Civic Engagement Sydney

Monthly Hack Day - Cost of Living in an oil crisis

The already bad Cost of Living crisis has recently got worst with the closing of the Straight of Hormuz and the oil crisis the world has been plunged into because of it. Can we think up some solutions that can save us money, help reduce our dependance on oil or generally improve life for ordinary people? During our monthly hack day, we'll learn about civic challenges, brainstorm ideas about solutions, and sit down to code together. Together, we can make an impact on civic challenges and build a better city. Networking with fellow software engineers, designers and student/s welcome! If anyone would like to present a quick talk or propose a project idea, do talk to us! Also please do join the discussion on Discord https://discord.gg/wPmp25Xnm5

English Convo Café Club (B1+)

G’day mate! 🐨 Join me for relaxed, small-group English conversation practice in a friendly café-style setting, hosted by an Aussie native English speaker 👋🏽 Designed as a more personal and guided alternative to large language exchanges, these sessions focus on helping you build real confidence speaking English naturally in everyday situations. Through guided conversations, word games, cultural topics, and Aussie slang ☀️🦘🌊 you’ll practise real English in a relaxed and welcoming environment where mistakes are welcome. Tea or coffee is on me ☕ ✈️🌏 Perfect for international students, travellers, and newcomers to Sydney looking to improve their fluency, meet new people, and practise English beyond the classroom. 🤓 Designed for B1+ speakers (Looking for A1-A2 events? Check out our profile). Small groups only (max 6 people) so everyone has time to speak, connect, and feel included. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ LGBTQ+ friendly Cheers, Joshua *** 🇪🇸 Español ¡Hola mate! 🐨 Únete a una práctica relajada de conversación en inglés en grupos pequeños, en un ambiente estilo café, guiada por un hablante nativo australiano 👋🏽 Diseñado como una alternativa más cercana y guiada a los grandes intercambios de idiomas, estas sesiones se enfocan en ayudarte a ganar confianza hablando inglés de forma natural en situaciones reales del día a día. A través de conversaciones guiadas, juegos de palabras, temas culturales y slang australiano ☀️🦘🌊 practicarás inglés real en un ambiente relajado y acogedor donde los errores son bienvenidos. ¡El té o café corre por mi cuenta! ☕ ✈️🌏 Perfecto para estudiantes internacionales, viajeros y personas nuevas en Sídney que quieren mejorar su fluidez, conocer gente nueva y practicar inglés fuera del aula. 🤓 Diseñado para personas con nivel B1+ (¿Buscas eventos para nivel A1-A2? Visita nuestro perfil). Grupos pequeños únicamente (máx. 6 personas) para que todos tengan tiempo de hablar, conectar y sentirse incluidos. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ LGBTQ+ friendly Cheers, Joshua *** 🇧🇷 Português Oi mate! 🐨 Junte-se a uma prática relaxada de conversação em inglês em pequenos grupos, em um ambiente estilo café, conduzida por um falante nativo australiano 👋🏽 Criado como uma alternativa mais acolhedora e guiada aos grandes encontros de intercâmbio de idiomas, essas sessões ajudam você a ganhar confiança falando inglês naturalmente em situações do dia a dia. Através de conversas guiadas, jogos de palavras, temas culturais e gírias australianas ☀️🦘🌊 você praticará inglês real em um ambiente leve e acolhedor, onde erros são bem-vindos. O chá ou café é por minha conta ☕ ✈️🌏 Perfeito para estudantes internacionais, viajantes e pessoas novas em Sydney que querem melhorar sua fluência, conhecer novas pessoas e praticar inglês além da sala de aula. 🇧🇷 🤓 Desenvolvido para participantes com nível B1+ (Procurando eventos para nível A1-A2? Confira nosso perfil). Grupos pequenos apenas (máx. 6 pessoas) para que todos tenham tempo para falar, se conectar e se sentir incluídos. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ LGBTQ+ friendly Cheers, Joshua

Weekly Coffee Catch Up

**Everyone is welcome!** Whether you’re part of a local community group that’s struggling with admin friction or you’ve just started "vibe coding" and want to build something that actually matters, come grab a coffee. We are currently collating **Bluehex Blocks**—standalone tools that solve real problems today and will eventually dock into our single 1-stop solution for Australian non-profits, charities and communities. We’re all about open doors and high-energy builds—it’s simply a chance to lean in with your skills (or your community insights) and create real impact for the public good.

[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.

May social - knowledge or critical thinking?

This evening will be our May social. Come along for food, drink and a chat with friends and like minds. The ice-breaker for discussion will be - Is knowledge or critical thinking more important in education?

Cook & Connect with a Bay View

**New Initiative** 🔥 🍝 **Cook & Connect – Cooking Class with a Bay View** Join a relaxed, social cooking experience in our cozy waterfront home in Mosman, overlooking the bay. You will learn how to make pasta from scratch from Italian Chef 👨‍🍳 ✨ No pressure. Just good food, beautiful views, and great people. Learn simple, delicious Italian recipes step by step, then sit down and enjoy the meal we’ve cooked together. **Reserve your spot here:** https://events.humanitix.com/cook-and-connect-u35je7d6 To preserve the unique home vibe, attendance is strictly limited to **15 guests**. Although Meetup may display a higher number, spots are reserved on a first come, first served basis, and priority is given to the first 15 guests who purchase a ticket. If you can still buy the ticket on Humanitix, you can join us! Perfect to meet new people, have fun, and enjoy great food with an amazing view. 📅 Sunday, 17 May ⏰ 11 AM – 2 PM + enjoy home made Lunch all together Can’t wait to see you 💚

Chatswood Hackathon: AI for Real-World Impact

**UPDATE:** WOW! We’ve had an overwhelming response across all platforms, with over 200 applications received for only 40 available spots. **Please note that an RSVP or acceptance on Meetup alone did not secure a place at the hackathon.** Only participants who received a direct confirmation email and calendar invitation from GEEQ have secured a spot for Saturday. If you’re unsure, please check your inbox and spam folder for: * A confirmation email from GEEQ * A calendar invitation for the event \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Ready to build something that actually matters? Join us for the **Chatswood Hackathon**, a one-day, in-person hackathon where you’ll team up with other ambitious builders to solve *real challenges* facing our local community. In partnership with **Willoughby City Council**, this is your chance to create solutions that could genuinely shape the future of Chatswood. 💡 **What You’ll Be Doing** Over the course of the day, you’ll: * Learn from a hands-on **AI workshop** to kick things off * Team up with other members of the GEEQ community (or bring your own team) * Build a **rapid prototype** tackling real-world problems * Pitch your solution to a panel of judges and community leaders No fluff. No fake problems. Just real impact. 🧠 **Challenge Areas** You’ll choose from problem statements like: * 🚗 Smarter traffic flow as the city grows * 🅿️ Real-time smart parking solutions * 📊 Data tools to support local businesses * ⚡ Sustainable “last mile” transport in Chatswood 🏆 **Why Join?** * Build something meaningful in just one day * Meet and collaborate with other talented builders * Get exposure to **council leaders and local stakeholders** * Present your idea at the **2026 Support Local Presentation Night** (for the top 3 winning teams) * And of course… **prizes and good vibes** 🗓 **Event Schedule** **9:00 AM** – Welcome & kickoff **9:30 AM** – AI workshop **10:30 AM – 3:00 PM** – Hackathon (with lunch provided) **3:00 PM – 4:00 PM** – Team presentations **4:00 PM – 5:00 PM** – Awards & celebration Morning tea, lunch, and nibbles & drinks all included. 👥 **Who Should Attend** * Developers, designers, data people, and builders * Anyone who wants to **learn, build, and make an impact** ⚡ **Spots Are Limited** This is a **boutique hackathon experience**, so we’re keeping numbers intentionally small to maximise collaboration and impact. 👉 **RSVP now and complete the registration form to secure your spot:** [Chatswood Hackathon: AI for Real-World Impact – Fill out form](https://forms.office.com/r/320guAkUDJ) If you’ve been waiting for a chance to *actually build something meaningful* — this is it.

SydDT #126: Global Accessibility Awareness Day

We’re stoked to be collaborating with [Remarkable Disability Tech Accelerator](https://www.remarkable.org/) and [Atlassian](https://www.atlassian.com/) to celebrate [Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)](https://accessibility.day/) this year. We're lucky to have an amazing lineup of speakers – and this is a great opportunity to meet and hear from people working directly on inclusive and accessible solutions. We’ll have short talks by [Kate Jenkins](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-jenkins/) & [Kath Hamilton](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathhamilton/) from [Remarkable](https://www.remarkable.org/) and [Pawel Wodkowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawelwodkowski/) from [Atlassian](https://www.atlassian.com/)‘s accessibility team… with some founders from the current [Remarkable Launcher](https://www.remarkable.org/launcher) cohort sharing their story/pitch. [Kath Hamilton](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathhamilton/) will then host a fireside chat/panel with [Max Burt OAM](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxburt/) from [WheelEasy](https://wheeleasy.org/) and [Carolyn Mee](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mee-51408b2b/) from [Sound Scouts](https://www.soundscouts.com/)… all three are alumni of [Remarkable’s Accelerator](https://www.remarkable.org/accelerator) program. The purpose of GAAD is to “get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than one billion people with disabilities/impairments”. GAAD is on 21 May, so we’re celebrating a couple of days early… and for SydDT regulars, yes we’re doing this on a Tuesday! Remarkable’s mission is to “empower disability tech innovators by providing the training, capital, and networks they need to create a future that is accessible, equitable and inclusive for all”. Accessibility is also core to Atlassian’s mission – to unleash the potential of every team. Come join us for some fun conversations with interesting people in and around the design thinking community. New members are welcome! **SPEAKERS** **[Kate Jenkins](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-jenkins/)** **Head of Community & Partnerships, [Remarkable](https://www.remarkable.org/)** Awesome bio coming soon… **[Kath Hamilton](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathhamilton/)** **Entrepreneur in Residence, [Remarkable](https://www.remarkable.org/)** Awesome bio coming soon… **[Pawel Wodkowski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawelwodkowski/)** **Lead Accessibility Designer, [Atlassian](https://www.atlassian.com/)** Pawel is an Accessibility Lead Designer at Atlassian with over 20 years of design experience, focusing on integrating accessible design practices across their global design teams. In his free time, he’s a Zumba instructor. **[Max Burt OAM](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxburt/)** **Founder & Trustee, [WheelEasy](https://wheeleasy.org/)** Awesome bio coming soon… **[Carolyn Mee](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-mee-51408b2b/)** **Founder & CEO, [Sound Scouts](https://www.soundscouts.com/)** Awesome bio coming soon… **EVENT SPONSORS** This event is brought to you by [Atlassian](https://www.atlassian.com)**,** [Remarkable](https://www.remarkable.org/), 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.

PMM - Cook4Dignity Charity Day

[COMING SOON] Circles NEXT Big Event! Mark ATTEND for updates 🎉

Something is coming! 👀 Mark ATTEND to join our next big event! Get updates!

Sunday cafe☕️🍮🍨: Make friends, inspire to aspire with 🇯🇵🇰🇷🇨🇳🇹🇼🇭🇰

Been here for decades or you just arrived this morning? :) This Sunday event is dedicated to our **20-30s age group** who enjoy the **peaceful** **café vibe** & great companies from East Asia (see the flags). **We accommodate BOTH Introvert & Extrovert (JUST NOT TROUBLEMAKERS)** \- through sharing your cultural background\, this small group allows you to share ideas\, experiences or even questions with people with respect & decency\. **Note: Due to limited capacity at the cafe, we will only welcome guests who has a valid RSVP on the event. We thank you for your cooperation.** **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 ***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 fee (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 & pick-up activities are STRICTLY prohibited. ANY attendees with misconduct/anti-social behaviour (& 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 will be 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.

Meet & Party with Famous Politics VIPs at Beautiful Parliament House

GET BARGAIN TICKET QUICK... It will sell out... https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-hollowing-out-of-democracy-the-crisis-of-representation-tickets-1983144560766 We often go elsewhere afterwards... RING to book a spot