Civic Engagement Sydney

Thursday Trivia

Hello, We have our fourth trivia night on Thursday 10th September at the Chatswood RSL Club. The night kicks off at 7.30pm, but best to arrive around 7.15pm to get yourself signed in, buy some dinner and meet the group. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone who has joined. The space is small and I'll be there to greet you. This trivia night is only on a weekly basis, every Thursday, being on the 10th and 17th September. After these 2 weeks we'll reassess and see who would like to continue or not. I look forward to meeting you on the 10th. kind regards, Norma

Community of Practice 🗣️ - Human Hearted Sydney 🌻

Join our monthly Community of Practice (COP) where we discuss the ideas of Human Heartedness: a secular approach to life that promotes empathy and social connection based on cultivating our human social potential. Each meeting we discuss these concepts and how they can help us in practical ways to live better, happier, and more fulfilling lives. The meeting is followed by an optional lunch together nearby. This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and find your local community! ⏰ **When:** Sunday September 13th at 11:00am 📍 **Where:** Darling Square Library, Level 1 - Ideas Space 2 (see directions) 🎟️ **Cost:** Free 🧑‍🦱 **Who should come:** anyone looking to meet new people and build connections with like-minded Sydneysiders. We’re queer-friendly and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds :) **About Human Heartedness:** The modern world’s focus on competition and materialism makes it easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed. The collapse of traditional sources of meaning like religion and local community intensify this so that we’re often left with a lack of meaning and purpose. We can try to fill the void with money and success—or to numb it with drugs and technology— but nothing seems to work. Human heartedness reminds us that the path to living well doesn’t come from money and power, but from building on the best in our own human hearts. Our human social potential. It points to a better way: to build in-person communities that build on our innate social potential and inherent value as humans. By building good relationships and social connections, we can live a more fruitful and fulfilling life (and help others to do the same). We can move from struggling alone to flourishing together. Following the human hearted way offers a secular, inclusive, forward looking solution to the meaning crisis of our times. **About the Community of Practice (COP):** Our human hearted community of practice (COP) offers a friendly welcoming environment in which we support and encourage each other to live more human hearted lives. Our goal is to build a community that supports us all to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives. We welcome you to join us in exploring together how to live better lives. [Learn more about Human Heartedness and our other events here!](https://linktr.ee/humanheartedsydney) *Human Hearted Sydney is sponsored by Humanists Australia which kindly funds our activities and keeps events like this free. Consider donating to Humanists Australia to show your support for community-building in Sydney and beyond. All our events are governed by [Humanist Australia's Code of Conduct](https://bit.ly/ha-conduct-pdf).*

Honest Feedback - Say It, For Real

How often do you really say what you think? We all have opinions. About someone's work. Someone's outfit. A friend's behaviour. A business. A restaurant. Even ourselves. But how often do we actually say what we mean? Instead, we soften the truth, say what we think people want to hear, avoid awkward conversations, give five-star reviews we don't really mean - or keep our thoughts entirely to ourselves. And when someone finally gives us honest feedback we become defensive, dismissive or defeated. What if we got better at both sides of the equation? "**Honest Feedback**" is an evening of playful simulations designed to help you become better at giving, receiving and using honest feedback. We'll explore what happens inside us when we're asked to tell the truth - the desire to look good, avoid looking bad, protect someone's feelings, protect ourselves, or simply keep the peace. Because honest feedback isn't about being brutally honest for the sake of it. It's about creating enough awareness, courage and trust to discover what is actually useful, and then deciding what to do with it. Imagine having the confidence to ask, "What do you really think?" and the ability to hear the answer. Imagine being able to tell someone what they genuinely need to hear without tearing them down. Imagine how much improvement in our careers, relationships, businesses and everyday lives if we could do both at will. **WHO THIS IS FOR** * people who want to become better at communicating what they really think and feel. * people who struggle to give feedback because they don't want to offend, upset or disappoint others. * entrepreneurs and professionals who want better feedback from customers, colleagues, clients or the people around them. * and anyone who wants to just be more honest! 🎟️ Register to attend: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1634825 Ticket includes drinks, snacks and a vegetarian meal. **ABOUT** **Utopia Rising** delivers unconventional social experiences for self-improvement seekers looking to broaden their network or simply be inspired by life again. It’s a party reimagined - alcohol-free, featuring healthy plant-based food.

[NEW] Every 2 Weeks on Thursday | Sydney Chinese/English Meetup 悉尼中英文语言交流

## 【NEW】Thursday Chinese/English Meetup 【全新】周四语言交流聚会 Every Thursday evening, a group of Chinese speakers and learners gather in the heart of Sydney for language exchange and social connection. 每周四晚上，一群中文使用者与学习者都会在悉尼市中心相聚，一起进行语言交流和社交互动。 Originally created as a space for English and Mandarin conversation, our Meetup has now grown into a friendly bilingual community. Each session welcomes around 20–30 people — mostly native Chinese speakers, plus a smaller group of English speakers learning Chinese. 这个Meetup最初是为中英文口语练习而创立，如今已成长为一个温暖的双语社交圈。每次活动大约有20到30人参加，大部分是中文母语者，也有正在学习中文的英语母语者。 After more than two years at the same venue and time, we’re entering a new stage! Starting from **November 6, 2025**, our Thursday Meetup will have some exciting updates: 在同一场地和时间连续举办两年多后，随着志愿者Host的变动，我们的周四语言Meetup将从**2025年11月6日**起迎来新的阶段： 1️⃣ From weekly to **bi-weekly** (once every two weeks) 活动将从每周一次改为每两周一次 2️⃣ Each session will have **a different volunteer host** 每次活动由不同的志愿者主持 3️⃣ Venue will **change each time**, but always near the CBD, and RSVP on Meetup will be required 每次活动地点都会不同，但都在City交通便利的小酒馆内，并需在Meetup上提前RSVP Our volunteer team includes: a native English speaker who’s been learning Chinese for 10 years, a 70s-born migrant who has lived in Australia for 4 years, an international student, and several new Chinese migrants working in Sydney. 我们的志愿者团队包括：学习中文十年的英语母语者、移民澳洲四年的70后中文使用者、在读国际学生，以及在悉尼工作的新移民。 If you’d like to help us, we’re always looking for **new volunteers!** 如果你也想参与，我们非常欢迎新的志愿者加入！请联系Hong或当天的Host。 ✨ **What You’ll Find / 你会收获：** \- Real English & Mandarin practice 自由的中英文练习 \- Friends from China\, Asia\, Europe & Australia 来自中国、亚洲、欧洲和澳洲的朋友 \- A relaxed space to talk\, connect\, and belong 一个轻松自在的交流氛围 \- Language is just the start—many members find activity buddies\, close friends\, even travel partners\.语言只是开始——很多人还收获了活动搭子、好朋友，甚至旅行伙伴。 \- Join us for language\, culture\, and connection\! 加入我们，一起交流语言、分享文化、认识新朋友！ *** ### 📋 Important Notes / 重要提醒 **\- Please purchase at least one drink to support our venue\.** **请至少购买一杯饮料以支持场地提供方。** \- We encourage everyone to talk with different people during the event\. 鼓励大家在活动中与不同的人交流。 \- This is a social group\, not for dating — please maintain respectful behavior\. 这是一个社交活动而非约会场合，请保持礼貌与尊重。 \- Please do not engage in pyramid schemes\, direct selling\, or any kind of forced transactions — violators will be asked to leave\. 请勿在聚会中从事任何传销、直销或强迫他人交易的行为，否则将被请出并移除本群。 \- This event is not a dating event\. Please respect others’ boundaries and privacy\, and maintain friendly behavior\. 本活动不是约会联谊，请尊重他人边界和隐私，保持友善举止。 *** ### 📧 How to Contact Us Meetup.com 联系：Hong 📩 Email: **MEmeetupgroup@gmail.com** 📱 Xiaohongshu / 小红书：别忘了关注我的**小红书号：搜索 679825139 或者 “悉尼小洪”**，我们有各种华人活动策划安排。 Don’t forget to follow me on Xiaohongshu: search 679825139 or “悉尼小洪”, we organize various events for the Chinese community.

On the Degradation of Art and the Public Conscience

**On the Degradation of Art and the Public Conscience** **A philosophical talk by YouTuber, artist and budding science fiction writer Nikola Pavkovic** **What does a civilisation reveal about itself through the art it creates?** Art is not merely decoration. It is an expression of values: of what we consider beautiful or ugly, heroic or contemptible, worthy of admiration or deserving of ridicule. Every culture produces art in its own image and, in doing so, reveals something about its conception of man. This talk will examine the proposition that the degradation of modern art is not an isolated aesthetic phenomenon but the reflection of a deeper degradation in the public conscience. What happens when beauty becomes embarrassing, greatness becomes suspect and sincerity gives way to irony? When the artist ceases to present a vision of what man might become and instead celebrates fragmentation, ugliness, nihilism or despair? We will explore the relationship between **philosophy, art, morality and politics**, tracing the historical forces that have transformed our artistic culture and asking whether the decline of artistic standards has accompanied a corresponding decline in our moral ones. We’ll consider the capture of artistry not merely within universities and cultural institutions but across the wider machinery through which art is produced, funded, judged and celebrated. Yet decline is never total. There are artists who refuse it. By examining these exceptions, we can ask what their survival tells us about the possibility of another artistic culture: one concerned again with beauty, achievement, seriousness and the elevation rather than diminution of the human spirit. Finally, we will confront the most important question: **If you reject the culture being offered to you, what are you prepared to create in its place?** Presentation followed by open discussion, disagreement and debate. **On the second Monday of the month, Philo Agora has a speaker on a philosophical topic and a Q&A and discussion after. On the fourth Monday we meet again for open philosophical discussion.** Philo Agora's format is a talk for 20 minutes starting at 7:15 for 7:30. The presenter then answers any questions of clarification from the floor. We then take a break of 5 minutes for more coffee and to mull over the talk and discuss it within small groups. The microphone is then passed around the audience for comment, opinion, and often counter argument to a maximum of 3 minutes. The presenter is then given a 5 minute right of reply. We usually finish up at 9pm. The cover charge is $5 for the talk. There are tea and coffee facilities available in-house. Sam Alexander - Convener (0457 749 310)

Pre-Sales Demo Presentation Skills – 1 Day Training in Sydney, NSW

**Overview** Deliver compelling product demonstrations that showcase features, solve client problems, and strengthen adoption. **Ready to secure your spot? 🎯 Register now and complete your payment securely via Stripe Checkout!** [Click Here](https://buy.stripe.com/8x2bJ1aam1YGeG4aeg2oE43) #### **About the course:** **Duration:** 1 Full Day (8 Hours) **Delivery** **Mode**: Classroom (In-Person) **Language**: English **Credits**: 8 PDUs / Training Hours **Certification**: Course Completion Certificate **Refreshments**: Lunch, Snacks and beverages will be provided during the session **Course Overview** This **1 Day interactive workshop** is designed for pre-sales, product, and engineering professionals who need to **demonstrate products and technology effectively**. The course focuses on **highlighting key features, solving client problems, and structuring demos for maximum impact**. Participants will learn to engage audiences, manage questions, and ensure demos leave a strong impression, helping to **increase adoption, close deals, and communicate value clearly**. **Learning Objectives** By the end of this course, you will be able to: • Plan and structure impactful product demos • Highlight key features while emphasizing client benefits • Engage audiences effectively and handle questions with confidence • Use visuals, scripts, and tools for smoother delivery • Demonstrate credibility and solve client challenges through demos • Deliver product demos that drive adoption and sales outcomes **Target Audience** • Pre-sales professionals pitching products to clients • Product managers showcasing features and value • Engineering teams demonstrating technical solutions • Sales engineers needing to communicate product benefits • Professionals aiming to improve demo effectiveness and audience engagement **Why Choose This Course?** This course equips professionals with **practical techniques to deliver product demos that impress, engage, and influence decisions**. Unlike generic presentation training, it focuses on **structuring demos, managing interactions, and showcasing real product value**. You’ll gain hands-on experience to **increase adoption, drive client satisfaction, and communicate technical solutions clearly** **©2026 Mangates Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd. This content is protected by copyright law. Copy or Reproduction without permission is prohibited** **Want to train your entire team?** In-house sessions are available to help organizations **standardize demo delivery, align messaging, and practice real product scenarios**. Customized sessions also allow teams to **work with actual products and scripts**, ensuring immediate impact and consistency across presentations. **📧 Contact us today to schedule a customized in-house session: [corporate@mangates.com](corporate@mangates.com)** **Modules** **Module 1: Foundations of Effective Product Demos** • Understanding demo objectives and audience needs • Key elements that make demos persuasive and memorable • Avoiding common mistakes that confuse audiences • Icebreaker Activity **Module 2: Structuring Your Demo** • Planning step-by-step walkthroughs • Highlighting benefits over features • Keeping the demo concise and audience-focused • Case Study Simulation **Module 3: Visuals & Interaction in Demos** • Using visuals to reinforce key points • Incorporating interactive elements for engagement • Balancing live demos and pre-prepared materials • Activity **Module 4: Handling Questions & Objections** • Responding confidently to audience queries • Managing unexpected technical issues • Keeping the demo on track while addressing concerns • Role Play **Module 5: Persuasive Delivery Techniques** • Voice, tone, and body language for impact • Demonstrating value and solving client problems • Building credibility and trust during the demo • Quiz **Module 6: Tools & Templates for Demo Efficiency** • Leveraging presentation and demo tools • Creating reusable demo scripts • Streamlining workflows for consistent delivery • Case Study Simulation **Module 7: Practice & Feedback** • Delivering a complete product demo confidently • Applying feedback from peers and trainer • Refining structure, visuals, and delivery • Action Plan Review **FAQs:** 1. **Who should attend this course?** Pre-sales, product, engineering, and sales professionals delivering product demos. 2. **Do I need presentation experience?** No, the course is suitable for beginners and experienced demo presenters alike. 3. **Will I learn to structure product demos effectively?** Yes, the course covers step-by-step demo planning and audience-focused structuring. 4. **Does it cover handling client questions and objections?** Yes, a dedicated module focuses on confident responses and troubleshooting. 5. **Will I practice delivering a real demo?** Yes, participants deliver a full product demo and receive feedback. 6. **Can I use my actual product during practice?** Yes, real products and scripts can be incorporated for hands-on learning. 7. **Is the training interactive?** Yes, with role plays, case studies, and hands-on practice. 8. **Can it be customized for my company’s products?** Yes, in-house sessions can be tailored to your specific solutions. 9. **Do participants receive a certificate?** Yes, a Course Completion Certificate is awarded. 10. **Will this help increase client adoption and engagement?** Yes, the course focuses on demos that highlight value and influence decisions. *** *** *** ***

Social - Does cultural diversity benefit a society?

This evening we will have a social get-together, including a topic for discussion: "Does cultural diversity benefit a society?" Come as early as 5.30 for a meal and drinks before the discussion. There is no entry fee for this event. It will be on the second floor of the Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street Surry Hills. Please enquire at the upstairs bar if you can't find us.

PMM - Pack4Dignity Charity Day

September Meetup for the Sydney Nature Journal Club

Come along to our **September meetup for the Sydney Nature Journal Club**. This is a chance to connect, spend some time in nature and journal together. I will offer some guidance to start. After we can share journal pages and ideas. **What to bring:** Bring along sketchbooks/paper and your favourite drawing materials (pens, pencils, watercolour, acrylic, anything you have). I will have extra materials on the day if you want to explore other mediums. \*\*Where:\*\* Coal loader cafe **Cost:** Suggested donation is $10 annual fee, $5 casual fee. (This helps cover Meetup fees). DISCLAIMER.
Please note that Katy as volunteer organiser of activities for Sydney Nature Journal Club is NOT responsible for the health or safety of members (or their guests) and therefore will not accept any liability for accidents or injuries or losses that may occur during Meetup events at any location. By attending a Sydney Nature Journal Club event members acknowledge that you accept ALL of the above. I look forward to seeing you there.

Sydney Claude Community: From Beginners to Builders

Welcome to the Sydney Claude Community! Whether you are completely new to artificial intelligence or a seasoned developer looking to architect enterprise solutions, this meetup is your space to learn, share, and grow. AI is moving fast, and navigating it alone can be overwhelming. We’ve broadened the scope of this group to support everyone in our local community who wants to understand and leverage AI—specifically Anthropic’s Claude—no matter where you are on your journey. **What to Expect:** Grab a coffee and join us for relaxed, open discussions broken down into three main areas of focus: •⁠ ⁠The AI Explorers (Beginners): For those who don't know much about AI yet but are eager to explore, ask questions, and get hands-on experience in a welcoming environment. •⁠ ⁠The Professionals (Intermediate): For those who understand the basics of AI but want practical advice on how to implement it to help their teams, automate workflows, or support their companies. •⁠ ⁠The Builders (Advanced): For developers and consultants willing to dive deep, study AI architecture, and prepare for the official Anthropic certification exams. **Why Join Us?** As AI evolves, getting the right guidance is crucial. One of our co-organizers is an official Anthropic Partner and a newly Certified Claude Code Architect Professional. We are here to support the community, provide mentorship, share real-world use cases, and help you navigate the certification pathways. Come along to network, share your ideas, and learn how to make AI work for you! **About the Organizers & Partners** •⁠ ⁠Code Sydney (https://code.sydney/) •⁠ ⁠Community Partner: Seiment (https://seiment.com/)

🍜Asian Background Social: Lounge Asia Sydney (Easy English) 6pm

⚠️ EVENT UPDATE: THIS WEEK’S EVENT CANCELLED Unfortunately, this Saturday’s Lounge Asia Sydney event on August 29 has been cancelled. Our next event will be held on Saturday, September 5, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the same venue, Harts Pub. We apologise for the inconvenience and hope to see you next week. 😊 Please RSVP again for the September 5 event. 🌏 Make new international friends in Sydney. Come alone, practise your English, and enjoy a relaxed social night. 😊 A friendly meetup for networking, language exchange, and real conversation. **Why People Love Lounge Asia** 🍜 **Asian-focused** event 🤝 Many guests come alone 💬 No need for perfect English 🌏 No games or forced introductions — just enjoy the conversation ━━━━━━━━━━ **How to Join** 1️⃣ Tap "RSVP" on this page (1 ticket per attendee) 2️⃣ Show your Meetup QR code at reception 3️⃣ Collect your name tag and start meeting people ✅ Early RSVP is free ✅ RSVPs made within 24 hours of the event start time are $5 ✅ Limited capacity — please RSVP early Early RSVP is the best way to save your spot and join for free. Many people attend alone, so don't worry if it's your first time. ━━━━━━━━━━ ⚠️ IMPORTANT: TONIGHT’S RULES ⚠️ 🎟️ A VALID TICKET IS REQUIRED, BUT ENTRY IS SUBJECT TO HOST APPROVAL One ticket per guest. Guests on the waitlist cannot enter. A ticket does not guarantee entry. If entry is refused, you will receive a full refund. Please DM Michael, the main Lounge Asia organiser. Local hosts are not responsible for refunds. 🪑 SIT IF EMPTY Please take a seat if you see one to help create more space. 📧 SHOW SCREEN AT DOOR Have your confirmation profile/tickets ready for Chris & Kev. NO WALK-INS. THANK YOU! ━━━━━━━━━━ **How to Find Us** 📍 Venue Harts Pub 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000 ⏰ Time Saturday from 6:00pm – 9:00pm 🚶 Getting There 5 min walk from Circular Quay Station. 8 min walk from Wynyard Station. Easy to drop by after exploring The Rocks. Our Lounge Asia organisers will be there to welcome you 😊 ━━━━━━━━━━ 🍺 Please Support the Venue This event is free or low-cost because the venue supports our community. Please purchase at least one drink during the event. Your support helps us keep organising events at great venues. ━━━━━━━━━━ 💚 Please Be Respectful Lounge Asia is a friendly social event where everyone should feel comfortable and welcome. 🚫 This is NOT a pickup or dating event. Any anti-social behaviour or those who make others uncomfortable WILL BE removed immediately. 🚫 Any harassment, unwanted attention, MLM / crypto / religious recruitment, or anything that makes others uncomfortable. Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry or ask anyone to leave. 🪪 A valid government-issued photo ID is strictly required for entry. No photo ID, no entry. Driver's licences must be issued by the government of the country where the event is held. 📸 Photos and short videos may be taken for community and promotional purposes. If you prefer not to appear, please let an organiser know when you arrive. ━━━━━━━━━━ Lounge Asia is already growing in Australia and is now expanding across Asia — Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. Our goal is simple: More friendship, more understanding, and more genuine connections across cultures. 📱 Join the Lounge Asia Australia WhatsApp Group Stay connected with the Lounge Asia community after the event. ✅ Hear about upcoming Lounge Asia events ✅ Meet local and international people ✅ Stay connected with people you meet ✅ Receive community news and event updates [👉 Join the WhatsApp group:](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CJV5i6FQMc7DVXezkJUUib) 📱 Instagram: @_lounge_asia 🎥 Watch Event Video: [\[WATCH EVENT VIDEO\]](https://youtu.be/tNak_cu9CXw?si=xiObPWs86vc93N18) 🎁 BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER (VIP) We are building an official app to connect our community safely! Join the VIP list for early access and priority invites to special parties. 👉 [\[Join the VIP List here\]](https://forms.gle/T2KukvgEiGWEz3VR9) ━━━━━━━━━━ 🌏 Come say hi! Hey, come hang out! 来一起玩吧！ 一起來聊天吧！ 気軽に遊びに来てね！ 편하게 놀러 와요! มาเจอกันนะ! Tới chơi nha! Tara, sali ka na! Yuk, gabung! Хамтдаа цуглацгаая! Komm einfach vorbei! Jom join kita! See you at Lounge Asia!

SydDT #130: The Hidden Performance Skills of Great Designers

Designers spend years learning how to shape products, services, and experiences. But some of the most important design work happens live, in the room: * facilitating conversations * navigating uncertainty * building trust * uncovering perspectives * creating energy * driving alignment * helping people feel safe enough to contribute honestly Great facilitators don’t just run workshops, they shape emotion, attention, participation, atmosphere, and human connection in real time. In this Sydney Design Thinking Meetup, we’ll explore what designers can learn from experts who work at the extreme edge of live human experience design. Joining us will be: [Pamela Pilawa](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-pilawa-27096baa/) A Sydney-based performer blending clowning, physical theatre, storytelling, and teaching across cultures and languages. [Pamela’s work ](https://pamelapilawa.com/)explores presence, emotional authenticity, courage, vulnerability, improvisation, and audience connection. Pamela will share perspectives from the world of clowning and performance — including: * how to stay present under uncertainty * responding authentically in the moment * reading audience energy * embracing failure and imperfection * building trust and connection quickly * why vulnerability can be a leadership strength Because sometimes the difference between a good workshop and a transformative one isn’t the methodology. It’s the human presence in the room. [Wai Yin Vicente Kwok](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wai-yin-vicente-kwok/) Creative Director and Founder of [Wai Yin Designs](https://www.waiyindesigns.com/), with more than 20 years of international experience across theatre, film, immersive events, entertainment, and experiential activations — including large-scale themed experiences at Universal Studios Singapore. Wai Yin will explore how environment, atmosphere, spatial design, and intentional setup influence participation, behaviour, emotion, and outcomes. Drawing from theatre, live entertainment, and immersive experience design, she’ll share how: * environments shape interaction * atmosphere influences engagement * physical space changes collaboration dynamics * intentional staging can reinforce purpose * experiences can be orchestrated to support desired outcomes Because workshops, co-design sessions, and facilitation environments are experiences too. And like any experience, they can be intentionally designed. Together, we’ll explore: * facilitation as performance * the role of presence in leadership and design * designing environments for participation * improvisation and adaptability * balancing structure with emergence * how designers can become more effective facilitators of human interaction This session isn’t about becoming performers. It’s about learning from experts whose craft depends on understanding people in real time.... **EVENT SPONSORS** This event is brought to you by [Thoughtworks](https://www.thoughtworks.com/), [Shapeshifters](https://www.shapeshifterscreative.com.au/), The Growth Habit, and [Dynamic4](https://dynamic4.com). We take photos and record our events for documentation and promo purposes. Just let us know if you prefer not to be featured.