Melbourne has a diverse ranges of faiths, although the top two are Christianity (there are 15 branches of Christianity routinely practiced in Melbourne) followed by Agnosticism.
Most services are conducted in English, although you can find an occasional Latin Mass offered in St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne’s CBD. This will usually happen only on certain special occasions like Christmas Eve. Other branches of Christianity also conduct their services in English, as well as Greek, Macedonian, Ukrainian and Serbian Orthodox services (although if you want to make friends when the service is over, it will pay to be bilingual). Hebrew is spoken in synagogues, although you will not find any Jewish Melburnians who cannot speak English. Similarly, you will hear Arabic used if you attend mosque, but English is perfectly acceptable for communicating after the service. For Hindus, Pooja is usually held at 8am and 7.30pm. Baha’i services are held in the homes of fellow believers, as there is only one temple in Australia and it is in Sydney.
A list of all places of worship to be found in Melbourne is below. Many do not have direct phone lines (and no websites) but when you get there, worship times will be clearly displayed on noticeboards and the like.
CHRISTIAN
Chinese Christian
Central Chinese Baptist Church
135 Capel Street, North Melbourne
03 9329 6065
http://www.ccbc.org.au/
Melbourne Chinese Baptist Church
75A Cotham Rd, Kew
03 9855 2868
http://www.mcbc.org.au/
Episcopalian
Scots Church
99 Russell St, Melbourne
03 9650 9903
Catholic
The Ukrainian Catholic Church
35 Canning Street, North Melbourne
03 9320 2566
St. Mary Star of the Sea
33 Howard Street, West Melbourne
03 9328 3474
http://www.stmaryswestmelbourne.org/
St Francis Church
326 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
03 9663 2495
http://www.stfrancismelbourne.org.au/
St James Old Cathedral
2 Batman St, West Melbourne
0417 387 799
Orthodox
Holy Cross Australian Orthodox Mission
261-265 Spring St, Melbourne
0403 847 517
Holy Trinity Greek
2 Leeds St, Footscray
03 9687 2727
http://www.greekcommunity.com.au/
Or
319 Burnley St, Richmond
03 9428 1284
Or
Royal Parade, Parkville
0403 381 967
Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church
186 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne
03 9662 1362
Baptist
Korean Baptist Church
481 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick
Brighton Baptist Church
164 Bay Street, Brighton
03 9596 4486
http://brightonbaptist.org.au/
Crossway Baptist Church
2 Vision Dr, Burwood East
03 9886 3700
Lutheran
Lutheran Church of Australia
20 Southgate Ave, Southbank
03 9682 4995
German Lutheran Trinity Church
22 Parliament Pl, East Melbourne
03 9654 5743
St Johns Lutheran Church
20 City Rd, Southbank
03 9682 4995
Swedish Church
21 St Georges Rd, Toorak
03 9827 5580
Uniting (non-denominational)
South Melbourne Uniting Church
321 Dorcas St, South Melbourne
03 9690 1727
Port Melbourne Uniting Church
Bridge St, Port Melbourne
03 9690 1188
http://wr.victas.uca.org.au/
Wesley Uniting Church
148 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
03 9663 2935
St Michaels Uniting Church
120 Collins St, Melbourne
03 9654 5120
CrossCulture Church of Christ
194 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
03 9623 9199
Anglican
All Saints Church
2 Chapel St, St Kilda East
03 9510 7689
The Anglican Centre
209 Flinders La, Melbourne
03 9653 4220
Methodist
Evangelical Methodist Church
1 Neerim Rd, Caulfield
03 9528 5287
Christian Science
Christian Science Reading Room
340 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
03 9690 4792
Or
30 Degraves St, Melbourne
03 9654 8461
First Church of Christian Science
26 Station St, Ringwood
03 9870 6807
HINDU
Vinyagar Hindu Temple
1292 Mountain Hwy, The Basin
03 9762 1835
http://www.melbournevinayagar.org.au/
Sri Durga Temple
705 Neale Rd W, Rockbank
03 9747 1628
http://www.sridurgatemple.com/
ISLAM
City Mosque
66 Jeffcott St, West Melbourne
03 9328 2067
Fitzroy Turkish Islamic Society
144 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy
03 9417 5760
Footscray West Mosque
294 Essex Street, Footscray
Coburg Islam Merkezi
31 Nicholson Street, Coburg East
03 9386 5324
JEWISH
Temple Beth Israel
76 Alma Rd, St. Kilda
03 9510 1488
Elwood Shule
39 Dickens Street, Elwood
03 9531 1547
http://www.elwoodshule.org/
Australia is a safe and disease free country. No health certificates are needed to enter Australia and vaccinations are not required to enter unless you have come from or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within 1 year. However, applications for permanent or long-stay visas will usually involve undergoing a health examination that includes a screening for tuberculosis. For more information on health examinations, see our visa section. prior to arrival. (Eg. South America, Africa).
Environment
Melbourne summers get very hot and the UV light is harsh. In fact, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. So, when you are out in the sun wear sunscreen and a hat, and drink plenty of water.
- Department of Health and Aging http://www.health.gov.au
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare http://www.aihw.gov.au
Wildlife
Australia has a high number of venomous natural wildlife and dangerous marine animals (as detailed below). More so than in other countries, great care should be taken when exploring or enjoying the outdoors. If you suspect you or somebody else has been bitten by a poisonous creature do not wash off the venom as this will help assist with identification. Call an ambulance immediately on 000 or from a mobile phone on 112. Keeping calm and limiting movement may slow down the venom and save your life.
Spiders
Many Australian spiders are poisonous and can cause severe symptoms or death. It’s a good idea to learn how to recognise these spiders. Redback spiders are common in Sydney and Melbourne and are found in the bottom corners of sheds and outhouses and will only bite if provoked. A Redback spider bite can kill a child if not treated and can make an adult very sick. Call an ambulance immediately if you suspect someone has been bitten.
Another common spider in Melbourne is the White Spider. It is poisonous but not lethal.
Some spiders are harmless and can actually provide some benefit. For instance, Huntsman spiders are commonly found in homes. They look a little threatening because they grow quite large (the size of a human hand). However, they are harmless and they will eat other insects living in the home, keeping their numbers down. So please don’t kill them!
Snakes
Snakebites in Australia can be lethal, and all snakebites should be treated as soon as possible. The world’s 10 most venomous species of snake are native to Australia. Snakes are uncommon in built up areas, but have been found in some of the leafier areas in Melbourne. Particularly areas close to bushland, rivers and grasslands. Take great care when walking through tall grass or any non-populated terrain, and assume any snake you come across is deadly.
Marine Life
While Victoria is not known for shark attacks, there have been instances in recent years when they have occurred. Most of the deadly marine life in Australia is found on the West coast, or the far north of the East Coast.
Most of Queensland’s beaches have a seasonal influx of deadly jellyfish, which can severely burn or paralyse those unlucky enough to come into contact with them. If stung by a jellyfish, leave the water and seek medical attention immediately. If in a remote location, vinegar or urine can be used to neutralize the sting temporarily until help can be reached.
Beaches to the far north (of both coasts) have high populations of salt-water crocodiles. These large reptiles lurk in coastal waters and are equally comfortable in rivers and the ocean. They move much faster over open land than most other species of crocodile and kill several people around Australia each year. While most beaches with crocodiles will be signposted, it’s a good rule to never swim at unpopulated beaches, and stay away from river edges.
03 9380 4303
