Seeking Moments of Connection: Our First Event

Last month, Ruffle hosted our very first event – a Scrap & Yap in collaboration with No Agenda Social Club – where some beautiful people came together to create some beautiful things. It was a lovely day filled with chatter, connection, and collaging. 

We had an array of magazines and books to spark everyone’s creativity – scissors were snipping and glue sticks were gliding. It was creative, cosy, and refreshingly low-pressure – the kind of afternoon that reminds you how nice it is to exist around other people.

Founder of No Agenda Social Club, Jolin, started the club after moving to Australia as an international student and struggling to find her people. The glossy, romanticised ‘uni experience’ – parties, clubs, lifelong friendships – didn’t quite match her reality.

‘If you asked me back in July, “would I want to stay in Melbourne after I graduated?” I probably would have said no,’ she said. ‘I wanted to move to Sydney because the social club scene there is thriving.’ 

‘My thought process behind it was…why can't I just start my own?’

When Jolin messaged me to collaborate on an event, I was beyond excited. I myself have been to other social club events, like Bigger Things Club, when I moved to Melbourne and had amazing experiences. Being able to provide this platform for making connections, building confidence, and simply having a nice time with people in a similar position was wonderful.

‘That's the whole vibe of the social club,’ Jolin said. ‘To make socialising fun again and to not have any agenda behind meeting people.’

And collaging was the obvious choice, of course! Perfect for disconnecting, being creative, and easing anxiety when socialising. 

Avid scrap booker with an incredible junk journal, Vittoria, started this hobby because she has always loved art and creating. 

Vittoria’s journal spreads she created at the event. ‘I was naturally inspired by what was happening and what people were doing around me,’ she said.

‘I bring out my junk journal and there's actual evidence of my time,’ she said. ‘I'm leaving a trace of my personality behind.’

Vittoria came to the Scrap & Yap hoping to meet others who shared her love of making.

Another attendee, Talie, has recently moved to Melbourne and was looking to make friends beyond her campus.

‘I would say that talking to strangers, meeting them for the first time, and striking up conversations kind of intimidates me at times, but during the entire event everyone was so warm and welcoming,’ she said. 

Talie’s 2026 vision board. ‘Even though I had a lot of fun making it, the vibe of the entire event itself truly makes it,’ she said.

‘It was so good for finding friends,’ Vittoria added. ‘We all made a group chat afterwards.’ 

As our lives are getting busier and we are growing distant from each other, there is a collective longing for simpler times – where people would unite for connection and enjoyment.

‘I think that these social clubs are popping up more abruptly these days because people are basically yearning for community,’ said Talie. ‘It's like, we have a plethora of social media and so many things that could “connect us”, but at the same time, I personally feel like this is the most disconnected I've ever felt.’

Social media can help people find their niche, Vittoria noted – but it’s not the same as being there.

‘I could hop on Reddit right now and find a bunch of people who also like scrapbooking, but it's totally different to be surrounded by those people,’ said Vittoria. ‘People are suddenly like “oh, I actually would like to go out and do things instead of being on my phone”.’

We’ll definitely be hosting more events like this – and if cutting, pasting, yapping, or simply showing up sounds like your thing, keep an eye on our socials or newsletter.

In the meantime, there’s a whole world of social clubs out there. Whatever you’re into, there’s probably a group waiting for you. Go see what tickles your fancy and find your people!