I've just finished an evening of reading up on organised Australian golf, in particular in VIC. I've never been a member of a club. Too poor growing up (imagine lots of swimming or trudging in ponds after dark to gather balls). And no need or inclination once I'd made it into the golf club worthy category in the U.S. Too many good courses around Boston that didn't require a 5-digit deposit to play.

So Migros and ASGI have been my Swiss golf pass for the last many years. On top of that, given the WGA handicap system and the intrinsic increase in course quality in Oz, it makes more sense to join a local and re-establish.

BUT

After all that alliteration. I am definitely up to host a first annual Australian FT Golf Classic around MEL this Spring or early summer. It'll give me a nice focus point for establishing my new social network.

Congratulations on securing the job and the move down under - a little too far down under for my liking, but each to their own .
Now, looking into my Melbourne weather crystal ball, I note that spring will be October 4th, 17th and the morning of 23rd; November 16-18th and afternoon of 26th, and December 12th and 13th. Early summer will be the first week of January. All other days will fit into some other season(s) only to be found in Victoria. Hope that helps with making bookings .

And as far as football teams go, let me ask the eternal question: What do Mt Buller and Collingwood Football Club have in common?

michswiss - live dangerously and support the Brisbane Lions!! Enjoy MEL - it's a great place!!

Cheers, gb.

The Melbourne Demons are the only team to support. Home ground is the great MCG. A footy team to support is compulsory in Melbourne. You will get a lot of suggestions, but the Demons are the team to go for.

If you are in Melbourne in the first week of November you will be here for Cup week. The first Tuesday in November is a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup horse race. 100,000 or more people attend, but many do not see a horse all day, but will see the bottom on many empty wine glasses. Thursday is Oaks day. Not a public holiday but 75,000 to 100,000 will be at the course

I agree with ghostboy, back the Brisbane Lions, who are getting set to win their 4th consecutive AFL crown in the not-to-distant future. They were created following the combining of the Brisbane Bears and Footscray clubs(IMMSMC), so they continue to hold a (growing) Melbourne fan base.

I look forward to the inaugural QF Forum First Annual Melbourne Golf Day...with any luck, I can make it down withmy clubs. I'll be in MEL on 27/28 November, but alas no time for golf.

michswiss, look forward to being a part of your expanded FT social scene. I think you're going to fit in just nicely, after re-reading the entire thread tonight.

I have a number of clients on 457 visa's (who particularly looked at the superannuation issue), so PM me if you have any further questions.

Just to get the story straight, yes the Brisbane Lions are the team to support. Just to clarify, Brisbane Lions were formed 1996/1997 season they as a merger between the Brisbane Bears formed in 1987, and Fitzroy Lions who were one of the 8 original teams when the competition started back in
1897.

Footscray are now the Western Bulldogs.

Welcome to Australia.

Answer: They both turn to slush in September .

If that's the case, why do they have FFC on the backs of their jumpers?

As a form of respect to the club's history.


Bulldogs aside, any new resident could not go past Carlton as the team to support. Now is also the best time to get on board, they've had a rough few years, but coaching changes by Pagan are starting to pay off and next season they will be back in their rightful place in the finals.

New to Melbourne and support a team in another state. Never, never. Not the way win friends and influence people in this town. Footy is serious business here.

I support two team - The Brisbane Lions and anyone playing against Collingwood .

And whoever is playing Carlton.

When Collingwood plays Carlton, support the maggots. (Will leave that to someone else to explain).

Dave

I thought I'd let you all know, after a month's delay due to my being ill, I've just received confirmation that my Visa has been approved.

I should be arriving in early November and once I have dates firmed up, would like to invite each and every one of you to Melbourne to buy me a welcome drink.

Well done, and I'll be there. Early in the week is best for me, since we have three operators per channel early in the week, but six per channel on TH-SA - so it is hard to get a night off on TH, FR and SA nights.

Need about three weeks notice though, does the MEL QP sound good to you? I know of quite a few watering holes in MEL as well.

Dave

Hi

As a long time emigrant to Melbourne (I emigrated from Western Australia in 1975 ) I have some ideas and opinions to put forward.

1, Melbourne

Interesting multicultural city with great architecture (including a great new ralway station with a wavy roof), lots of cheap, great restaurants and a strong sporting culture. It is sort of like a Paris in the South Pacific.

2. Australian Rules Football Club to follow

Follow St Kilda. Note - there is no bias here as I follow Nth Melbourne. St Kilda is a Bayside suburb with a strong French community hence someone Swiss should feel at home with the club (A lot of Swiss speak French).

3. Soccer Club (Football) to follow.

Don't bother - the standard of soccer in this country is relatively low.

4. Melbourne Rugby League club to follow.

This is easy - Melbourne Storm as it is the only Melbourne club in the National competition. Having said that not many people in Victoria follow the rugby.

5. Foreign Tv

I'ss assume you speak Swiss German. It is possible to get DW-TV (English/German) unencrypted with a satellite dish and decoder. If you speak French as I do you can likewise get TV5 (which includes some Swiss Romand programs), Tempo and Canal+ (free to air some of the time) with an appropriate setup. There is also subscription tv for those that speak French - see www.lbf.com.au

6. Climate

Temperate and variable. Can get very hot in summer but not cold enough for snow generally.

7. Major events during the year - Melbourne Comedy Festival, Melbourne Arts Festival, Melbourne Grand Prix, Melbourne Cup Day, Royal Melbourne Show

8. Best Shopping places - any of the factory outlets, Victoria Market, Richmond (clothing)

9. Recommended suburb (if you can afford it)

Glen Iris, Malvern, Camberwell, Balwyn - all leafy and green and quiet. Ideally get a house within walking distance of a railway station or tram

If you want a cheaper home but nice, buy at Boronia which is right next to Mount Dandenong. Its a long trip to the city but it is only 5 minutes to the Parks on Mount Dandenong by car.

10. Public transport - inner suburbs (good), outer suburbs - ok for getting to and from the city centre (downtown) if you are near a railway line. Otherwise you need a car.

cheers Peter