong Rd, Caufield South Visit our website to find out more: https://elsternwick.toastmastersclubs.org/ Send us an contact form through our website to reserve your spot if you'd like to attend our meeting as a guest.

Join us for a relaxed and thought-provoking meetup centered on the work of Michelangelo Antonioni, with a special focus on Red Desert and its enduring influence. We’ll explore how Antonioni uses landscape, color, and silence to express alienation and emotional disconnection, making Red Desert a landmark in modern cinema. From its striking visual design to its unconventional storytelling, we’ll unpack what makes his style so distinctive—and why it still resonates today. We’ll also bring The Passenger into the conversation, considering how its themes of identity, movement, and detachment echo or evolve Antonioni’s vision. Please note: this is a discussion-based meetup—we do not screen films during the event. Participants are encouraged to watch the films beforehand so we can dive straight into conversation, analysis, and shared perspectives. Whether you’re already a fan of Antonioni or just discovering his work, this is a space to think deeply, exchange ideas, and connect with others who appreciate cinema as an art form.

Manningham Toastmasters is a public speaking group that helps people improve their confidence, communication, and leadership skills Join us at Manningham Toastmasters for an engaging and supportive meeting designed to help you grow your public speaking and leadership skills in a friendly, encouraging environment. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve presentation skills, enhance communication at work, or simply challenge yourself in a safe space, our meetings provide practical, hands-on experience. ### What to Expect When You Attend 🔹 **Prepared Speeches** Members deliver speeches they’ve been working on as part of the Toastmasters educational program. These range from icebreaker introductions to persuasive speeches, storytelling, leadership presentations, and more. 🔹 **Impromptu Speaking (Table Topics)** Guests and members are invited to participate in short, fun, impromptu speaking exercises. You’ll be given a surprise topic and 1–2 minutes to respond a great way to think on your feet in a low-pressure setting. 🔹 **Constructive Feedback** Every speaker receives supportive and structured feedback. Our evaluation process highlights strengths and provides practical suggestions for improvement, helping members grow with each speech. 🔹 **Leadership Opportunities** Meetings are run by members, giving everyone the chance to develop leadership, organization, and facilitation skills in real time. 🔹 **Welcoming Environment** We pride ourselves on being warm, inclusive, and encouraging. Guests are never pressured to speak, though you’re welcome to participate as much as you feel comfortable. ### Who Should Attend? * Professionals wanting to sharpen presentation skills * Students preparing for interviews or academic presentations * Business owners and leaders developing communication confidence * Anyone looking to overcome fear of public speaking * Individuals wanting personal growth in a supportive community ### Why Attend? By attending Manningham Toastmasters, you’ll gain: * Greater confidence when speaking in front of groups * Improved clarity and structure in your communication * Enhanced listening and feedback skills * A network of motivated, growth-focused individuals Guests are always welcome to attend and observe a meeting before deciding to join. We’d love to see you and support you on your communication journey.

**Dying Consciously** \- it's not something most of us think about very much\. But some ancient teachings tell us that our state of consciousness at the time of death will determine the conditions of *our next destination*. And this idea is indeed supported by *some parapsychological evidence*. **In this unique interactive session,** Candace Ohanessian will walk us through the many considerations and questions one needs to align this most important life-event with our innermost values and wishes. **Candace will introduce us** to the key foundational concepts, parapsychological aspects of dying, and then the practical foundations of a preferred (conscious) death. She'll then cover in depth what conscious dying is all about, how to be in a supporting role with others who may be dying, and then finishing with some closing reflections and discussion. Certainly **a thought-provoking and eye-opening** discussion, and one you rarely get the opportunity to explore in a safe space with an experienced expert in the field. When we face up to our greatest fears, we become empowered. **About Candace:** * End-of-life doula, funeral celebrant, and registered funeral provider * Believes that preparing for death is a most life-affirming achievement * 20+ years’ experience with people in transition - addiction recovery, end-of-life planning and care, and families in grief. * Helps people plan for and have their preferred death * Helps families embrace and support the dying person and each other, optimally * Cert IV in Doula Studies, BA in Human Development, MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology. * Member of [Dying With Dignity Victoria ](https://www.dwdv.org.au/)and [Palliative Care ](https://www.pallcarevic.asn.au/)Australia, * Committee member of [Natural Death Advocacy Network](http://ndan.com.au/) * Board of Directors for the end-of-life doula peak body “HELD” **Post-Event Social Lunch Hangout (12.45 - 1.45pm)** Afterwards, you are invited to lunch with everyone at Flora Restaurant (5min walk from the venue) **PLEASE NOTE:** * **11AM Start -** Please be considerate and arrive early. * **$10 Cover Charge:** Room hire, facilities, and running costs.

Come along and enjoy, with humour, an actual experience of conflict resolution that has no need for anyone to compromise, even if the other person is acting in way that upsets you. Jenny Pearce recently spoke at the Dowsing Society of Victoria in November last year. Her alternative journey started 33 years ago, and it was a horse that set Jenny on the path as a Holistic Alternative Therapist.

Semi in honor of March being International Women's Month Columbus libraries: [https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3454709](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3454709) Location: SOW Plated Menu: [https://www.sowplated.com/menu-brunch/](https://www.sowplated.com/menu-brunch/) Book summary: In 2006 Julia Lerner is living in Moscow, a recent university graduate in computer science, when she's recruited by Russia's largest intelligence agency. By 2018 she's in Silicon Valley as COO of Tangerine, one of America's most famous technology companies. In between her executive management (make offers to promising startups, crush them and copy their features if they refuse); self promotion (check out her latest op-ed in the WSJ, on Work/Life Balance 2.0); and work in gender equality (transfer the most annoying females from her team), she funnels intelligence back to the motherland. But now Russia's asking for more, and Julia's getting nervous. Alice Lu is a first generation Chinese American whose parents are delighted she's working at Tangerine (such a successful company!). Too bad she's slogging away in the lower echelons, recently dumped, and now sharing her expensive two-bedroom apartment with her cousin Cheri, a perennial "founder's girlfriend". One afternoon, while performing a server check, Alice discovers some unusual activity, and now she's burdened with two powerful but distressing suspicions: Tangerine's privacy settings aren't as rigorous as the company claims they are, and the person abusing this loophole might be Julia Lerner herself. The closer Alice gets to Julia, the more Julia questions her own loyalties. Russia may have placed her in the Valley, but she's the one who built her career; isn't she entitled to protect the lifestyle she's earned?

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

Colombus Code & Coffee is thrilled to partner with Central Ohio Azure to put on the global Azure community day! RSVP here: https://www.meetup.com/central-ohio-azure/events/313484939/ View the session lineup and speakers at [Global Azure Columbus 2026](https://coazure.github.io/cbus-global-azure-2026/) On **Saturday, April 18, 2026**, the Azure Columbus Meetup, DevOps Meetup, and Code and Coffee Meetup are hosting our local edition of Global Azure 2026. This is a free, community-driven event packed with learning, networking, and all things Microsoft Azure. Whether you’re building modern cloud-native apps, experimenting with AI agents, deploying containers, automating infrastructure, or just beginning your Azure journey, this event is for you! **What to Expect** * Engaging technical sessions * Real-world Azure architecture & cloud-native patterns * AI, agents, automation, and modern DevOps * Food and drinks (because learning burns calories) * Time to connect with fellow engineers, architects, and cloud enthusiasts **Who Should Attend?** * Software engineers (any language, any stack) * Cloud architects * DevOps engineers * Data professionals * AI explorers * Platform builders * Anyone who loves solving hard problems with great tools If you build, deploy, automate, scale, monitor, or optimize in Azure, you’ll feel right at home. **Why Global Azure?** Global Azure is a worldwide community event where Azure user groups host learning sessions on the same day across the globe. It’s grassroots. It’s technical. It’s practical. And it’s powered by people who genuinely love sharing what they’ve learned. And yes, it’s free to attend!

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**