Group Photo Shoots

**January Meetup: AWS re:Invent re:Cap (Panel)** 📍 NAB Events Hub – 395 Bourke Street, Melbourne 📅 Wednesday 28 January 2026 🍕 Food & Networking from 6:00pm 🙏 A huge thanks to **Mantel Group** for their continued sponsorship of the Melbourne AWS community. 📺 This event will be **live-streamed on YouTube**, as always, for those who can’t attend in person. *** **🚀 Event overview** AWS re:Invent 2025 was packed with announcements, launches, and big ideas. Now it’s time to step back and look at what actually matters as we head into 2026. Join us for our **annual AWS re:Invent re:Cap**, featuring a panel discussion hosted by AWS Hero Stephen Sennett, joined by local community members who attended re:Invent and followed the announcements closely. Expect honest perspectives, practical insights, and time for audience questions. *** **🎙 Host & Panel** Host: **Stephen Sennett – AWS Hero** Panelists: * **Christina Chen,** Senior SRE @ Mantel Group — AWS Community Builder * **Dale Orders**, Software Engineer @ Five9 — AWS Community Builder * **Tony Zhang**, Principal DevOps Engineer @ Versent *** **🗓 Agenda** 6:00 pm – Food & Networking 🍕 6:30 pm – Introductions 👋 6:40 pm – What’s New in AWS ☁️ 6:55 pm – AWS re:Invent re:Cap Panel Discussion 🎤 7:55 pm – Marketplace (Who’s Hiring) 💼 8:00 pm – Close 👋 *** **🎤 Want to speak at a future meetup?** We’re always looking for new speakers and fresh perspectives. If you’ve got a technical talk, architecture story, or lesson learned you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. 👉 Submit a talk: melb.awsug.org.au/speak/ *** **🤝 Sponsors** A huge thank you to our sponsors, Mantel Group and Cevo, for supporting the Melbourne AWS community.

Looking to get outside, clear your head, and connect with good people? Join us for a relaxed walk around the beautiful streets and coastline of Port Melbourne. This is a casual meetup—no fitness goals, no pressure. Just a friendly stroll, good conversation, and a reason to step away from screens and into the fresh air. Whether you’re new in town, working from home, or just want a social reason to walk, you’re very welcome. Come as you are. Comfy shoes, water bottle, and curiosity are all you need. **Optional:** After the walk, some of us might grab a coffee nearby — feel free to join if you’re up for it!

Join us every **Wednesday at 5 PM** at the Emporium food court (located behind Grill’d Burger Restaurant in the CBD, not near Melbourne Station) for a dynamic networking event tailored for filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts. Afterward, we continue the evening with Happy Hour drinks at a nearby bar and a chance to grab dinner together. Understanding that schedules vary, feel free to join at any time that suits you. Rain or shine, our community has gathered every week for the past year, maintaining a consistent and welcoming environment. Our group has grown remarkably, with a **weekly turnout of over 50 participants**, blending newcomers with regulars to create a vibrant, diverse community. Feel free to bring friends interested in filmmaking; it’s a great way to introduce new faces to our expanding network. Whether you’re a writer, actor, animator, or independent filmmaker, come share your experiences, discuss current projects, or chat about favorite films. This event fosters connections among like-minded individuals, encourages friendships, and opens doors for collaboration. At **7 PM**, we move to The Carlton Club, a five-minute walk away, where we continue networking in a more formal rooftop setting over drinks and food. This change of venue offers an ideal environment to keep conversations flowing. **RSVP** to help us gauge attendance and become part of a growing network of film professionals and enthusiasts. Though the event begins in the afternoon, the relationships you build here can last well into the night and beyond. **What to Expect:** *Our Wednesday meetup is primarily a large networking event for industry professionals. There’s no set theme, workshop, or speaker. It’s a relaxed gathering where filmmakers, actors, and creatives can connect, discuss projects, share needs, and learn from each other. Conversations flow freely around the table, fostering an environment of growth and camaraderie. Beyond Wednesdays, we also host exclusive events such as table reads, cinematography workshops with Panasonic, member screenings, and more. Each week brings fresh dialogues—some participants discuss their weekend shoots, others exchange insights with seasoned producers and directors, and a few engage in filmmaking exercises. It’s a space designed for creative engagement without strict structure or formal oversight.* *Note: Our community emphasizes collaboration, friendship, and goodwill rather than promotional activities. If you wish to promote a workshop, course, screening, or similar event, please contact the organizers first. Promotional privileges are generally reserved for trusted, long-standing members.

**➡️➡️➡️➡️ To Register, [SIGN UP HERE](https://www.lewagon.com/events/what-s-holding-your-networking-back-identify-your-strengths-blind-spots-ub32YK) ⬅️⬅️⬅️⬅️⬅️** Build Relationships That Actually Move Your Career Forward Networking doesn’t have to feel awkward, transactional, or exhausting. In this interactive 1-hour session, Chris Kong will introduce a practical and human approach to networking that helps you build genuine relationships, even if you’re introverted, early in your career, or allergic to “selling yourself.” This session introduces Chris’s **SIGN Framework** which is a simple, memorable model designed to help professionals connect with intention and confidence: * **Strategic** – being clear on who and what you’re building relationships for * **Ice-breaking** – starting conversations naturally and authentically * **Giving** – creating value without overthinking or people-pleasing * **Nurturing** – maintaining relationships without it feeling forced Drawing on stories from his journey leading technical teams and coaching professionals across industries, Chris will share practical insights you can apply immediately. You’ll also complete a short **networking diagnostic**, helping you reflect on your current strengths and blind spots to identify where small shifts could unlock better opportunities. ### **What you’ll get** * A clear, practical framework for strategic networking * Real examples and stories from tech and corporate environments * A short self-diagnostic to assess your networking style * Space for reflection and interaction This session is offered **free to the Le Wagon community** and is designed as a low-pressure, high-value introduction to Chris’s approach. **About the facilitator:** **Chris Kong** is the founder of *Crouching Tiger Network* and a former Director of Data & Digital at Danone. He supports technical and ambitious professionals to navigate communication challenges, build influence, and grow their careers with confidence. His work blends strategy, psychology, and real-world leadership experience.

To help ensure we operate in a safe and inclusive manner we ask all members and guests to abide by the following guidelines [https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Tlklt2nqT-B8RnDaxvmZv8vsGXy3w8rVpiArNf_-f8/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Tlklt2nqT-B8RnDaxvmZv8vsGXy3w8rVpiArNf_-f8/edit?usp=sharing) \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **UPDATE - INFORMATION ON HANGING YOUR IMAGES ON 31 JAN** *Please bring your images and labels to the venue at Art Lark 325 Koornang Road, Carnegie on Saturday 31 January from 1pm to 3pm. Once you hang them you are free to leave. I will be there to help out and we will provide you with magnets to put your images up.* \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **All members are invited to the exhibition!!** *All members are welcome to come along to support those who have participate. If you plan to come along to see this exhibition, please RSVP as I am planning to get some light snacks for the event.* \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **SCHEDULE** **31 January 2026 (Time to hang your images)** **Time:** 1pm to 3pm **Venue**: Art Lark 325 Koornang Road, Carnegie **What to do**: Bring your printed images to the venue and hang them on the wall. Magnets will be provided to you at the venue and you can leave after hanging your prints. **1 February 2026 (The day of the Exhibition)** 3.00pm: Exhibition opens. Enjoy the exhibition, chat with members and participants, share stories about the images, enjoy the light snacks. 4.00pm: Welcome and introduction about the exhibition 4.30pm: Continue to enjoy the exhibition 6.00pm: Exhibition ends (participants to please remove the prints) \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Big News, MW&S Friends!** We’re so excited to announce our first photography exhibition in over 8 years! 🎉 It’ll showcase amazing images taken during our 2024 & 2025 group events. *The main aim of this exhibition is for our members to showcase images taken at our events. Following some enquiries from a few members, and given you are highly skilled photographers, I am adding an **Open Section** for those who already have at least one image of shots taken at our events. See below for details on the Open Section.* **🗓️ Exhibition Details** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ✨ **How to Participate** We need at least 40 prints to make it happen! · Applications open: 15 Nov 2025 · Applications close: **15 January 2026** · Entry fees: A4 $10 \| A3 $15 · Members only — images must be from MW&S events (2024–2025) · ***Please print your images and accompanying information for each image. We will definitely go ahead with this event.*** · Prints must not be framed. · You may print your images at home, Officeworks, or via a professional printer (borders allowed). · Hang your own prints on 31 January 2026 (1pm to 3pm). **Just bring your prints to the venue and we will have magnets for you to put them up. No need to use blu tack anymore.** · Label each image with photographer’s name, title, and a brief description (100mm x 200mm). **Open Section** * To be eligible to enter in the Open Section, you must have at least one image taken at our MWS events in 2024-2025. * Images in the Open Section can be taken in your personal time and place outside the MWS events. They could be images that are your personal favourites. * "How to participate" applies to this section. * Add "Open Section" on your label for these images. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 📬 **How to Apply** Email me and include: 1️ Your full name 2️ Your email address 3️ The number of images you’d like to submit *(email only when you are ready to pay to participate in this exhibition).* 💌 **Email address**: rowantan28@gmail.com \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **💰 Payment Details** **Account Name**: Rowan Tan **Bank**: ING **BSB**: 923100 **Account Number**: 63458139 (Include your full name + “MW&S Exhibition” in the reference) **\*Important\* Refunds apply only if the exhibition is cancelled.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **🌟 Extra Info** · All proceeds help cover event costs (plus prize and light refreshments 🧁) · The People’s Choice image wins a special prize 🏆 – don’t forget to vote at the event. · Surplus funds go toward next year’s Meetup subscription Let’s make this a fun, creative, and memorable event together! If you don't usually process your images with Lightroom or have taken your images with your phone, don't let these hold you back from participating. 🙌 We can’t wait to see your photos on display! Thanks Catherine for helping me put these words together. Rowan

**The west is about to get even wilder!** A steamy evening of dance, burlesque, and circus by a cast of handpicked, certified Hot Men. [(Link to tickets here)](https://www.midsumma.org.au/whats-on/events/hot-men-doing-things/) Grab your friends, bring your dollar bills, and prepare for everything from cheeky striptease to jawdropping stunts! Cast to be announced, starting with Harry Coombes (2025 MEDEA nominee for Melbourne's Favourite Dancer, pictured).

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. ✨

**To Be Announced!**

Okay, so here's another one by request... **"An Evening with Topaz Labs"** The Topaz Labs tools are regarded as some of the finest photo editing plug-ins that you can add to your photo editing workflow. From noise reduction to resizing to sharpening, the results of these plugins are highly regarded and well reviewed in industry editing blogs. Join us for the evening and I will give you a preview of the most popular Topaz Lab tools and show you how I have used them in my digitial editing workflow. Meeting Schedule: 1. 6:00 - Introduction, Meet New Members 2. 6:10 - Old Business 3. 6:20 - New Business 4. 6:30 - Pre-Shoot Briefing/Education 5. 7:15 - Break 6. 7:30 - Image Critique 7. 8:00 - Adjourn Pre-Shoot Brief/Education: Topaz Labs Image Critique: Previous Photoshoot Images (TBD). If anyone has images they would like critiqued, please provide them at the beginning of the meeting. Providing Images for Critique: For now, I will collect images at the beginning of the meeting on a USB memory stick. My computer has USB-C ports, so a USB-C memory stick or one with dual (USB-C / USB-A) ports will be needed. Images should follow these format rules: JPG - 80% quality or higher 132 dpi resolution 2048 pixels across the long edge Embedded colorspace - sRGB

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! For this event, we’ll help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents, wash dishes and clean surfaces at Fath Mission – Grant Kitchen. We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “Create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. Our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:15am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1, indicated in the attached map. On-site and street parking are available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: \* LSS Volunteer Guidelines: Uploaded to photos. \* Parking Map Info: Uploaded to photos. \* LSS Faith Mission Orientation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp46_6ay6iA \* Link with Additional Details / Info: https://lss.vomo.org/opportunity/faith-mission-grant-kitchen-2025 IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With very few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. THANK YOU: This CMG Gives Back event provides an opportunity for YOU to get involved in helping others! Benefits go well beyond the help we give to others. Volunteering provides a wide range of personal benefits, including positive effects on mental and physical health, reduced stress/depression/anxiety, increased happiness and improved purpose, life-satisfaction and personal well-being! Plus, the opportunity to get involved, connect with others and help those in need. PARTNER AGENCY: This event is hosted by Lutheran Social Services (LSS), which serves thousands of people in need each day in 27 Ohio counties by addressing the four core societal issues of food, shelter, safety and healing. LSS offers food through the LSS Food Pantries, housing and supportive services through LSS Faith Mission and LSS Faith Mission of Fairfield County homeless shelters, domestic violence services through LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, senior living and health care, affordable housing communities, and other services that uplift families and strengthen communities. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

**Photography 102: A Deeper Dive Into Photography** **Are you ready to dig deeper into photography? Then this intermediate photography course is perfect for expanding your knowledge of photography!** This intermediate photography class builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired in the Photography 101 class. It focuses on empowering students to move beyond automatic camera modes and take greater creative control over their images. This course uses an engaging and practical hands-on approach to reinforcing these newer and more advanced photographic concepts. **Through hands-on exercises and insightful lessons, you will learn:** * **Master More Advanced Camera Settings** * **Aperture and F-stops:** Understanding how aperture controls depth of field and using it to create blurry backgrounds (shallow depth of field) for portraits or sharp focus throughout a landscape (deep depth of field). * **Shutter Speed:** Learning to utilize shutter speed to freeze fast action or intentionally blur motion for artistic effects. * **ISO:** Exploring ISO settings for optimal image quality in different lighting conditions, understanding the trade-off between sensitivity and potential image noise/grain. * **Exposure Modes:** Beyond "Auto", understanding and utilizing manual (M), aperture-priority (A or Av), shutter-priority (S or Tv), and program (P) modes for specific shooting scenarios. * **White Balance:** Learn how to effectively set white balance controls to represent colors in varying lighting conditions properly. * **Metering and Exposure Compensation:** Understanding how the camera measures light and how to use exposure compensation to fine-tune exposure for desired results. * **On-Camera Flash Basics:** Gaining a basic understanding of when and how to use the built-in flash or external flash units effectively. * **Advanced Concepts and Techniques** * **Composition Beyond the Basics:** Looking at some more advanced composition concepts and taking a deeper look at the Elements of Design, learning to use space more effectively, controlling the elements of the scene that are drawing attention, and mastering visual weight. * **Lighting Beyond Natural Light:** Introduction to artificial lighting, such as off-camera flash, reflectors, and softboxes, to control and shape light for different effects. * **Basic Image Editing:** An introduction to photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, covering essential tools for adjusting brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness. * **Developing a Personal Style:** Exploring ways to refine a unique artistic voice and create a consistent photographic style. **This class provides the next step in the path to becoming a more proficient and artistic photographer, allowing for more advanced usage of the camera system.** **Prerequisites:** * A camera (film, DSLR, or mirrorless) that has manual controls is required. Hands-on exercises make having the camera in class highly beneficial. You will need at least one lens to evaluate the results of control exercises. * You may attend this class in one of two ways: 1. With a class voucher provided by your retail camera store 2. Purchasing a seat in the class

**Photography 101: Discover The Photographer Within** **Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your camera? Then this beginning photography course is perfect for you!** This beginner-friendly photography class is your gateway to unlocking the power of your camera and developing a confident artistic vision. This course offers an engaging and practical approach to essential techniques and creative principles for impactful photography. We will explore the use of camera settings, composition, and light to tell a story that evokes emotion in the viewer. **Through hands-on exercises and insightful lessons, you will learn to:** * **Master Your Camera:** Learn fundamental camera functions, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, so you can confidently control exposure and creative effects in any lighting situation. * **Compose Captivating Images:** Explore and apply classic composition principles like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to create visually appealing and impactful photographs. * **Harness the Power of Light:** Understand how different light sources (natural and artificial) affect your images and learn to manipulate them to create mood, texture, and enhance the overall quality of your photos. * **Control Focus and Depth of Field:** Discover how to effectively utilize depth of field to isolate your subject and achieve captivating background blur (bokeh) or ensure sharpness throughout your landscape shots. * **Work with Lenses and Filters:** Explore the impact of various lens types and focal lengths on photographs and learn how filters can add creative control and protection. **This class provides the foundation needed to confidently create high-quality images and begin a photographic journey, regardless of the camera used.** **Prerequisites:** * A camera (film, DSLR, or mirrorless) that has manual controls is required. Hands-on exercises make having the camera in class highly beneficial. You will need at least one lens to evaluate the results of control exercises. * You may attend this class in one of two ways: 1. With a class voucher provided by your retail camera store 2. Purchasing a seat in the class

Join us as we get together for something dark, humorous, twisted, violent and thrilling: SEND HELP! Rachael McAdams and Dylan O’Brien star in this film that follows a worker and her boss stranded on an island following a plane crash and their attempts to survive. Here are details, trailer and a plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Two office colleagues find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. They must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it is an unsettling and darkly humorous battle of wills and wits to make it out alive. The film is directed by Sam Raimi (the Evil Dead franchise, the Toby Maguire Spider-Man trilogy) and stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4wiXj9NmEE PLAN: Details for this event have already been confirmed! Please purchase your ticket for the 7:15pm showing and meet in the lobby area between 6:45 and 7:00pm! Tickets just $5.50 and advance purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments below! Pre-show bite at nearby El Vaquero at 5:30pm! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan