The main focus for this month’s Melbourne Drupal Meetup was community discussions about DrupalSouth Sydney and how to increase footfall for DrupalSouth 2025.
Community discussions: A summary
In this session, Simon Lindsay and various other members of the Drupal community discussed the outcomes of DrupalSouth and explored strategies for expanding Drupal’s reach, particularly among university students. The conversation highlighted the need for improved promotion of Drupal events and fostering a more inclusive community.
Reflections on DrupalSouth 2024
The discussion began with reflections on DrupalSouth 2024, where members expressed appreciation for the quality of the talks and the overall organisation of the event. Participants highlighted standout sessions, such as Kim Pepper’s deep dive into test coverage and Bryn’s innovative pure CSS presentation. The community praised the event for offering a diverse range of content, though some noted a lack of representation in hosting topics. The consensus was that DrupalSouth provided valuable insights and networking opportunities, particularly for those attending for the first time.
Engaging the next generation: university outreach
A significant portion of the meetup focused on the challenge of attracting new talent to the Drupal community, particularly university students. The conversation touched on the bureaucratic challenges of engaging with universities and the need for structured outreach programs. Participants suggested that offering subsidised or free tickets to students, similar to the model used by WordPress, could be a potential solution. Additionally, the idea of conducting introductory Drupal sessions at universities was proposed as a way to spark interest among students and provide them with a pathway into the Drupal ecosystem.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of promoting Drupal as a viable career option. Members suggested that organising career fairs or similar events at universities could help bridge the gap between students and the Drupal community. There was also talk of leveraging existing connections with universities to foster partnerships that could benefit both the Drupal community and the educational institutions involved.
Enhancing DrupalSouth and community involvement
The meetup participants agreed that DrupalSouth’s promotion needs to be scaled up to reach a broader audience beyond the existing Drupal community. It was noted that while DrupalSouth is well-known within the community, its visibility outside of this circle is limited. Suggestions included targeting university students directly and offering beginner-level training sessions as part of the event to attract new participants.
The discussion also touched on the importance of maintaining a balance between commercial interests and community-driven efforts within the Drupal ecosystem. Participants expressed a desire to keep the spirit of open-source collaboration alive, even as the community grows and evolves. This includes continuing to support initiatives like code sprints and contribution days, which allow members to collaborate on improving Drupal while fostering a sense of community.
Conclusion
The April 2024 Melbourne Drupal Meetup provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the Drupal community. The discussions underscored the importance of expanding Drupal’s reach to new audiences, particularly university students, and highlighted the need for improved event promotion and community engagement. As the Drupal community continues to evolve, these strategies will be crucial in ensuring that Drupal remains accessible and relevant to a new generation of developers and users.