Community Events Melbourne

English Workshop - Boardgames Night

🎲✨ **Board Games Night at The Couch** ✨🎲 Looking for a fun and relaxed way to meet new people and practise your English? Join us for a **Board Games Night** at The Couch! This session is all about laughter, connection, and friendly competition. You’ll play a variety of popular board games while chatting, sharing ideas, and enjoying a supportive environment with other international students. No matter your English level, this is a great chance to build confidence and make new friends. 📅 **Date:** Thursday, 30 April ⏰ **Time:** 6:00 – 8:00 PM 📍 **Location:** The Couch International Student Centre (69 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000) 🥘 **Free dinner provided by The Couch!** 🎮 **What to expect:** – Play fun and easy-to-learn board games – Practise English naturally through conversation – Meet and connect with other international students – Enjoy a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere Come solo or bring a friend — everyone’s welcome! Let’s play, talk, and have a great night together. 🌟 **[IMPORTANT] Please be advised that this event is for international and exchange students ONLY** ✨ **Community Rules** ✨ * This is a rain-or-shine event. * 18+ only. * Maintain respect and no unsolicited contact. * No advertising and selling during the event. * By attending this event, you accept our [Terms and Conditions](https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Afnnu5xW6Yhtgl4LGDAVEMSdJ-7M3aC7Cs-s_t0uOo/edit?usp=sharing), including [media consent policy](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rgNOcewZs-tKYUEBt3gV84hob1HdDXydjrGf_tEiXjQ/edit?usp=drive_link), and agree to adhere to our [liability waiver](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hKqVIMcXMFdzvpjqO3KRf_uQ5xAzd-jt/view?usp=drive_link)

Community Night

## 🎲 **Fortnightly Monday Community Nights** **Facilitated by Sasa Lestrange** 🕕 Starts 6PM \| 🎟️ $5 Entry \| 🔒 15 Spaces Only ### **The Quick Details** Come as you are, bring what you love. Whether you’re sketching, crafting, chatting, or diving into a YouTube watch party over the projector, this is your space to relax and connect. Bring your own arts and crafts, share your favourite tunes, or just hang out with good people. Got a TTRPG group? You’re welcome to play here. Looking for one? Use our Discord to find fellow adventurers and storytellers. This is a chill, welcoming evening for creatives, gamers, and anyone who wants to spend time in good company. No pressure, no prep — just good vibes and shared space. ## 🌟 **Why Join** * Make new friends or bring your own crew * Get out of the house and into the community * Perfect for newcomers to Melbourne or anyone wanting to build good habits * Enjoy a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere ## 👋 **Facilitator** Your host, **Sasa of EGAD**, will welcome you, introduce you to the space, and help get the group started — often with a game or by interest. ## 🍴 **Food & Drink** Snacks and drinks are available on the ground floor. You can also BYO, or join the **6:30 PM Schnitz order** for dinner. ## ♿ **Accessibility** The event space is up one flight of stairs, and bathrooms are not wheelchair‑friendly. Lighting is bright white overhead unless the group opts to dim for projector use. ## ⏰ **Timing** You don’t need to be on time — just note that if you’re joining for games, you might wait for a table to free up. ## 💡 **Suggestions** Got an idea for an activity or theme? Absolutely share it! The group votes on what to do each night. Let’s kick off the week with fun, creativity, and connection. This event is

Community Night

## 🎲 **Fortnightly Monday Community Nights** **Facilitated by Sasa Lestrange** 🕕 Starts 6PM \| 🎟️ $5 Entry \| 🔒 15 Spaces Only ### **The Quick Details** Come as you are, bring what you love. Whether you’re sketching, crafting, chatting, or diving into a YouTube watch party over the projector, this is your space to relax and connect. Bring your own arts and crafts, share your favourite tunes, or just hang out with good people. Got a TTRPG group? You’re welcome to play here. Looking for one? Use our Discord to find fellow adventurers and storytellers. This is a chill, welcoming evening for creatives, gamers, and anyone who wants to spend time in good company. No pressure, no prep — just good vibes and shared space. ## 🌟 **Why Join** * Make new friends or bring your own crew * Get out of the house and into the community * Perfect for newcomers to Melbourne or anyone wanting to build good habits * Enjoy a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere ## 👋 **Facilitator** Your host, **Sasa of EGAD**, will welcome you, introduce you to the space, and help get the group started — often with a game or by interest. ## 🍴 **Food & Drink** Snacks and drinks are available on the ground floor. You can also BYO, or join the **6:30 PM Schnitz order** for dinner. ## ♿ **Accessibility** The event space is up one flight of stairs, and bathrooms are not wheelchair‑friendly. Lighting is bright white overhead unless the group opts to dim for projector use. ## ⏰ **Timing** You don’t need to be on time — just note that if you’re joining for games, you might wait for a table to free up. ## 💡 **Suggestions** Got an idea for an activity or theme? Absolutely share it! The group votes on what to do each night. Let’s kick off the week with fun, creativity, and connection. This event is

Community Night

## 🎲 **Fortnightly Monday Community Nights** **Facilitated by Sasa Lestrange** 🕕 Starts 6PM \| 🎟️ $5 Entry \| 🔒 15 Spaces Only ### **The Quick Details** Come as you are, bring what you love. Whether you’re sketching, crafting, chatting, or diving into a YouTube watch party over the projector, this is your space to relax and connect. Bring your own arts and crafts, share your favourite tunes, or just hang out with good people. Got a TTRPG group? You’re welcome to play here. Looking for one? Use our Discord to find fellow adventurers and storytellers. This is a chill, welcoming evening for creatives, gamers, and anyone who wants to spend time in good company. No pressure, no prep — just good vibes and shared space. ## 🌟 **Why Join** * Make new friends or bring your own crew * Get out of the house and into the community * Perfect for newcomers to Melbourne or anyone wanting to build good habits * Enjoy a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere ## 👋 **Facilitator** Your host, **Sasa of EGAD**, will welcome you, introduce you to the space, and help get the group started — often with a game or by interest. ## 🍴 **Food & Drink** Snacks and drinks are available on the ground floor. You can also BYO, or join the **6:30 PM Schnitz order** for dinner. ## ♿ **Accessibility** The event space is up one flight of stairs, and bathrooms are not wheelchair‑friendly. Lighting is bright white overhead unless the group opts to dim for projector use. ## ⏰ **Timing** You don’t need to be on time — just note that if you’re joining for games, you might wait for a table to free up. ## 💡 **Suggestions** Got an idea for an activity or theme? Absolutely share it! The group votes on what to do each night. Let’s kick off the week with fun, creativity, and connection. This event is

Sunday Meditation | Community Building | Connection | Meet New People

**Who We are..... 🤝** Our journey to bring people together began in January of 2022. The group was started with a simple intention to gather and meet some likeminded people - connecting through the powerful act of meditation and sharing our genuine selves while sitting in a circle that represents equality, harmony and wholeness( *we believe everyone in the circle is a teacher and a student at the same time)*. And over the last 4 years of consistently coming together, we have fostered a beautiful, loving, dependable community where members from all walks of life have experienced a sacred space to sit in silence together and meditate, share their authentic selves, give presence to others and forge meaningful and long lasting connections. The Meditations are guided by Sana(co-founder and host), who is a Trained and certified meditation teacher by the Meditation Association of Australia, and has been guiding meditations for 3+ years in corporate and community settings. ✨ **Do you wish to....** * Experience a simple yet powerful meditation and breathing practice to find calm, relaxation and clarity * Connect with like-minded people in your local community and foster meaningful connections * Meet others who are passionate about growing, uplifting themselves, and supporting others * Share insights from your personal journey (or simply listen and learn) Or maybe you just want to... ☮️ **Spend your Sunday evening in a peaceful, zen space and meet new people? Bring a friend (or two!) and let’s connect.** **What’s on the evening’s flow?** * **Open meet & greet** – connect and settle in * **5 min guided meditation** to land into the space and connect within * **Sharing circle** (totally optional!) – share your thoughts or simply listen * **20-30 min guided meditation** – for relaxation and deeper connection **Where?** 📍 **250 George St, Fitzroy VIC 3065** Enter through the church gates. You’ll see a small garden on the left and stairs on the right leading up to the **Dance of Life Yoga Studio (first door on your right upstairs).** **What to bring?** * **Donation:** A contribution of **$10 or more is recommended**. Your donations directly help us cover venue, meetup membership and other costs, provide valuable resources, and keep this meditation community alive and growing. * **Warm jumper/jacket** (just in case!) * **Water** * **Any books/resources/inspiration you’d love to share** **Important Notes:** * Spaces are **limited**, so if you can’t make it, please update your RSVP to “Not going” or send us a quick message. * **No-show policy:** To keep it fair for everyone, repeat no-shows without notice may not be able to RSVP in the future. * Attendees under 18 must have a guardian present. **Everyone is welcome!** All ages (with guardians for under 18), backgrounds, genders, and experiences – no meditation experience needed. The event runs for about **2.5 hours**, but you’re free to come and go as you need.

Kudos 2 Friends . Expand Your Social Circle Around the Lake Stroll

We will meet at the starting point and take a round trip around the Albert Park lake. BYO a water bottle. Dress for comfort and outdoor walk. Come along & simply say, "Hi, it's my first time joining the group event." or ask the host(s) to introduce you. You can take it slow and start from there. If you enjoyed the conversation, you're welcome to continue on afterwards. The South Melbourne market is just one tram stop away. **\-\-\- Running Late \-\-\-** If you are running late, please message at least 30mins in advance. We will wait up to 15mins before heading off. We won't be able to keep track of messages once we start. **\-\-\- RSVP / Change of Plan \-\-\-** If you change your plan or decide not to attend. Please update your RSVP. **\-\-\- Intro \-\-\-** Kudos to Friends….Expand Your Social Circle Meetup group is a community of individuals who prefer to take it slow to get to know people overtime in Melbourne. Join us on a fun journey as we explore cafes, restaurants and bars, including drinks, meals, outings, chilling, cultural exchange, etc. Above all, we’d like to celebrate the importance of friendships. So if you are looking to expand your social circle and explore new adventures and venues in Melbourne, come join us! **\-\-\- Heylo App \-\-\-** We use Heylo App for more fluid communication, including ideas, interest groups, questions etc. Please download the Heylo app from the App store and let the organizer know if you would like to be added to the Heylo Group at the event. We will send an invite to attendees to the group. (give us some time) **\-\-\- Rules \-\-\-** Admin will only add members to the group with a clear profile picture. (No hidden behind sunglasses, masks, drawings) **You might be removed from the group in the case of…** * no show * without a clear profile picture * anti-social behaviour (i.e. acts rude / disrespectful regularly) * take advantage of individuals for personal gain(s) **\-\-\- Privacy \-\-\-** Do not disclose your contact number in this post comment. We will delete your comment/info as soon as we see it to protect your privacy.

Community Conversations: Finding Calm in the Chaos

A gentle exploration of how the nervous system responds to stress, and how it can become easily overwhelmed when life feels full and fast, Together, we'll explore how creating moments of inner space can support the nervous system in softening. settling, and returning to balance. Join us as we explore how cultivating inner space can be an ingredient to sustainable long-term wellbeing. Our Community Conversations are designed to build a warm and inclusive space, facilitating meaningful discussions and sparking positive initiatives in our neighbourhood. Each session involves a short presentation, followed by open and shared conversations, socialising, and light refreshments. Everyone's voice is welcome in this uplifting discussion. Come share your thoughts and help us celebrate the beauty of our shared humanity! This is a free event and all are invited to attend.

Our monthly social in the Southern Suburbs

Do you live in the Southern suburbs? Want to explore what the Southern suburbs has to offer? Or are you just interested to catch-up with like-minded people? Once a month Steph hosts our Southern socials. It is a great opportunity to meet others. Our emphasis is on fun whilst helping and supporting each other. The socials include drinks and chats, casual coffees, dinners and other activities suggested by members from time to time. Our socials are informal and open to all. We pay for own food and drinks individually and there is no charge for the organisation of the events. We hope to see you!

MEL MLOps Community #17 | Robots in Aged Care and AI in Software Delivery

We’re excited to announce our next **Melbourne MLOps Community Meetup** of the year! This one is right out of a sci-fi blockbuster. We are going to explore the AI landscape from **humanoid robotics** in Aged Care, something the team at Andromeda is actively trying to achieve, to the rise of agentic AI **as a teammate** in Software Delivery. DO NOT miss this chance to see how the world is changing right before your eyes. **🎤 Speakers** We’re thrilled to introduce: **\- Jason Chan**, Head of Machine Learning *at* Andromeda. Jason is a jack of all trades in the ML/Software engineering domain. He’s a rare talent who seamlessly pivots from leading elite defense autonomy teams at BAE Systems to architecting **enterprise MLOps** and teaching Deep Generative Models for **Stanford Online**. In his talk, *Making a Machine Feel Like a Character, and Other Hard Problems at Andromeda Robotics* Jason will explain how they are building a companion robot for aged care. A character that a resident is happy to see. **\- Farzad Khodadadi**, Principal Engineer *at* Catapult Sports. Farzad is a seasoned engineer with over 15 years of experience delivering enterprise-scale, cloud-native technology solutions. Specialising in the design and architecture of enterprise IoT platforms, he leads high-performing engineering teams while shaping long-term technical strategy. He will share his wisdom on utilising **Agentic AI** in Software Delivery in his talk: *From Tool to Teammate: Agentic AI in Software Delivery*. **Networking** The Melbourne MLOps Community is committed to fostering a space where AI/ML engineers and practitioners can connect, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships. Come ready to discuss: * The tools you’re experimenting with * Trends you’re seeing in ML and MLOps * Challenges you’re tackling * Ways to find peer support We’ll have food, drinks, and the perfect space for great conversations — so feel free to bring along anyone interested in ML, MLOps, or AI more broadly. **Agenda** 🍕 **5:30pm** – Networking, drinks & food 🙋 **6:00pm** – Welcome 🎤 **6:10pm** – Presentation by Jason ❓ **6:30pm** – Questions for Jason 🎤 **6:40pm** – Presentation by Farzad ❓ **7:00pm** – Questions for Farzad 🍻 **7:10pm onwards** – Networking, drinks & food We’re looking forward to seeing you there! **P.S.** If you can’t make it in person, we’ll be streaming the event via Google Meet. Google Meet link: [https://meet.google.com/fxh-hpsg-ryt](https://meet.google.com/fxh-hpsg-ryt)

Social in Port Phillip/Bayside . Sons of Mary

Once a month Elni hosts our Port Phillip and Bayside socials. It’s a great opportunity to meet others. Our emphasis is on fun and enjoying each other’s company whilst supporting anyone who might need it. We each pay for our own food and drinks. This time, we’ll meet for dinner at Sons of Mary, a lovely place with a relaxed, elegant vibe. It’s a cosy spot with great service and a warm atmosphere — perfect for a friendly dinner and good conversations. We’d appreciate it if you could update your RSVP the day before so we can provide an exact headcount for the reservation. The table is booked under the name Elni. We hope to see you!

Cafe then Quiet Zone

Coffee with new friends

We’ll be hanging out in the Market Pavilion, between Caffè Ducale and TODCO. It’s easy to find, and perfect for dropping in or slipping out without any awkwardness. If you’re looking to escape the house, procrastinate on chores, or just have a bit of human interaction that isn’t transactional—this is your spot. Conversation starters will be on hand if you want them. There’s no agenda. I’m new in town. Come exactly as you are, stay for 10 minutes or the full hour—it all counts.