Diverse, multilayered and multifaceted culture, society very vast sporting facilities of Melbourne have earned it the enviable reputation of "cultural and sporting capital" of Australia.
Melbourne's culture draws on a variety of international cultures, including that of Australia; however, a number of local traditions and strong Melbournian themes are predominant features in the city's cultural landscape. An emphasis upon the arts (particularly literature, performing arts, culinary arts and visual arts), as well as sport, sporting traditions and recreation is central to this landscape. Melbourne is also a major centre of political activism, including the Australian trade union movement.
Melbourne has thrice achieved the top position in a survey by The Economist of the World's Most Livable Cities on the basis of—its cultural attributes; climate; cost of living; and social conditions such as crime rates and health care, in 2004 and 2009, 2013.
Melbourne hosts and supports many cultural institutions, such as museums, galleries, events, festivals, public/street art, popular music, live music, film, independent music and literary talks, independent film and fashion. The city celebrates a wide variety of major annual cultural events, including local, national and international events. A number of cultural hubs also exist in the city, including the Victorian Arts Precinct, with its distinctive spire, and Federation Square, one of the city's main cultural hubs and tourist centres that celebrated its ten-year anniversary in 2012. Federation Square's distinctive architecture, large digital screen and public space attracts congregations, rallies and public audiences for sporting events.
Milestone Events of Sports every year are Melbourne Cup Day , Boxing Day Test Cricket at MCG and Australian Open Tennis Championship held every year at Sports Capital Melbourne . Melbourne Cricket Ground and Rod Laver Arena are iconic sporting installations. Melbourne staged Olympic and Common Wealth Games. The city is getting ready to host the final and other matches of the ICC World Cup Cricket 2015. This summer India and South African cricket team will play at MCG.
Right now footy (Australian Rules football) is at the concluding stage. Melbourne hosts many tourists from all over the world only for the its sporting attractions. Every suburb has huge open playing spaces for cricket, soccer, Rugby, footy, athletics, swimming and indoor games. Australians are very fitness concerned and spent time in gymnasium and fitness centers. There are plenty of golf courses and usually a little elderly people spend time in playing golf. Every suburb has parks and walking track for walkers of all ages. Australians also love cycling and many roads have separate cycle track.
Melbourne and Australia is truly secular where people of all religion perform their religious activities freely without any interference. There are many mosques in different parts of the city. We go to offer Jummah prayer in different mosques every Friday. We also regularly offered Tarabi in our nearby mosque at Doncaster. Our Neighbors visit us during our festivals and we also visit them on their festivals. In our 10 years stay at Melbourne we have never heard ad of any religious or racial discrimination. Our Norfolk Avenue of Ringwood suburb has settlers from 12 different countries. On our eastern side we have Greeks, and on the west we have polish family. In front of us on the other side of the road we have Brazilian, Dutch and Swiss families. On our road we also have Irish, Kiwis, German and Italian families as well. The neighbors take great care of our family. Especially when I go to work abroad and my son also work fly in and fly out in Queensland neighbors regularly assist my wife for shopping, garden works and cleaning. Neighbors always share garden fruits and vegetables. 
Australian police is very friendly and always assist citizens to make their life comfortable. On many occasions lady police officers helped my wife in difficult situations when she was settling down in a suburb having not any Asian and her knowledge of English were not good. She goes to Swinburne University campus by Bus and Train and initially struggled in finding right bus and trains when very friendly police and ordinary Australians helped her. Now in 10 years she has become a Melbourne specialist.
Melbourne Remembers it heroes of World Wars. On 11th November at 11 AM entire Melbourne comes to a standstill in honor of the Heroes of Gallipoli war (ANZAC Day). In almost every suburb a War Memorial remembers the War Heroes. War Veterans have great respect in Australian society.
Federation Square is usually a place where Melbournians assemble for many national occasions. Every day visitors crowd the area for many fanfares. The location has historic significance. Australia was declared a federation here. The Yarra river flowing beside it , tall skyscrapers around it, historic Flinders Street Railway station in front , Victoria precint and Exhibition Centre are added attraction of Federation Square .
The great Dandenong mountain range, its snow covered mounts in winter, rainforests, fruit valleys and flower gardens are tourist delight. The great ocean drive, Penguin parade at Philip Island, Lakes of Geelong are also tourist attractions. Melbourne is a city of flowers, fruits and vegetables. People fancying for angling can catch fish in many creeks and lakes. Melbourne is also known for many different kinds of foods and drinks. In South bank of Yara River alone people can taste food of many different countries. Australians usually like Barbeque on weekends in their houses or at parks and resorts.
( To Be Continued )
** Living In Heaven and Hell || Part-5
BDST: 1240 HRS, AUG 27, 2014
