Brain Teasers Melbourne

June MathsJam

Come talk maths over a drink or two and maybe a meal. If you have any mathsy puzzles, games or toys, bring 'em along. There'll be a puzzle sheet to solve if you wish, but it's not competitive. No maths background necessary, all welcome. Email melbourne@mathsjam.com to join our mailing list for monthly puzzle sheets. The event is very informal so don't worry if you can't arrive exactly at 7:30pm or have forgotten to RSVP (but please do RSVP if you can!).

Thursday night Rainbow Boardgames - Marché Board Games Cafe

Join your fellow LGBTQIA+ folks for a social evening of board games at Marché Board Games Cafe. We have access to the games library at the cafe. If you have a game that you want to share, please feel free to bring it along. We play all sorts of games - card games, party games, strategy games - and we're happy to teach new players. Groups for games usually form between 6:30-6:45, so it's important to try arrive on time to ensure you're allocated to a game/group. Anyone arriving late may have to wait for a game if all groups have started. The cafe has drinks and food available. Check out their menu here: https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf We only accept payment at the time of booking to reserve your spot. This means you will need to pay the booking amount via PayPal at the time of booking to confirm your spot. If you can't make it to the event, please ensure you get in touch by messaging the event hosts or emailing rainbowbg.melbourne@gmail.com at least one day before the event, and we can reverse your payment via PayPal. The cafe does NOT have a liquor licence. Consuming alcohol on the premises is illegal, and will result in any members being banned from future events. See you on Thursday!

Tricky Tuesday @ The Peacock Inn

Welcome to the **Tricky Tuesday** Meet Up! This is a smaller event in most respects - smaller capacity, smaller games - but still the same sized fun! Come join us to learn a new game and meet some new people. * This event was created primarily to play and explore **modern** **trick taking games** and **smaller card games** which can be played on more limited table space. * As this is a smaller event, please note it is a bit more casual. Find the group at the table/s, come over and join - we're a welcoming bunch. * Please **bring some games** to this event if you can and be prepared to teach them if you do. **There are** **no games available at the venue** but I will always bring a few. Please consider others when coming and in the lead up to the event. We want as many people there as possible. If you are unable to attend mark yourself as such as soon as you can so others can be notified and attend. There's an FAQ below but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out. Your tricky friend, Dave **FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS** **What is a trick taking game? Good question you handsome person.** * Generally speaking, a trick taking game is a card game which is played in a series of rounds known as ***tricks***. * Each trick is evaluated to determine a winner or ***taker*** of that trick and then will usually start - or ***lead*** *-* the next trick. * The goal is usually tied to either winning or losing a number of tricks. This may also come in the form of you guessing how many tricks you will win - known as a ***bid***. * Some games may have a suit that always wins - known as a ***trump***. * Most trick taking games are **competitive** needing between 3-5 players, others are **cooperative**, there are also solo and two-player trick taking games as well! * Popular trick taking/trick taking adjacent games you may have heard of: [The Crew](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/324856/the-crew-mission-deep-sea), [Skull King](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/150145/skull-king), [Cat in the Box](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/345972/cat-in-the-box-deluxe-edition), [Scout](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/291453/scout), [Fox in the Forest](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/221965/the-fox-in-the-forest), the classic games of [Spades](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/592/spades) and [Hearts](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/6887/hearts), **What makes a Trick Taking game fun?** * There's so much to trick taking games! They're generally quick to teach, quick to play, have interesting decision spaces, and a wide variety of novelty. Even the classics though can be played thousands of times without getting tiresome. Part of the fun is in the interaction with others, assessing their moves and countering them, and how to win (or lose) at the right times. You have to stay on your toes, adapt frequently, and keep tabs on the other players, what they have played, and what they may play next! **Do I need to know how to play/have played a trick taking game before?** * Not at all, but it is good to understand the basics and general terminology so you can pick things up a bit easier on the night. You can check out [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O7QyhKmCsk) for a bit of a general breakdown . **Is this event free?** * Yes, but please support the venue by purchasing a drink or two. **I'm on the waitlist can I still come?** * Unfortunately, no. We have limited capacity and must abide by it. **I don't have a game to bring, is that okay?** * Generally it will be okay, but it is encouraged to bring and share a game where you can! You can always bring a standard deck of cards or tarot cards and learn a card game or two as well! **Can I bring a guest?** * Unfortunately, unless they have signed up too it won't be possible. We have a strict limit on guests and the event would fill up too quickly otherwise. **How do I get to the venue?** * The 86 Tram is your best bet and has a stop pretty much right outside of the venue. * There are two train stations (Westgarth and Northcote) which are within walking distance. * Parking is available in the area but can get busy. If you don't mind a little walk there is parking down the adjacent street. **Dave, I worry you will win all the games we play. Such an intelligent and beautiful man, you must be a master of the tricks, is this true?** * Firstly - thank-you for the kind words, but secondly - no. I suck at trick taking games and lose more than I win. Yet, I enjoy them for their variety, high interaction, and quick nature regardless. You will be fine if you don't take things too seriously. It's about fun and meeting people... (but if you do beat me too often I will ban you from the group and venue...).

Melbourne AWS User Group #160 - June 2026

🎉 **Melbourne AWS User Group – June Meetup** 🎉 📅 Wednesday, 24 June 📍 NAB Events Hub – 395 Bourke Street, Melbourne ⏰ Food at 6:00 pm, talks from 6:30 pm (with live stream) Join us for our June meetup, featuring two lightning talks and a full technical presentation covering community contribution, generative AI, and cloud-native security. This month also celebrates the AWS community speaking journey. Sanjana Kailash will deliver her first-ever public presentation, while Bharat Wadhwa returns to present after beginning his own public speaking journey at a Melbourne AWS User Group event. This month’s lineup features: • **Matthew Merriel** giving a behind-the-scenes look at how the Melbourne AWS User Group’s regular “What’s New in AWS” segment is prepared—and how other volunteers can get involved. • **Sanjana Kailash** making her first-ever public presentation, demonstrating an automated market-intelligence pipeline built with Amazon Bedrock, retrieval-augmented generation, and AWS-native services. • **Bharat Wadhwa** presenting a cloud-native approach to malware protection for Amazon S3 using Amazon GuardDuty Malware Protection. Bharat also gave his first public presentation at a Melbourne AWS User Group event, making this a great example of where taking that first step can lead. A huge thank you to our sponsors: 🥇 Mantel Group – Gold Sponsor, 🥈 Cevo – Silver Sponsor, 🏛 NAB – Venue Sponsor The event will also be live-streamed on YouTube: 👉 [https://melb.awsug.org.au/live](https://melb.awsug.org.au/live) *** 🗓️ **Agenda** 6:00 pm – Food & Socialising 6:30 pm – Introductions 6:40 pm – What’s New in AWS 6:55 pm – Preparing the “What’s New in AWS” Segment (Level 100); Speaker: Matthew Merriel 7:10 pm – RAG to Riches: AI-Powered Market Intelligence on Amazon Bedrock (Level 200); Speaker: Sanjana Kailash 7:25 pm – Intelligent Malware Protection Using AWS GuardDuty (Level 200); Speaker: Bharat Wadhwa 7:55 pm – Marketplace (Who’s Hiring) 8:00 pm – Networking + Close *** 🎤 **Talk Details** **Preparing the “What’s New in AWS” Segment** Speaker: Matthew Merriel Level: 100 Format: Lightning Talk “What’s New in AWS” is a regular part of Melbourne AWS User Group meetups—but how is the segment put together? Matthew will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the process used to find, shortlist, and prepare recent AWS announcements for presentation at the meetup. This session is designed to help volunteers understand what is involved and make it easier for more community members to take on the segment at future events. No previous speaking experience is required. *** **RAG to Riches: AI-Powered Market Intelligence on Amazon Bedrock** Speaker: Sanjana Kailash Level: 200 Format: Lightning Talk What if a strategy team never had to manually scan more than 50 data sources again? In this lightning talk, Sanjana will walk through how she built a fully automated AI-powered market-intelligence pipeline using Amazon Bedrock, retrieval-augmented generation, and AWS-native services. The solution transforms more than five hours of Monday-morning manual research into a polished briefing delivered directly to inboxes—with no manual effort required. This will also be Sanjana’s first public presentation, and we’re excited to welcome another new speaker to the Melbourne AWS community. *** **Intelligent Malware Protection Using AWS GuardDuty** Speaker: Bharat Wadhwa Level: 200 Format: Full Presentation This presentation showcases a cloud-native malware-protection solution for Amazon S3 using Amazon GuardDuty Malware Protection. The solution replaces legacy antivirus approaches with intelligent, event-driven malware detection and automated security workflows. Bharat will explore how this approach can improve scalability, operational efficiency, and security visibility across AWS environments. Bharat also began his public speaking journey at a Melbourne AWS User Group event and now returns with a full technical presentation. *** 🙌 Could This Be the Start of Your Speaking Journey? This month, Sanjana will take the stage for her first-ever public presentation. Bharat also began his speaking journey at a Melbourne AWS User Group meetup and is now returning with a full technical session. Every experienced speaker started with a first talk. Whether you have an idea for a full presentation, a lightning talk, or would like to help prepare and present the “What’s New in AWS” segment, the organisers are happy to help you take that first step. Speak to us at the meetup or submit an idea through our website: 👉 [https://melb.awsug.org.au/speak/](https://melb.awsug.org.au/speak/)

How the mind works

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 !!

Unleash the Rhythm: Brazilian Drumming Classes with O’Ziriguidum Escola de Samba

Dive headfirst into the vibrant world of Brazilian drumming with O'Ziriguidum Escola de Samba. Whether you're a seasoned percussionist or just starting out, we promise there’s a beat for everyone to catch here.We’re not just any drumming group; we’re a community! Founded by the renowned Mark Grunden (yeah, the maestro from Bad Boys Batucada), O'Ziriguidum (pronounced Aussie-riggy-doom) is all about pounding out those powerful rhythms that make you feel like you're right in the heart of Brazil. From samba to samba reggae, we'll cover it all. Our tools of the trade? Traditional Brazilian instruments, spruced up with some vocals here and there, just to keep things spicy! We’re a mix of energy and ages, backgrounds and beats, all mashed up into one dynamic bundle. We love making music, but hanging out and supporting local events and causes hold a special place in our hearts too. So, joining us means you get to jam, make friends, and help out – all at once! Every Thursday (during our school terms), our crew whips up an electrifying Brazilian drumming workshop. And guess what? We want YOU to come and play along. Don’t worry about hitting a wrong note; it’s all part of the fun and learning process. Plus, you'll get the inside scoop on all the bloopers and triumphs we face as a group (spoiler alert: it’s always a wild ride). **Our 2026 school term dates:** * Term 1: Thursday 5 February – Thursday 2 April * Term 2: Thursday 23 April – Thursday 25 June * Term 3: Thursday 16 July – Thursday 17 September * Term 4: Thursday 8 October – Thursday 17 December **What you'll get** * Under the guidance of Mark Grunden (Bad Boys Batucada, Tumbarumba, etc) and the talented members of O’Ziriguidum, explore the techniques and patterns of traditional Brazilian percussion. * From the celebratory beats of samba to the powerful grooves of samba reggae, you’ll learn it all. We may also hand out some sheets to help you learn at home. * Our drumming sessions are more than just classes; they’re a place to make friends too! * Ready to take the stage? O’Ziriguidum isn’t just about learning; it’s about performing! Join us at community events, street festivals, and more. **What to expect:** Our drumming classes don’t follow a rigid course structure; instead, we learn and evolve throughout the term at a relaxed pace. There’s no fixed content – each class begins with a jam session as everyone arrives, creating an informal and fun environment. After warming up, we dive into learning new songs/breaks or honing specific drumming techniques. You'll have the chance to experiment with various instruments, explore different songs, and refine your drumming skills. The casual nature of our classes provides flexibility, understanding that everyone has a lot going on in their lives. This approach allows us to adapt and enjoy the learning experience together, making it more enjoyable and accommodating for everyone. **No knowledge required, everyone is welcome to attend!** Whether you're a seasoned percussionist or just starting out, we promise there’s a beat for everyone to catch here. You can rock up to any class we host – you don't need to wait for a beginners class or open session. Everyone is welcome, any time. **What to bring:** Bring ear plugs, drinks, and snacks. (Instruments are provided). **Cost:** First class at half price ($10), subsequent classes at $20 or $15 concession. Special member's deal: Buy five classes upfront and get one free. Cash and EFTPOS accepted. **Venue:** Our Lady Help of Christian Hall 49 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East (Hall is located underneath the church). **Access:** Driveway access via 1 Barkly St, opposite Anytime Fitness. Free parking is available on either side of the hall (take first or second right, once entered driveway). Please park with consideration for other cars (i.e. don't block driveway, perpendicular parking only). Convenient access via Tram #96 (Stop #20), Bus #250, #251 (Holden St) or #504 (Park St). Bike parking facilities onsite or inside the hall. Walking access via Nicholson St, take stairs on the right side of church down to the hall, or walk around to the driveway on Barkly Street (opposite Anytime Fitness). **Cancellation/Changes:** Any changes in schedule or venue will be communicated via our social media pages ([Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/oziriguidum) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/oziriguidum.samba)) and WhatsApp community (members access only). **A thing to note:** Don’t let the low RSVP count fool you — most of our community connects outside of Meetup, and we consistently host a friendly group of 10–15 regulars of all skill levels (beginners very welcome!) every single week.

Calling all Smarty Pants! 🦊🦊🦊 Exciting new Trivia venue in HAWTHORN!

Hijinx Hotel Chadstone - 2 sets of challenge rooms

Keen to check this out... Was looking at escape rooms then this came up... It's different anyway, if nothing else 😂 And you can drink or not. I have no idea what the 'challenges' are btw. Maybe finding the exit door. Could possibly have a coffee It's $30 if we go at this time. $46 if on a Friday night. I'm strongly averse to paying an extra $16 but I am guessing some people would want to. People can book their own tickets. [Hijinx hotel booking link](https://booking.hijinxhotel.com.au/select-time) \#\# Calling all curious cats Round up your crew, check in at reception and immerse yourself in the interactive, quirky wonder that is Hijinx Hotel. Thirsty? Have a drink in the lobby or sip cocktails at the bar. We've got all your classics plus some Hijinx specialities with a unicorn twist. Leave the suitcases at home – it's time to play, not stay.

Study Technology FREE Workshop! - How to improve your study or teaching.

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.

Presenting - How to Think on your Feet

Smashing! Try something new Thursday Interactive reality workshop - Tonight learn how to respond to questioning, by thinking on you feet Serious about improving your leadership - **Why mess, come to the best** Why is Smashing different to other speaking clubs? Just two member's thoughts, "The fun/laughs factor is definitely a point of difference. We keep it moving with high standards so it’s a nice balance. Too strict makes it tense and boring, too loose and we can lose the energy/commercial feel. SmashSpeak's vibe's in the sweet spot." "At other clubs I used to listen to long speeches and lectures, here we get so many chances to talk every meeting, that we have to improve" **Free parking** close: O'Connell and Cobden streets **IMPORTANT: Be on time, as doors close when the show starts** “Proudly Australian" – Free-flowing teamwork, greater good focus, sharing the stage, etc Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St (Opposite Queen Vic Market) Level 1, PURPLE Room (End of corridor) More to come...

Sunday Gaming Meetup & Social by Respawn

Welcome to Respawn’s Gamers Citadel! 🛡️ Come hang out, meet fellow gamers, and enjoy a chill vibe with great food and drinks. 🥤 Entry is $3.5 or buy yourself a drink or food. 🍲 At the “Gamers Citadel”, we provide the consoles for you and have two multiplayer (2-4 player) game stations (A, B, C and D). For our board games area you are allowed to BYO! 😯 ♟️ Currently available are: Switch, PS1, PS2, SNES, N64, Cardfight!! Vanguard, Yu-Gi-Oh! and more! If you’re bringing anything, please DM us so we can accommodate. ❤️ Conditions of entry are to either purchase any food or drink of your choice and we will provide you a reusable badge to show that you’re one of us! ✌️ Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore fan, this is the place to be. Don’t miss out on the fun! 🤩 Our games list is below! 👇 Game Station A - ??? - Taran: 1st Game: ??? 2nd Game: ??? Game Station B - ??? - Dean: 1st Game: ??? 2nd Game: ??? Game Station C - ??? - Michael 1st Game: ??? 2nd Game: ??? Game Station D - TCG + Board Games: Pokémon TCG YU-Gi-OH! TCG UNO JENGA BYO available! You can bring your own board games, controllers, equipment etc. 👍 Follow us on Instagram: @respawn.social 📱 Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/phscMtBqpW 🎧 Find Respawn on Facebook: https://facebook.com/events/s/respawn-gaming-social-club-lau/940165205164472/ 🔗 Visit our website for all info: https://intermingle.au/respawn/ 👩‍💻

Trivia at Urban Alley Brewery Chadstone

Trying out a new venue - new beer, new food, new seating... Accessible via public transport featuring a huge, safe bus terminal with buses that go just about everywhere Will be interesting to see what this trivia is like - not sure who runs this one \*\* Minimum of 4 people to go ahead \*\*