Civic Engagement Sydney

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?

JOIN ON PICKLEHEADS - Merrylands Pickle Penguins - Thursday night socials

Join through Pickleheads https://www.pickleheads.com/groups/merrylands-pickle-penguins

The Trolley Problem: Would you kill the fat man?

Chances are you've heard some version of this before, but it's worth revisiting. A runaway trolley is hurtling down the tracks toward five unsuspecting workers. You're standing on a footbridge above, and beside you is a large man. If you push him onto the tracks, his body will stop the trolley. He will die—but the five will live. Would you do it? What if pushing him saved a hundred people? This is no idle riddle. Our responses to this famous thought experiment (and many variants of it) reveal how we weigh consequences, rights, and intentions, and how our moral intuitions can clash with our moral reasoning. Moreover, these choices matter in the real world. From foreseeable risks to civilian lives in military action, to public‑health decisions about allocating scarce vaccines, to autonomous vehicles deciding who to save in a crash, trolley problems offer an accessible way to confront the hard edges of moral decision‑making in the modern age. Let's dive in. ***Primary Reading: [An Introduction to the Trolley Problem](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQCJWblmfROdQ57-BP0B6yCtAarIwZk1SPyFG157nZiDWN0?e=hjP4jO)*** (document prepared for this discussion) ***(Optional) Book: Would You Kill the Fat Man? The Trolley Problem and What Your Answer Tells Us About Right and Wrong (2014) by David Edmonds*** For this meetup, we’ve prepared a 40-page guide that introduces the Trolley Problem, its philosophical significance, and what neuroscience has learned from using it to study moral decision-making. The guide includes sixteen scenarios, each probing different aspects of moral thinking: How do we weigh consequences against rights? Does intention matter more than outcomes? Do personal relationships override impartial calculation? When is it acceptable to use one person to save many? These scenarios reveal the complexity of our moral intuitions and will form the heart of our discussion. Hopefully the prepared guide will leave you wanting more. If so, David Edmonds' *Would You Kill the Fat Man?* is a wonderful next step. Edmonds traces the fascinating history of the Trolley Problem, interviews philosophers who've wrestled with it, and explains the competing moral frameworks with clarity and wit. It's highly readable and brings real depth to these abstract dilemmas—but it's entirely optional. The guide has everything you need for our discussion. As always, we strongly encourage you to do the reading before attending. This will enrich both your experience and our collective discussion. We’ve also put links below on further resources on the topic. So join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 1st June, 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 other people if there is a waitlist. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- These are just optional links to consider. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section. **Videos** * A TED-Ed explainer on basic trolley problems: [Would you sacrifice one person to save five? (5 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg16u_bzjPE&t=1s) * Michael Sandel starts his famous Harvard justice lecture course with some trolley problems: [ Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdfcR-8hEY) * Podcast with David Edmonds, author of our book, on trolley problems: [Philosophy Bytes - Trolley Problems](https://philosophybites.com/podcast/david-edmonds-on-trolley-problems/) * Podcast with Prof Joshua Greene, a pioneer on applying neuroscience to the trolley problem: [Trolleyology with Dr Joshua Greene (1.22 hr)](https://www.alieward.com/ologies/trolleyology) * TED-Ed on self-driving car scenarios [The ethical dilemma of self-driving cars (4 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIoDYVfKA0) * A real-life version of the trolley problem staged with unsuspecting participants!: [The trolley problem in real life (35 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sl5KJ69qiA&t=158s) * For fans of *The Good Place*, you’ll remember the ever-indecisive philosophy professor Chidi facing a real life trolley problem: [The Good Place – The Trolley Problem (3 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtRhrfhP5b4) * If you want to brush up on your utilitarianism and Kant’s categorical imperative, see these two Crash Course Philosophy videos: [Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy (10 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a739VjqdSI) [Kant & Categorical Imperatives: Crash Course Philosophy (10 mins)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bIys6JoEDw) **Written** * A nice easter egg for anyone who has read down the page this far (from the Utilitarianism.com website): [Would You Kill the Fat Man?](https://www.utilitarianism.com/trolley-problem.pdf) * Encyclopedia Entries: [Wikipedia - The Trolley Problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem) [Wikipedia - Dual Process Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_process_theory) [Britannica - The Trolley Problem](https://www.britannica.com/topic/trolley-problem) * A Conversation piece on AI systems and trolley problems [The self‑driving trolley problem](https://theconversation.com/the-self-driving-trolley-problem-how-will-future-ai-systems-make-the-most-ethical-choices-for-all-of-us-170961) * If you want to play with some moral dilemmas in autonomous vehicle crash scenarios and see how your choices compare globally: [Moral Machine - Moral Decisions and Machine Intelligence](https://www.moralmachine.net/)

JOIN ON PICKLEHEADS Merrylands Pickle Penguins - Monday Night Socials

Join through Pickleheads https://www.pickleheads.com/groups/merrylands-pickle-penguins

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 💚

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!

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

Coffee & Chat: Nelsons Café @ Coro88

**Event Summary:** Interested to meet people for socialising and building friendships? Curious about what it means to be [Human Hearted](https://web.archive.org/web/20240109160949/https://areomagazine.com/2022/05/05/a-human-hearted-modernity/)? Or perhaps you just want a cup of coffee with new people in a relaxing atmosphere. Come gather with Human Hearted Sydney in Burwood to connect and converse with like-minded people over a cup of coffee. We'll be in the cafe for around two hours or so, or longer depending on how people feel. We usually grab lunch in the cafe or afterwards go to any of the restaurants in Burwood if people are feeling hungry. **Venue:** The venue is Nelsons Cafe in Burwood. It's next door to Coro88, near Burwood Park, and is a short walk from Burwood station. **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.