Australia is a large island continent. It is the world's sixth largest country and its smallest continent. The total land area of Australia is more than 7,000,000 square kilometres (slightly smaller than mainland USA) and is bound by the Indian Ocean on one side and the South Pacific Ocean on the other. Australia is home to many unique animals and vegetation. It has a varied and wondrous landscape from deserts and snow-capped mountains to tropical rainforests. Being such a big country, Australia has three time zones - Eastern Standard Time, Central Time and Western Time.

Australia has a total population of more than 19 million people, most of whom live on the eastern and southeastern coast (ie. Melbourne and Sydney). Australia has a large multicultural society with people from over 140 nationalities calling it home. The aboriginal people are native Australians who are believed to have lived in Australia for over 60,000 years. Essentially, about 94% of the population are of European descent, 4% Asian and approximately 1.5% Aboriginal descent (based on 1994 census figures).


Australia has six states and two territories (capital cities are in brackets):

They are: ·

Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)
New South Wales (Sydney)
Northern Territory (Darwin)
Queensland (Brisbane)
South Australia (Adelaide)
Tasmania (Hobart)
Victoria (Melbourne)
Western Australia (Perth)


Lilydale and the Yarra Valley

The Lilydale campus is situated in the picturesque Yarra Valley, a substantial tourism and winegrowing region in Victoria. The area has a rural outlook, with the campus situated in the town of Lilydale, and is a one hour train ride or drive to Melbourne, the second largest city in Australia. The Lilydale campus is situated in Melba Avenue, Lilydale.

Government

The Australian government system is a democratic federal system, recognising the British monarch as sovereign. In Australia, there are three tiers of government - the national or Commonwealth government (often referred to as the federal government), the state/ territory government and the local municipal government. The Prime Minister of Australia is elected to head the federal government. Each state or territory has its own government headed by a Premier. Within the state, the local governments or councils are responsible for their own community.

Weights and Measurements

Australia uses the metric system of weights and measurements. Speed and distance are measured in kilometres, weight in kilograms, volume in litres, and temperature in degrees Celsius. For conversion calculators.


Language

English is the official language in Australia. However, Australia is a multicultural society and you will find many other languages being spoken.


Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria, and is approximately 1 hour by road or rail from the Swinburne, Lilydale campus. Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia.


Climate

Victoria's climate is temperate with four distinct seasons in a year - spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, Victoria and the Yarra Valley experiences its winter season in the middle of the year and summer falls around December to February.

Below is a guide to the average minimum and maximum temperatures in Melbourne:

Spring (September to November) 10oC to 20oC
Summer (December to February) 14oC to 29oC
Autumn (March to May) 11oC to 20oC
Winter (June to August) 7oC to 14oC

People

Melbourne is a multicultural city, with more than 140 ethnic groups calling it home. There are different ethnic precincts all over the city, each with its own distinctive cultural flavour. Discrimination is not tolerated in Australia and cultural diversity is encouraged and celebrated in Melbourne. There are over 17,000 international students studying in Victorian universities, colleges and schools.

Food

Melbourne is sometimes called the 'eating capital' of Australia. There are many different types of food available here from all over the world. For those with special dietary requirements, some restaurants serve strictly vegetarian, kosher, or halal food. Excellent coffees are also readily available.

Shopping

There are many first-class shopping centres in Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs. There is also a range of discount stores, factory outlets, departmental stores, supermarkets and more. All are accessible by public transport.

Finance

Australia uses the decimal system of currency (100 cents = $1.00). Notes come in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins come in denominations of 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2. Travellers' cheques and foreign currency can be changed at any money exchange agent or bank.

Time Zone

Melbourne uses Eastern Standard Time (GMT plus 11 hours). Daylight saving (add one hour) operates between the last Sunday in October and the first Sunday in March. In 2000, daylight saving starts on Sunday, 27th of August (for the Olympics) and should finish in March, 2001. Melbourne is about 3 to 6 hours ahead of most of Asia, 7 to 10 hours ahead of Europe and about 12 to 18 hours ahead of North and South America.

Public Holidays

New Years Day 1 January
Australia Day 26 January
Labour Day Second Monday in March
Anzac Day 25 April
Easter (Good Friday to Easter Monday) March or April
Queen's Birthday Second Monday in June
Melbourne Cup Day First Tuesday in November
Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day 26 December