Conservation Groups Sydney

Unhurried Conversations - Saturday

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May Meetup for the Sydney Nature Journal Club

Come along to our **May 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:\*\*Centennial Park, Fernley Grounds near the Greenhouse cafe. **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.

What makes a nation? Bernhard Yack on Nationalism

What makes up a nation? This is the hottest topic in the West right now and will be for the forseeable future. Is it just a set of shared institutions governing a territory or an economic zone that we rationally choose to be a part of? Or even a set of otherwise random people with shared values? Philosopher Bernhard Yack argues in *Nationalism and the Moral Psychology of Community* that these ideas of the civic nation are a myth because they deny the very premise on which the nation and national feeling rests: there must be something that is inherited. He writes: "in order to characterize national belonging as a form of rational attachment, one must ignore the contingent inheritance of distinctive experiences and cultural memories that is an inseparable part of every national political identity. And one must pretend that it makes sense to characterize nations such as France, Canada, and the United States as voluntary associations for the expression of shared political principles. Such is the myth of the civic nation." Yack says that the power of national feeling in an age of individualism and popular sovereignty seems surprising but shouldn't be. It is one of the most powerful forms of enduring community even, or especially, between equals with a democratic voice. I will explore and critique Yack's arguments and invite discussion. Is Yack right? Does he go far enough? You may find the full book [here](https://www.amazon.com.au/Nationalism-Moral-Psychology-Community-Bernard/dp/0226944670). The book is an academic work though clearly written. I encourage you to at least read Chapter 1 *The Myth of the Civic Nation* which you can find free [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Oqj8Fnd2pZlWMGL4aL5Zr9z6ztaekaC/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106371295342082293801&rtpof=true&sd=true). You can also find an online debate about Yack's book [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiSrmboE07Q). As usual a number of us will get there from 6:30 and have some food beforehand. And of course hang around afterwards for a drink. See you there!

Whale Watching Northern Migration North Head

SuperConshy: What You Think About, You Bring About

What are you focussing on - What you DON'T want, or what you DO want? Most people are trying to improve their lives - personally, professional, socially and spiritually. But often, the real barrier isn’t effort. It’s the patterns we can’t see. The thoughts, reactions, and habits that quietly shape: * How we show up in relationships * How we connect with others * How we navigate our careers and opportunities * How we respond to challenges and change **SuperConshy brings those invisible patterns into the light—through play.** This isn’t just a game night. It’s a shared self-awareness experience designed to help you understand yourself—and others—on a deeper level. ### **A Different Way to Grow** Most personal development focuses on learning what to do. ***SuperConshy*** helps you see how you’re being while you do it. As you play, you’ll start to notice: * When you feel open, confident, and in flow * When you feel stuck, reactive, or uncertain * The subtle patterns influencing your choices and interactions And once you see these patterns, you can begin to shift them—naturally and in real time. Because when your awareness changes, your relationships, decisions, and direction begin to change too. **What You’ll Experience** * **Self-Awareness:** Discover the hidden patterns shaping your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours * **Personal Growth:** Gain practical insights to navigate life, relationships, and career choices more effectively * **Fun & Connection:** A relaxed, engaging environment where meaningful conversations and genuine social connections happen naturally * **Authentic Networking:** Connect with like-minded people in a way that goes beyond surface-level small talk **What Stays With You After the Game** **For You** * Greater clarity, confidence, and emotional awareness * The ability to catch unhelpful thoughts before they take over * More intentional decision-making in everyday life **For Your Relationships & Social Life** * Better listening and deeper conversations * Less reactivity, more understanding * Stronger, more authentic connections **For Your Career & Growth** * Increased confidence in navigating opportunities and change * Clearer thinking in decision-making * A greater sense of direction and purpose **Who This Is For** This experience is ideal for anyone who wants to grow personally while also improving how they connect with others and move forward in life, including: * Individuals focused on personal development and self-awareness * Professionals looking to grow in their careers * People wanting to build more meaningful relationships and social connections * Anyone curious about understanding themselves—and others—more deeply **A Thoughtful, Small Group Experience** Spaces are intentionally limited to create a safe, engaging environment where real conversations, meaningful insights, and genuine connections can unfold. **🎟️ Register at:** [https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/superconshy-what-if-a-game-could-change-your-life-tickets-1988469393484?](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/superconshy-what-if-a-game-could-change-your-life-tickets-1988469393484?aff=oddtdtcreator) Your ticket includes afternoon tea, snacks, dinner, and drinks. **ABOUT** ***Vivienne Black***, Founder of Vitelligence and the boardgame, ***SuperConshy.*** Vivienne is deeply committed to raising the collective consciousness and fostering personal growth on a global scale. With a profound belief in the transformative power of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, she has dedicated her life's work to empowering individuals to take control of their own destinies. Driven by a vision of a world where individuals are empowered to embrace self-responsibility and conscious living, Vivienne continues to inspire positive change, one person at a time. Her unwavering commitment to spreading love, acceptance, and personal empowerment serves as a beacon of hope in an increasingly chaotic world.

Cronulla's Heritage Coastal History & Whales Watch (Best Location) Hike

# 🌊 Walk Through Time: From Cook’s Landing to Coastal Wilds **Hello, Sydney Social Explorers,** We are going to explore Sydney’s southern shoreline—where history, ocean drama, and Aboriginal heritage converge. We’ll trace Captain Cook’s first footsteps, watch for migrating whales from clifftops, and finish a long exciting beach hiking at iconic Cronulla Beach. **Last year we saw more than 10 whales, hopefully we’ll be even luckier this time.** ### 🗺️ Route Overview **Cronulla Station (bus)→ Captain Cook’s Landing Place → Cape Solander Lookout → Car Beach → Wanda Beach → Return to Cronulla Train Station** * **Distance:** around 15 km (easy-paced + sandy sections) * **Time and meeting point:** 8:40AM meet at Central Station Platform 25 (nearby the lift). T4 Cronulla via Banksia depart at 8:52AM, sharp!! Or 9:45AM meet at Cronulla Station. **🌟 Route OverviewHighlights** * **Captain Cook’s Landing Place (1870 memorial):** Hear the story of the *Endeavour*’s 1770 arrival * **Cape Solander:** Prime whale watching platform (May-Nov) + Kamay Botany Bay National Park * **Aboriginal Heritage:** Learn about the Gweagal people’s connection * **Discover:** sheltered Car Beach & surf-friendly Wanda Beach ### 💰 Cost * **First-time attendees:** $10 AUD (Unlimited Events) * **Returning members:** FREE * **Money for:** Lunch (or bring your own) + bus/train fare ### 🎒 What to Bring * **Comfortable walking shoes** (mix of pavement + sand) * **Towel, sunscreen** * **Water + snacks** * **Camera/phone** (whale photos!) *** ### *“This coast remembers centuries: Gweagal custodianship, Cook’s arrival, and today’s whale migrations.”* > **— Walk with respect and wonder.** ### Why This Walk? ✅ **History Alive:** Stand where Cook first stepped onto eastern Australia ✅ **Wildlife Bonus:** Humpback whales breach offshore during migration ✅ **Swim & Social:** End with a dip and optional lunch or Swim at Cronulla Pavilion **Let’s chase ocean views and culture together! 🌊☀️** **Cheers!!** **#Notes#** ⚠️ Moderate fitness required (some steep stairs/cliffs) ⚠️ Stay on marked paths – no cliff-edge proximity ⚠️ This is **NOT** an event for you to seek for date opportunities. Please be sensible, pay respect to yourself & the others. Any inappropriate behaviour will be remove from the group **WITHOUT** notice & reported to the platform for further action. **🚨Disclaimer** By participating, you acknowledge this activity involves inherent risks. All attendees voluntarily assume full responsibility for: 🔹 Personal injury or property damage 🔹 Assessing their physical fitness for the challenge 🔹 Maintaining situational awareness throughout The organizer (host) expressly waives all liability for accidents/incidents occurring during the event. Participants agree to indemnify the organizer against any claims arising from their involvement.

FACE-TO-FACE@HUMANIST HOUSE: IS AI OVERHYPED?

NSW HUMANISTS MEETUP's 'FACE-TO-FACE' discussion event this Sunday 24 May 2026 3-5PM at Humanist House in Chippendale will address the many things we all hear about so-called Artificial Intelligence. There's no speaker but the opportunity for all participants to express hopes and fears and any real knowledge about what's going on with AI. Are Australian jobs threatened? Are new jobs possible? Are there personal anecdotes of encounters with AI? Is AI being blamed for what's often human stupidity, arrogant recklessness, and capitalist greed? Does all the hype make sense? Are there good guys and bad guys? Will there ever be genuine Artificial General Intelligence? What does this even mean? Is AI conscious? Are all humans conscious? Is it just another panic for the news media? There'll certainly be more questions than answers. Maybe bring along your favourite chatbot to tell us what's what. Come along for what could be your last chance to use your biological brain! Our events allow for people interested in learning and discussing humanism to meet in a dedicated space, in an atmosphere that allows time and space for good conversation on interesting topics. ABOUT HUMANISM Humanism is a flexible, open-minded life philosophy where we explore our common humanity in an awesome world without theism (religion) and other supernatural beliefs. There is no dogma but a shared reality and an appreciation of basic human values like compassion, reason, and fairness. Humanism can be seen in the best aspects of the modern Enlightenment - secularism, science, social democracy, human rights, and human flourishing. We have a concern for the biosphere, and a delight in the world as it is - and as it could be. Our discussions respect reason, respect one another, and reject all dogmatic thinking. NSW Humanist Meetup is sponsored by the Humanist Society of NSW. The HSNSW encourages honest, open conversations held in a respectful manner.

Indigenous Cultural Tour

WHALE DAY! Bondi Junction - Watsons Bay! 14KM Medium

We meet at **Bondi Junction Train Station, at Bus Stand F (easy to find)** by no later than **10:30AM** to commence our walk down to Bondi Beach. We check out Ben Buckler Point and a host of parks spread through Dover Heights before pulling up, 8KM in, at **Signal Station Park** for lunch and clean bathrooms. **NO FOOD SHOPS AT LUNCH BREAK, SO BRING YOUR FOOD.** After lunch we re-join the **Federation Walk**, passing **Macquarie Lighthouse** on our way to the Gap. We climb out via the Bluff walking track and skirt around **Naval Warfare Training Base Watson** to find South Head and the historic **Hornby Lighthouse**. We return to Watsons Bay Ferry Wharf via Lady Jane Beach, **Camp Cove** and Green Point Reserve. WHALE SPOTTING: There will be plenty of opportunities to spot migrating whales on this walk! **What to Bring:** snacks and lunch, hat, sunscreen, plenty of water. **Pub:** Watsons Bay Hotel **Suggested Donation:** $10 **By RSVPing to this event,** you (and your guests) agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of SOMG which you can view here: [Sydney Outdoors Meetup Group Discussions](https://www.meetup.com/sydney-outdoors-meetup-group/discussions/?eventOrigin=home_groups_you_organize) **Questions?** Leave a comment below. I will post my mobile number closer to the day. Ted :)

🚙 🏖️ Sunday Funday @ Catherine Hill Bay, Caves Beach & Swansea Heads 🏖️ 🚗

🚙 🚗 Let’s head up to the Central Coast this long weekend to explore the beautiful beaches, sea caves, lookouts and have some fun in the nature. 🌈 🌿 🏖️ ⚠️ FOR YOUR SAFETY & ENJOYMENT, PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION BELOW FULLY BEFORE YOU CLICK ‘Attend’! ******************************************** 🗓 DATE: Sunday, 7 June 2026. ⏰ MEETING TIME: 9.45am. 🚗 MEETING POINT: Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club. https://www.cathoslsc.org.au/ 📍 93 Flowers Dr, Catherine Hill Bay NSW 2281 🚻 Meet in front of tthe public toilet block. 🚙 END POINT (one way): Reid Reserve Public Toilets Swansea Heads 📍Lambton Parade Swansea Heads NSW 2281 (Refer pic no. 3) ******************************************** 🥾 DISTANCE: 14km point-to-point. (Catherine Hill Bay to Swansea Heads). 🚗 Car shuffling required if you wish to do just one way (point-to-point). 🚶Otherwise, you may return to the start point the same way. 🥾 GRADE: Easy/Moderate on a relaxing pace, not snail pace! 💪🏽 Reasonable fitness recommended due to uneven rocky surfaces, ups and downs hills and walking on beautiful sandy beaches. 🥾 Tracks expected to be wet, muddy and slippery at few sections. ******************************************** 📸 WHAT TO EXPECT: 🚶This is a beautiful walk through Munmorah State Conservation Area. 🚶‍♀️We will start the walk from Catherine Hill Bay Surf Life Saving Club walking through few gorgeous beaches and lookouts along the way - Middle Camp Inlet, Bogey Hole, Shark Hole, Pinny Cave Beach, Caves Beach, Hams Beach, Crabbs Beach and Swansea Heads Beach. 🤳 Lots of photo stops and selfies along the way. 📝 NOTE: The caves are safest and most accessible at low tide. Always check tides and sea conditions. The area is not patrolled. 📝 You may leave at anytime during the walk. 📝 OPTIONAL - if you have enough time, you may wish to stop by at The Entrance on the way home for pelican feeding at 3.30pm. https://www.lovecentralcoast.com/pelican-time ⚠️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION ⚠️ 📝 TERMS & DISCLAIMER: Attending this event is voluntarily at your own risk. Organiser/s accepts no liability of any kind including injuries, accidents, misadventure etc during and after this event. For full disclosure on Public Waiver, please refer to Meetup Terms and Conditions and the front page of this group on ‘About Us’. ✅ You must assess your own fitness and ability before participating in this event. ✅ You are responsible for looking after your own health, safety and belongings. ✅ You must adhere and follow the instructions from your organiser/s at all times during this event. ✅ You must take personal accountability for your own choices, actions and/or misadventure. If you’re not sticking with the group or getting lost during the walk, you’re responsible for finding your own way out. The group DO NOT wait for you! ✅ You must also take care not to put other people at risk. ✅ Keep well back from cliff edges at all times, especially when taking photos. ❎ NO facilities or cafes on the trails, so please come well prepared. ❎ NO smoking of any kind on the walk including during photo stops and lunch break. ❎ NO pets including service dogs are permitted on my events. You may join pet friendly walking group instead. ✅ Please be mindful and respectful to members and guest/s from diverse backgrounds. This is not a dating event. ******************************************** 🎒WHAT TO BRING 🎒 👕 Comfortable outfit for the weather preferably hiking gear. Jeans or cotton t-shirt are not be suitable for this walk. 🥾 Waterproof hiking boots or good grip walking shoes highly recommended. 💦 At least 1.8L of WATER, Hydralyte or sports energy drinks. 🥪 Snacks and PACKED LUNCH. 🧢 Hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. ⛑ Basic First Aid Kit. 🧥 Light raincoat or a poncho just in case of wet weather. 💵 GRATUITY 💵 $10 per person to be collected at the start of the walk. 📲 Or PayID to my mobile: 0405038557. Ref: (your Meetup name) & Caves Beach by 2nd June. ✅ Please get it done asap upon arrival and TEXT me receipt of payment. ******************************************** 🏨 Few of us including myself are staying at a private accommodation in Lake Munmorah. 🏨 You may stay up in the Central Coast on the long weekend and explore the area. 🚗 Please update on comments if you have a spare seats in your car or you need a carpool from your closest station with share petrol. 📲 Any other questions, please send me a TEXT message instead to avoid any confusion with unnecessary updates on comments section. Yes, TEXT message only! 🏖️ 🌿 Let’s explore and enjoy the great outdoors! 🏖️ Norra 😎 📱0405038557 (TEXT & PayID only)

Watsons Bay to Bondi whale watch / hike

It's the season to see whale in autumn when they swim up towards Queensland... sorry I dont remember which exact weeks they are coming. finger crossed. if you are the last person in a fast hiking group, then it's the speed. We are rather slow but not super slow. We will meet at circular quay, take a ferry to Watsons bay, then walk along the coast to Bondi. We may have lunch in the Bondi market Meetup fee: $5 *Everyone is reaponsible for his/her own safety. Everyone is welcome, and most suitable for gentlemen and ladies aged 30 to 60. Date may change if weather is bad.

Forestville to Manly: Classic Bushwalk, Manly Dam, Manly Beach 16KM Medium

**Forestville to Manly: Classic Bushwalk, Manly Dam, Manly Beach 16KM Medium** From Warringah Road, Forestville we make haste for **Currie Road Trail** which gets us into the bush and onto the **Natural Bridge Track**, by which we cross the gully and access **Allambie Heights**. At the back of the Warringah Aquatic Centre we will find the **Roller Coaster Possum Track** and Manly Creek Trail, which we follow through to **Manly Dam** and our lunch stop with clean bathrooms at 8KM in. Many Dam rocks and, after lunch, we walk straight across **the Dam wall**, before turning south, sneaking through a few backstreets and accessing a system of parks and pathways that follow **Manly Creek** down to Manly Lagoon and, finally, the Pacific Ocean at **Queenscliff Beach**! A stroll along the **Manly Beach Promenade** leads to the Corso and a Pub, or straight to Manly Ferry Wharf for a **classic ferry ride** across Sydney Harbour back to Circular Quay! What more could you possibly want from a day out!!! **Distance:** 16KM **Type of Walk:** Great bush walking in the first half, including little known trails leading onto the back of Manly Dam. Parks, well-formed paths for the rest of the day. **Difficulty:** Medium. **Walking Pace:** Steady pace all day and average 4km per hour. **Meeting Place + Transport:** We meet at **Chatswood Train/Bus Interchange** to catch the **160X Service Bus**, departing **Bus Stand A at 10:02AM**, through to Forestville. Ferry back to Circular Quay or northern beaches bus services from Manly. **What to bring:** Walking shoes/boots; 1.5 litres of water, refill available; hydrolytes; snacks; lunch, light rain jacket; sunscreen, cap/hat. **NO SHOPS AT OUR LUNCH STOP, SO DO BRING FOOD!** **Suggested Donation:** $10 **Pub:** Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly Corso **By RSVPing to this event,** you (and your guests) agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of SOMG which you can view here: [Sydney Outdoors Meetup Group Discussions](https://www.meetup.com/sydney-outdoors-meetup-group/discussions/?eventOrigin=home_groups_you_organize) **Questions?** Leave a comment below. I look forward to seeing you on this walk. I will post my mobile number closer to the day. Ted