MEET YOUR COMMITTEE FOR 2026/27
Learn a little about us and why we got involved in Melbourne Meeples … maybe you’ll be inspired to join the committee one day!
The Melbourne Meeples Committee serves from the Annual General Meeting (normally held in July) of one year to the next.
Chris Ingold
PresidentWhen and what game got you into the board gaming hobby ?
Originally it was probably Lost Valley of the Dinosaurs, Taxi! and Buccaneer back in the 80s! As for many of us there was a drought whilst I stepped away from board games only to discover that a new wave had arrived. Catan prised the door ajar and Scythe reopened it for good.
What are your current Top 3 favourite games of all time ?
My top 100 can be found on the Friendly Meeples Lounge podcast so head on over and find out! There's a good chance 97 of those are now at least in the wrong place but the top three will be pretty hard to shake.
Who is your favourite designer, publisher, YouTuber or podcaster ?
Podcaster, that would have to 'absolutely!' be our FML co-host Jen. I also love Tom Vasel as he and I still have such similar likes and dislikes (both games and headwear) that it's like having personalised reviews just for me.
What is your fondest gaming/game related memory?
My first in-person board game with people outside my family after moving to Australia during the pandemic. It was OzBunnyCon 2021, I knew no-one in the room but ten minutes in I was sat playing Red Rising with five strangers and I'd call each one a friend today. That tell's you everything you need to know about why our hobby is so amazing!
What do you still want to experience in the gaming industry/community ?
To get to GenCon, and to actually finish one of my in-progress game designs...
What book, movie, TV show or world event/location do you wish was made into a board game ?
Danger 5. Maybe I'll have to design it myself!
Originally it was probably Lost Valley of the Dinosaurs, Taxi! and Buccaneer back in the 80s! As for many of us there was a drought whilst I stepped away from board games only to discover that a new wave had arrived. Catan prised the door ajar and Scythe reopened it for good.
What are your current Top 3 favourite games of all time ?
My top 100 can be found on the Friendly Meeples Lounge podcast so head on over and find out! There's a good chance 97 of those are now at least in the wrong place but the top three will be pretty hard to shake.
Who is your favourite designer, publisher, YouTuber or podcaster ?
Podcaster, that would have to 'absolutely!' be our FML co-host Jen. I also love Tom Vasel as he and I still have such similar likes and dislikes (both games and headwear) that it's like having personalised reviews just for me.
What is your fondest gaming/game related memory?
My first in-person board game with people outside my family after moving to Australia during the pandemic. It was OzBunnyCon 2021, I knew no-one in the room but ten minutes in I was sat playing Red Rising with five strangers and I'd call each one a friend today. That tell's you everything you need to know about why our hobby is so amazing!
What do you still want to experience in the gaming industry/community ?
To get to GenCon, and to actually finish one of my in-progress game designs...
What book, movie, TV show or world event/location do you wish was made into a board game ?
Danger 5. Maybe I'll have to design it myself!
Stuart Bettiss
SecretaryWhen and what game got you into the board gaming hobby ?
I grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons in the 80’s (like the kids from Stranger Things) but lost touch with the gaming industry from my late teen’s through to my early 40’s. About 12 years ago my wife bought me Ticket to Ride and Carcassonne as Christmas presents and I haven’t looked back since. I now own roughly 550 games (which includes 110 expansions) and the collection keeps growing.
What are your current Top 3 favourite games of all time ?
This is a hard question to answer, as I’m constantly discovering new and older games, and my response is likely to change in a couple of weeks/months time. But if you had to put me on the spot right now (July 2026), I would say my Top 3 are Earth, Distilled and SETI.
What is your fondest gaming/game related memory?
I was lucky enough to be asked by Jamey Stegmaier, co-founder of Stonemaier Games, to record a video with him in 2023 for his YouTube channel. I chose the topic of Top 4 games to play with your partner, and myself, Jamey and Felipe from Germany spoke about these for over an hour - it was a lot of fun, and great to engage with a well known designer in the Industry. More recently I was lucky enough to meet Shem Phillips, Sam MacDonald and Bobby Hill of Garphill Games, as well as Andrew Bosley, Cole Wehrle and Martin Wallace, at PlayCon 2026, which was another highlight for me.
What do you still want to experience in the gaming industry/community ?
Whilst I’ve loved going to some of our local conventions here in Australia (MeepleCon, PAX, PlayCon), I’m still dreaming of the day when I can travel to the US and Europe to attend some of their large gaming conventions, in particular GenCon in Indianapolis and EssenSpiel in Germany, just to experience the atmosphere of a large scale convention all geared towards board games.
What are you most looking forward to during the 2026/27 membership year?
For me it’s now all about building on existing relationships, and creating new ones with other gaming groups locally and interstate, so that we can collabo- rate together on creating bigger and better events/conventions for our mem- bers. We have a great gaming community here in Melbourne, so together we can introduce more people to this great hobby.
Why do you like being a Melbourne Meeples member, and why did you join the Committee?
I discovered the Melbourne Meeples at the first Melbourne Board Game Mar- ket in 2023 and subsequently attended the first Board in the East (BiTE) event that July. I joined because I loved the community spirit at Meeple events, and I’ve made many great new friends who are just as passionate about the board gaming industry as me. After volunteering for the Meeples at a number of events during the 2023/24 year, I felt I could contribute more by joining the committee, and to help plan and run more events for our great members. I’ve been the Secretary for 2 years, and I’m now entering my 3rd year in this role.
I grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons in the 80’s (like the kids from Stranger Things) but lost touch with the gaming industry from my late teen’s through to my early 40’s. About 12 years ago my wife bought me Ticket to Ride and Carcassonne as Christmas presents and I haven’t looked back since. I now own roughly 550 games (which includes 110 expansions) and the collection keeps growing.
What are your current Top 3 favourite games of all time ?
This is a hard question to answer, as I’m constantly discovering new and older games, and my response is likely to change in a couple of weeks/months time. But if you had to put me on the spot right now (July 2026), I would say my Top 3 are Earth, Distilled and SETI.
What is your fondest gaming/game related memory?
I was lucky enough to be asked by Jamey Stegmaier, co-founder of Stonemaier Games, to record a video with him in 2023 for his YouTube channel. I chose the topic of Top 4 games to play with your partner, and myself, Jamey and Felipe from Germany spoke about these for over an hour - it was a lot of fun, and great to engage with a well known designer in the Industry. More recently I was lucky enough to meet Shem Phillips, Sam MacDonald and Bobby Hill of Garphill Games, as well as Andrew Bosley, Cole Wehrle and Martin Wallace, at PlayCon 2026, which was another highlight for me.
What do you still want to experience in the gaming industry/community ?
Whilst I’ve loved going to some of our local conventions here in Australia (MeepleCon, PAX, PlayCon), I’m still dreaming of the day when I can travel to the US and Europe to attend some of their large gaming conventions, in particular GenCon in Indianapolis and EssenSpiel in Germany, just to experience the atmosphere of a large scale convention all geared towards board games.
What are you most looking forward to during the 2026/27 membership year?
For me it’s now all about building on existing relationships, and creating new ones with other gaming groups locally and interstate, so that we can collabo- rate together on creating bigger and better events/conventions for our mem- bers. We have a great gaming community here in Melbourne, so together we can introduce more people to this great hobby.
Why do you like being a Melbourne Meeples member, and why did you join the Committee?
I discovered the Melbourne Meeples at the first Melbourne Board Game Mar- ket in 2023 and subsequently attended the first Board in the East (BiTE) event that July. I joined because I loved the community spirit at Meeple events, and I’ve made many great new friends who are just as passionate about the board gaming industry as me. After volunteering for the Meeples at a number of events during the 2023/24 year, I felt I could contribute more by joining the committee, and to help plan and run more events for our great members. I’ve been the Secretary for 2 years, and I’m now entering my 3rd year in this role.
Matt Utting
TreasurerWhen and what game got you into the board gaming hobby ?
For modern boardgaming, Carcassonne
Favourite game?
Power Grid
Favourite Designer/style?
Designer is Friedemann Friese (whose designs aren’t always amazing, but are always interesting) and style is probably bidding/economicy kind of games.
What do you like most about the tabletop hobby?
The people. Oh and the games.
Do you have a favourite meeple colour?
Purple
What do you like most about being involved in the Melbourne Meeples Committee?
The free secret jetpacks are pretty cool. Oh… I wasn’t supposed to talk about those. Um... it keeps me busy?
For modern boardgaming, Carcassonne
Favourite game?
Power Grid
Favourite Designer/style?
Designer is Friedemann Friese (whose designs aren’t always amazing, but are always interesting) and style is probably bidding/economicy kind of games.
What do you like most about the tabletop hobby?
The people. Oh and the games.
Do you have a favourite meeple colour?
Purple
What do you like most about being involved in the Melbourne Meeples Committee?
The free secret jetpacks are pretty cool. Oh… I wasn’t supposed to talk about those. Um... it keeps me busy?
Francois Grobler
Vice PresidentWhen and what game got you into the board gaming hobby ?
I started my journey into the hobby as a Magic The Gathering player back in the previous century. I started playing around the release of the first Invasion set. I became a tournament organizer for the game, but we had no venue to play at. The easy solution was to start the first Local Game Store in the city I lived in at the time (Durban, South Africa). The Unseen Shoppe is still running today. We started selling (and playing) board games as a family when I started the shop. I now play way more board games than Magic. We even had a fan make up a Magic Card for me and the co-owner Andrew.
What is your favourite game mechanism?
I love worker placement games. I love games that I can learn while playing the game. No prior knowledge required to be good at the game. Slowly building up your recourses and achieving goals give me a great sense of achievement. This feeling is even better than the feeling of winning the game.
My favourite board game YouTuber?
I love teaching games. The team at Watch It Played are amazing and I admire the way Rodney Smith Teaches games. You really admire his dedication and ability to throw a board game box in the air, and catch it with at exactly the right time to have the tile readable by the viewers. The theme of a game is a big reason why I enjoy playing games. My family enjoys the mechanisms in the games. This is why I really enjoy the Thinker/Themer YouTube channel. Once Amy and Maggie review a game, I know I will enjoy it or have to avoid it.
Why do you like being a Melbourne Meeples member, and why did you join the Committee ?
Joining the committee gives me a chance to give back to a community that has given me so much. I have great skills carrying tables and setting up chairs. This is my biggest contribution to the committee and organising events. The committee is an amazing group of people making amazing things happen.
What is your fondest gaming/game related memory?
I have many favourite board game memories. One was playing at BunnyCon in 2018 (my first meeple event!). I came home and told my wife that it was the best weekend of my life! Another is playing board games on a weekday for a whole day at a friend’s house! Yes, Stu looking at you!
What do you still want to experience in the gaming industry/community?
I would love to attend EssenSpiel in Germany! 😊
Most anticipated experiences you’re looking forward to in the 2024/25 membership year?
I am looking forward to all the big Meeples events this year! Can’t wait for MeepleCon! Also looking forward to the next new game I will play, no matter what the game is it is great to play new games, with friends, old and new!
I started my journey into the hobby as a Magic The Gathering player back in the previous century. I started playing around the release of the first Invasion set. I became a tournament organizer for the game, but we had no venue to play at. The easy solution was to start the first Local Game Store in the city I lived in at the time (Durban, South Africa). The Unseen Shoppe is still running today. We started selling (and playing) board games as a family when I started the shop. I now play way more board games than Magic. We even had a fan make up a Magic Card for me and the co-owner Andrew.
What is your favourite game mechanism?
I love worker placement games. I love games that I can learn while playing the game. No prior knowledge required to be good at the game. Slowly building up your recourses and achieving goals give me a great sense of achievement. This feeling is even better than the feeling of winning the game.
My favourite board game YouTuber?
I love teaching games. The team at Watch It Played are amazing and I admire the way Rodney Smith Teaches games. You really admire his dedication and ability to throw a board game box in the air, and catch it with at exactly the right time to have the tile readable by the viewers. The theme of a game is a big reason why I enjoy playing games. My family enjoys the mechanisms in the games. This is why I really enjoy the Thinker/Themer YouTube channel. Once Amy and Maggie review a game, I know I will enjoy it or have to avoid it.
Why do you like being a Melbourne Meeples member, and why did you join the Committee ?
Joining the committee gives me a chance to give back to a community that has given me so much. I have great skills carrying tables and setting up chairs. This is my biggest contribution to the committee and organising events. The committee is an amazing group of people making amazing things happen.
What is your fondest gaming/game related memory?
I have many favourite board game memories. One was playing at BunnyCon in 2018 (my first meeple event!). I came home and told my wife that it was the best weekend of my life! Another is playing board games on a weekday for a whole day at a friend’s house! Yes, Stu looking at you!
What do you still want to experience in the gaming industry/community?
I would love to attend EssenSpiel in Germany! 😊
Most anticipated experiences you’re looking forward to in the 2024/25 membership year?
I am looking forward to all the big Meeples events this year! Can’t wait for MeepleCon! Also looking forward to the next new game I will play, no matter what the game is it is great to play new games, with friends, old and new!
Sonika Balyan
General Committee Member & WebmasterWhen and what game got you into the board gaming hobby ?
I grew up playing lot of card games, monopoly, scrabble and the likes with my family. For modern board games, I can’t think of an individual game. I attended a meetup, tried few games, and it sort of just grew from there. I think there were few rounds of Catan, Rummikub, Bohnanza, Ticket to Ride involved.
What is your favourite game mechanism?
I am a big fan of worker placement games. And Roll & Writes. I definitely own too many of those, but it is what it is. They are fun, and usually quick.
Why do you like being a Melbourne Meeples member, and why did you join the Committee ?
Best part about being MM member is the discounts. kidding!! it's hanging out with some amazing folks and playing all the games. This group has increased my social circle. So many new friends. And I want everyone to have that experience. Hence, I joined the committee.
What is your fondest gaming/game related memory?
I have many favourite board game memories. Playing with my family in my teen years, then meeting my partner at boardgames. Playing with him, and family til his last days. Now playing with nieces and nephews. And recently teaching Azul to my mum and aunt and getting beaten by them.
Apart from these, I recently went on BGG cruise and it was amazing to meet so many gamers and play entire day on the sea. We also had the chance to have lunch with Shem Phillips (Garphill Games), Bobby Hill (Hadrian's Wall) and Jarath (Endeavour Deep Sea) and it was a wonderful experience.
What do you like most about the tabletop hobby?
There’s something for everyone. From light party games, to long complex ones, to the ones that require you to interact a lot, to those where it’s minimum talking, it’s a hobby that brings all people together.
I grew up playing lot of card games, monopoly, scrabble and the likes with my family. For modern board games, I can’t think of an individual game. I attended a meetup, tried few games, and it sort of just grew from there. I think there were few rounds of Catan, Rummikub, Bohnanza, Ticket to Ride involved.
What is your favourite game mechanism?
I am a big fan of worker placement games. And Roll & Writes. I definitely own too many of those, but it is what it is. They are fun, and usually quick.
Why do you like being a Melbourne Meeples member, and why did you join the Committee ?
Best part about being MM member is the discounts. kidding!! it's hanging out with some amazing folks and playing all the games. This group has increased my social circle. So many new friends. And I want everyone to have that experience. Hence, I joined the committee.
What is your fondest gaming/game related memory?
I have many favourite board game memories. Playing with my family in my teen years, then meeting my partner at boardgames. Playing with him, and family til his last days. Now playing with nieces and nephews. And recently teaching Azul to my mum and aunt and getting beaten by them.
Apart from these, I recently went on BGG cruise and it was amazing to meet so many gamers and play entire day on the sea. We also had the chance to have lunch with Shem Phillips (Garphill Games), Bobby Hill (Hadrian's Wall) and Jarath (Endeavour Deep Sea) and it was a wonderful experience.
What do you like most about the tabletop hobby?
There’s something for everyone. From light party games, to long complex ones, to the ones that require you to interact a lot, to those where it’s minimum talking, it’s a hobby that brings all people together.
