Civic Engagement Sydney

Coffee at Art Gallery of NSW

**Event Summary:** We're holding our monthly social event at the NSW Art Gallery. Interested to meet new people ? Or refresh existing friendships with members of our human hearted community ? Or just curious about what it means to be [Human Hearted?](https://linktr.ee/humanheartedsydney) Or perhaps you just want a cup of coffee with new people in a relaxing atmosphere. Then come along to meet us at the NSW Art Gallery. We'll meet at the steps out front (of the original gallery) at 10:30 am. (Unless its raining in which case we'll move up a bit to get some shelter). Then we'll head down to the cafe for coffee and conversation. After that some of us will stroll the gallery. You're welcome to join us or take your own path through the gallery. **Venue:** The venue is The Art Gallery of NSW in Art gallery road, The Domain. We'll be meeting at the Naala Nura Building (the older building) with the columns and steps at the main entrance. We'll meet at the steps. **Connecting to our values:** This event is part of living out Human Hearted Sydney's values of positive social connection and building community in Sydney. So lets meet and connect with those we already know, and those we haven't met before. All are welcome to socialise, meet new people, and build friendships.

Agentic Engineering Meetup, September Edition

Hey everyone, join us for the September edition of the Agentic Engineering Meetup! We'll have two exciting talks, great discussions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow engineers, AI practitioners, and technology enthusiasts. 🎉 Seats are limited, so RSVP early to secure your spot. 🏠 **Location** Hub24 Level 16, 5 Martin Place Sydney NSW 2000, Australia 🍕 **Food & Refreshments** Kindly provided by Hub24😊 **Schedule** 🕠 5:30 PM – Doors Open, Refreshments & Networking 🕕 5:50 PM – Welcome & Announcements 🎤 6:00 PM – Talk 1: Kaizen in a Dark Factory: Does Continuous Improvement Work When No-One's There? 🎤 6:30 PM – Talk 2: How I Built a Full Featured Fluid Simulation App for $300. 🤝 7:00 PM – Networking 🚪 7:30 PM – Event Close **Speakers:** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🎤 **EVAN MORRISON**, PhD. Head of Innovation Lab, Hub24 **Talk Title**: Kaizen in a Dark Factory: Does Continuous Improvement Work When No-One's There? **Talk Summary**: The software industry is having a moment. There are agentic engineering operators like StrongDM that claim to have nailed an approach of shipping production systems that are neither reviewed nor written by engineers. Operations teams are the obvious next target. Software has traditionally encountered challenges in this domain as a result of the communication patterns and unstructured processes in those teams. Evan will argue that an operations team doesn't become a completely dark factory with no people. However, it may reduce to a small team of people watching a very complex andon cord. He'll present a framework that divides work into decidable outcomes, handled by deterministic mechanisms, and human in the loop judgements. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🎤 **AUBREY GOODMAN**, Founder and Principal Engineer, Ferrion **Talk Title**: How I Built a Full Featured Fluid Simulation App for $300. **Talk Summary**: A simple breakdown of the process I used to craft prompts and use agents cost-effectively to build over 100 feature-rich phases over two months to deliver a fluid simulation product published to the App Store, all for about $300 using Claude Max without any token overage charges. Covers techniques for writing prompts to keep Claude on target, getting the most out of a session context, and handing off work between sessions without blowing up the token budget.

Volunteering Oppotunity - Bayside Beaches Cleanup

We are looking for volunteers to clean up Bayside Beaches together We love spending time on a clean beach and so do you! Join us for a volunteer beach clean-up and help keep our beaches beautiful and enjoyable for everyone. ### How to join: Step 1: Book the ticket Step 2: Wait for email confirmation Step 3: We will email you the exact location and Point of contact 2 days before the event Step 4: Show up on the date, receive cleaning equipment from organisers and start Have questions? Text us: 0426 001 696 - Danni Nguyen

[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.

Greenups Spring. In The Garden

For the Spring event we’re doing green drinks old-school style. Join us, [Greenups](https://greenups.au/), [Regen Sydney](https://www.regen.sydney/) and the [Pocket City Farms](https://www.pocketcityfarms.com.au/) crews, in the garden (the beer garden & the veggie patch), with the sun on our backs, dirt under the nails, beer in hand, for some casual, low-key, easy 'spring in the air' vibes. Spring is the time to prepare the soil, plant seeds, and tend to the young crops. So let’s get outside, reconnect, tend, nurture ourselves, find strength, and just have some fun! **Why** A lot of people in the broader Greenups community have had their shoulder to the wheel for years now - working on climate, nature, cities, food, energy and systems change - many, now experts in their fields. And a common refrain lately: “It’s hard.”... Frankly, many of the things we’ve fought for are not going the way we’d hoped, and we're all feeling the pressure. ...so it's often followed by “I’m exhausted.” So spring feels like a good moment as any to call a small time-out, to stop and smell the natives. **What to expect** In the spirit of the early Greenups: let’s just turn up, meet some good people, have a drink, swap ideas and see what grows. Old faces, new connections, good music, tasty food, feet on the ground, fun in the sun. Zero “sage on a stage” vibes. Daylight saving will have just started. It’s the last week of the school holidays. It's a kid-friendly venue, and kids eat free at Camperdown Commons on Wednesdays! \* **Who** Pocket City Farms will show us around the farm, including a garden tour, and bring us up to date on their journey so far, and where to next. We’re inviting some of our Regen Sydney and Community Garden friends along too, with hopefully another special guest to announce soon. \* No, this not only for families, not at all. This will be a regular Greenups for grownups, but at a venue that is well suited to kids. So if you want to bring your 'young crops', please do!

Free English lessons & conversation

Join our free English classes suitable for A2-B2 level learners. Classes will run for 4 weeks from 21st Sept to 16th October. * Mon-Thurs: 3.00-4.30pm * Fri: 9.00am-12.30pm (with a break and free lunch). Practise speaking English and meet new friends in Sydney.

Unhurried Conversations - Saturday

Bring yourself along, we explain how it works.

Reconnecting - Plantforward Delights

Manipulation: What It Is, Why It's Bad, What to Do About It

How often are your decisions really your own? Every day we are surrounded by advertising, social media, political campaigns, news headlines, influencers, sales techniques and well-meaning advice — all competing for our attention and trying to shape what we think, feel and do. But where is the line between persuasion and manipulation? Can manipulation ever be ethical, or is it always something to resist? And in an age of personalised algorithms and increasingly sophisticated AI, are we becoming easier to manipulate than ever before? Come and join us as we explore these fascinating and relevant questions of modern life. **Book: *Manipulation: What It Is, Why It's Bad, What to Do About It* (2025) by Cass R. Sunstein** **Companion Reading: *[A Guide to Understanding Manipulation](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQDHXT_8qUk6SaS0K3l8wqrwAQGmTmBNSjEbvmGyDm5emUM?e=A1kJfd)*** (prepared for this meetup) Cass Sunstein is almost uniquely placed to write this book. He is the co-creator of nudge theory (with Richard Thaler), a former senior adviser in the Obama White House, and one of the most cited legal scholars in the world. He has spent decades studying how human psychology shapes decisions, and has seen from the inside how governments and corporations exploit that knowledge. The result is a book that is simultaneously rigorous and readable: part philosophy, part law, part behavioural science, and part catalogue of the tricks being played on us every day. Sunstein moves from abstract definitions — what exactly separates manipulation from persuasion, and why does it matter? — through case studies of dark patterns, deepfakes, deliberate bureaucratic friction, and the social pressure traps of platforms like TikTok, before arriving at what may be the book's most important question: as AI makes manipulation more precise and more powerful than at any previous point in history, do we need a new legal and moral right — a right not to be manipulated — in the same way that a previous era recognised, for the first time, a right to privacy? This is one of those discussions where prior reading is not just encouraged but genuinely necessary — the conversation will move quickly into territory that only makes sense if you already understand Sunstein's conceptual framework. The companion reading guide is designed to make that framework accessible quickly, so even if time is short, a read-through of it will set you up well. But if you can get hold of the book itself, we think you'll find it genuinely easy to read or listen to — and it comes with a notable endorsement: Tim Wu, whose book we discussed just a couple of months ago, has named it as one of his top book recommendations. So join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 5th October, on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel in Surrey Hills (i.e. up two flights of stairs). The venue is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail. We look forward to seeing you there! P.S. Please adjust your RSVP if you have indicated that you will come but are no longer able to do so. This is courteous to others if there is a waitlist. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- These are just optional links to consider to supplement the reading of the book and document. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section. **Videos** * Cass Sunstein in an overview, seminar and podcast: [Overview of the book (3 mins)](https://www.cambridge.org/news-and-insights/talking-manipulation-with-cass-sunstein) [Online Seminar - Fifty Shades of Manipulation (43 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9sopDkcLYM) [Sunstein on Manipulation vs Influence](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aPzxitrWCE&t=2s) * 5 Insights on the book (The Next Big Idea Club) by Sunstein. Note that the audio version is more detailed than the written summary below it: [These Are the Silent Manipulations Most People Don’t Notice](https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/silent-manipulations-people-dont-notice-bookbite/56807/) **Written** * A Cass Sunstein article in The Guardian: [Why we need a right not to be manipulated](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/jul/27/why-we-need-a-right-not-to-be-manipulated) * Cass Sunstein in an interview: [Cass Sunstein on Manipulation and AI](https://apablog.substack.com/p/cass-sunstein-on-manipulation-and)

Sunday cafe☕️🍮🍨: Relax, enjoy & inspire with 🇯🇵🇰🇷🇨🇳🇹🇼🇭🇰 friends

Been here for decades or you just arrived this morning? :) This Sunday event is dedicated to you & our guests in **20-30s** who enjoy the **peaceful** **café vibe** & connect within the local East Asian community (Japan, Korea, Mongolia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Guam and Saipan). **We accommodate BOTH Introvert & Extrovert (JUST NOT TROUBLEMAKERS)** \- through sharing your similar cultural background\, this small group allows you to share ideas\, experiences or even questions with people with respect & decency\. **NO registration, NO Entry** **Run-down (Need not to follow :P)** * **1st hour** will be sharing your cultural background, introducing some key phrases from your mother tongue (language). Share similarities & fulfil your curiosity - So bring the most interesting terms/phrases with you. * **2nd hour** will aim for an causal, relax English speaking environment. Topics are up to you, you may share questions, topics, life experiences or even ***MBTI***\~ * **There & after…**. It’s free flow, but if you feel peckish, stay with us for the “dinner session”. **Cost:** * **New members: $10** **ONE-OFF** membership (**cash only**) donation for **unlimited events.** * **Return members: FREE\~\~.** Past attendees who have already paid can join again free of charge!! **Remark\*** * Our community is well-regarded to be a safe & inclusive group. **Attendees are expected to treat ALL guests/peers with courtesy, respect and understand of their own cultural background. Sales pitch, promotion, hunting or any pick-up activities are STRICTLY prohibited**. **ANY** attendees with misconduct/anti-social behavior (& made other guests feel uncomfortable) will be **removed from the group without warning & report to the event platform for further action**. To help us to build & preserve a peace & comfortable environment, please reach out to the leadership team if you have any issues or concerns. Your report is 100% confidential. (***Sydney Social Explorers reserve all rights***) Please be considerate to your peers as you RSVP & respect the effort of organisers (not just our group, but all events - we are **speaking common sense/curiosity here**). We understand some last minute withdrawals due to unexpected life circumstances, however please try your very best to avoid such exceptional situations occur.

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.

Spring Series : Sunset Session

Join us Saturday afternoon at the idyllic **Observatory Hill Park** for intellectual banter, stunning panoramic views and social antics. Come celebrate the beginning of Spring with us. Topics will be voted for on the day. The format will utilise small group Socratic Questioning. **After the sunset we will continue on to the Glenmore Hotel rooftop for a few drinks.** **Join the discussion on our Discord community** [https://discord.gg/wkySYnft7c](https://discord.gg/wkySYnft7c)