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Dennis Cliche

The first thing that hit me when I arrived in Melbourne in 1998 was a friendly and welcoming business community.  There was an appropriate amount of protocol but everyone I met was friendly, open and happy to engage. There was a perceptible aura of camaraderie in the business community that made me feel at home quickly. I came to realize that Melbourne typifies an attractive mix of work and play.  We know how to mix business with pleasure and be productive while having a good time. 

This is reflected in the fact that Melbourne is the events capital of Australia. Hardly a month goes by without us being host to some international event or other. And when you finish your day, there are the great restaurants and the culturally diverse communities of Chapel Street, Lygon Street and St Kilda to name but a few. I am convinced that some of the best cups of coffee in the world can be found at any of the small cafes that line the footpaths of the city.

This brings me to the city itself.  There is a sense of space and openness about the design of the urban landscape. Big broad boulevards mixed with the delightful laneways found in the CBD give Melbourne a sense of charm and style. It is a city where you just feel safe. The generous allowance for parks and green space makes you feel relaxed and less stressed than other large cities of the world. 

To see the Botanical Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance, the walk along the Yarra and Albert Park all within a short distance of the CBD is quite remarkable.  And finally, what can beat the sight of one of Melbourne’s iconic trams making its way along St Kilda Road.  There are few cities in the world that can offer that!  Then again, I am biased.