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Our social calendar features a diverse range of events and activities designed to appeal to all members of our community.
To attend, simply join the Society as a financial member and register for events using the booking links below, and to stay informed, sign up for our free newsletter with all the latest news, events and opportunities.
Not yet a member?
Not yet a member?
We'd love to see you at our next event! A financial membership entitles you to book tickets in our packed social calendar for alumni of all ages, and enables the Society to be professionally administered.
1 year membership: $45 pp
3 year membership: $135 pp
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Archibald Prize Tour
Archibald Prize Tour
An exclusive private tour of the 2025 Archibald Prize exhibition with a gallery educator. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy Australia's most prestigious portrait prize away from the weekend crowds with expert commentary from a gallery educator, plus drinks & nibbles with fellow alumni.
Event Details
📆 Date: Wednesday 11 June
⏰ Time: 6:00-8:00PM (drinks & nibbles in the cafe 6:00PM, tour from 7:00PM).
🏛️ Venue: Art Gallery of NSW
💰 Price: $37 tickets including tour (drinks & nibbles self purchased).
👉 BOOK BY 1 JUNE: numbers limited. Previous Cambridge Society AGNSW tours have sold out quickly, so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Members and guests welcome
About The Exhibition
This year's exhibition features 57 remarkable finalists selected from 904 entries, showcasing portraits that AGNSW Director Maud Page describes as capturing both "the big sadness of life" and the humour that helps us "cope with the world and ourselves."
Bell Shakespeare - Coriolanus
Bell Shakespeare - Coriolanus
Join a group of fellow CamSoc members and your guests for Bell Shakespeare's thrilling production of Coriolanus, one of Shakespeare's most exhilarating political works. This gripping tale of war, power and politics follows the ferocious Roman warrior whose contempt for the public leads to his banishment—and his vengeful alliance with former enemies.
Event Details
📆 Date: Thursday 26 June,
⏰ 7pm curtain up
🏛️ Venue: The Neilsen Nutshell, 13A Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW
💰 Price:$45 (Under 35s) / $70 (all others).
👉 BOOK BY 12 JUNE (subject to ticket availability)
Members and guests welcome.
About The Production
We've arranged a group of tickets for this intimate production, directed by Artistic Director Peter Evans and starring Hazem Shammas (Macbeth, The Twelve). For the first time in 30 years, Bell Shakespeare presents this powerful work in The Neilson Nutshell—a production that promises to be both thrilling and disturbingly familiar.
Past Events
Past Events
AGM & Thinking at Twilight with Martijn Wilder AM
Following the brief but most informative AGM hosted by President Simon Smith, it was fascinating to hear from Martijn Wilder AM about the National Reconstruction Fund as well as his views on the global energy transition. His top-level overview and grasp of the policy issues on the ground really came through. The Q&A was really lively - people clearly wanted to hear more!
A massive thanks for alum Anna Grunseit and David Antony at Corrs, whose offices provided a wonderful contemporary space. The catering was delicious and in line with National Reconciliation Week and members have specifically mentioned how impressed they were with the venue.
With over 70 attendees, it was our most popular Thinking at Twilight event ever. Cambridge at its best!
Oxford versus Cambridge Quiz, Wednesday 9th April 2025
🎉 What a night! Our Cambridge Society quiz evening was once again a roaring success with a completely sold-out crowd.
Teams huddled around tables, heads together in concentration (and occasional bewilderment!). The atmosphere was electric as we welcomed guests from Oxford and various Ivy League universities, along with several newcomers to Sydney. Nothing like a bit of friendly rivalry to spice up a quiz night!
You know you’re definitely at a Cambridge event when your teammate casually works out the common name for a chemical compound by deriving the chemistry from its scientific name! 🤓
Global Cambridge in Sydney: Highlights from an evening
with Nick Bryant, Wednesday 26th March 2025
Sydney’s Cambridge community gathered for a fantastic evening of ideas, conversation, and connection at the Global Cambridge event, held at Fishburners. The focus was a thought-provoking talk by former BBC foreign correspondent and author Nick Bryant, who shared insights from his latest book, "The Forever War: America’s Political Dysfunction and the Path to Democratic Renewal".
Nick, who has reported from Washington, South Asia, Australia, and New York, unpacked the deep divisions shaping American politics today—and what lessons the world can take from them. The Q&A that followed, expertly moderated by James Helm (Trinity Hall, 1988), sparked some lively discussion and debate (as well as many shared memories from their time at Cambridge and in the BBC together).
After the formal session wrapped up, guests enjoyed a canapé reception, catching up with fellow alumni and making new connections. A huge thank you to Clare Monaghan and Vibhuti Patel from Cambridge’s Global Alumni Engagement team for joining us and sharing their insights on the University’s ever-growing global network.
Sex, Startups & Societal Taboos: Raw Lessons from Building Australia's Leading Sexual Wellness Brand, Thursday 20th February 2025
Sex, Startups & Societal Taboos: Raw Lessons from Building Australia's Leading Sexual Wellness Brand, Thursday 20th February 2025
What a night! Our second-highest-selling "Thinking at Twilight" event (and certainly among our most daring!) was a huge success, with over 50 Cambridge alumni of all ages and persuasions gathering to learn about sextech, entrepreneurship and breaking social taboos from the brilliant Lucy Wark, founder of award-winning sexual wellness brand Normal.
Over canapes and drinks, we dove into fascinating research about the state of sex in modern Australia, and got the unvarnished truth about building a business aimed at normalising healthy conversations about pleasure - challenges, censorship, social stigma and all!
Oxford vs. Cambridge Varsity Barefoot Bowls,
Sunday 10th November 2024
On 10th November 2024, the Oxford vs. Cambridge Varsity Barefoot Bowls match made its debut at the Diamond Bay Bowling Club, drawing a great crowd of about 30. Both universities were well represented, with a special guest appearance from Benji, celebrating his third birthday!
After a few friendly but competitive ends, the event was declared a dead tie—7 points each. In the spirit of camaraderie, both teams shared the inaugural Traditional Pineapple Trophy.
A brilliant day of old and new friendships, laughter, and a perfect touch of sunshine.
The Cambridge Society of New South Wales was lucky to be hosted by Dr Melanie Pitkin, Egyptologist and curator at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney. Dr. Pitkin led us through the fascinating decisions involved in researching and presenting ancient Egyptian artifacts and mummies—choices so complex even Indiana Jones might think twice!
The audience was captivated by her expertise and the careful thought given to handling such intricate subjects. A private tour of the Egyptian galleries with Dr. Pitkin made the evening unforgettable. From AI to ancient civilizations, Cambridge talent here in Sydney never fails to impress. Thank you, Dr. Pitkin, for an inspiring night!
AI & Tomorrow's Workforce: How to Future Proof Your Career with Helen Mayhew, McKinsey & Company, Wednesday 18th September 2024
AI & Tomorrow's Workforce: How to Future Proof Your Career with Helen Mayhew, McKinsey & Company, Wednesday 18th September 2024
Cambridge Society of NSW sold out "Thinking at Twilight" event featured Helen Mayhew from McKinsey & Company and QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey discussing AI's practical implications.
Helen offered insights on current AI implementation in organizations and its future impact on industries, elite sporting competitions and the workforce. She recommended several pieces of McKinsey's research for further reading and outlined how Team New Zealand used AI scenarios with the help of QuantumBlack to win the America's Cup in 2024. She stressed the importance of curiosity and critical thinking to thrive in an AI world.
Her top advice for individuals today: use the tools and experiment, experiment, experiment. The questions from our audience reflected the breadth and curiosity, typical of the Cambridge community!
Magritte Exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Wednesday 11th December 2024
Magritte Exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Wednesday 11th December 2024
A surreal evening was had by all at our final event of 2024 - a guided tour of the Magritte exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Our first event of this kind saw healthy attendance of art lovers and beginners alike, with 25 alums joining us for a retrospective of Magritte’s evolution as an artist.
The tour followed paintings, sketches, advertisements and other forms, through Magritte’s early beginnings in Belgian surrealism and the Paris years, to his post-war turn towards ‘sunlit’ surrealism, his later-life popularity in the United States and his final years reflecting on themes of death and endings via his art.
Christmas Drinks, Light Brigade,
Wednesday 27th November 2024
Celebrating another fantastic year with our legendary Christmas drinks!
The Light Brigade saw a lively turnout of some 70 people, with Cantab alums joined by our friends from Oxford and the Ivy League.
It was great to see connections made and renewed, with a tremendous diversity of ages, interests and backgrounds.
And our committee is growing - Natasha May has kindly agreed to join the committee as younger member liaison officer and is already working on her first event!
Annual Oxford versus Cambridge Golf Match,
Friday 15th November 2024
Annual Oxford versus Cambridge Golf Match,
Friday 15th November 2024
Annual Oxford-Cambridge Golf Match Report: A Cambridge Victory!
The annual golf match between Oxford and Cambridge was held at the Killara Golf Club on Friday 15 November. The rain was unkind and the light failed, but both teams battled it out over 9 holes and had a great time. Dinner at the Club followed, giving everyone the chance to relive their finest shots and revise their failures.
It was a tight contest, with three of the matches being decided on the last hole. The results were:
Peter Buchen LOST to Lynne Pressley
Jonathan Negus TIED with Phil Harris
Laurie Scandrett BEAT Bob Gilchrist
Richard Lyon BEAT Peter Abelson
James Balfour BEAT Robert Laurie.
This delivered Cambridge a decisive victory of 3 ½ to 1 ½.
Oxbridge and Ivy League Networking Evening at Babylon, Thursday, 13th June 2024
We are pleased to share that the Oxbridge and Ivy League networking evening at Babylon was a great success. With over 40 attendees, including Cambridge alumni and guests from Oxford, and various Ivy League schools, it was a wonderful opportunity for meaningful connections.
The venue provided the perfect backdrop for engaging conversations and a relaxed atmosphere. Everyone enjoyed themselves and had the chance to meet new people and exchange ideas.
Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the evening's success!
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