Saving the Planet

[Merri-bek Tech](https://www.merri-bek.tech/), a group in the inner northern suburbs of Naarm (Melbourne), invites everyone involved interested in tinkering with grass-roots technologies in support of a **Sustainable**, **Resilient** and **Just** future - to join us for the **Naarm Solarpunk Meetup** in a new location in Carlton. This time we are meeting on the Mezzanine Level at Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston St. More details below. Following on from our workshop in May we will be doing some hands-on hacking as well as welcoming everyone who wants to talk further about getting involved in the group or finding out more about positive, grassroots tech futures. On the night we will be doing, * Merri-tek LoRes Node install and setup, support and general questions * Raspberry Pi setups * Linux OS installs * Your sustainable, resilient and/or just project :) Come and talk with us! MBT members will also be ready to talk further about what we do, what we hope to do and how you can join in. **About the Naarm Solarpunk group** Some of us are technologists, and will be showing off software or hardware projects, and others are more interested in community organizing, responding to the climate crisis, or building local resilience. Whatever your area of interest, or your level of skill, you're absolutely welcome to dive in. At the meetups we'll have a show-and-tell time for any projects that you're working on, as well as occasional short presentations. The space will be hosted by volunteers, and we'll actively work towards inclusion through applying a [code of conduct](https://www.contributor-covenant.org/version/2/1/code_of_conduct/). Merri-bek Tech has some projects that you might be interested in updates from, including our attempt to build P2P mesh network based community hosting on Raspberry Pis, and our project to run a local fediverse social network. We aspire to keep this meetup **Solarpunk** as fuck. We support the hackers, tinkerers and makers and misfits. There are plenty of other spaces for big corporate green tech, so bring your hobby project, not your day job, unless that job is firmly rooted in the solidarity economy. We are not value neutral. We'll start with Merri-bek Tech's [values](https://www.merri-bek.tech/about/values/) and [principles](https://www.merri-bek.tech/about/principles/), and build from there together. In particular, in the context of ongoing genocide, we will ask you to leave if you're associated in any way with the weapons industry. This meetup will be hosted on the stolen, unceeded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. **Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.** Image alt text (honestly meetup, get your shit together): The image is a illustration of a future, sustainable city. There is human-scale, green tech, repair shops and urban gardens.

On the way to becoming a pro with your serving, rallying and dinking skills? In Social Play - Intermediate, you get to practise those skills with different players and go to the next level; maybe after a few times, join us for our Social Play - Advanced? Wednesdays 6:30PM-8:30PM Saturdays 4PM-6PM It's only $25 to join in, inclusive of paddle and ball hire! Lock in your spot via the link below! https://book.therallypickleball.com.au/programs/social-play-inter-lvl3

I have Dixit, Scrabble, Cluedo, Guess Who, Settlers of Catan, Trivial Pursuit, and cards. Please feel free to bring some boardgames along if you have some you'd like to play. The library has generously offered the use of their boardgames too, we just have to ask the staff. You can come later if you like too if you can't make it at 5.30.

🌏 Make new international friends in Melbourne. Come alone, practise your English, and enjoy a relaxed social night. 😊 A friendly meetup for networking, language exchange, and real conversation — open to everyone. Why People Love Lounge Asia 🍜 Asian-focused event 🤝 Many guests come alone 💬 No need for perfect English 🌏 No games or forced introductions — just enjoy the conversation Lounge Asia began within the Asian community, so people from Asia often feel comfortable and at home here. At the same time, everyone is welcome — locals, expats, travellers, students, returnees, digital nomads, and globally minded people. ━━━━━━━━━━ How to Join 1️⃣ Tap "RSVP" on this page 2️⃣ Show your Meetup QR code at reception 3️⃣ Collect your name tag and start meeting people ✅ Free entry for the first 145 RSVPs ✅ AUD 5 after the first 145 RSVPs, or within 24 hours before the event ✅ RSVP early to get the best deal ✅ Limited capacity — please RSVP early Many people attend alone, so don't worry if it's your first time. ━━━━━━━━━━ How to Find Us 📍 Venue Diesel Bar & Eatery Melbourne CBD ⏰ Time Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm 🚶 Getting There Enter via Little Lonsdale St only. No entry from inside Melbourne Central. Our Lounge Asia organisers will be there to welcome you 😊 ━━━━━━━━━━ 🍺 Please Support the Venue This event is free or low-cost because the venue supports our community. Please purchase at least one drink during the event. Your support helps us keep organising events at great venues. ━━━━━━━━━━ 💚 Please Be Respectful Lounge Asia is a friendly social event where everyone should feel comfortable and welcome. 🚫 This is NOT a pickup or dating event. Anyone who makes others uncomfortable may be removed immediately. Not allowed: harassment, unwanted attention, MLM / crypto / religious recruitment, or anything that makes others uncomfortable. Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry or ask anyone to leave. 🪪 A valid government-issued photo ID is strictly required for entry. No photo ID, no entry. Driver's licences must be issued by the government of the country where the event is held. 📸 Photos and short videos may be taken for community and promotional purposes. If you prefer not to appear, please let an organiser know when you arrive. ━━━━━━━━━━ Lounge Asia is already growing in Australia and is now expanding across Asia — Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. Our goal is simple: More friendship, more understanding, and more genuine connections across cultures. 📱 Instagram: @_lounge_asia 🎥 Watch Event Video: [\[WATCH EVENT VIDEO\]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNak_cu9CXw) 🎁 VIP ACCESS (Founding Members) Join the VIP list for early access to our official app & special party invites. [👉GET VIP ACCESS](https://forms.gle/t6GXAjTNFECetVuZ8) ━━━━━━━━━━ 🌏 Come say hi! Hey, come hang out! 来一起玩吧！ 一起來聊天吧！ 気軽に遊びに来てね！ 편하게 놀러 와요! มาเจอกันนะ! Tới chơi nha! Tara, sali ka na! Yuk, gabung! Хамтдаа цуглацгаая! Komm einfach vorbei! Jom join kita! See you at Lounge Asia!

Do you enjoy trivia nights? Curious about going to a trivia night? Come along and meet others for friendship, fun and a relaxed night out. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a trivia buff to come along. Only a willingness to enjoy yourself. We’ve had a lot of fun at trivia nights in the past 😀 Over dinner, snacks and/or drinks put your trivia knowledge to the test and get to know each other. Trivia starts at 7:30pm. Meet at 7pm to get settled, order a pub meal/drink and have a chat. Trivia at THE VIC gets busy so come early to secure a parking spot on Victoria St, Sydney Rd or side streets. Please RSVP early to book table. Cost: $5 (to cover Meetup Organiser fees) Cash on the night or PayID to 0417 387 640 See you there, Andrea

Join us at Preston Library and boost your public speaking skills! ## Speak with Confidence at Northern Exposure Toastmasters Join us in person at Preston Library for a fun and friendly Toastmasters meeting! Whether you're looking to sharpen your public speaking skills or just want to meet like-minded folks, this is the place to be. Share your stories, get useful feedback, and boost your confidence in a supportive atmosphere. ### **Set Your 2026 Challenge** Maybe this is the year you want to: * Improve your public speaking and presentation skills * Build confidence in meetings or high-pressure situations * Become a more influential leader * Sharpen your thinking on your feet * Strengthen your communication for career advancement * Expand your personal and professional network Whatever your 2026 challenge looks like, Toastmasters meets you where you are, and helps you grow from there. There is so much to learn from presenting speeches to become a Leader in the Club. * 1\. Personal & professional development * 2\. Improved communication & listening skills * 3\. Increased confidence * 4\. Develop & enhance leadership skills * 5\. Affiliation with an internationally renowned organisation Don't miss out on this chance to speak up and stand out!

Come for a delicious Hawker style Vietnamese meal and settle in for a meaningful conversation on "Living Sustainably”, exploring all facets of personal sustainability - physical, intellecutual and spiritual. We start our exploration using short selections from the Bahá’í teachings and other inspirational sources. The aim is to uplift, inspire and motivate; the conversation will benefit from all participants’ viewpoints. Everyone is invited to positively contribute to elevated conversations, inquiry, consultation and learning. As we learn from one another we hope to build new connections, bridges of unity and respect for all humanity.

Join us for one hour of beach cleaning, socialising, and generally being a good person. It's a perfect time to head down to clean up the beaches that you love. Meeting Spot: Kerferd Rd Pier When: Every third Saturday, 9am - 10am Please arrive 850am for a 9am start! Bags provided. Please bring your own gloves if you like. Feel free to invite neighbours/family/friends/colleagues, etc to join in and lend a hand as we tidy up our beaches and bay!! 3205 Beach Patrol is a group that meets for One Hour each month to clear rubbish from South Melbourne Beach. Totally voluntary, totally optional, totally local. We meet every THIRD Saturday, same place, same time. Beach Patrol is a chain of volunteer community groups each defined by suburb, post code and t-shirt colour. Starting in 2009, by mid-2015 there were 18 groups running, covering over 50 km of beach across the top of Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay with approx. 1500 volunteers signed up to help keep our beaches clean.

Artificial intelligence and data centres are reshaping how we live, work, and use energy. Right now, the Federal Government is asking for input to influence how this important technology shapes our future. This is a real opportunity for community voices to reach the people making decisions about our collective future. The problem is that formal consultation processes can feel inaccessible; full of technical jargon, unclear on process, and easy to scroll past. That's exactly why we're running this community assembly. Rather than feeling overwhelmed or just venting into the void, come and do something about it. This is a free, volunteer-run, in-person session designed to give you: * Context — a plain-English overview of the inquiry and what's at stake for our communities, environment, and economy * Space — a safe, welcoming environment for open discussion, whatever your background or level of expertise * Support — practical guidance to help you formulate and submit your own perspective directly to the inquiry.
No technical expertise required. Just curiosity and a willingness to have your say. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to richer outcomes, and on something as consequential as AI and data centres, we need as many of them as possible! Come and help shape a future we can all look forward to. Register here for a free ticket: https://events.humanitix.com/community-assembly-ai-and-data-centres

At Unity of Columbus, our Youth and Family Ministry nurtures the spiritual growth of children and families through love, joy, and practical spiritual teachings. Each Sunday, children explore timeless spiritual principles through stories, creative activities, music, and group sharing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our program encourages children to discover their own inner light, express kindness, and develop a personal connection with God. Together, we celebrate diversity, cultivate understanding, and inspire each child to live with purpose and compassion. Parents and families are invited to join in this uplifting journey of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Customize the IDE: Building Extensions for Visual Studio Code* Visual Studio Code is one of the most widely used development environments today, and much of its flexibility comes from its extension ecosystem. Extensions allow developers to customize the editor with new features, integrations, and workflow improvements tailored to their needs. In this session, we’ll cover what extensions are and the different types available, including full extensions written in TypeScript or JavaScript, along with lighter-weight extensions such as color themes, language packs, language support, code snippets, and keymaps. We’ll also look at practical reasons a developer might create an extension, from automating repetitive tasks to adding custom tooling. The session includes a hands-on walkthrough of creating a new extension, testing it locally, and understanding the basic project structure. We’ll close with a brief overview of how extensions are packaged and published to the Visual Studio Marketplace and other distribution options. **YouTube Link** TBD

Interested? Contact Preston Moore k.preston.moore@gmail.com 614-300-5989 ———————————— Engaging in men’s work is the new way to forge friendships while being open-minded to personal growth. Many men experience healthier relationships, personally and professionally, by engaging in this work. Open Men’s Group is a container for men to share vulnerably without receiving judgment or feedback. We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our families, communities, and the planet. Visit ManKind Project USA to discover more. https://mkpusa.org/

**🌹 Orlando Singles Meet on Zoom: Live Speed Dating** No apps, no awkward bios. Just live one-on-one Zoom chats with Orlando singles picked for you. **What to expect:** - Register and take a short personality quiz - Jump on Zoom when the event starts - Meet singles in guided one-on-one rounds - Get your mutual matches by email afterward **Pick the age range that fits you:** → **Ages 18-32** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Orlando&groupurlname=manga-k-drama-foodie-language-feast-network&ar=18-32&face_v=8.0) → **Ages 30-46** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Orlando&groupurlname=manga-k-drama-foodie-language-feast-network&ar=30-46&face_v=8.0) → **Ages 40-58** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Orlando&groupurlname=manga-k-drama-foodie-language-feast-network&ar=40-58&face_v=8.0) → **Ages 55+** — [Register here](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Orlando&groupurlname=manga-k-drama-foodie-language-feast-network&ar=55+&face_v=8.0) > Note: clicking RSVP alone won't get you in. Register via your age group and take the quiz. Places fill up. Register, relax, and let the night do the work. 😊

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

**PLEASE BUY TICKETS THROUGH EVENTBRITE. RSVP THROUGH MEETUP IS NOT A TICKET PURCHASE CONFIRMATION.** Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Columbus' hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location in Downtown for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. **\*\*This will be a multi-vertical event\*\*** **There will be professionals with backgrounds in the arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more. Come with an open mind, and leave with connections that wouldn't be possible otherwise!** Pack some business cards and come with an open mind! Meet your future business partners, employers, coworkers, investors, and friends. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your network and create a brighter future. We will have a space for our event to check-in. The event will go from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (feel free to come at any point in this timeframe). Name tags will be provided. Business casual dress code. Job fair attire. **Remember, it's not who you know, it's who you meet tomorrow!** We look forward to meeting you at the event! Sincerely, Strive Networking Team *Refund requests are permitted up to 24 hours after purchase, so long as we are not within 48 hours before the event start time. Refunds will be made in full and repaid to your method of payment. Note that we are unable to reimburse PayPal fees.* *Disclaimer: By attending Strive Networking events you agree to photos/videos taken during the event being used to promote future events.*

Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle. **Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?** In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox. One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread. Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for. **Questions to wrestle with:** * Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving? * Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why? * If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming? * Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now? As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.