Nature

Hi Radiant Ladies, Join us for a friendly lunch at the Rosstown Hotel in Carnegie! Enjoy modern Aussie pub fare, with gluten-free, vegetarian, and seniors options. Whether you’re new to Radiant Women or a familiar face, this is a perfect chance to laugh, share stories, and meet like-minded women. Come for the food, stay for the friendship — I can’t wait to see you! Julie 🌸💓

Our regular monthly presentation night on the second Thursday of the month from 6:30pm! Thanks to Mantel Group for hosting us again this month. If you're coming in person we're there with food and drinks from 6pm. We will be live streaming the presentations as usual from 6:30pm at [http://www.melbournecocoaheads.com/live](http://www.melbournecocoaheads.com/live) \-\-\- **Agenda** \| 6:00pm \| Food \+ Networking \| \| 6:30pm \| Event begins\. Introductions \| \| 6:40pm \| Chris Hocking — Pretending to be a coder \- Version 3: The world has changed since we last saw Chris… Codex\, Claude and burnout\. \| \| 7:15pm \| TBC \| \| 7:55pm \| Wrap up \+ social time at a nearby venue \| \* All times are approximate. Presentation order will be confirmed on the night. \-\-\-\- We are always looking for speakers and believe everyone has an interesting talk hiding inside themselves. If you are interested in letting that talk out at a future event you can get in touch on the website [https://www.melbournecocoaheads.com/talks](https://www.melbournecocoaheads.com/talks) or on Slack.

Come along to **Father's Office QV** for after work socialising and drinks! New people are always welcome **Happy hours! 5pm-8pm and 9pm-11pm** Cocktails from $12 $10 pints $10 spirits $30 bottles of wine 📍**Location:** Father's Office QV, 249 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 (near the State Library. Across the intersection from Melbourne Central) **How often do we have events? Weekly!** Join us at a different bar/pub each week to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend. Most people come along by themselves so don't worry if you don't know any of the other members. Come along for relaxed socialising and making new friends in a change of scenery. Events are also on: Bartopia https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/ Raiders of the Lost Bars [https://www.meetup.com/barraiders/](https://www.meetup.com/barraiders/) Bartopia [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/) Follow us on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/](https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/)

Hello everyone! Join us for an Apache Kafka® x Apache Flink® meetup on **Apr 9th from 5:30pm**, in Melbourne! The address, agenda, and speaker information can be found below. See you there! **📍Venue**: 394 High Street Northcote, Victoria 3070 \*\*\* **🗓 Agenda:** * 5:30pm: Doors open * 5:30pm - 6:00pm: Pizza, Drinks, and Networking * 6:00pm - 6:30pm: Chad Harris, Solutions Architect, Factor House * 6:30pm - 7:00pm: Stephen Ermann, Senior Customer Success Technical Architect * 7:00pm - 7:30pm: Additional Networking \*\*\* **💡 Speaker:** Chad Harris, Solutions Architect, Factor House **Talk:** Things that go bump in the night: Kafka Operational Issues and How to Survive Them **Abstract:** Most Kafka talks focus on how things should work—this one is about what actually happens in production. We’ll walk through real-world operational issues encountered with Apache Kafka and its clients, from subtle misconfigurations to full “why is everything on fire?” moments. Along the way, we’ll break down how to identify what’s going wrong, which signals actually matter, and how to approach debugging when the system doesn’t behave the way you expect. This talk will also touch on observability, common failure patterns, and practical mitigation strategies you can apply immediately. Expect a mix of technical deep dives, debugging workflows, and a few war stories (including some questionable decisions and log-staring sessions). If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s just you? It's not! **Bio:** Chad Harris is a streaming data specialist and Solutions Architect at Factor House, where he helps organisations design, scale, and operate Apache Kafka platforms using industry-leading tooling. With experience scaling Kafka across organisations ranging from small startups to some of Silicon Valley's largest companies, Chad has been working with Kafka since its early days. He brings deep expertise across both real-time streaming and data-at-rest systems, with a strong focus on practical, production-ready architectures. \-\-\-\-\- **💡 Speaker:** Stephen Ermann, Senior Customer Success Technical Architect **Talk:** From Lag to Smooth Sailing: How Queues for Kafka (KIP-932) Fix Slow Consumers **Abstract:** Slow or bursty consumers are one of the most common reasons Kafka applications end up fighting lag, over-provisioning, and operational fire drills. Traditional Kafka consumer groups work brilliantly for high-throughput stream processing, but they can make it hard to serve heterogeneous consumers, apply backpressure cleanly, or guarantee fair access when some consumers fall behind. In this talk, we’ll explore **Queues for Kafka**, the new KIP-932 feature that introduces native queue semantics on top of Kafka’s battle-tested log foundation. We’ll look at how queues decouple producer and consumer throughput, isolate slow consumers without penalising fast ones, and provide more predictable delivery and scaling behaviour for “task” and “work queue” style workloads. You’ll walk away with: * A clear mental model of how Kafka queues differ from topics and consumer groups * Concrete design patterns for handling slow and spiky consumers * Migration tips for evolving existing Kafka-based services to use queues safely If you’ve ever stared at a lag graph wondering whether to add more consumers, more partitions, or more coffee, this session will show you a cleaner path to smooth sailing with Kafka. **Bio:** Stephen Ermann is a **Senior Customer Success Technical Architect at Confluent**, working with leading financial institutions across APAC to design and operate mission-critical, real-time data platforms. With deep experience in **Apache Kafka**, **Confluent Cloud and Platform**, and surrounding ecosystems like **Kafka Connect** and **Apache Flink**, Stephen helps customers solve hard problems around scalability, reliability, and security in production. They are particularly focused on **RBAC, OAuth, mTLS, and container image security**, as well as emerging **agentic AI** patterns built on streaming data. Outside day-to-day architecture work, Stephen regularly shares practical patterns and lessons learned at meetups and user groups across the region. \*\*\* If you would like to speak or host our next event please let us know! community@[confluent.io](http://confluent.io/)

## Burkes Lookout Hike and Meditation ### Dandenong Ranges - Aroha Are you an **adventurer or explorer** who keeps missing out on great hikes because you don’t have a car? **We’ve solved that problem.** Hi, my name is Pranav, and I am a techie. Along with my team, we are bringing you small hiking and meditation sessions. Our adventures come with a **built-in Carpool Hub**, where hikers can easily connect with drivers and passengers heading to the same trail. No car? No problem - just grab a seat and join the adventure. This experience is more than just a hike. Along the trail we’ll pause for a **short guided meditation in nature**, giving everyone a chance to slow down, breathe, and fully enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Dandenong Ranges. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, this event is all about **nature, connection, mindfulness, and community**. ## 🗓 Event Details **📍 Hike Location:** Burkes Lookout **Meeting Point:** Mount Dandenong Observatory **Hike Distance:** \~5–6 km **Start Time:** 12:00 PM Please arrive early so we can do a quick introduction before starting. **End Time:** Around 2:00 PM Meditation: Followed by Hike **Difficulty:** Easy to Moderate Beginner-friendly with a relaxed, social pace. CarPool Hub: Follow the link below to complete carpool registration [Click Here](https://aroha-connect--pranavgoyalwork.replit.app/) 🧘‍♀️ Nature Meditation Session After the hike, there will be a **short guided meditation session**. This will include: • Simple breathing exercises • Mindful awareness of nature • A chance to relax and reset mentally No meditation experience is needed. This is a **gentle, beginner-friendly practice** designed to help everyone feel calm, present, and refreshed. 🚗 The Carpool Hub (What Makes This Hike Different) One of the biggest reasons people miss hikes is **transport**. Access our **Carpool Hub** where hikers can: [Click Here](https://aroha-connect--pranavgoyalwork.replit.app/) • Offer seats if they are driving • Request a ride from fellow hikers • Coordinate pickup locations This makes the hike **accessible to everyone**, even if you don’t own a car. Carpooling also helps reduce traffic and makes the journey more social from the very start. 🌿 Why Join? ✨ Meet new people in a relaxed environment ✨ Enjoy a beautiful hike in the Dandenong Ranges ✨ Experience a calming meditation in nature ✨ Perfect for solo explorers or small groups ✨ Carpooling makes the adventure easy Many people arrive alone and leave with **new hiking buddies and friends**. 🎟 Tickets Standard Ticket: $11 Your ticket supports: • Event organisation • Safety preparation • Group coordination • App infrastructure for the Carpool Hub 🚗 **Driver Appreciation Ticket:** $5 Available for drivers offering seats to fellow hikers. 🥾 What To Bring 👟 Comfortable walking shoes 💧 1–2L water 🥪 Snacks ☀ Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses 📱 Phone with maps downloaded Optional: 🧘 Small towel or mat for meditation 🌧 Light rain jacket 📱 After Booking Once you purchase your ticket you’ll receive access to: • The **Carpool Hub** to organise rides • Final meeting instructions • Event updates Please arrange your transport in advance if possible. 📍 About the Location Burkes Lookout is one of the most scenic viewpoints in the Dandenong Ranges. On a clear day you can see: • Melbourne skyline • Port Phillip Bay • The Yarra Valley It’s the perfect spot to pause, take photos, and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings. 🍽 Optional Post-Hike Coffee After the hike we may stop at a nearby café in Mount Dandenong for coffee or lunch. Joining is optional, but many people stay to **continue the conversations and friendships started on the trail**. ⚠ Important Information • Must be **18+** to attend • Please respect fellow hikers and nature • Participate at your own risk • Positive and inclusive community 🌿 Our Mission We believe hiking should be **accessible, social, and meaningful**. By combining **hiking, meditation, and carpooling**, we’re creating a community where people can explore nature, meet like-minded people, and recharge mentally. Come for the hike. Stay for the community. 🥾 Ready to explore Burkes Lookout and experience nature differently? Grab your ticket and join us. ### Confirm your RSVP by buying a ticket on EVENTBRITE below: [Click Here](eventbrite.com.au/e/burkes-lookout-hike-and-meditation-dandenong-ranges-aroha-tickets-1984701864704?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) *For More Questions:* Message us at: [aroha.life.community](https://www.instagram.com/aroha.life.community/) Or reach out to me directly at pranavgoyal.work@gmail.com

**Registration required at below link:** **Tickets: $5** https://events.humanitix.com/april-2026-oot-and-aboot-x-euphoria-social-lgbtqia-afternoon-wellbeing-walk Join Oot & Aboot in collaboration with Euphoria Social for a relaxed LGBTQIA+ Afternoon wellbeing walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. This is not a fitness session. This is not a race. This walk is designed to create space for slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and building safe community. At the start of the walk, you’ll have the option to select a simple intention word to carry with you throughout the afternoon. We’ll move at a gentle, inclusive pace through the gardens, pausing occasionally to notice elements of the natural environment — such as scent, sound and scenery — and reflect on how time in green spaces supports mental wellbeing. No one is left behind. You’re welcome to talk, walk quietly, or simply be present. ## Post-Walk Community Coffee (Optional) The event concludes with a coffee at The Observatory for those who wish to continue connecting. This is completely optional. ## Meeting Point We will meet outside The Visitor Centre of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Please arrive by 2:50 pm for an 3:00 pm sharp start. ## Agenda * 2:50 pm - 3:00 pm ### Arrival & Welcome * 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm ### Gentle Guided Walk Short Nature Pause * 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm ### Optional Community Coffee The Observatory Cafe in front of the Visitor Centre. ## Know Before You Go 1\. Who is this walk for? This walk is for LGBTQIA+ adults seeking connection, gentle movement and time in nature. All fitness levels are welcome, provided you are comfortable walking 4-5 km at a relaxed pace. 2\. How far will we walk? Approximately 4–5 km on mostly flat, accessible paths, with some sections that may be slightly hilly. 3\. What should I bring? Please bring: * A bottle of water * Hat * Sunscreen * Comfortable walking shoes Staying hydrated is essential, especially in warmer months. 4\. What should I wear? Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Enclosed walking shoes recommended. 5\. What happens if the weather is bad? The event will be cancelled if severe weather is forecast. Participants will be notified at least 24 hours prior. 6\. Is this a therapy session? No. This is a peer-led wellbeing walk focused on community and nature connection. It is not a therapy or clinical service. 7\. Can I get a refund? Tickets are non-refundable. You may transfer your ticket to a future event with at least 24 hours’ notice. 8\. Can I ask for a wheelchair? Please let us know at least 48 hours in advance so we can book with the Visitor Centre, as availability is limited. ## About the Collaboration Oot & Aboot is a volunteer-run registered LGBTQIA+ charity creating inclusive outdoor and nature-based experiences that support mental wellbeing. Euphoria Social, a grassroots not-for-profit championing mental health, inclusion, and belonging for LGBTQIAPN+ communities across Victoria. Together, we’re creating safe spaces to move, breathe and belong.

Turn Anxiety and Depression into Happiness! Become your natural self again. Discover the drug-free way to a healthy mind. This educational talk is based on the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by New York Times bestseller author L. Ron Hubbard. Dianetics is an exact science of the mind. In this educational talk you will learn about the hidden source of all irrational thoughts and behavior as well as unwanted emotions (anxiety, fear, depression, apathy) and how to handle them forever. Free entry and free parking. Please send messages to host if you have any question.

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 💕

Join Jade for a gentle, scenic loop to Keppel lookout and Steavensons Falls, one of the most peaceful and atmospheric landscapes in Marysville. This walk blends rolling views over the Cathedral Ranges and incredible waterfalls. ## ✨ What You’ll See & Experience From the towering heights of Steavensons Falls to spectacular views over Marysville. This hike has it all. It’s a hike that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy the simple beauty of moving through nature together. We’ll walk at a steady, social pace with plenty of time for conversation, photos, and taking in the scenery. ## 🥾 Terrain & Difficulty **Distance:** \~10.8m **Difficulty:** Moderate **Australian Walking Track Grade:** 3 **Terrain:** Well‑formed paths, gentle hills, some uneven natural surfaces **Estimated Duration:** 2.5–3 hours Suitable for most fitness levels with regular breaks and regroup points. ## 🎒 What to Bring \*1–3L water * Snacks and/or lunch \*Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses * Weather‑appropriate layers \*Optional: hiking poles, small first‑aid kit, camera ## 👕 What to Wear * Moisture‑wicking top \*Quick‑dry shorts or leggings Hiking boots or sturdy runners ## 📍 Meeting Point **Falls Road** **Carpark**-10 Falls Road, Marysville **Start Time:** 10:00 AM Please arrive 10–15 minutes early so we can begin together. ## 🧭 GPX & Route Maps This event is part of **club.hiking.org.au**, a free online community where you can download GPX files, explore route maps, share your outdoor adventures, and connect with other hikers. GPX for this walk will be uploaded there. ## 🌦 Weather & Safety We walk in most conditions — mist, sunshine, cool air, or light rain — as long as it remains safe. If strong winds, storms, extreme heat, or track closures arise, we may modify or postpone the event. Updates will be posted on the Meetup page. ## ⚠️ Safety Disclaimer This is a social, community‑led outing rather than a guided or professionally supervised activity. By attending, you accept responsibility for your own safety and wellbeing. The route may include uneven ground, slippery surfaces, and natural hazards typical of bush environments. Please consider your fitness and comfort level, bring suitable gear, and look out for one another as we move through the terrain. Our volunteers carry first‑aid supplies, an emergency radio, and satellite navigation/communication devices, but these are not a substitute for personal preparedness. ## ❤️ About Walking With Grace Walking With Grace is a faith‑inspired, non‑profit community that welcomes people from all backgrounds and beliefs. Our walks are community‑led, volunteer‑run, and centered on connection, kindness, and enjoying nature together. Because Adventures Are Meant to Be Shared. ## ✨ RSVP Etiquette If your plans change, please update your RSVP so we can make space for others on the waitlist. ## 🌟 We Look Forward to Walking With You Every walk is a chance to reconnect — with nature, with others, and with yourself. Whether this is your first event or your fiftieth, we’re grateful to have you with us.

Join WQC on April 25th from 11am-1pm at Inniswood Metro Park for a Nature Photo Walk. All types of cameras welcome! Let's enjoy spring to the fullest... 🌻🌼🌷🐤

5th annual Earth Day Celebration! This year (2026) the Celebration is scheduled for April 25th with activities running from 10am-2pm. This is a non-ticketed event. Everyone is welcome! We will have food trucks, Birds of Prey, kids crafts, live music, raspberry plants, apple trees, and of course NATIVE PLANTS! Where: Lynd Fruit Farm, 9399 Morse Rd, Pataskala Ohio 43062 Time: Activities will be from 10am- 2pm. The Market will remain open until 5pm.

Join us for a two mile trail hike alongside the Brookside Trail at Blendon Woods Metro Park. This trail is largely gravel and does include some hills and stairs. Hopefully we will see some wildlife while hike this scenic trail! Join us!

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Free Communal Garden Class Series GROWING MUSHROOMS In this class, we will discuss how to raise mushrooms on logs outdoors as a way to raise food in parts of your yard that are usually too shady to grow vegetables or other crops. We will discuss what mushroom species can be cultivated, what tree species they can grow on, and demonstrate how to prepare and inoculate the logs. By following these steps, you can have your own bountiful mushroom harvest! APRIL 27 | 6:00-7:30 PM | WELLS BARN 1851 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43205 INSTRUCTOR: MARC AMANTE Mare Amante is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Central State University who is also currently serving as CSU Extension's Agriculture and Natural Resources Interim Program Leader. He has worked on and managed diversified vegetable farms across the Midwest and currently owns and operates an urban farm here in Ohio where he raises microgreens, vegetables, raspberries, and log-grown mushrooms for sale to local markets and restaurants. Registerefor free here https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/cg-growing-mushrooms/

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)

Over time I'm hoping to organize a hike to all the Franklin County Metro Parks. This is the first one so if you're interested jump in! We'll start with the Canopy Walk, a cool feature of this park. Climb 100 stairs to the top - or take the elevator if stairs aren't your thing. At the top there are a bunch of things to play on - a rope bridge, a fireman pole that we can slide down - and more! About fifteen minutes there and we'll head to the natural trail, Buttonbush, Maple and Beech Trail for 2.2 miles then do a 1.7 mile loop on the paved Greenway Trail. We'll be passing our cars as we transition if you only want to do the first loop, or the second loop. Pace of around 3.5 mph but no one left behind. If there is an interest we can grab lunch nearby afterward.