Australia, the world’s smallest continent and sixth largest country with a population of 21 million, is a diverse land, set apart from other countries by its geographical location and an eclectic mix of cultures.
Victoria is Australia’s second largest State. Sitting on the southeast coast of Australia, and covering over 227,600 square kilometres, Victoria boasts an amazing variety of landscapes and attractions. It is a fusion of city and country, beach and outback, with world class wineries, national parks, native forests, lakes and mountains.
Victoria’s population as at September 2007 was 5.2 million, representing 25 per cent of Australia’s population. More than 44.5 per cent of Victorians were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. This diversity is powerfully reflected in Melbourne.
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria is home to 3.8 million people and is a celebration of style and sophistication. Visitors from around the world revel in Melbourne’s glorious architecture, excellent hotels, outstanding restaurants and friendly atmosphere.
Victoria is home to some of the finest facilities in the world, most of which are close to the city centre and easily accessible by public transport.
From Australia’s most famous sporting arena, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with its 100,000 seat capacity to Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, with facilities for a multitude of sports, Melbourne has the best sporting facilities in the southern hemisphere.
VMEC liaises with Government, local and State Authorities, venue operators, event owners, the media and others, to provide an inner circle of relationships that gives the Company its unique strength, speed and ability to achieve. VMEC ensures consistent links in the event process and can be called upon to facilitate at any stage.
Be assured of a big audience! Huge crowds of Victorians turn out as spectators for events, joining significant numbers of interstate and overseas visitors.
Melbourne holds the world record for the highest attendance at:
- A cricket match:
90,800 on 11 February, 1961 to watch Australia v West Indies - A tennis tournament:
In 2008, a record 605,735 patrons attended the Australian Tennis Open - Australian Rules Football:
121,690 attended the 1970 Carlton v Collingwood game - Rugby League:
87,161 attended the 1994 New South Wales v Queensland match - Limited overs cricket:
87,182 attended the 1992 World Cup Final match between Pakistan and England
Scarcely a month passes when there is not a major sporting event being hosted in Victoria which people across the country and world will be watching. In fact, Victoria hosts six of Australia’s ten most popular sporting events.
- Australian Open (tennis)
- Australian Formula One Grand Prix
- Australian Rules Football Grand Final
- Melbourne Cup
- Australian 500cc Motor Cycle Grand Prix
- Volvo Ocean Race (Melbourne Stopover).
Melbourne is the most European of Australian cities. It is an innovative, creative city, engaged with the world and home to more than 3.7 million people speaking around 180 different languages.
Melbourne is the creative and cultural heart of Australia. More than 200 galleries across the city provide a complete range of spaces. Intimate, grand or versatile; the city’s galleries can accommodate any kind of exhibition, particularly ‘blockbusters’ like the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series.
The city has a long standing love affair with theatre – with a vibrant theatre precinct in the heart of the city playing host to a string of smash hit musicals including the Australian premieres of Wicked, Jersey Boys, Spamalot, The Producers and new productions of The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported in 2006 that Victoria is Australia’s safest State and that Melbourne had 20 per cent less crime than the national average.