Immersive Tech

Are you spending too much time on “glue work”? In this session we will look at the ways this can impact your career, and what you can do about it! **Agenda (time in Melbourne/AEST)** * 5:30pm Networking * 6:00pm Welcome * 6:05pm Main Presentation * 6:35pm Q&A * 7:00pm Networking * 7:30pm Close **This will be a HYBRID event:** **Zoom link -** will be posted 1hr before event starts. **In person attendees -** an Atlassian volunteer will greet you and take you to reception on level 20 to sign in - please arrive a few minutes early to allow for this. Contact organisers on the community Slack (preferred) or Meetup if you need access to the venue after 6pm **Our Speaker** **Michele Playfair** Michele is a technology leader dedicated to building great teams and products. Starting from a strong technical grounding in computer science, her diverse experience in software development, consulting, business analysis, quality, and agile delivery practices enables her to bring a wealth of techniques and perspectives to her leadership roles.

**The Bali Startup and Tech comes to Melbourne!** **Our first Melbourne Community Networking Dinner/Drinks Event awaits you at 5:30pm on Tuesday, 24th of March 2026** hosted at the vibrant & relaxed Bells Hotel South Melbourne. Join us for an evening of relaxed networking among the brightest minds in tech and entrepreneurship in Melbourne. \*\*\ \*Admission is free\*\*\* Rub shoulders with former Facebook and Amazon engineers, unicorn startup founders, local entrepreneurs, developers, solopreneurs, indiehackers, government representatives, and the likes Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Looking forward to continuing to welcome new faces as we grow **Join the free BSTC Whatsapp community group chat here:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/GkG5rXQsBcfIBGuuJSkjxm](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GkG5rXQsBcfIBGuuJSkjxm) **We also have a free group for tech founders that are post-revenue and actively scaling:** [Apply Here](https://forms.gle/ALjYy3uNjpohorKQ6) ***Note:*** *The networking events are relaxed by design and don't follow a rigid/structured agenda outside of a quick open mic & some short presentations - typically from tech founders, leaders or VC's sharing their story and learnings with the group.* **Most of the time is devoted to relaxed networking with other founders, digital nomads, agency owners & tech investors.** Look forward to seeing you all again. *\- Lachlan McRitchie\, Josh Morrow\, Matthew Carr & The BSTC Team*

Visitors and newcomers are very welcome, please see https://hackmelbourne.com/newcomer-faq/ for more details. COVIDSafe restrictions are also in place, please see https://hackmelbourne.com/covid-19-restrictions/ for the latest. Short walk from Glenferrie train station. Car parking at Hawthorn town hall. Bring a laptop and a project you are working on. There is also a number of group projects that you are welcome to join in. We have starter kits for Arduino, a couple of 3D printers, various tools and equipment available for use. Typically our sessions run from 6:45pm till later in the evening (depending on our members' availability to close) but if you're new please come early.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Comedy gold." **Unrealistic Expectations** is an entertaining, slightly chaotic evening of impromptu speaking games designed to help you practise action over certainty. **6:30** Networking **7:00** The Event Starts **8:00** Networking + Drinks ❓ **Why we do this** Entrepreneurs are often told their ideas are unrealistic. Too big. Too early. Too hard. This night is for people who feel that fear and want to build the courage to act before they have all the answers. **Volunteers get 3-5 minutes to talk on wacky topics:** * Pitching a slide deck they have never seen before * Taking questions from the audience on a topic they know nothing about * Being handed a random object from the office and explaining your "revoulutionary discovery" * Explaining a graph that has no numbers or legend * *More "fun" and chaotic games to come...* **Spectators get front row seats to:** * Brave attempts and clever recoveries * Watch brilliance appear under pressure * The exact moment someone realises they are more capable than they thought * And...comedy gold! 🎲 **How the night works** Some people will step up. Some people will sit back and enjoy the show. Both are welcome. *You don’t have to participate but most people end up tempted as the night goes on.* We’ll rotate through a variety of short games across the evening. Each one stretches a different entrepreneurial muscle: • Thinking out loud • Explaining half-formed ideas • Handling pressure • Committing before certainty 😉At the end of the night, one brave participant will receive a completely meaningless but highly coveted honour. 👀 **Who this is for** • People building something and tired of waiting until they feel ready • Anyone who wants to build the courage to act before they have clarity You don’t need confidence You don’t need experience You just need a willingness to give-it-a-go **Because most worthwhile things start with unrealistic expectations.**

Bookings are essential - click the link to book! [Social Archery Night Tickets](https://ecom.roller.app/archeryattack/overlay/en/product/919981?date=2025-10-07) Want to get fit, try a new skill, and meet new people? Try Arrow Tag! This adults only session is for individuals or small groups who want to try it. This public session is exclusively for adults and will include other players. Come solo to meet new people, or sign up with a friend! Please note that a minimum of 6 players is required for a session to proceed. If 6 players have not been booked by 48 hours before the session, it may be subject to cancellation. We recommend booking with friends to ensure the best Arrow Tag experience! Get ready for 120 minutes of adrenaline-pumping Arrow Tag action! Arrive 15 minutes early to sign waivers and ensure you're ready for a fantastic time filled with laughter and excitement. Here's what to expect on the day: * Arrive 15 minutes early to complete waivers. * Enjoy 30 minutes of induction, equipment setup, and expert training on the archery range. * Immerse yourself in the action for 90 minutes in the arena, alongside fellow adventurous archers. What to bring for an awesome experience: * Wear athletic clothing for maximum comfort and mobility. * Don't forget to bring a clean pair of shoes for safety and agility. * If you wear glasses, while most glasses fit within our masks, bringing contact lenses for added comfort during the game is recommended. Get ready to unleash your inner archer and create unforgettable memories. Let the fun and games begin!

**Meetups for Startup folk and rebels to connect, learn and share** Great businesses, products, innovations, or movements usually do not happen alone. You need great people with you to help on your journey. This is your chance to meet those people, share ideas, exchange learnings, and have some great conversations 🥂 You might even get to meet your next collaborator or partner in business. **Who:** Whether you are solving your next big challenge, just starting out, or want to chat and learn with others building cool things, then this is for you. **Agenda:** * 3:30 - 4:15 PM - Get to know each other & Welcome If you like, you can grab a drink🍹or a snack from the bar and help support our venue. * 4:15 - 5:50 PM - Social Networking * 5:50 - 6 PM - A short presentation from our team. We then wrap up, or roll on elsewhere There’s no dress code, no pressure — just great people and meaningful conversations 🙂 🌍 Est. 2013 – Rebel Meetups now run globally This event is free thanks to our members, partners, volunteer hosts, and venues. 📍 Location: Captain Melville, Melbourne 3000 See you there! -- Notice: We may be capturing content from the event to post on our socials.

Hi all, us at NeuroSparks and our friends over at NeuroDisco are having our first board game collab event! Whether you're new to boardgames, or an experienced player, this could be a great way to meet like-minded people and have some fun too. **The venue:** Drop in at Gameology from 12pm onwards, there will be a wide range of board games for you to grab and play, but you can also bring a board game from home if you'd like. Gameology is also a games store, so feel free to browse what they have available or chat to the friendly staff for help or questions at any time. The board games room where we’ll be hanging out in is on the left as you enter the store and has air conditioning. It also has a limited drink selection, however you’re free to bring food from outside to enjoy in between playing. The cafe across the road called Lux Foundry, or Ima Pantry around the corner are particularly good! But please be mindful of avoiding getting either the venue's or other attendee's games dirty. Additionally, while use of the space and games are free, a gold coin donation would be appreciated! This goes towards HeartKids, which is the charity Gameology is currently supporting. They also rotate through supporting different charities every month. While a donation is not compulsory, it is greatly appreciated in getting a little more community love and support. **Location:** There is very limited parking at the front of the store as well as in the surrounding area. However, the venue is close to public transport. The closest train station is Anstey station on the Upfield lane and the number 19 tram on Sydney road. There is also the number 508/509 bus line, with the closest stop being on the corner of Sydney road and Blyth street. The venue will also be closing at 5. We'd love to see you all there and if the event goes well this could possibly become a regular event! **PS:** If you have any questions about this event, feel free to message either myself or Ki. The event is open to all neurodivergent people and anyone who values a friendly, inclusive space. Many attendees come on their own, so if you’re feeling a bit hesitant, know you’ll be in good company and warmly welcomed. If at any point you have concerns or feel uncomfortable about any group member, please notify one of the organisers. **Disclaimer & Safety Notice** By attending this Meetup, you agree: • Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. • Organisers are community volunteers, not medical or professional providers. • You are responsible for your own safety, choices, and belongings. • Organisers are not liable for injury, loss, or damage at any time. • If you have health or access needs, please make your own arrangements. • In an emergency, call 000 immediately. By joining, you accept full responsibility for your actions and well-being.

**AI, Product & What Actually Matters with Dr. Marily Nika** LTP Events is coming to Melbourne — and this one is something special. For one night only, we’re bringing one of the world’s most influential AI Product Leaders to our community. Based in Silicon Valley, Dr. Marily Nika is an award-winning GenAI Product Leader, bestselling author, Harvard Fellow, TED AI / TEDx speaker, and the creator of Maven’s first and top-rated AI PM Certification. With 12+ years building at Google and Meta, a PhD in Machine Learning, and more than 20,000 students taught globally, Marily sits at the intersection of cutting-edge AI and real-world product leadership. She’s been featured in Fortune and TechCrunch, recognised as Amplitude’s Most Influential Product Leader, Fortune 40 Under 40, and named among the Top 100 Women in Tech. This is rare access to someone operating at the very highest levels of AI and product — and she’s joining us for an intimate, candid conversation with Brainmates CCO Kathryn Shepherd-King. Together, they’ll explore what it really means to build AI-powered products today: * Where the hype ends and hard decisions begin * How GenAI is reshaping the role of product leaders * What separates AI experiments from real impact * And how to think clearly when the technology is moving faster than your roadmap Expect thoughtful discussion, practical insights, and honest reflections from someone shaping the global AI product conversation in real time. Surrounding the conversation is what LTP does best: a relaxed, no-pressure space to connect with fellow product leaders, builders, and thinkers navigating the same questions. Just smart people, meaningful dialogue, and conversations that continue long after the chat ends. **Evening timeline** 5.30 – 6.00pm: Arrive, grab a drink, and connect 6.00 – 6.40pm: Fireside chat with Dr. Marily Nika plus Q&A 6.40 – 7.30pm: Networking, conversation, and connection Hosted at the great Easygo space, we’ll have light food and drinks covered — all we ask is that you bring your curiosity and good energy. Plus! Everyone who attends goes into the draw to win 2 free tickets to LTP 2026. Simply show up, connect, and you could be heading to Australia’s best product conference in May! This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the most respected voices in AI product — without flying to Silicon Valley. Please RSVP if you are keen to attend and they will be capped but don’t stress, late cancellations are okay. We can’t wait to host you for this one.

The optimum computing machine is a subject many of us have studied. If you were building one how would you design it? First the computer should be able to compute with perfect accuracy on any problem in the universe and produce answers which were always and invariably right. Second the computer would have to be swift, working much more quickly than the problem and process could be vocally articulated. Third the computer would have to be able to handle large numbers of variables and large numbers of problems simultaneously. Forth, the computer would have to be able to evaluate its own data and there would have to remain available within it not only a record of its former conclusions but the evaluations leading to those conclusions. Fifth, the computer would have to be served by a memory bank of nearly infinite capacity and would have to be available to the analytical portion of the computer in the smallest fractions of a second. Sixth, the computer would have to be able to rearrange former conclusions or alter them in the light of new experience. Seventh, the computer would need no exterior director, but would be entirely self determined about its programing guided only by the necessity –value of the solution which it itself would determine. Eight the computer should be self servicing and self arming against present and future damage and would be able to estimate future damage. Ninth the computer should be served by perception by which it could determine necessity –value. Tenth ,the memory bank should store perceptions as perceived ,consecutive with time received with the smallest possible time divisions between perception .It would then store in color-Visio (moving),tone audio (flowing),odor ,tactile and self sensation ,all of them cross –coordinated . Eleventh, for the purposes of solutions, it would have to be able to create new situations and imagine new perceptions hitherto not perceived and should be able to conceive these to itself in terms of tone –audio ,color-visio ,odor, tactile, and self sensation –and should be able to file anything so conceived as imagined ,labeled “memories” Twelfth, the entire machine should be portable. It might be somewhat astonishing at first to conceive such a computer .But the fact is, the machine is in existence .There are billions of them in use today and many ,many more billions have been made and used in the past . In fact you’ve got one .for we are dealing with the human mind. L.RON .HUBBARD Do you want to learn how the mind works?Then do not miss this meetup. RSVP now !!

NuCalm is a patented, drug-free neuroscience technology designed to rapidly reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and aid recovery by shifting the body from a "fight-or-flight" state to a deeply relaxed parasympathetic state within minutes. [https://stamina.xosialx.com/nucalm.html](https://stamina.xosialx.com/nucalm.html) It uses neuroacoustic software, a biosignal processing disc, and light-blocking eye masks to guide brain waves from active beta states down to alpha/theta (relaxation/meditation) levels NuCalm uses a patented, clinically proven pitch and frequency matrix with non-linear oscillating algorithms to safely present your brain with precise signals, prompting what is known as a frequency-following response. Your brain synchronizes with the incoming NuCalm signals helping you naturally and effortlessly manage your state of mind by speeding up or slowing down your brain wave frequencies. NuCalm has mapped all of your brain wave frequency zones and created products to safely and predictably guide you to whatever mental state you desire. The amazing thing is, NuCalm is all-natural and works every time you use it within minutes. The best thing to do now is to watch the video on the website and download the NuCalm app. All you need is a headset and eye mask. This app purchase is covered with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get started today and FEEL the difference even 15 minutes can make. WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE WEBSITE. [https://stamina.xosialx.com/nucalm.html](https://stamina.xosialx.com/nucalm.html)

Community Conversations is back for 2026 and the theme for this month is "**The Accountability** **Secret**". Please note the new venue at **Balwyn Park** **206A Whitehorse Road, Balwyn**. Is accountability a burden or the ultimate key to freedom? While it often feels heavy, taking 100% ownership of our actions is a powerful tool for liberation and exponential change. When we stop blaming and start "owning it," our relationships flourish and our communities thrive. Join us as we explore how the courage to be accountable is the secret to personal empowerment and a stronger community. Our Community Conversations are designed to build a warm and inclusive space, facilitating meaningful discussions and sparking positive initiatives in our neighbourhood. Each session typically 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!

Join GDG Melbourne this month to Build with AI (#BuildwithAI)? 💻 What do you need to bring? - Make sure to bring your laptop (better if fully charged) for hands-on training. Also, check the workshop descriptions and pre-requisites to stay ahead of the game! Join us for an evening of not 1 but 2 hands-on workshops, delicious food and awesome networking, and some surprise swag you won’t want to miss. 🎉 Whether you're a seasoned developer, a cloud enthusiast, or just dipping your toes into the world of AI and tech, this is the place to be. 📍 Where? Mantel Group Office, Level 2/452 Flinders St, Melbourne Doors open at 5:45 PM—message us on Meetup or Slack if you're arriving after 6:00 PM, as the lifts won’t let you up. 🎤 Agenda: 6:15 PM - Welcome & Intros 6:30 PM - Cloud credits setup 6:45 PM - Workshop 1: I build with AI and you can too 7:00 PM - Break 7:15 PM - Workshop 2: Build It, Guard It, Ship It: Building Secure AI Apps with Model Armor 8:00 PM - Closing and Networking, chats, and optional drinks 🍻 💻 Workshop 1: I build with AI and you can too A workshop about how you can be build better with AI. The workshop will explore concepts that make LLM and agents more useful by integrating with your projects as first party agents.Pre-requisites: An idea you want to work on Antigravity or IntelliJ with Gemini Code Assist. Or Just Gemini CLI 💻 Workshop 2: Build It, Guard It, Ship It: Building Secure AI Apps with Model Armor In this hands-on workshop, we'll build a real AI chat app and layer in enterprise-grade security using Google Cloud's Model Armor — before shipping it to production on Cloud Run. We'll explore real-world attack vectors like prompt injection and system prompt hijacking, see how modern LLMs handle them, and then add Model Armor as a dedicated security layer that screens every prompt and response — independent of the model. Finally, we'll containerise the whole thing and deploy it to Cloud Run. You'll walk away with a working, secured, production-ready AI app and a security pattern you can apply to any LLM project. 🎁 What’s in it for you? ⚡Workshop on AI from industry experts 🍕 Cloud-shaped snacks (okay, maybe not literally, but the food will be delicious!) 🤝 Networking that’s as smooth as a well-architected cloud solution 🎁 Surprise swag 💡 NOTES: This is an in-person-only event, but if you have any accessibility requirements, reach out to us via Meetup or Slack, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. Doors open at 5:45 PM at our host, the Mantel Group, Level 2/452 Flinders S,t Melbourne. Message via Meetup or Slack if you are arriving after 6:00, as the lifts won't let you up. Don’t miss this epic night of learning, networking, and fun! RSVP now and we’ll see you there! 👋 #gdgMelbourne #BuildwithAI #fluttermelbourne Agenda --- Speakers Yuba Raj Panta - PageUp (SRE/DevOps Engineer) Yuba Raj (UV) Panta is a Melbourne-based SRE/DevOps Engineer at PageUp, with a strong focus on cloud architecture, infrastructure automation, and AI integration. He is passionate about building scalable systems, streamlining developer workflows, and exploring the intersection of cloud and emerging technologies. A known face to Darwin, UV spent several years actively contributing to the local m… Kartik Arora - Bilue (Android Engineer) Android Engineer @ Bilue | Google Developer Expert Android Hosted By Katie Barnett, GDE Android / GDG Organiser Katie is passionate about all things Android. She has taken on a wide variety of challenging projects including in the live event, media and travel space. Her favourite thing is to see someone having a delightful experience using something she has worked on. Katie is very active in the development community, she is a Google Developer Expert for Android, one of the organisers of GDG Melbourne and is a Women Techmakers Ambassador. She frequently runs events, speaks on technical and non-technical topics and enjoys writing blog posts to share her experience with others. Katie is based in Melbourne, Australia but loves to travel the world and outside of tech she enjoys boardgaming and attempting to finish many craft projects. Suesi Tran, Senior Flutter Developer Google Developer Expert in Dart, Flutter & Firebase, Women Techmaker Melbourne ambassador, GDG Melbourne & Flutter Melbourne co-organiser. In short: Flutter is love, and mobile is life. Poornima Sivakumar, GDG Organiser Lovee Jain, GDG Organiser Lovee is a Software Engineer at Prezzee, a GDG Melbourne Organiser and also a Women Techmakers Ambassador. A tech inquisitive philomath, she loves problem solving and solution design. She has worked at a city council where she developed a lot of useful system integrations and while at Prezzee she develops and works on multiple gift card solutions to cater the B2B2C market. Zach Jensz, GDG Organiser Passionate about the web, seamless UX and accessibility. I love attending meetups, find me and come say hi! Ujjawal Raj, GDG Organiser Bramley Turner-Jones, GDG Organiser Yuba Raj (UV) Panta, GDG Cloud Organiser Kartik Arora, Android Engineer Google Developer Expert in Android Android Engineer @ Bilue Carolyn Ai Chi Wong, Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-melbourne-presents-gdg-melbourne-build-with-ai-event-march/.

Applied Scholastics Study Technology is able to improve anyone's ability to study. Millions of people are already using this technology and whole countries are now adopting it. - You can learn Faster with less stress - You don't forget the information - You stay interested in the subject - Your marks increase English literacy rates routinely improve by 25 to 35 percent. Likewise, student test scores improve dramatically with students routinely meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in EVERY ACADEMIC SUBJECT. Our workshop will be focusing on how students learn. Study Technology can easily be incorporated into any educational activity—from classroom instruction and curriculum design to employee training or homeschooling. It provides a stable foundation enhancing all educational efforts. Study Technology is what teachers, tutors, trainers, parents and students can use to improve the quality of teaching and learning. No matter the curriculum in your current academic setting, Study Technology offers proven teaching strategies and resources that can help resolve classroom issues and improve student achievement. No matter if you are a teacher yourself or a good students or bad student we can all do better at study once we have this technology under our belt. Teachers who use this technology report amazing turn around with once troubled students. The application of Study Technology has quite literally changed millions of lives. You are most welcome to bring along a friend or those that struggle with study. (any topic) If you are unable to attend this meetup then let me know, We can arrange for you to meetup at a different time and date. Light refreshments will be provided.

**\*\* NEW VENUE \*\*** Room 080.02.002 at RMIT (Building 80) - 445 Swanston St, Melbourne **\*\* NEW VENUE \*\*** **How Bad Terraform Reaches Prod: Building Azure Guardrails That Actually Work** - **@Maple** Terraform makes it easy to ship cloud changes fast, including the risky ones. This talk is a hands-on walkthrough of a small Azure lab where I intentionally introduce common "oops" changes (public exposure, missing tags, unsafe configs) and show how they slip through a typical IaC workflow unless you build real guardrails. **"Do not obey in advance" - Cybersecurity in the Fight Against Techno-Authoritarianism - @Mendas** Cybersecurity protects free speech and human rights. It plays an important role in resisting authoritarian regimes and protecting democratic freedoms. This talk discusses how encryption, anonymity tools, and similar technologies can help activists, journalists, and citizens evade state surveillance and censorship. Discussion highlights how digital resistance strategies can be used to counter oppression. **Streaming** If you can't attend the event in person the talks will be streamed in the "ruxmon-stream" voice channel in the Ruxcon Discord in the day of the event! (join now by clicking here: [https://discord.gg/g2CpEbkXmM](https://discord.gg/g2CpEbkXmM)