Girls

Kick off the New Year by joining your fellow LGBTQIA+ folks for a social evening of board games at Marché Board Games Cafe. We have access to the games library at the cafe. If you have a game that you want to share, please feel free to bring it along. We play all sorts of games - card games, party games, strategy games - and we're happy to teach new players. Groups for games usually form between 6:30-6:45, so it's important to try arrive on time to ensure you're allocated to a game/group. Anyone arriving late may have to wait for a game if all groups have started. The cafe has drinks and food available. Check out their menu here: https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf We only accept payment at the time of booking to reserve your spot. This means you will need to pay the booking amount via PayPal at the time of booking to confirm your spot. If you can't make it to the event, please ensure you get in touch by messaging the event hosts or emailing rainbowbg.melbourne@gmail.com at least one day before the event, and we can reverse your payment via PayPal. The cafe does NOT have a liquor licence. Consuming alcohol on the premises is illegal, and will result in any members being banned from future events. See you on New Year's Day!

**\* CLOSED - NO CLASSES** **THE BENTLEIGH CUBAN SALSA** **& BACHATA DANCE CLASSES** are currently **CLOSED** for the **CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR BREAK** **\* THE 2026 BENTLEIGH CUBAN SALSA & BACHATA CLASSES** **start back date will be confirmed in the new year.**

🍻Come to the language exchange in Melbourne! 🌍Practice your preferred language while making new friends and getting to know more about new cultures. THURSDAYS 👉🏻Where? DIESEL BAR, 202 Little Lonsdale St. ⏰What time? From 18:00 to 22:45 👨🏻‍🎓🍻The first 50 international students who register at the QR CODE entrance will get a free drink. 🤩5$ ENTRY + 1 free drink for non-students.

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

Join us for an evening of Japanese Riichi Mahjong at **Marché Boardgame Cafe**! Players of all skill levels are welcome, and no experience is needed! If you want to learn how to play, we can teach you, and if you already know how, then join our shuffle and monthly leaderboard! This event has a $10 fee which you can pay on the night. This money is used to pay for our use of the store space, maintaining equipment and other meetup services, and organising larger events open to everyone! Members get a special discount - ask the organisers for more details. Marché provides food and drink for purchase to consume at the table. Check out their menu here: [https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf](https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf) Tables are shuffled at around 7:00 pm and again at 8:30 pm. If you're looking to learn, please aim to arrive at 5:30 pm, otherwise there might not be an open seat - you're more than welcome to stay, watch, and ask lots of questions! Be sure as well to check your RSVPs leading up to the event as attendances and wait listed attendees may change. We take photos and videos at our meetups for posting on social media, you may potentially appear in these. Hope to see you all then! *** Scores tracking: [https://scores.vicriichi.org/](https://scores.vicriichi.org/) The mahjong ruleset we play with: [https://www.vicriichi.org/mahjong-meetups#meetup-rules](https://www.vicriichi.org/mahjong-meetups#meetup-rules) Join us on Discord and connect with other jongers! [https://vicriichi.org/discord](https://vicriichi.org/discord)

Kick off the New Year with a relaxed morning walk through the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, designed for Australian-born Chinese (ABC) singles aged 35 and over who value meaningful connection and easy conversation. This is a low-pressure, friendly walking activity — a chance to enjoy fresh air, gentle movement, and natural conversation with like-minded people who share a bicultural background and are at a similar life stage. We’ll walk at a comfortable pace, pause for casual chats, and finish with the option to grab a coffee nearby for those who’d like to continue the conversation.

Hi Radiant Ladies, Join us for a refreshing Saturday walk at Ruffey Lake Park. 👭 Walk at your own pace 🐕 Dogs welcome ☕ Coffee after 🌦️ We walk every Saturday (unless it’s pouring) New ladies welcome. See you! 
Leanne & Lyn 💕

☕ **Girl Who Boss Coffee Catchup!** ☕ Join us for a relaxed and casual coffee catchup, where like-minded women come together to connect, chat, and share ideas! Whether you're a career professional, entrepreneur, or creative, this is the perfect chance to meet other inspiring women in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. *** **Here’s the agenda:** 🕚 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Welcome & Mingle 💬 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Casual Conversations & Coffee 🤝 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Networking & Wrap-Up No formalities, no pressure—just a space to enjoy great company, share experiences, and make new connections over coffee. ☕💖 These meetups are a great way to ease into networking while building friendships in a laid-back setting. Looking forward to catching up with everyone! 🌟 Feel free to message me if you have any questions. See you there! 😊

‼️Public transport is free on weekends during January‼️So let’s explore a new location 😄 For this event we will be going to Williamstown Beach 🏝️ Slap on your sunscreen, grab your beach gear and any art supplies you like. We will either be sat on the beach or if the tables in the event photo are free we will be there. We will just be relaxing at the beach drawing together. If you aren’t sure what to draw the club has a weekly drawing theme, just ask me what the prompt is 😊 ✏️ 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 we find shelter nearby —————————————————— 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. ✨

Welcome to Melbourne Volleyball Academy! 🤗 **[[WHAT]]** This session will be broken into 2 halves, 1st half is training and the 2nd half is games. Please arrive on time as we will start exactly at 6:30 PM. Our intention is to have this training be the 'next step' after our beginner-level training at North Melbourne Community Centre. We will be focusing on learning what specific roles on the court entail, improving 'volleyball IQ', breaking bad habits, and building better techniques. **[[WHERE]]** The session will be held as Pascoe Vale Girls College. Please enter via Cornwall Road through the back gates as other entrances onto the campus will be closed **[[WHO]]** The training is intended for social volleyball players at the intermediate level or 'B' level (for more details on volleyball levels, please visit our site here: https://melbournevolleyballacademy.com.au/skill-levels-explained). Players are expected to: * have strong fundamentals * pass freeballs and serve receive consistently * understand 4-2 system (pass middle rotation) * have some knowledge of 5-1 (1 setter all around) or 6-2 (back row setter only) systems * understand 'base defense' * help others and have good sportsmanship If you are a high intermediate (BB) or advanced player (A) you are more than welcome to join but you may find our open play sessions for BB/A level players more suitable. For players that are at the beginner level, we suggest attending our training on Fridays at North Melbourne Community Centre 6-9PM as beginners may find the drills and level of play too difficult. Players will be asked to attend a different session if their play is deemed unsafe or if they are not of the appropriate skill level. **[[HOW MUCH]]** $21 card payment will be collected on the day via square (EFTPOS) payment. **[[WHEN]]** The stadium is booked for 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM. However, feel free to come early and stretch as the stadium is open earlier. **Last-minute dropouts and no-shows will have a zero-tolerance policy going forward.** All players are expected to **update their RSVP at least 24 hours** in advance if they are unable to attend. This applies to players on the going list and the waitlist. **[[THINGS TO BRING]]** We ask that you bring: * Water bottle * Appropriate footwear for indoor court shoes - netball shoes, volleyball shoes, or basketball shoes would be suitable. * Wear contacts or sports glasses if possible. **[[OTHER DETAILS]]** Only those on the “going” list are permitted to play. If you are on the waitlist, or not registered at all, you will not be permitted to play.

❄️ **Spare Yourself a Boring Winter - Bowl With Us!** Avoid social hibernation this winter, join our **6-week social bowling league** starting in January! Whether you're looking to unwind after work, meet new people, or just have a fun night out with pals, this league is perfect for everyone! Chill times, cold drinks, and plenty of chances to connect with others. No matter your skill level, this league is all about having fun and meeting new friends. **;)** **🗓 Thursday evenings \|📍 AMF Sawmill Lanes \| 💵 $74 w/ code MUCOW26** **💻 League Info & Registration**: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling **Why Join?** 🎉 It’s only 6 weeks - perfect for a low-commitment social plan 🍻 Great mix of people in their 20s-40s, plus post-game hangs at the bar 🎳 Zero pressure - gutter balls totally welcome! 👕 Free league shirt if you sign up early 🧠 Weekly trivia w/ prizes 💬 Super social - join solo or w/ friends! **Want in?** Join our Meetup team Pin Ups 👉 **Click here to join** https://tinyurl.com/2b3vj49a Or start a team of your own with a few friends - we’ll all be hanging out either way! 📅 League Dates (Thursday evenings): Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26 ***(The MeetUp event date is deadline to register for the league.)*** **Cost & What’s Included:** ✔ $74 with discount code MUCOW26 ✔ 6 weeks of bowling (1–3 games/week) ✔ Shoe rentals & full league setup ✔ Trivia, prizes, and great people 👉 **SIGN UP NOW** 💻League Info & Registration: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling 🤑Use promo code MUCOW26 to save $20 📸 Follow the fun on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BowlingLeague-IG 📩 Questions? Contact the league: http://bit.ly/2nKHno7 Spots are filling fast – don’t miss out on the fun times!

**Our January novel is: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan** **This month's featured novel is a 20th-century biographical fiction, coming-of-age, historical romance, women’s fiction, world literature, student biography, heartfelt, magic, and feel-good novel. The book is 311 pages in print and 7 hours and 8 minutes on audiobook.** 1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it's just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: "Where did Narnia come from?" Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers. Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life. After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother's request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: "The way stories change us can't be explained. It can only be felt. Like love."

Join us for lunch at True Food Kitchen in Easton as we celebrate the New Year and our friendships!

Let's have lunch at Uptown Westerville's newest restaurant. Ampersand is owned by the same couple who owns Asterisk. They are known for ramen, rice bowls, teriyaki and small plates.