One of 100 great things to do in Melbourne for under $10
the White Hat guide

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When Melbournians become homesick during a long stint elsewhere, what is it that they want to do?

Hop on a tram, wander along Southgate, smell the burning autumn leaves and look at the cars parked on the lawns of suburban homes as they make their way to the footy, have a barby down by the Yarra, indulge in an Acland Street cake, dodge the spray-and-squirt brigade at the entrance to Myers, dance at a Greek wedding, feed the possums in the park, abuse the umpire at the Gee, pick up a bargain at Forges or Dimmeys, meet someone under the clocks, listen to a mixture of traffic sounds, bagpipes and St. Paul's bells at the corner of Swanston and Flinders streets, be individually humiliated at a comedy venue, do the block, endure wax burns at Carols by Candlelight, drink champagne in the mud in the carpark at the Melbourne Cup, see the latest blockbuster at the Princess, imagine the photos hidden away in the Grainger Museum, go to a fashion parade in the Mural Hall, watch the old diggers make their way to The Shrine on Anzac Day, have a pizza in Lygon Street at 2 in the morning, talk to a stranger in the street, visit Chloe at Young and Jacksons, enjoy a Leunig cartoon, jostle through the crowds at the Vic Market, have afternoon tea at the Windsor, visit Pharlap in the museum, not have to make an appointment before dropping in on friends, sip champagne under the stars at the Music Bowl, endure (and enjoy) four seasons in one day, BYO, take a guided tour of the cemetery, watch the wedding photo circus in the park, look at the iron lace on the balconies, watch a Franco Cozzo ad, take the kids to see the Myers Christmas windows, visit the Weary Dunlop statue, have a game of backyard cricket, bag Sydney, wear what you feel like, listen to the bag lady play the piano in David Jones, row your special friend up the Yarra at Studley Park, worry about the bushfires, potter about in the backyard - and eat some great, fresh cheap food at any time of day!

We're a weird mob - but we enjoy life.

If your budget runs to more than $10 you may wish to check out our listing of other Melbourne Events.

Poetry at Fed Square Enjoy free poetry readings at Fed Square. 2pm, second Saturday of month Federation Square - Free

Passionate Tongues Poetry Enquiries: (03) 9328 8080 First and third Monday of each month Noise Bar, 291 Albert Street Brunswick (next to Bruswick Station) - $2.50 (includes door prize ticket)

Free Salsa Classes The Salsa Foundation offers free beginners salsa classes every week, Come for a drinks, meet new people, and learn to dance salsa. Dress comfortably and casual, call or SMS 0400 933 285 for venue details and to book your place. Numbers are limited! Bring a friend too - the more the merrier. (enter via the alleyway next to Hungry Jacks) 5.30 to 7.30pm, Wednesdays & Thursdays Syn Bar, Level 1, 163 Russell Street, Melbourne - Free

Francis Gurry Intellectual Property Lecture Alison Brimelow CBE from the European Patent Office will give a free public lecture on "Not seeing the Wood for the Trees: Is the Patent System still Fit for Purpose". This event is free but bookings are required at www.law.unimelb.edu.au. 6.15pm, Monday 1st March 2010 Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham St, Carlton - Free

Free public lecture by Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, FRS, Nobel Laureate Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, FRS, and Australia's first Nobel Laureate will give a free public lecture on Chromosome Ends: Why we care about them. This event is free but bookings are required at mdhs-rsvp@unimelb.edu.au or on (03) 8344 9800. Our rating: Four Hats   6pm to 7.30pm, Tuesday 2nd March 2010 Copland Lecture Theatre, Economics and Commerce Building, University of Melbourne - Free

Women on the Land - Women's History Month Seminar To celebrate Women's History Month, Public Record Office Victoria is hosting a seminar by Dr Nikki Henningham, Executive Officer, Australian Women's Register and Dr Janet Butler and Dr Charles Fahey from La Trobe University on the theme of the life of rural women through Victorian history. 2pm to 3.30pm, Thursday 11 March 2010 Victorian Archives Centre, 99 Shiel St, North Melbourne - Free Enquiries: (03) 9348 5600

Exploring Memoir or An Imperfect History of Reservoir A writing workshop with Reservoir’s best-known writer Barry Dickins. This workshop will focus on the notion of memoir and creative non-fiction through writing about experiences of Reservoir. Barry is passionate about both the spoken and written word, as well as his hometown of Reservoir. In this masterclass style workshop, Barry will inspire others to write about the ordinary, and the not so ordinary, aspects of life in Reservoir. In the workshops, participants will use writing as a means of exploring a sense of ‘place’. Participants may be aspiring professional, semi-professional or amateur writers. Those with a great story to tell but little or no writing experience will also be most welcome. Places are limited and reservations are essential. Ph: (03) 8470 8593 6.30 to 8pm, Tuesday 23rd March 2010 Reservoir Library - Free

Malcolm Fraser in conversation with Margaret Simons A free public event but booking is essential and White Hat recommends early booking as we would expect this to fill quickly. Featuring The Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser AC CH Former Prime Minister of Australia Ms Margaret Simons Journalist and writer. Bookings can be made online here. 6.30 to 7.30pm, Wednesday 31st March 2010 Theatre A, Elisabeth Murdoch Building, University of Melbourne - Free Enquiries: (03) 8344 5963