Interaction Design

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your cheeseboard and coaster, use the *MEETAMC10* coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Unleash your creativity at our Resin Art Workshop in the heart of Melbourne! Join us for a fun and interactive session where you'll learn the art of resin pouring from expert instructors. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, this workshop is perfect for everyone. You'll create stunning, unique pieces to take home and enjoy, all while surrounded by like-minded creatives. Our workshops provide all the tools, materials, and guidance you'll need to bring your vision to life. Discover the mesmerizing flow of resin, explore vibrant pigments, and watch your art evolve into a glossy masterpiece. Each session is designed to be both educational and relaxing, making it the ideal activity to unwind, socialize, and spark inspiration. Spaces are limited, so book your spot today and dive into the colorful world of resin art with us!

Have you been interested in woodworking, 3D printing, CNC, cosplay or Electronics? Come visit Maker Community to get a tour of our space, learn about our memberships, have a chat with our members and discuss your dream projects.

Jewellers can hire a desk in our workshop to make or finish off their own pieces. This workshop is self run, you need to attend a health and safety induction before working daily unattended. Basic jewellery making tools are provided and some consumables such as flux, borax, tumbling polish, lathe polish and some drill bits. Aprons and safety glasses are provided, tie up loose hair, wear enclosed shoes. Please email claw.creative.studios@gmail.com for any questions or inquiries. Clara Carija, Director CLAW CREATIVE.

A mix of dance classes, connections & laughter! We love offering a diverse range of moves to keep things fresh and exciting, and it’s always amazing to see our dance community connecting on and off the dance floor. It’s all about coming together, learning, and having fun! Brighton Beach Bowls Club 2B South Rd Brighton 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Beginner & Intermediate levels $25 CASH or PAYID

This supportive program invites men to come together in a safe and respectful space to share experiences, explore challenges, and reflect on what matters most in their lives. Participants are welcome to bring a topic of their own or simply speak about what’s happening for them in the moment. Guided discussion topics may include navigating masculinity, communication styles, understanding personal needs and the needs of others, building resilience, connecting with emotions, and clarifying values—along with other issues that commonly impact men in relationships and daily life. When a topic is raised, participants are encouraged to explore how it relates to their own experiences, offering insights and reflections in a way that supports learning and growth. The facilitator participates alongside the group, modeling respectful sharing, open discussion, and thoughtful reflection, ensuring that everyone feels heard and empowered to engage at their own pace.

We’re excited to kick off 2026 with our first **Melbourne MLOps Community Meetup** of the year! This event is extra special! For the first time, we’re featuring a married duo, Mr. and Mrs. Badawy. And what better day to announce it than Valentine’s Day? 🚀✨ **🎤 Speakers** We’re thrilled to introduce: **\- Luke Badawy**, Generative AI Engineering Manager at Commonwealth Bank. Luke is a seasoned Software Engineer and self-proclaimed AI nerd with years of industry experience. In his talk, *Generating Games Using Only Gen AI*, Luke will explore a fascinating and often overlooked frontier in Generative AI — game generation. **\- Natalie Badawy**, Talent Acquisition Specialist *at* Andromeda. Described by Mr. Badawy as “Initiative Lord 9000,” Natalie is the co-founder of "What the Heck is Tech (?)" and co-organiser of "Melbourne Talent Meetup"*.* With deep experience in the tech recruitment landscape, she’ll share a recruiter’s-eye view of how the job market is evolving in the age of AI and ML in her talk: *How to Get Hired in the AI/ML Era*. **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 Luke ❓ **6:30pm** – Questions for Luke 🎤 **6:40pm** – Presentation by Natalie ❓ **7:00pm** – Questions for Natalie 🍻 **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)

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your cheeseboard and coaster, use the *MEETAMC10* coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Unleash your creativity at our Resin Art Workshop in the heart of Melbourne! Join us for a fun and interactive session where you'll learn the art of resin pouring from expert instructors. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, this workshop is perfect for everyone. You'll create stunning, unique pieces to take home and enjoy, all while surrounded by like-minded creatives. Our workshops provide all the tools, materials, and guidance you'll need to bring your vision to life. Discover the mesmerizing flow of resin, explore vibrant pigments, and watch your art evolve into a glossy masterpiece. Each session is designed to be both educational and relaxing, making it the ideal activity to unwind, socialize, and spark inspiration. Spaces are limited, so book your spot today and dive into the colorful world of resin art with us!

***Vibe out with your tribe, out. (No coding experience required or expected!)*** Join us for **Vibe Code & Chill: October Edition** on Sunday, October 5th, 2025. This isn’t your average meetup: no stuffy panels, no boring lectures. We’re here to vibe, imbibe, and make progress on our *projects-de-jour*: from AI experiments to Web3 hacks, AR side projects, or just messing around with next-gen tools. ***New to the crew?*** Expect a warm welcome and friendly face to greet you before introducing you around and helping you find your people. We keep it friendly, fun, and inclusive and with free snacks and drinks, you’re covered. Bring your laptop and your best coding mojo. **What to expect:** * **Chill coding & collaboration:** Bring your laptop and your current coding project. Find a spot in our comfortable booths or at tables with fellow coders. This is a space for hands-on work, casual discussions on the latest gizmos, and helping each other out. * **Free refreshments:** Stay fueled and hydrated with non-alcoholic drinks and a selection of snacks provided by the club. The pub has a great range of meals and drinks if you're looking for something more. * **Headphone-free zone (official hours):** You can code in your own world at home! We have a no-headphone policy for the first hour of the meetup. * **Flexible timing:** You're welcome to arrive early and get started before the official event kicks off at 2PM. and you're welcome to stay and vibe on as long as you like. No sweat if you can't stay the whole time, just pop in and join the fun for as long as you can! Come ready to laugh, learn, and grow with a community that's excited by design, tech, and innovation. This is your chance to make new friends, share ideas, and be inspired by fellow driven and generous minds.

***Applications for Cycle 1 close March 1. Submissions received after this date will be matched into the next cycle.*** **Participation in this 4-session cycle is paid. Full details are outlined below.** \*\*\* **📍 A closed, science-informed 4-session cycle for people who are done starting over** This is *not* a drop-in social event. This is a structured, closed cycle designed to help a **small group of 5–6 people** form a ***real friendship group***, not just exchange numbers and hope it survives. Instead of leaving with a single contact and a vague promise to “catch up sometime,” you leave with **a group that already exists.** **This is not a dating event. Please do not join with romantic expectations.** The intention is to form ***stable friendship groups.*** The kind of group you can: • invite to your home without it feeling strange • organise a dinner, barbecue, beach day, or birthday with • stay in touch with naturally, because you already share history 🔗 If you’re tired of meeting interesting people only to start from zero again the next week, this cycle was designed to end that pattern. ——— 🎯 **What Happens in Sessions** This isn’t sitting in a circle answering prompts. Sessions combine: • structured conversations • interactive activities • moments for humour, depth, and perspective You won’t just talk about who you are. You’ll experience each other across different situations: • how people **think** • how they **joke** • how they **react** • how they **collaborate** • how they **disagree** Brief moments of interaction beyond your pod add rhythm and perspective, then the structure brings you back grounded and more connected to your own group. It’s a ***360° way of knowing people***, not a 15–30 minute snapshot. ——— 🧩 **Commitment & Structure** This is a **closed cohort.** Once the cycle begins, no new participants are added. Pods are intentionally small and carefully curated, which means ***spots are limited by design.*** Before the cycle begins, participants are curated into pods based on **communication style and interpersonal fit**, not shared hobbies or demographic categories. *Personality data is used for matching, not discussion.* What you experience is ***not having to translate yourself.*** Once you're placed into your pod, you meet with the same group across the entire cycle. No rotating. No mingling. No restarting conversations. Each session builds naturally on the last. The result isn’t more socialising. It’s ***shared history and stronger belonging.*** ——— 🧠 **Why This Format Works** ⏳ **Time Creates Friendship** Research by Jeffrey A. Hall suggests: • \~50 hours moves strangers beyond acquaintance • \~90 hours builds casual friendship • \~200 hours creates close friendship Most adult social formats never accumulate that time with the same people. The Core Group includes **6 total hours of interaction across four 90-minute sessions, meeting once per week.** But because those hours are ***focused, repeated, and intentionally structured*** with the same people, **they condense what often takes months of scattered interaction to build.** The Core Group gives you the spark so you can turn it into a strong, lasting fire beyond the pod. ——— 🔗 **The Bonding Sequence** As adults, the environments that naturally create friendship disappear. What replaces them are social events built around *novelty, speed, and rotation.* That breaks the bonding sequence. This protocol restores the **four mechanisms that reliably give you the spark to create adult friendship, in the correct order:** **Psychological safety** (Edmondson) Clear structure and predictable boundaries reduce evaluation and performance → people relax and participate naturally ⬇️ **Repeated exposure** (Zajonc’s Mere Exposure Effect) Seeing the same people over time builds trust without effort → recognition replaces awkwardness ⬇️ **Shared attention and behavioural synchrony** (Wiltermuth & Heath) Doing things together, not just talking, increases closeness → connection forms through experience ⬇️ **Group identity through contrast** (Tajfel & Turner) Stable pods with brief external interaction → belonging strengthens when “your people” become clear Most meetups unintentionally break this chain. ***This cycle preserves it.*** ——— ⚖️ **Why There’s No Facilitator** There’s no facilitator running the room. Not because there’s no structure, but because the structure is strong enough to hold the group. Without an authority figure, people relax. There’s no one to impress, no sense of being evaluated. Sessions follow a clear, pre-designed protocol delivered via a simple QR guide. It quietly guides timing and transitions, so the group never feels directionless. When hierarchy is removed and structure remains, people show up more naturally, as they do in **real life.** ——— 🔎 **How It Works** **Step 1 — RSVP** RSVP expresses interest only. **Step 2 — Profile Details** After RSVPing, you’ll receive a private message requesting your MBTI result and profile responses. **Step 3 — Pod Formation** Pods are curated based on interaction dynamics, including communication energy, engagement style, and personality patterns. To be included in Cycle 1 matching, both your RSVP and profile details must be submitted by **March 1.** **Step 4 — Confirmation & Payment** If a suitable pod match is available for you, you’ll receive payment details and next steps. Final pricing will fall within the range of **AUD $160–$190** for the full 4-session cycle. Participation is confirmed once payment is received. 📍 Location: A curated cafe in Melbourne Specific venue confirmed prior to cycle start. This ensures groups are well-matched and the experience stays intentional. ——— 📌 **Practical Notes** • One ticket covers the entire cycle • Pods are intentionally small and limited **Continuity is non-negotiable. Full attendance across all sessions is required to preserve the group’s cohesion and experience. Please join only if you can commit to the entire cycle.** To protect the experience, minor pod adjustments may be made after Session 1 if it improves overall group fit. Please don’t join if you’re looking for: • speed-friending • networking • one-off social events • therapy This is for people who are ***done starting over*** and willing to stay long enough for something real to form. If you’ve been to many meetups and still end up back at square one, that’s not because something is wrong with you. It’s because the design was never built for real friendship. ***This one is.*** ——— 📝 **Refund & Disclaimer** Because pods are carefully curated and intentionally small, tickets are non-refundable once the cycle begins. If you need to cancel before Session 1, you may request: • a full refund up to 72 hours before the first session • a one-time transfer to a future cycle, subject to availability If the transferred spot is not attended, the ticket is forfeited. While this protocol is grounded in well-established social science, friendship is not a formula. Human connection is complex, contextual, and personal. No structure can guarantee outcomes. What this cycle does is ***deliberately design the strongest possible conditions*** for real friendship to form, based on established research.

In 2024, we had to cancel this event due to extreme heat. So this will be a great opportunity to run this event in 2026 and hopefully without any drama. ***Please check this page regularly in the event we need to cancel due to unpredictable weather conditions.*** Visit Steamrail Victoria and experience 135 Years of Melbourne's History at Newport Workshops & Railway Museum. See what the volunteers do behind the scenes and get up close and personal with heritage locomotives and carriages. This is a fun-filled and very photogenic event not to be missed. The link to this event - [https://www.steamrail.com.au/opendays](https://www.steamrail.com.au/opendays) #### **NEWPORT RAILWAY MUSEUM** The Newport Workshops Open Days are located over two sites. **Included with your ticket is free entry to the Newport Railway Museum.** Visit the 140 year old F176 or Victoria's largest locomotive, the famous **Heavy Harry**. Also open for viewing will be the heritage North Williamstown Signal Box, railway models and various suburban rail carriages dating from the 1888 'Swing Door' to the 1980 'Hitachi' and 1983 'Grey Ghost' carriages. #### **PRICES** **Adults - $35** - Adults Ticket (17 & Over) - Adults Tickets are at Seniors/Concession Prices. No further discounts are available. **Under 17 - $15** - Under 17 Ticket (Valid for 3 to 16 year old) **Draft Schedule** 9:45 to 10.00 Meet at the main gate of Newport Workshops (where the watertower is) on Champion Road, North Williamstown [https://goo.gl/maps/sP8BikCXRJ39RzWE6](https://goo.gl/maps/sP8BikCXRJ39RzWE6) 10.00 to 1.00 Explore the Newport Workshops and Steam Locomotives. 1.00 to 1.45 Lunch (there will be food trucks on site so we can catch up and eat around these). This will be our catch up point before the second half of the event. 1.45 to 4.00 Newport Railway Museum - 26 Champion Road, Newport [https://www.arhsvic.org.au/museum](https://www.arhsvic.org.au/museum) We can catch the shuttle bus from the Workshops to the Museum or walk there **Or** i**f you prefer you can continue exploring the main workshop site** 4.00pm Event ends. Look forward to having you join us! John and Rowan

Every team has that "Manual Drag" - those repetitive, low-gear loops that keep you stuck in the pits while the competition is flying. It’s time to break the rhythm and find your flow. Join us for a high-octane session on Atlassian Rovo, the AI power unit built to eliminate the manual grind and get you to the podium. We’re going to show you how to: Tune the Frequency (Search): Stop the static. Cut through the noise and find exactly what you need across your entire stack in one smooth motion. No more hunting for the beat. Riff with the Pit Wall (Chat): Turn fragmented data into instant insights. Don’t just read the spec—ask the engine to remix it, summarize it, and serve it up so you stay in the flow. Hand Off the Loops (Agents): Put Rovo Agents on the repetitive, manual chores that stall your engine. Let them handle the grind while you focus on the high-speed moves that actually win the race. The grid is forming. Stop idling in the manual lane and start playing the high-speed tracks. Are you ready to take the lead? Agenda --- Hosted By Michelle Letho, Account Executive & Networking Junkie Michelle (Miche) Letho is the Melbourne Atlassian Community Event (ACE) Champion and an Account Executive at Willyama Togetha, Australia’s only Indigenous-owned Atlassian Platinum Partner. She helps organisations imagine, build, and scale better ways of working through Atlassian solutions that boost collaboration, visibility, and impact. A member of the Transformers Unite leadership team, Miche supports national change and transformation events that bring practitioners together to learn and share. With a career spanning tech, FMCG, a Startup founder and consulting, she blends commercial know-how with curiosity and heart. If she's not at networking events, outside work, she keeps busy ubering teens at calisthenics and netball. and recharges through yoga, Pilates and hiking. Abbas Heidari, Engineer With an IT career spanning over 30 years, I have always been passionate about bridging the gap between technical architecture and human collaboration. My journey began in 1995 in software engineering, and after completing my Master of Information Systems at the University of Melbourne, I transitioned my focus to the Atlassian ecosystem in 2015. Currently, I serve as the Atlassian SME at Woolworths Group. Working within a high-impact team, I focus on delivering enterprise-grade solution consulting and sustainable governance to support thousands of users across a complex, large-scale environment. I am particularly dedicated to: ■ Enterprise Solution Consulting Architecting the Atlassian product lifecycle to meet the intricate, scalable needs of the Woolworths Group. ■ Community Leadership Since last year, I have led the Atlassian CUG (Company User Group) within Woolworths, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and cross-functional best practices. ■ Product Influence Active participation in Atlassian’s Early Access Programmes (EAPs), providing direct feedback to help shape the future of the tools we use every day. ■ Governance & Enablement Establishing frameworks that balance operational efficiency with internal security while empowering teams through specialised training. I believe the strength of the Atlassian suite lies in the community behind it. I’m always keen to exchange ideas on governance, scalability, and how to build a thriving internal user community. Bonnie Emmerson, Atlassian Community Champion Andy Fleming, Atlassian Community Champion Mit Tolia, Atlassian Community Champion --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-melbourne-presents-the-rovo-grand-prix-winning-the-race-for-productivity/.

Join membersrs of the Central Ohio UX and digital design community for a casual monthly breakfast.

One of the most valuable parts of this community is the opportunity to think out loud with other product professionals. This session is built for exactly that. As we wrap up the quarter, it’s a great time to pause and reflect. What’s on track? What needs adjustment? Where could a small shift create bigger impact? Join fellow product professionals for a focused, interactive conversation designed to help you recalibrate for the next quarter. You’ll have the opportunity to share where you are, hear how others are thinking through similar challenges, and gain fresh perspective you can bring back to your team and organization. We’ll gather at 8:00AM, with discussion starting promptly at 8:15AM. 📍 First Watch - 7227 N High St Located in: The Shops at Worthington Ample parking is available. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Start your morning with clarity and connection — we hope to see you there! ☀️

**Web Design Decoded: Tools, Practices, and Proven Processes:** **Semantic HTML** At WebDev Columbus, we are exploring some of the most important topics of professional high-end web design and page building. Primarily focused on site building in the WordPress environment, our group explores tools, tips, and techniques for building the best WordPress sites possible. Additionally, we focus on disciplines and technologies that take website design from visually appealing to optimized spaces for delivering you and/or your client's message effectively and with a nod towards extended reach. Each session combines practical demonstrations with real-world insights, giving you actionable knowledge you can apply immediately. Whether you're a seasoned developer looking to enhance your design skills or a newcomer wanting to understand design best practices, this series offers valuable insights for every skill level. **What to expect:** * Hands-on demonstrations of popular design tools * Best practices for design-to-development workflows * Tips for creating responsive, accessible designs * Real-world problem-solving scenarios * Interactive Q&A sessions * Networking opportunities with fellow developers **Each meetup features:** 60 minutes of focused presentation 30 minutes of live demonstrations 30 minutes for questions and discussion **See you there!** Our casual, collaborative environment encourages learning from both presenters and fellow attendees. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and connect with Central Ohio's web development community! **Stay tuned for specific session topics and dates.**

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

**TBA**

This month, we are in-person at GameArena!!! We will also be joined by students and their games from [Shawnee State](https://www.shawnee.edu/game-design-programs)! \-\-\- Join us for our our monthly COGG Prototype and Play event @GameArena! Come to play and showcase your games. We're back in the upper levels of the catwalk mezzanine area. It'll be packed with lots of camaraderie playing your game(s) and other's games on the 2nd floor as well as the 1st floor in the gaming room below the mezzanine. Light snacks and water provided but you can buy food and drinks at the bar (alcoholic drink ID required). [https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu) **Attendees:** Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games the better! **Developers:** Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available. Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers. Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out. 75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9) If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at [info@thecogg.com!](http://info@thecogg.com!/)

Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings. This Month's Presentation: Nothing yet. (You should volunteer). What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)? CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics. What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)? BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend. Presentations! Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website. To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/