Critique Group

**—— Details ——** We will meet at the starting point, take round trip around the Tan and a short stroll inside the botanical garden. BYO coffee/ water bottle. Dress for outdoor walk. Come along & simply say, "Hi, it's my first time joining the group event." or ask the organiser to introduce you. You can take it slow and start from there. If you enjoy the conversations, take the initative to invite others to hang out over a bite/ drink after. **\-\-\- Running Late \-\-\-** If you are running late, please message at least 30 mins in advance. We will wait up to 15 mins before heading off. We won't be able to keep track of messages once we start. **\-\-\- RSVP / Change of Plan \-\-\-** Change of plan or decide not to attend is absolutely okay. Please do update your RSVP to "NO", so others can have the opportunity to attend. **\-\-\- 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 each other 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! **\-\-\- WhatsApp Group \-\-\-** We use WhatsApp for more fluid communication, including ideas, interest groups, questions etc. Please let the organizer know if you would like to be added to the WhatsApp 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.

Smashing! Try something new Friday night Interactive workshops Everyone speaks - we typically start in small groups and gradually build up confidence and skills **Free parking** close: O'Connell and Cobden streets **IMPORTANT: Arrive early, as doors close/lock when we start** “Proudly Australian" – Free-flowing teamwork, greater good, all funds stay within Australia Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St (Opposite Queen Vic Market) Level 1, Orange room More to come...

Hello everyone ✨ For 2026 my regular Saturday location will be Balam Balam Place in Brunswick 🏡 Bring any art supplies you like and a picnic blanket or chair. We will just be sat on the grass outside the building sketching together. If you aren’t sure what to draw the club has a weekly drawing theme, just ask me what the prompt is 😊 There is also a small cafe inside the building for those who want a drink while they draw ☕️ ✏️ We welcome all artists of any skill level or medium, Whether you’re a beginner or pro, traditional or digital, absolutely anyone can join. ⚠️IMPORTANT⚠️ Please do not attend if you are sick. I have multiple chronic illnesses so my immune system is extremely weak. keep everyone safe by staying home if you are unwell ☔️ If the weather changes there is a small cafe inside we can move into —————————————————— Check out our instagram @shypeoplesdrawingclub to see more about our awesome group. We also have a Discord group for online events if you would like to join and chat with more artists. ✨

Join us for a casual drinks and dinner night at Brick Lane Market—the perfect way to ease into the weekend and connect with other incredible women after a big week at work. Whether you're new to Melbourne, looking to expand your circle, or simply after a relaxed night out, this is a welcoming, no-pressure space designed just for you. And to make the night even better, Brick Lane Market is offering their Friday Night Special — a $22 Schnitzel—so come hungry and ready to unwind. At its core, Girls Who Boss is built on a simple and well-supported idea: when women have access to strong, intentional support networks, they are better positioned to thrive—professionally, creatively, and personally. Whether you're building a business, chasing your career dreams, navigating a new chapter, or simply craving genuine connection, this is the space for you. Friday nights are for letting go of the week, laughing over good food, and finding your people, and that's exactly what this night is all about. No agenda, no pressure, just an inclusive and lively atmosphere where real friendships are made. Come as you are, bring a friend or come solo, and settle in for a night of great conversation, great food, and the kind of warm, easy company that leaves you feeling full in every sense of the word.

We are moving to a new platform and will be only running the new platform in 2025. please signup here: [https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers](https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers) This is the time to write whatever it is you want to write. \-\-\-\-\-\> IMPORTANT <\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We ask for the Nook which is to your left as you go in, but it is not always available. Ask for the table under "Mat Clarke". Sometimes we do not have an official host, so please say hi to people as they arrive and make everyone feel welcome. Thanks. No limitations. Come along and bring your laptop or pen and paper and work on whatever you want. There are no rules :) You can write. You can chat and write. You can share your work. Or not share your work. (If you need silence to concentrate then headphones are a good idea considering it is in a cafe/bar.) Coffee, hot chocolate, etc., available to buy. Also food and drink. Please buy something to show our thanks for the space they give us free of charge. There are some people that will want to chat, but most will be writing. So bear that in mind. See you there :) \-\-\-\-\-\-Please only RSVP if you can make it\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \-\-\-\-\-\-Un\-RSVP if you need to cancel\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We're booking the area, so we will need you to turn up if you say you are coming. Thanks. Thank you, Melbourne Writers. Great Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters Website: www.worldwriterscollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com **Help us by adding to these social pages and site**

Come along for our fourth meeting at Our First Cafe in Fairfield 🎨🧶 hope to see you there!

🌟 **How To** **Be A Social Butterfly And...** ### *Practice Group Conversations the Neurodivergent Way!!* Do you ever watch people effortlessly move between groups at events and wonder how they do it? Do you want to feel confident joining conversations, adding thoughtful insights, and creating real connection without forcing yourself to perform? This session is a practice lab for learning how to navigate groups with awareness, curiosity, and genuine presence. *** 💬 **What This Session Is About** In many social spaces the real skill is not talking more. The real skill is **listening deeply and adding value at the right moment**. In this workshop we explore how to become the kind of person who can enter conversations naturally, understand what people are really talking about, and contribute something meaningful. This workshop helps you practise: • listening to the context of a conversation before speaking • noticing what people might be missing, needing, or feeling • adding thoughtful insight at the right moment • asking powerful questions that deepen the discussion • recognising whether a group needs ideas, empathy, energy, or curiosity When you listen carefully enough, what you say can land in a way that makes people pause and think "That was thoughtful. I never considered that before." *** 🧠 **The Real Secret of Working a Room** Many people believe social success in groups comes from talking about themselves or trying to impress others. In reality the opposite is true. People remember the person who **added value** to the conversation. Sometimes that value is an idea. Sometimes it is a thoughtful question. Sometimes it is simply recognising and validating the emotion behind what someone is sharing. We will practise learning to notice: • what people are talking about intellectually • what emotions might be underneath the conversation • when someone might need empathy and space • when someone might want energetic discussion and ideas Different groups need different things. The skill is learning to sense what will help the most. *** 🔄 **How the Session Runs** The meetup is divided into two practical phases. ***\-\-\-\-\-\-First half: spontaneous mingling practice\-\-\-\-\-\-*** Participants will move between small groups and practise: • listening in before speaking • understanding the context of the discussion • contributing thoughtfully at the right moment • experimenting with adding value to different conversations This is about observing group dynamics and learning what people might actually need in that moment. ***\-\-\-\-\-\-Second half: intentional group navigation\-\-\-\-\-\-*** In the second phase we practise approaching groups with intention. You might enter a group with a simple internal goal such as: • learning something about a topic • contributing helpful insight • building a meaningful connection • supporting someone who seems unheard But the key principle is this: * **you pursue the goal by giving value rather than trying to take something.** When people feel that you are trying to extract attention, approval, or connection, the interaction often feels draining. When people feel that you are offering curiosity, attention, insight, or encouragement, the interaction becomes energising. Your focus becomes listen carefully understand what might help and offer that freely without expecting anything in return. *** 🌱 **What You Will Practise** • joining conversations in a natural, respectful way • reading group dynamics and energy • deciding when to contribute and when to listen • asking questions that deepen discussion • recognising when a group values empathy versus ideas • moving between groups without feeling awkward • adding genuine value to conversations You will begin to notice that when you read people accurately and contribute something meaningful, their energy changes. They lean in. They become more animated. They remember you. Real connections start to form because **you helped bring the conversation to life.** *** 👋 **A Note From the Facilitator** As an autistic and neurodivergent coach I once found group conversations extremely confusing. Through years of practice in recruitment, interviewing, social events, friendships, and coaching, I realised that group interaction is not a personality trait. It is a learnable skill. This session is about experimenting, observing, and practising that skill together in a supportive environment. Progress matters more than perfection. If by the end of the evening you understand a little more about how to listen, add value, and navigate groups with confidence, that is a meaningful step forward. *** 📝 **Before and After** You will be invited to optionally share: • what feels hardest about group conversations • what situations tend to overwhelm you socially • what kind of interactions you would love to feel more confident in At the end we will gather feedback so future sessions can evolve based on what participants actually find most helpful. The goal is not to perform. The goal is to **learn how to bring energy, curiosity, and value into the spaces you enter.** * ***And when you do that, people remember you for it.....*** ***No more dead end numbers and contact cards....*** ***Stoke real connection, with real skills and practice.***

This event is dedicated to Theo Angelopoulos and his two masterpieces, Landscape in the Mist and Weeping Meadow. Remember to watch the films before coming and we will have an insightful discussion about them. Our topics include but not limited to how he manipulates time, the effects of the long take, social commentary in his films, and the juxtaposition of music and image.

Join us for Art Club in Fitzroy - A relaxed no pressure art meet up perfect for beginners or artists! BYO Art & Craft Project. Use the time to catch up on your current art project along with other local artists. Be inspiring, or take inspiration from our monthly meets. Drawing supplies provided for those without a project to bring. B.Y.O. Drinks

The topic for March is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 25 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!