Hitch Hiking Round Australia

Have your working holidays in Australia—Sec the Olympics—Watch the Davis Cup—Visit Bondi.

These were some of the suggestions put forward last year to those contemplating going to Australia on the Student Exchange Scheme.

Those of us who went did do most of those things.

Leaving Christchurch at 6 in the morning on 20 November in a DC6B airliner, we arrived in Melbourne at 10 o'clock after a pleasant six-hour flight. Those of us who had requested it had our accommodation in Melbourne well arranged by the students. £3 a week was much better than £20 a week, which some people were paying. Most of us stayed in Melbourne only for the duration of the Games—and then moved on. But some stayed till Christmas, and were made most welcome.

After the Games, a number of us attended the International Students' Congress at Melbourne University, with representative from Australia. New Zealand, Pacific Islands, South-East Asia, and South Africa. The programme was similar to that at Curious Cove, except that, being in the middle of a city certain restrictions as to dress and behaviour applied.

The new buildings at Melbourne University are a revelation to all who would sec what can be done with a bit of imagination when planning a university building. Wilson Hall, with its modem interior, is a show place of modem art. and, incidentally) ideally suited for the purpose for which it was built. It is certainly not just another slab of concrete like most new university buildings over here. The new gymnasium, swimming pool, and Hall of Memories combined, is another attractive modern building. Together with the adjacent running-track. used as a training-ground during the Games, this building cost over £250,000, and was donated (taxfree) to the university.

Starting on Boxing Day, I hitchhiked through some of the most picturesque parts of South-East Australia (Lome, the Grampians, Uaracoorte, Mt. Gambia. Murray Bridge) to Adelaide.

Later I went on to Broken Hill, where I met some Otago students doing practical work, and visited the workings half a mile underground.

Then, through Mildura and Ballarat, I returned to Melbourne, and from there went via the Hume Highway to Sydney, seeing the Snowy Mountain hydro scheme (where most big holiday money is being made by students) on the way. I also saw Mt. Kosciusko (Australia's highest), and Canberra (where I dined at the expense of the University and was conducted on a delightful tour of the city). The war museums are among the best in the world.

In Sydney, after five hectic days seeing the Zoo. the Bridge, King's Cross. Bondi. Manly. I caught the "Wanganella" home.

I can recommend a working holiday in Australia this summer. Even if you come back broke, it is worth it.

—V.J.R.

(This article has been slightly abridged.—Ed.)