Freelancer networking: No-BS events by Aussie “Aunties” – Is your market next?
The Aunties, an Australian freelancer networking community, proves sector-specific Chatham House-style events are effective. Every industry from finance to healthcare should be taking notes from their playbook. Could you and a group of fellow freelancers do the same for your market and sector?
Chelsea Morley, co-founder of Tiny Disco and one of The Aunties, says it like it is: “There’s freedom in freelancing and power in starting your own thing, but there’s also isolation, instability, and a hell of a lot of paperwork.”
The events and support group’s name, “The Aunties”, reflects their ethos: trusted family members who offer practical wisdom without judgment. Their Founders & Freelancers events launching this August operate under one principle: “There won’t be cheesy ‘girl boss’ quotes. Just cheese platters.”
Jane Burhop, co-founder of Common Ventures and fellow “Auntie,” explains: “Many people in our community are making bold moves, starting studios, building collectives, freelancing full time, but the support structures haven’t kept up.”
Their solution? Chatham House rules networking, where you can share information but never reveal who said what.
There is nothing stopping freelancers the world over from creating similar communities and sector-specific events that give people the freedom to speak freely and learn from others.
Why generic networking can fail freelancers
A freelance tax advisor struggling with difficult clients’ needs different support than a freelance graphic designer dealing with scope creep. Yet most networking events lump all freelancers together, creating superficial connections that don’t address professional challenges happening right now.
Sector-specific networking can be more effective because participants speak the same professional language, face similar regulatory and recruitment challenges and can offer tips they can actually use. For example, when a freelance HR consultant discusses client boundary issues with fellow HR professionals, the advice is immediately actionable.
The Chatham House rules advantage
Originally developed for diplomatic discussions, Chatham House rules create psychological safety for freelancers who might otherwise worry about appearing vulnerable or sharing competitive intelligence.
The core rule is simple: Participants can use information from discussions but cannot reveal who said what or even that specific individuals attended.
This welcomes honest conversations about pricing strategies, difficult clients, cash flow challenges, and industry-specific problems that freelancers face alone.
How to start and run your own freelancer meetup
Step 1: Define your sector tightly. Don’t organise for “marketing freelancers”— set up something for freelance social media managers or independent brand strategists. Specificity creates relevance.
Step 2: Find your first five people. You need committed founding members. Reach out through LinkedIn, industry Facebook groups, or professional associations. Five committed people can start a community.
Step 3: Choose your venue wisely. Private meeting rooms, coworking spaces, or members’ offices work best. Avoid public spaces where conversations might be overheard. The Aunties for example use Tiny Disco in Melbourne and Born Creators in Sydney, both of which are professional spaces that feel welcoming.
Step 4: Establish and enforce Chatham House rules
At the start of every meeting, clearly state:
- “Everything shared here stays here”
- “You can use insights from today’s discussion but never attribute them to specific people”
- “What’s said in the room stays in the room—no social media posts about who attended or what was discussed”
- “If you want to follow up with someone, ask them directly for permission to connect”
Enforcement tactics:
- Create a simple one-page handout explaining the rules
- Ask for verbal agreement from all attendees at the start
- Designate a “rules keeper” who gently reminds people if they start naming names
- Keep attendance lists private and don’t circulate them
Step 5: Structure for success with a format:
- Brief expert panel (3 speakers, 20 minutes total)
- Open discussion facilitated around common challenges
- Informal networking with food and drinks
- 90 minutes maximum—people have businesses and families to run
The goal is consistency and trust-building. As Sive Buckley, managing partner of Born Creators and Sydney host, suggests: “This initiative is designed to bring this growing cohort together offering a mix of networking, practical advice, and a space where people who often work solo can find a real sense of community.”
Beyond creative industries and aunties
While The Aunties focuses on creatives, the model could work across any sector where freelancers operate, for example:
- Healthcare: Freelance nurses, therapists, and medical consultants
- Legal: Contract lawyers and legal researchers
- Education: Tutors, curriculum developers, and training specialists
- Logistics: Independent drivers, warehouse contractors, and supply chain consultants
- Hospitality: Event planners, catering specialists, and venue coordinators
Each sector has unique professional challenges that only industry peers truly understand. Events could run regionally and nationally, which is why it is helpful to have core members from different parts of the country.
If you’re serious about creating and or sponsoring a Chatham-style Rules event for freelancers in your industry and region, please leave a comment so we can help spread the word on social media.
For our Australia-based readers, The Aunties’ Founders & Freelancers events run on August 13th in Melbourne and August 14th in Sydney, with free tickets available. Attendees will enjoy Drop of Sunshine wine thanks to the generosity of Treasury Collective, and in Melbourne, a little extra comfort courtesy of chairs from Dann Event Hire.
Tickets are free and RSVPs are required for Melbourne and Sydney.
You can follow The Aunties on LinkedIn and Instagram.
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