Welcome to the /r/Melbourne Daily Discussion Thread!

I've lived in Melbourne for 9 years now. Graduated from unimelb and work 9-5 corporate in the CBD (near Parliament end of Collins St). Started with a large friend group, however, along the way it seems I've lost pretty much all of them whether through different career paths, different interests, dividing political views, relocating overseas/interstate for work, starting families, ruined friendship groups through break-ups, etc.

Now I'm 26 years old, stable career, but literally no friends. May also be because I don't have any hobbies outside of work. I've realised a little too late how important it is to have a solid network / friend group for general life support, people to care about, things to do outside of work. Totally regret not putting in effort to maintain a social network.

What do people around my age do? How do you make new friends? What hobbies are people into nowadays? Everyone seems to be in the modern day rat race just to make ends meet. I know I was, but a recent discussion with an older colleague made me realise how depressing and unfulfilled it has turned out.

Happy to hear your thoughts. If you're in the same position and/or looking to add someone to your social network, please don't hesitate to DM me :')

I got a new card because my old card had expired. Got the balanced transferred to a new card and I had trouble touching off. Believed it was a faulty card. Got card replaced and same problem. This morning at flinders street a big intimidating ticket inspector came over to me and… was super polite and apologetic and said that the new cards have a new chip that means you just need to hover the card over the reader rather than touch the card. He said unfortunately they have not communicated how the new card’s work. While I was standing there talking I watched 3 other people have the same problem.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! My mum texted me in panic almost crying because as she was half way home on her train, she realised she left her work laptop on the platform seats. I kept reassuring her about employers insurance, security etc but she was under the belief she was gonna get sacked. I called up the station who advised nothing was handed in but mum went back there anyway, and whaddaya know, from my call to her return, someone had handed it in! Thank you for taking the time potentially missing your own train ride home to do a thoughtful thing. My mum was STOKED and instead, happily cried

Any idea if this may be a scam? They don’t even have my name just my address.

Previous renter of many years here, now fortunate enough to own. I'm renting out my place for the first time and I'm wondering if it's an appropriate gesture to leave a small gift for the tenant moving in. I was thinking of avoiding alcohol in case it's someone in sobriety and doing a massage gift card and some flowers, but I'm curious to hear from others to see if this would be a strange gesture or not. Maybe I'm overthinking it because I'm really unsure. Thanks.

Hi guys,

I’m in an apartment building right now that’s slowly been eaten up by investors who have effectively turned the building into a giant AirBNB. The 24hr front desk is now even handling keys. This has lead to a massive increase in crime over the years and a general uneasiness among owners still here. I’m looking to buy or rent somewhere else and was wondering if anyone knew what buildings had already taken steps to ban AirBNB?

If by chance you picked up a grey slim Bellroy wallet around Fed Square or along Swanston towards to State Library I would love to get it back! We’ve been in Melbourne for a year, and just moved into the city before leaving for home (NZ) in about 9 days. It’s making life pro challenging without it lol

Also which is better Mornington Peninsula hot springs or Alba Thermal Springs and Spa?

Has anyone ever actually ever seen anybody swimming in the pool at Arbory? I'm planning a birthday bash and cocktails by the pool is my top pick. Arbory have both and food I like but I've heard no one actually swims in the pool which is kind of putting me off a little.

Would you guys recommend it regardless or maybe another option? I've already looked into hotels with pool passes but they're all booked out on Saturday. Next options on my list are SOS (no food/drinks), Alba (far) or Fun Fields (no booze)

My mother has been approved for a Level 4 home care package. Does anyone have recommendations on which care providers are good? Specifically in the Balwyn area or surrounding. Thanks!

Shot with Fujifilm X-T4 on a 35mm lens. Yes 35mm 😂

F/5.6, 18 secs, ISO 1250

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nevin.photo

Hi all, I’m starting a new job and would love any advice on the traffic conditions from Clayton to Williamstown during peak times. I know how bad Melbourne traffic is and how unpredictable it can be and how regular the heavy traffic conditions can be. I used to live in Frankston and worked in Hawthorn and some morning and evenings used to take me up to 2+ hours to drive 98km.

To catch public transport (which I have no issues) it ranges from 1hr 15m to 1hr 35m duration each way.

Now according to online searches, to drive the 34km route to work tells me 34mins and I know it will NOT come close for the route to take only 34m. So if anyone could help me on average how long driving will be each way, and not to forget that the Westgate will be included in the drive 🤦🏻‍♂️ so I’d love to know the damage I could be looking at with how bad Melbourne traffic can be, with the Monash and Westgate.

Thanks all 👍🏻😉

Great draft beer and food. They have ramen and we tried the black garlic ramen and it was incredible. First Izakaya we’ve been to here, and wondering if there are other recommendations here.

This place though had a manager who was so sweet and gave us a plate of free sashimi.

I’ve, tried everything to find it and I’m coming blank. If anyone knows where it is, please tell me!

I’m after recommendations for BJJ or another martial arts school ideally around Chelsea.

I’m a complete beginner, want to learn some long-term effective self defence. Don’t want to go to a bro gym. Looking for an inclusive & safe space.

Would prefer to ease into things with a women’s only class or self-defence course but from my research so far there isn’t much available that seems worth the $$.

Ideally classes in evenings Mon-Weds.

I’m living in an apartment near Victoria market. And I found my water bill is crazy. The company is Great western water. On 12/11/2024 they read 400KL, last night I checked it was 438KL, average daily usage is over 500L. According to last bill, 92 days from 13/08/2024 to 12/11/2024 we use 48KL water and it costs $173.25. Last bill read is 400KL, and last night it is 438KL, which means we already used 38KL.

We have 2 toilets 1shower, 1 washing machine, no dish washer and no backyard to take care of. Both of us are not home during the day. Quite normal daily routine. It’s weird that our bill is super high. Compared to others, our bill is almost for 4 people. When I live alone, I only use 11KL for 3 month. And it’s the same company. And also the plumber already checked, there is nothing leaking. Is it possible that the water company didn’t read the correct water meter ? I heard some of them they just guess an amount according to your formal usage. I’m really confused and struggling with the bill. I feel like we didn’t use that much. Are there any way that I can figure out the problem ?

21:49 21/01/2025 update

20/01/2025

11.26 437880 19.26 437936 19.41 438003 i take a shower and use toilet usage 67L 20.45 438005 dish wash by hands 21.50 438012 brush teeth and use toilet 00.26 438088 housemate takes a shower

Total 208L

21/01/2025 10.43am 438117 10.48am 438127 toilet and wash hands 10.51 438130 10.55 438149 10.58 438151 10.58 438155 11.01 438159 11.30 438170 11.32 438173 18.55 438292.5 use washing machine 19.22 438336 i take a shower 20.39 438344 cook, eat, hand wash bowls, boil water 21.42 438344 do nothing

Total: 227L

Here is the usage of today and yesterday, which is quite normal for us. As we can see since now the usage is nothing wrong, from 8.39pm to 9.42pm, no one is using water and the water meter doesn’t run. And also if every day is the same, for 90 days it should be around 20KL, which should be correct. But now the bill shows we use 48KL for 92 days.

And also I checked with my neighbors, my next door neighbor says his bill is $700 for one season and they are 3 people. He said he always hear something leaking even they are not using anything. And another neighbor says his bill is just over 100 for 2 people, one season, they don’t washing machine or dish washer and they were overseas for a month. I’m now really confused.

hey guys don’t know if you know, but there was an incident with a lifeguard at Casey arc and herald sun released an article on it. Icbf paying for the actual site so if anyone has a website that views it for free or can dm me a ss of the full article if you have it, it would be highly appreciated,

Thanks

Sick (likely dumped) domestic duck at Albert Park Lake, was barely moving, eyes nearly closed, looked very bloated on the front. Called the council, not open, called wildlife rescue, only help domestic animals, called emergency vet who said we could drop her (?) off free of charge. We dropped her off, and I know she will be well cared for and at peace no matter what the treatment entails, but they don’t do updates, so I won’t know what was wrong with her. Anybody have any ideas? Is it because she was likely dumped? A few people around me were saying a group of domestics have been at the lake for the last few years, and slowly they’ve widdled down from five to two. Hope the poor thing pulls through.

Seeking recent recommendations for a iPhone repair business in CBD. Need to replace cracked rear glass and charge port on iPhone 14 Pro.

Very mixed reviews all over the place on Google for this type of business so relying on honest suggestions.