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About Melbourne

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• Electricity
  The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts, AC 50HZ. A 3-pin power outlet is standard and you may require an adapter socket. Universal outlets for 240v or 110v shavers/hairdryers are usually found in most hotels.
• Currency and Banking Hours
  Australian Dollars (AUD). In city and resort areas, major credit cards such as American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club, Bankcard and Visa can be used for a wide range of goods and services. For foreign currency exchange at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport, Thomas Cook is located on the ground floor and the first floor of the International Terminal and is open 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Currency Exchange is also available at 109 Collins Street, Melbourne. Open 8.00am till 9.00pm seven (7) days a week. Travellers cheques can be cashed at banks, bureaux de change, hotels and shops in cities and towns.
  Banks are open from 9.30am till 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and until 5.00pm on Friday. Some banks are open on Saturday mornings. Twenty-four hour automatic teller machines are very common throughout the city and suburbs.
• What to Wear
  Generally, Australians dress informally and this style of dress would be acceptable for Conference sessions.
         Welcome Cocktails: Smart Casual
         Social Dinner: Smart Casual
         Conference Dinner: Evening or business attire
  
• Weather
  At the time of the Conference, it will be Summer in Melbourne. The average maximum temperature at this time of year is 25ąC (77F) and during the night can be as low as 14ąC (57F). We recommend that you bring some warm clothes with you.
• Business and Shopping Hours
  Offices and businesses are generally open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Shop hours vary, however most city and suburban stores are now open until 5.30pm on weekdays, 9.00pm on Fridays and 4.00pm on Saturdays. Many major city department stores and shopping centres open on Sunday.

You can find many more details on Melbourne in the following sites:

• About Australia
• More about Australia
• Australian White and Yellow Pages
• Snap shots from around Melbourne
• A bit about Melbourne
• More about the City
• Melbourne's climate
• Melbourne TV Guide
• Australian Tourism
• Currency Converter
• Academic jobs in the neighbourhood
• The Australian Internet Florist Network
• Australian Universities

• A bit of Culture
  • DOWN, an on-line Australian novel by Mathew Spong
  • Melbourne International Film Festival
  • Melbourne Events
  • Jazz/Funk: Rucus Dance Company (Sydney, Australia)
  • Annotated Bibliography of Dance Materials in Australia
  • Queensland Univ. of Technology's Centre for Innovation in Arts
  • Edith Cowan University Dance Department
  • Kailash School of Indian Dance

• And something to eat
  • Melbourne Diners Guide
  • Cellarmaster "e-wine"
  • Foodnow
  • Melbourne Internet Restaurant Guide
  • A Byte to eat

And here is just a bit of information about what is going on in this region in the OR/MS area:

• ASOR (The Australian Society for Operations Research)
• ORSNZ (The Operational Research Society of New Zealand)
• ORSS (The Operational Research Society of Singapore)
• WORMS Virtual Encyclopedia
• DP Virtual Studio