About us
Welcome to our Humanists Australia community in Melbourne (Naarm).
There are many lenses through which to view Humanism. In 2026, we are developing some exciting, different streams of events and local communities all across Australia. Humanists Melbourne's core stream of monthly gatherings is entitled… ‘Hands on Humanism’. This original framework, illustrates the diverse pathways into the ethical life stance that is Humanism. If you are looking for inspiration on creating a purposeful year ahead, then why not play a hand in advancing this local community of Humanists? Our team invites you to meet up at one of our face-to-face events in and around metropolitan Melbourne. Join us to discover WHY a Humanist way of life can lead to a flourishing future.
Humanism is quite simply about being a good human and creating a fulfilling life. We explore shared values that promote personal growth, well-being, and ethical engagement with the world, because personal choices ultimately influence planetary outcomes; one idea, one action, one human story at a time. Together we explore one another’s unique individual potential and the collective power of Humanism to shape all our lives for the better.
See details of Events, and please JOIN US. You can also join the Humanists Australia meetup group for online discussions and presentations on Humanism.
HUMANIST MELBOURNE IS TAKING A PAUSE
We will send a notification of future calendar dates
Hands-on Humanism - Community co-leaders of this stream are taking some rest & relaxation.
For this particular stream of event dates in 2026, please visit our future meetup event on this topic, which illustrates what Hands-on Humanism is all about
We meet on the third Sunday of every month in the afternoon, times & locations can differ.
Summer Seasonal Event in the New Year- Thanks for attending the previous event in January
FUTURE EVENTS
Overview of this year’s Hands-on Humanism program -postponed
Human Kindness & our whole human potential
Autumn Seasonal Event
Unify Community
Meaningful Work & the wellbeing economy
Winter Seasonal Event
Advancing Good Governance in a secular society
Nature & Nurture
Spring Seasonal Event
Science, Education, Philosophy & ethical progress
Review of the year with a social get together
Extra Opportunities & Additional Event Streams
Do let us know of suitable opportunities for cultural events, we may wish to attend.
Approved Humanist leaders are invited to co-create additional special interest events or new place-based communities in and around the Metropolitan area, under the umbrella of our Humanists Australia Melbourne Meetup community. Contact us if you wish to develop or put forward an idea for an event or for a new stream of activities, on dates that do not conflict with the third Sunday of the month
Humanists Melbourne is a Community of Humanists Australia, and those who come to our meetups are asked to adhere to the Humanists Australia Code of Conduct. We do not allow harassment of any kind, or promotion of any goods, services or groups unrelated to Humanism (except by prior permission of the organisers).
Upcoming events
1
Rome Exhibition and Discussion over Lunch
Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, AUJoin us to see Melbourne Museum’s special exhibition ‘ROME: Empire, Power, People’ followed by lively discussion about the relevance of themes such as power and human dignity, over lunch in Lygon Street.
Please scroll right through to end to see discussion points for lunch AND suggested prior reading link.
Meet at museum: 11.45 am
Exhibition: 12.00pm - 1.15pm
Walk to restaurant: 10min
Lunch: 1.30pm @ Il Gambero 166 Lygon StreetIndicate in comments if you are coming to exhibition and / or lunch.
New Members:
New members are more than welcome, we are a good-natured bunch who value friendship and exploring the realm of next wave humanism. Interested? Come and join the conversation!Cost:
$35 adult, $30 senior, $30 concession
PLEASE PURCHASE TICKET DIRECTLY ON MUSEUM WEBSITE FOR ROME: EMPIRE, POWER, PEOPLE FOR 12.00PM 19 APRIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/tickets/$5 CONTRIBUTION (IF YOU CAN) TOWARDS ONGOING OPERATIONAL COSTS
About the exhibition:
From the fall of Julius Caesar to the power and ambition of an Empire, the exhibition showcases the luxury of Imperial Rome, the spectacle of the gladiator arena, the bustling marketplaces and the everyday experiences of Romans.Explore Ancient Rome’s political, social and spiritual worlds through over 180 objects dating from the Imperial period 1st Century CE to the 3rd Century CE, with all of the objects on display in Melbourne for the first time ever.
The splendour, drama and humanity of Rome is brought to life in detail with scenography and multimedia, giving visitors an immersive experience and vivid portrait of a civilisation that continues to shape our world today.
Link with modern humanism and points for discussion over lunch:
🏛 Power, Citizenship, and Human Responsibility
Rome’s political system—centralised under the emperor yet still tied to republican ideals—invites reflection on human agency, leadership, and ethical governance.- The emperor’s authority shows how power can stabilise or destabilise societies, prompting questions about justice, accountability, and the common good.
- The expansion of citizenship, culminating in the Constitutio Antoniniana (212 CE), highlights evolving ideas about belonging, rights, and inclusion.
- The Senate, magistrates, and local elites demonstrate how communities negotiate shared responsibility and public service.
Humanist connection: Studying these structures encourages us in the 21st Century to consider what fair leadership looks like, how societies might distribute power, and how individuals contribute to civic life.
🎨 Culture, Creativity, and the Value of Expression
Roman cultural life—its literature, architecture, philosophy, and public entertainment—reveals a civilisation deeply invested in human creativity and shared cultural identity.- Writers like Seneca, Pliny, and Juvenal explored moral questions, emotions, and the human condition.
- Monumental architecture expressed collective values: memory, pride, identity, and aspiration.
- Religious and philosophical traditions (Stoicism, mystery cults, local deities) show humans searching for meaning and ethical frameworks.
Humanist connection: These cultural expressions affirm the humanist belief that creativity, reflection, and intellectual inquiry enrich both individuals and communities.
🏺 Social Life, Dignity, and the Human Condition
Roman society was hierarchical, unequal, and often harsh—especially for enslaved people, women, and the poor. Yet it also reveals universal human experiences: family, work, belonging, resilience, and aspiration.- The familia structure shows how people sought stability, identity, and continuity.
- Urban life—baths, markets, forums—demonstrates the importance of community spaces where people meet, talk, and coexist.
- The presence of slavery and inequality invites ethical reflection on human dignity, freedom, and justice.
Humanist connection: By examining both the achievements and injustices of Roman society, we can reflect on the importance of empathy, moral reasoning, and an understanding of how societies can uphold—or violate—human dignity.
🌍 Why This Link Matters for Learning
Connecting Rome to humanist values helps us:- see history as a lens for understanding ethical questions;
- recognise the continuity of human concerns across time;
- reflect on how societies shape and are shaped by human choices;
- develop critical thinking about power, culture, and identity;
- understand that studying the past is ultimately about understanding people.
It turns the Roman Empire from a distant civilisation into a mirror for thinking about what kind of world we want to build today.
Suggested prior reading:
In preparation for the exhibition it is recommended to read about the events of Rome during this time period of 1st Century CE to the 3rd Century CE, and the philosopher Seneca.
https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Rome/The-transformation-of-Rome-and-Italy-during-the-Middle-Republic2 attendees
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