There are a numbers of art societies in Melbourne and Victoria. Mostly regional (e.g. Heidelberg, Malvern) sometimes stylistic (Contemporary Art Society). Local Art Societies are typically not-for-profit and welcome members young and old. I have listed a few below.
Art Societies create an arts community with activities including painting excursions (en plein air), workshops or classes which may include still life sessions and arranging volunteer sitters for portrait painting. (Keeps costs down). They also arrange exhibitions of members works, on their own premises or elsewhere. The Heidelberg Art Society has an ongoing exhibition of artworks in a Warringal Shopping Centre (behind the Austin Hospital). Here you will meet artists who are more than willing to have a chat and discuss how they work with their mediums – last week I discovered scratch boards for the first time. Some beautiful, small works of ink on scratchboard depicting Australian native animals. Very finely details birds. Other societies have annual exhibitions.
Mt Evelyn & Yarra Valley Art Society
The Pastel Society of Victoria
The Society of Folk and Decorative Artists Victoria
Australian Society for Miniature Art Victoria
Association of Sculptors Victoria
