Melbourne Business School Class of 2009 Graduation

Hail to the Queen

I love the Queen Victoria market. For those new to Melbourne, the market is a five minute walk from the Carlton campus. It’s been open for over 130 years and is a Melbourne institution.


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Split into sheds and halls the 'Queen Vic' is the go-to place for fresh produce, prime meats, amazing cheeses and yummy deli goods. A trade market features everything from Twilight movie posters printed on giant bath towels to beautiful handcrafted wooden sculptures.

It takes a bit of hunting to uncover the gems, but that’s part of the fun. For every stall selling weird items there’s two selling items you actually want to buy. The range on offer constantly amazes me.

Open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the market is always busy but I always find Tuesday’s a little less hectic. Today I resisted temptation, avoided the trade market and headed straight to the fresh food halls. Good call. I left with some nice cheeses and lunch in tow (for those interested: a still-warm Turkish bread roll and a scoop of the most delicious chili and capsicum dip). Not bad for 20 minutes work.

More information on the Queen Vic market can be found on the official website (they have night markets, cooking classes and market tours on offer). For those who’ve never been before – go! For those who haven’t been in awhile – go back!

Snaps from today’s market visit (food hall only).

Clockwise from top: the best organic veg in Melbourne, cheese delights, a spruiking war in the meat hall and free tastings!

Good luck to all students taking exams this week. Check out this video from last year – proof that exams do end. Could Cynthia be any happier?

Bookworms take note!

As I look out my window this afternoon it is pouring with rain outside. I have to admit – Melbourne’s looking pretty gloomy today (those looking for an escape might want to revisit the Cheap Tuesday and/or Rainy Day posts).

For the lucky few tucked up at home, it’s the perfect afternoon to curl up with a mug of tea and a good book. The weather presents an opportunity to get a head start on your reading list ahead of the 2009 Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF).

Hundreds of authors attend the MWF each year and it is the flagship literary event for the State of Victoria. This year the Festival runs from the 21st to the 30th of August. Most sessions are held in the CBD and there are panels, topics, classes and events to suit everyone. Visit the official website for more details.

Cheap Tuesday

I often feel that Tuesday’s are a little ‘flat’. I’ve thought long and hard about this – my colleagues all know that (for me anyway) Tuesday has been renamed ‘Flat Tuesday’.

It’s logical really—nothing really exciting seems to happen on a Tuesday. As days of the week go, Tuesday's a little boring.

In contrast, Monday’s are all about catching up after the weekend, commiserating about the fact that it is Monday and planning the week ahead. Wednesday is colloquially known as ‘hump day’—survive the speed hump that is Wednesday and you’re halfway through the working week. On Thursday you begin to plan your weekend; it’s there on the horizon, tantalizingly close. And Friday? Do I need to go into detail?

So the question presents itself – how do you solve a problem like Tuesday?

Thankfully others have put some thought into this (it's good to know I'm not alone). The creation of ‘Cheap Tuesday’ deals aim to coax the masses out of their ‘Flat Tuesday’ cocoons.

Melbourne has a host of ‘cheap Tuesday’ options. One of the most popular is cheap ticket night at the movies. With a standard adult movie ticket edging towards $20 these days, an opportunity to see the latest releases for a reduced rate shouldn’t be missed. All the big chains offer reduced ticket prices on a Tuesday; visit your local to see what’s on offer.

Other industries are also getting on the cheap Tuesday bandwagon. Currently several Docklands eateries are offering a ‘Super Tuesday Dining Promotion’ with participating restaurants and cafes offering up to 50% off the total food bill.

Most pubs have special menu deals on Tuesday nights and happy hours to go with them. Incidentally, Tuesday is a great night to get a group together to tackle the pub trivia scene. Or perhaps you’d fancy a nice, friendly bowl (at a reduced rate, of course)?

For those who want to make peace with Flat Tuesday earlier in the day there are free Tai Chi classes at Fed Square every Tuesday morning. This event has to be the ‘cheap Tuesday’ winner - you can’t get any cheaper than free!

Film fans take note!

The 2009 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is fast approaching.

This massively popular event runs from Friday the 24^th July to Sunday the 9^th of August.

The program for 2009 was launched last Friday (10/07) and tickets are now on sale. Like many Melbourne events, I encourage you to get in early. The showcase movie sessions sell out early so it pays to put a little thought into planning. Particularly popular are the opening and closing night films. Opening night 2009 has already sold out and closing night won’t be far behind.

However, this festival is much bigger than the flagship opening and closing night movies. In fact, some of the more interesting films I’ve seen are those I’ve had to ‘resort to’ because the bigger films had sold out. Take a chance and see something different. The program is wide-ranging and showcases cinema from all over the world. From quirky Anime to German drama – you have access to it all.

Individual tickets are reasonably priced but true film buffs might want to buy in bulk and save. It’s easy to spot a seasoned MIFF fan– they’re the ones carrying the credit card sized festival passes. True devotes carry the coveted festival passport. This magic pass is available to MIFF members only and grants access to most screenings. It may seem a little pricey at $330 but I know people who plan their festival meticulously and put this pass to good use. If you’re a true film buff set on watching as many films as possible it’s definitely worth it.

Session times vary and movies screen in the morning, afternoon and evenings on weekdays and weekends. Current students will be preparing for exams but—let’s face it—everyone needs a break. If you need more convincing then the festival conveniently concludes a week before the official MBS exam period commences so there’s plenty of time to see some eye opening cinema and fit it a spot of studying.

Happy viewing!

Reserve Sunday July 19th in your diaries!

Melbourne Open House 2009 throws open the doors of some of Melbourne’s most interesting buildings to the public. I attended last year and had such a good time that this year I’m telling anyone I can about this ‘backstage pass’.

Basically, it is sanctioned snooping; a rare chance to peek behind the façades of some of Melbourne’s gothic, modern and wonderfully quirky buildings. If you’ve ever wandered past a building and thought ‘I wonder what goes on in there?’ then this is the event for you.

It proved so popular last year that this year the number of buildings ‘open for inspection’ have increased from 8 to 30. From the Melbourne City Baths to the T&G Building, there’s enough range here to suit everyone. The best bit is that you don’t need to be an architecture student to appreciate the buildings. If anything, the day is aimed at the wider public.

The facts

Date: Sunday July 19th, 2009
Details: Visit the official website for details and a listing of the participating buildings.
Cost: The event is free. I’ll say that again – FREE!
Transport: Most buildings are located in the CBD so walking and taking public transport is your best bet (I recommend purchase of the Sunday Saver Metcard to see you through the day)

A final note – it was hard enough planning last year with 8 buildings open. Given that there are 30 this year, a bit of pre planning is probably a good idea. Make sure to make time for lunch!


City Baths, CBD and Tasma Terrace, East Melbourne