Welcome
Welcome to the Silicon Melbourne Doc Site
Silicon Melbourne is a free and open online community by and for everyone in the technology industry in Melbourne and Victoria.
If you've made it here you're probably looking for information about: what Silicon Melbourne is, who we are, how it works, or ways you can help. You are in the right place.
If you just want to join the community, head to our website and follow the link to the Silicon Melbourne Discord.
If you'd like to get involved? Head over to our getting started guide.
If you want to learn more about Silicon Melbourne, our about section is the best place to start.
About
Silicon Melbourne is a free and open online community by and for everyone in the technology industry in Melbourne and Victoria.
Born from frustration at being unable to connect freely with others in the Melbourne technology sphere, Silicon Melbourne is a response to the creeping normalcy of community erosion by platforms like LinkedIn. Social media has long redefined the term "community" and the role it plays in shaping our world. While online interaction has cemented itself in our culture, platforms (like LinkedIn) position "connection" as nothing more than binary transactions—a poor substitute for the real thing.
Post the pandemic lockdowns we saw a significant and rapid shift in industry culture and, anecdotally, many believe that the once vibrant Melbourne technology community has since struggled to recover. Combined with recent economic uncertainty and many industry leaders' surprising backflip on the importance of people in tech, many feel disheartened, disconnected, and abandoned.
Silicon Melbourne hopes to solve this by being a forward-looking reimagining of what the technology community in Melbourne (and Victoria) can be.
Join the Discord today.
Mission
Our mission is to build a vibrant, connected, and resilient Melbourne technology community free from corporate interests that serves it's community members.
The following are the principles by which we operate Silicon Melbourne:
Community owned: Silicon Melbourne is built by and for it's community members. We favour transparency, community-mindedness, and are guided by what genuinely benefits our members. See our contributing guide to see how you can get involved to influence, build, and support the community.
Authentic: We value every member, regardless of how actively they participate. Rather than chasing engagement metrics, we aim to create a space that is valuable to both those actively engaging and those simply observing.
Transparent: All operational matters and financial contributions (including donations and sponsorships) will be documented and made available publicly. Sponsorships (when we are able to take them) will be accepted with strictly no-strings-attached terms and funds directly supporting community operations and initiatives.
Moderated: We prioritise genuine interaction and conversation. Active moderation is critical to upholding community principles, elevating the conversation, and creating a welcoming space for everyone in technology. We strive to make moderation transparent where possible and practical.
Inclusive: We welcome all people aligned with the technology industry in Melbourne and Victoria, Australia. We are moderated and rule breaking will result in bans, however we err on the side of issuing warnings and aim to coach individuals on how to engage in the community rather than have them leave entirely (within reason).
Who we are
Silicon Melbourne was founded by me, Tom. It is a labour of love that I dedicate as much time as I can to, but probably much less than it needs—please be patient.
I'm looking for help leading and executing on a broader community vision. DM me on the Discord or Email me (tom@silicon.melbourne) if you'd like to get involved or think you might be able to help.
If you'd like to help out more with the day-to-day, take a look at the Contributing Guide for ways you can support Silicon Melbourne with your time, or feel free to reach out to me on the Silicon Melbourne Discord if you're not sure but would like to participate somehow.
Our community is only made possible with the help of our Volunteers.
Our Volunteers
Our community is only made possible with the help of our volunteers. We are always on the lookout for people aligned with the community vision to fill a number of important roles.
For detailed information about each role and their responsibilities, along with information on how you can participate, see our Volunteering page.
Moderators
- Clare Radtke -
@clareradtkeon Discord - Tom Lingham -
@tomlinghamon Discord
Community Advisors
None currently assigned
Domain Advocates
- Domain Advocate - Analysis: Igor Arkhipov
- Domain Advocate - Architecture: Open
- Domain Advocate - Cloud & Operations: Open
- Domain Advocate - Data: Grace Halim (interim)
- Domain Advocate - Design: Open
- Domain Advocate - Education: Open
- Domain Advocate - Embedded: Jesse Bud
- Domain Advocate - Engineering: Tom Lingham (interim)
- Domain Advocate - ITSM: Open
- Domain Advocate - Product: Grace Halim
- Domain Advocate - Recruitment: Open
- Domain Advocate - Security: Open
FAQ
Why should I join Silicon Melbourne?
Silicon Melbourne is community of people in Technology in Melbourne and surrounding areas. It's a refreshing alternative to platforms like LinkedIn that have largely monopolised casual community interactions (especially for those in the professional Melbourne Technology scene). We don't expect Silicon Melbourne to replace LinkedIn but we do expect it to be a more human and connected alternative that gives back to the community.
We think there are a lot of reasons why Silicon Melbourne is a great place to be.
If you're:
- in the midst of a flourishing career and would like to offer some words of wisdom
- trying to enter technology for the first time and struggling to find out how to navigate and connect with others
- looking for work for too long and feel like you're alone on this journey
- interested in connecting with people in tech outside your sphere or simply have a seat in a room with your peers
- weary of the hyperbole, self-promotion, click/rage bait, and commercialised content engulfing social media, but still want to be part of something bigger
We think Silicon Melbourne has something to offer you. Come and join the Discord.
How do I get started?
Join our Discord server and introduce yourself! We have channels for different technology domains, career discussions, and general community chat.
Can I contribute to the community?
Absolutely! We're always looking for volunteers to help with moderation, community advocacy, and organising events. Check out our Volunteering page to see current opportunities.
Is there a cost to join?
No, Silicon Melbourne is completely free to join and participate in. We're supported by our community volunteers.
Can I sponsor, donate, or give Silicon Melbourne money somehow?
Not yet, but hopefully soon. Any expenses are simply covered out-of-pocket for the time being.
What if I'm new to the tech industry?
Everyone is welcome! We have many community members who are just starting their careers, changing careers, or exploring different areas of technology. Our community is designed to support people at all stages of their professional journey.
Can I be anonymous?
Yes, we strongly welcome anonymous participation in respect of the internet of old and in respect of differences in individual circumstances and personal safety. However, we recommend that people use their real names and link to their other real social profiles, as Silicon Melbourne is a place of professional networking and you may not see the real-world impact of participating with your real identity.
Anonymous users should be aware that:
- You may have restrictions when it comes to receiving elevated privileges (like moderator roles)
- You may be more liberally kicked or banned for breaking the rules
- We may introduce additional restrictions for anonymous users in the future if we find it difficult to appropriately moderate them (though we will try not to)
If you choose to participate anonymously, please be mindful that moderation decisions may be made more quickly and with less consideration than for identified members.
Why Discord?
Very few community platforms can support large communities at little to no cost. Self-hosting alternatives would create significant barriers to entry that many potential members would struggle to overcome. Discord offers:
- A number of tech professionals already have Discord accounts or can easily create one
- Free for communities of our size with all necessary features
- Role management and other mature moderation tools (including a robust and comprehensive API)
- Works well on both mobile and desktop
While Discord has its limitations, it allows us to focus our energy on building community rather than managing technical infrastructure. We'll continue to leave the door open to whether Discord serves the communities needs as we continue to grow.
Rules
In extension to the Discord Community Guidelines, we also require Silicon Melbourne Discord community rules to be followed.
Operations
We aim to keep our operations as transparent as possible. You can view current or planned work/changes in the Silicon Melbourne GitHub Project.
Moderation Team
The Silicon Melbourne moderation team plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and integrity of our community. Being a moderator is a privilege that comes with both additional responsibilities and administrative capabilities.
See our current moderator team
Moderator Responsibilities
Moderators are held to a higher standard than regular community members. They serve as role models and community leaders, actively shaping the culture and tone of Silicon Melbourne. This position is earned through consistent positive contribution to the community and is not a right to be assumed.
Administrative Privileges
Moderators receive the following administrative capabilities:
- Message Management: Ability to edit or delete messages that violate community guidelines
- Member Management: Authority to issue warnings, temporary mutes, or recommend permanent bans
- Channel Management: Access to create, modify, and manage community channels and discussions
- Community Oversight: Visibility into reported content and member concerns
- Policy Enforcement: Authority to interpret and enforce community rules and policies
Moderator Code of Conduct
All moderators must adhere to the following code of conduct in addition to standard community rules:
Leadership by Example
- Demonstrate the values and principles of Silicon Melbourne in all interactions
- Maintain professionalism and respect, even in challenging situations
- Actively contribute to positive community discourse
Impartiality and Fairness
- Apply rules consistently across all community members, regardless of personal relationships
- Avoid conflicts of interest when making moderation decisions
- Recuse yourself from decisions involving personal disputes or close associates
Transparency and Accountability
- Document significant moderation actions and decisions
- Provide clear explanations for moderation actions when appropriate
- Be open to feedback and willing to review decisions when new information emerges
Discretion and Confidentiality
- Respect the privacy of community members and sensitive information
- Discuss moderation matters only with other moderators or community admins
- Avoid public disputes about moderation decisions
Continuous Improvement
- Stay informed about community policies and best practises
- Participate in moderator training and development opportunities
- Provide constructive feedback to improve community processes
Escalation
- Know when to escalate issues to community admins
- Collaborate with other moderators on complex situations
- Seek guidance when uncertain about appropriate actions
Removal from Moderation Team
Moderator privileges may be revoked for:
- Violation of the moderator code of conduct
- Consistent failure to fulfil moderator responsibilities
- Abuse of administrative privileges
- Extended periods of inactivity without communication
The decision to remove a moderator will be made by community leadership after appropriate discussion and consideration of the circumstances.
Contributing
If you'd like to support or get involved with Silicon Melbourne, that project is a great place to start. There is usually always a mix of technical or non-technical items there that are tagged with help wanted. Keep in mind that not everything will be represented there. If you see an opportunity and would like to do something with it, call it out.
Anyone picking up tasks from the project will need to have their own GitHub account and be assigned to the organisation. Ping @moderator in the #ops channel in the community Discord to get the ball rolling.
Attribution
If you do provide help and support to Silicon Melbourne and would like attribution please ask a moderator to add you to the list of supporters. This won't happen by default as not everyone wants public recognition.
Sponsorhips
We're currently not able to accept financial contributions just yet but there are other ways you can help. If you'd like to discuss how you can support Silicon Melbourne, please email sponsorships@silicon.melbourne.
Volunteering
Silicon Melbourne operates with the help of volunteers who fill various important roles to support and grow our community. Below are the different roles available and their responsibilities.
Moderators
Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Our moderators support our community Discord by enforcing rules and guidelines while embracing the vision and ethos of Silicon Melbourne. They have additional administrative permissions and are critical to maintaining a vibrant and safe space for everyone.
Community Advisors
Commitment: 1-3 hours per month
Community advisors help establish a vision, guide, and execute the overall direction of the community. These are a purposely diverse and small group of passionate individuals willing to actively drive the purpose and mission of Silicon Melbourne forward.
See our current community advisors
Registrations of interest opening soon
Domain Advocates
Commitment: 1-2 hours per month
These individuals play a key role in advocating for the unique social and cultural needs of their area of expertise, ensuring that Silicon Melbourne is catering appropriately for those in their domain. They provide advice to the other community roles on how to configure Discord, promote Silicon Melbourne, and how best to provide continued support to those in their domain as the community grows. Importantly they keep a finger on the pulse of their specific profession and stay up to date with industry trends.
See our current domain advocates
Registrations of interest opening soon
Resources
Silicon Melbourne is built using multiple interconnected resources and repositories. This section documents the various components that make up the Silicon Melbourne ecosystem and their respective repositories.
Core Resources
1. Silicon Melbourne Website
- Repository: silicon-melbourne.github.io
- Purpose: Main landing page and entry point for the community
- Technology: GitHub Pages static site
2. Silicon Melbourne Documentation
- Repository: docs
- Purpose: Comprehensive documentation site covering community operations, mission, and contributing guidelines
- Technology: mdBook static site generator
3. Discord Configuration
- Repository: discord
- Purpose: Discord bots, configuration, and infrastructure for the community Discord server
- Technology: Discord bot implementation
4. AWS Infrastructure
- Repository: aws
- Purpose: AWS infrastructure as code for Silicon Melbourne's cloud resources
- Technology: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tooling
- Looking for contributors - AWS account with key and token configured
5. GitHub Organisation
- Purpose: Central hub for all Silicon Melbourne open source projects and repositories
- Contains: All the above repositories plus additional community projects
6. Project Backlog
- Purpose: Centralised project management and task tracking for Silicon Melbourne initiatives
- Access: Public project board for transparency in community development
Contributing to Resources
All Silicon Melbourne resources are open source and contributions are welcome. Each repository contains its own contributing guidelines and setup instructions. For general contribution guidance, see the main contributing guide or the respective repositories README.md (they all need work—don't be surprised to find limited information).
Development Coordination
The various resources are coordinated through the GitHub organisation and project backlog. Contributors working across multiple repositories should reference the project backlog to understand how their work fits into the broader community development efforts.
Attributions
- Rhinda — For making the banner image used across our social media available on Unsplash