From little things, big things grow.

Brisbane, September 2003. Consultant geologist Rod Dawney starts an informal weekly meet up “for geologists by geologists” in a local pub.

GeoPub is born. 

Opportunity to drop in, share knowledge, banter and socialise.  Remarkably, GeoPub Brisbane continues uninterrupted to the present day.

Fast forward June 2016.  Mike Whitbread, Helen Williams and Robyn Hee initiate GeoPub Melbourne, adopting Brisbane’s informal model – gatherings monthly not weekly.

Early 2017 Mike moves to Brisbane.  Ben Jupp takes the reins.  Meetups continue across various CBD waterholes.

Then COVID-19: brutal for Melbourne. GeoPub shuts down and struggles to rebuild.  Fewer people coming into town.

May 2025.  Melbourne is missing something. Helen Williams, Ben Jupp, Putra Sadikin and Michael Carter are keen to scratch an itch.  They meet for a drink. John Stewart whips up a stellar logo.  A LinkedIn group is created.  There’s a spark.

June 2025. GeoPub Melbourne is back.

Numbers grow.  Geologists, geophysicists, engineers, service providers, investors. Sponsors are generous. Beer is free.

Now: 350+ on LinkedIn. 100+ on email list.

Where to from here? Who knows but plans are afoot.

Watch this space.  We’d love to have you along as we grow Melbourne’s independent minerals industry community.

Michael Carter, April 2026