Conservation Groups Sydney

October Meetup for the Sydney Nature Journal Club

Come along to our **October meetup for the Sydney Nature Journal Club**. This is a chance to connect, spend some time in nature and journal together. I will offer some guidance to start. After we can share journal pages and ideas. **What to bring:** Bring along sketchbooks/paper and your favourite drawing materials (pens, pencils, watercolour, acrylic, anything you have). I will have extra materials on the day if you want to explore other mediums. \*\*Where:\*\* TBC **Cost:** Suggested donation is $10 annual fee, $5 casual fee. (This helps cover Meetup fees). DISCLAIMER.
Please note that Katy as volunteer organiser of activities for Sydney Nature Journal Club is NOT responsible for the health or safety of members (or their guests) and therefore will not accept any liability for accidents or injuries or losses that may occur during Meetup events at any location. By attending a Sydney Nature Journal Club event members acknowledge that you accept ALL of the above. I look forward to seeing you there.

Australian Issues: Lauran Townsend and Vinay Kolhatkar

Dear members, We have had to switch dates for the meetup. And now we have an additional speaker, Councilor Lauren Townsend! Councillor Townsend was elected to Waverley Council in 2024. She entered politics after almost a decade of pro bono criminal defence work. Councillor Townsend has been a member of the Liberal Party for most of her life until recently. Like many, she realised that the Liberal Party has lost its identity and lost its way and has now joined One Nation. She will talk about why she switched political parties. Vinay Kolhatkar will be giving a short presentation on what it means to have Mono-, Uni-, or Multiculturalism, so we can all make up our own minds as to what’s best for us individually, and for Australia as a whole. There will be plenty of time for attendees to ask questions, make comments and interact. And please purchase a meal and/or drinks. After all this venue has been provided free by Shakespeare’s so that is the least we can do. Vinay is the author of the politically incorrect novels, *A Sharia London* and *The Frankenstein Candidate.* He is also a coauthor of Media Wars: The Battle to Shape Our Minds, and of *Modernizing Aristotle’s Ethics*, which was published by an academic press and sold to university libraries worldwide as a text for philosophy and psychology. His latest novel is Dreams of Orphans, which was released on 30th September. Until August 2026, he was the federal secretary and director of policy for the Libertarian Party and ran in two federal elections as their candidate. He is also an occasional columnist for *Spectator Australia*, where he likes to warn the western world of the incoming threat of neo-Marxism and their alliance with terrorist ideologies. See you then, Craig White

Fairfax Walk 🚶‍♀️ (North Head)- Human Hearted Sydney 🌻

**Event Summary:** Our monthly social event is going to be a walk around North head on the trail known as Fairfax walk. The plan is to gather there at 11:00 and then do the walk. Interested in meeting new people ? Or refreshing existing friendships with members of our human hearted Sydney community? Or curious about what it means to be [Human Hearted](https://areomagazine.com/2022/05/05/a-human-hearted-modernity/)? Then why not come along and join us. This month we're planning a gentle scenic walk around North Head following the Fairfax trail for our our social event. The total distance shouldn't be more than about three kilometres and we'll be going at a gentle pace. The walk will include some great harbour and ocean views. Our goal is to enjoy the walk and the view, and socialise as we walk. **Connecting to our values:** This event is part of living out Human Hearted Sydney's values of positive social connection and building community in Sydney. So lets meet and connect with those we already know, and those we haven't met before. All are welcome to socialise, meet new people, and build friendships. For more information about human heartedness and its values please see our [website](https://humanhearted.org/) or [skool community](https://www.skool.com/human-hearted-world-6839/about) **Meeting Point:** We'll meet at 11am on Sunday 25th of October at bus stop 209583 ( stop name: Fairfax Walk, North Head Scenic Dr. ) on bus route 161. This bus route goes up to North Head and back from Manly Wharf. After the walk we'll head back into Many and look for a place for lunch. People are welcome to do the walk only, or also join us for lunch.

Sydney Singles Relational Lab — Facilitated Connection Experience

# Tired of dating apps culture and surface-level? This is different. And people often leave surprised by how quickly strangers can feel human, warm, honest, and real again. Free to RSVP, 👉 $59 to confirm your spot [https://consciousconnectionsclub.com/join](https://consciousconnectionsclub.com/join) Relational Labs is a guided connection experience for singles who want more honest, playful, emotionally intelligent interaction — without performance, pressure, or endless small talk. This is not speed dating. Not networking. Not “pitch yourself to strangers.” It’s a facilitated relational container rooted in psychology, emotional intelligence, attachment work, social dynamics, nervous system awareness, and real-world human connection — made practical enough that you can actually live it instead of reading another 50 books about it. ## What happens • A 2-hour guided online relational experience • Real-time connection exercises designed to create authentic interaction • A format that adapts in real time to whoever is present • Optional participant-led in-person continuation afterward • WhatsApp connection thread after the session ## This may be for you if: • You’re tired of shallow or repetitive social spaces • You want deeper connection without forced intimacy • You enjoy personal growth, psychology, communication, or relational work • You’re open to meeting people in a more intentional way ## Important This experience runs with whoever is present and takes its own shape each time. Sometimes expansive. Sometimes intimate. Both are the real thing.

20km Taronga Zoo to Manly Be active, healthy & happy!😎

**Taronga Zoo to Manly - 20km** I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Gadigal and Gayemagal people and pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. ⛵**8:50 am Meeting Place & Transport:** **[Wharf 4 Circular Quay](https://tinyurl.com/5c5awdac)** Check your public transport options to get to the event [here](https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip). Public transport back from Manly is by ferry to Circular Quay or bus from near the wharf, if you live on the north side. **⛵About:** This is a beautiful walk with stunning views of one of the most scenic harbours, beaches and cityscapes in the world. There's ferry rides at the start and finish too. Plenty of exit points but hoping you can go the whole way.😀 ⛵**Route:** 8.52am we catch the ferry from Circular Quay to [Taronga Zoo Wharf](https://tinyurl.com/4smuwbn4) which arrives at 9.04am. To start we walk around Bradley Head then onto [Balmoral Beach](https://tinyurl.com/2s3dm3mu) (5km completed). Then we hike to [Spit Bridge](https://tinyurl.com/76mxfchp) (10km completed) and onto the Manly Scenic Walk, stopping a couple of kms after the bridge at Clontarf for a lunch break. We then finish at [Manly Wharf](https://tinyurl.com/bdzmk8xa) (20km completed) around 2.30pm. You can stay and have a proper lunch &/or drinks or just catch the ferry back to Circular Quay. Bus home if you live on the northside. ⛵**Distance:** 20km ⛵**Type of walk:** Bush and urban. Well worn tracks and footpath. Steps and hills. ⛵**Difficulty:** Moderate, because of the distance. If you are unsure about the distance but would like to test yourself, this is a walk for you: there are plenty of get-out points. ⛵**Walking Pace:** We will maintain a steady pace all day and average 4-4.5 km per hour. ⛵**What to bring:** * Trailwalker shoes with good grip * 1 litre of water, refills along the route, optional hydralytes * Carbohydrate (starchy) snacks and lunch (or buy lunch at Manly) * Light rain jacket depending on conditions * Sunscreen and a cap or hat with a wide brim * Eagerness to explore ⛵**Gratuity:** There will be a $10 cash gratuity for this walk. Pay ID alternatively. **By RSVPing** this meetup you agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of Aussie Explorers which can be found [here](https://www.meetup.com/aussie-explorers/). If you have any questions, please message me. I look forward to seeing you on this walk. I will post my mobile number closer to the day. **Mark F** 😎

Unhurried Conversations - Sunday

Bring yourself, we will go over how Unhurried Conversations works.

Dive Against Debris x DCM

Kelp Collective is rocking up as a group to Dive Centre Manly's **Dive Against Debris** underwater and beach clean-up. Everything we pull out gets logged as real data for PADI AWARE, which feeds into policy change. Good for the ocean, good vibes, good people 🐙 📍 **Manly Cove or Shelly Beach** — site confirmed closer to the date based on conditions. Both are DCM's adopted dive sites. I'll post the final call and meeting point here, so keep notifications on 🔔 ⏳ Around 4 hours all up, with roughly 45–90 min in the water 🍜 Post-dive feed nearby after for anyone keen. LGBTQ+ divers, allies and first-timers all welcome 🏳️‍🌈 **Ways to join in** * 🤿 Scuba (Open Water cert required) * 🏊 Snorkel or freedive (no experience needed) * 🏖️ Beach clean-up or sorting and recording data on land **Cost** **Free** to sign up. Gear hire is half price on the day, paid directly to DCM: * Own gear or land crew: **FREE** * Snorkeller, full gear: **$25** * Diver, full gear: **$60** **How to join** 1. RSVP here — that's it. I'll pass our numbers to Dive Centre Manly as a group 2. If you want gear hire, drop a comment or message me with your sizes and what you need, and I'll pass it along 3. Happy to book yourself in directly with DCM instead if you'd prefer: [https://divesydney.com.au/dive-against-debris/](https://divesydney.com.au/dive-against-debris/)

4 DAY BIRD Photography Retreat- Booking with Link Below

**Join us for a 4 day and 3 night birding workshop while exploring some of the south coast's most beautiful locations.** We will cover locations and bird species in both coastal, mountainous and wetland areas where we have the potential to see and photograph over 200 species of birdlife in natural habitat. Bird Photography poses different approaches depending on bird species and the seasons and every time you venture out, weather and nature will influence each experience.This ensures Bird Photography is always a unique opportunity to observe wildlife at its best, make connections with nature and capture some amazing imagery. **BOOK** $660 deposit [https://theapertureclub.com.au/bird-photography-4-day-workshop-berry/](https://theapertureclub.com.au/bird-photography-4-day-workshop-berry/) **YOU WILL LEARN** * Planning for the shoot * using your equipment * camera settings * lighting and composition * how and where to focus * top tips when in the field * the best approach to edit * thinking ethically * Fast shutter speeds **DAILY PROGRAM:** Opportunity to shoot 2 late afternoons and 2 early morning locations. We will also be shooting later in the days at a mountain refuge with a guided tour from one of our Birding Australia experts on their private property. This is incorporated with some lectures and review work as well. There is some time to explore the Berry township but consider an extra night if you need a chill out moment. Note schedule can be altered depending on everyone’s needs etc. and is suitable for all levels of photographic skills. This workshop is suitable for all skill levels in photography but essential to understand your camera controls. This workshop is not suitable for absolute beginners.

Africultures Festival

GREAT AUSSIE BIRD COUNT MANLY

Stoics in the park: NEW LOCATION- Sydney Park

Unlike other philosophies, Stoicism was named after a place not a person, making it accessible to ALL people. In ancient greco-roman times people would meet at the Stoa, where they would discuss Stoic Philosophy. We can meet in the park just as the stoic sages 1000s of years ago. Join us to read through and discuss Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Google books has a FREE PDF you can download. No need to do any homework, we will read together and discuss. Am looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Event fee (optional) is $2, this goes to admin costs of running the group, please consider I am from Wollongong and wanted to keep this group when original organiser stepped down. I have significant travel expenses and am generally organising creative events that take resources. A gratuity would be a wonderful way to make me feel appreciated. Pay on the day, payID 0416147804, PayPal: paypal.me/jonnikaren or private message for direct deposit details. In lieu of event fee, you can buy me a coffee :)

M is for Middle East