Melbourne has a superb range of accommodation to suit all budgets, tastes and delegates’ needs. Most of Melbourne’s city hotels are within walking distance of the Congress venue the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, meaning delegates can navigate their way to and from the venue. Suppose walking is not you’re your preferred mode of transport. In that case, tram travel in the city of Melbourne is free, where most hotels, restaurants, bars and entertainment are located. Delegates can quickly get to the Congress venue and move easily around the city.

The IUCr 2023 team have secured a range of accommodation from shared apartments ideal for students on a budget to single premier rooms, all near the venue and first-class facilities for your consideration.

Speaking on the topic of sharing research, the Congress team have been busily investigating a range of accommodation choices, from the best hotel facilities to backpackers, with guaranteed room blocks for our IUCr delegates, including students and families.

To view the updated accommodation follow the link.

Registration can be submitted by completing the online form. Registration fees are quoted in Australian dollars and are inclusive of 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST). To view the prices in your own currency, please use the currency converter on the right-hand side of the registration webpage.

Please visit the IUCr 2023 website for full details on early bird savings and registration options.

Thank you to the organisers of the 33rd European Crystallographic Meeting (ECM33). We had a wonderful and productive time in Versailles.

The start of ECM 33 was directly aligned with the launch of the IUCr 2023 Call for abstracts announcement.

Our team met over 350 attendees from across Europe and for one of them, the meeting proved extra worthwhile. Congratulations goes to Jake Weatherston from Newcastle University UK, the winner of the complimentary registration to IUCr 2023

The IUCr 2023 stand was enthusiastically depleted of all ‘I love Melbourne’ koalas, Melbourne-inspired keep-cups, and the rare packets of Tim Tams.

The next stop for the Melbourne team will be at the 17th International Conference of the Asian Crystallographic Association in Jeju, Korea.

What do Penguins & Pastries & Crystallography have in Common?

By Dr Daniel Eriksson

I always thought of penguins as aloof, majestic creatures. Serious looking and a little intimidating in their stark environment. They feel quite tall though it is hard to tell; the good nature documentaries tend not to show them alongside anything with a familiar scale. Theirs is a harsh, unforgiving land at the very bottom-end of the Earth and they endure their lot stoically.

So why then are these penguins about three apples tall, unbearably cute and on a beach?

This is because we are in St Kilda, Melbourne and these are Little Penguins. The Little Penguin is the only species of penguin that breeds in Australia. It is evening, and we're on the pier leading out to the breakwater. Among the rocks and sand, the little creatures, also known as Fairy Penguins, are making their way to and from the waterline. They are quite used to people; this is, after all, a major attraction for locals and tourists alike.

An inner seaside suburb of Melbourne, the Traditional Owners of St Kilda are the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Your best access is via tram (the light rail system supporting inner Melbourne) as St Kilda is located some 6 kilometres from the conference centre. Though it would be worth a visit for the waterfront and pier alone, the area has much else on offer. Luna Park, with its iconic' walk through the mouth of a giant clown' entrance, is an amusement park in operation since 1912. For food and drink, Acland Street is stroll-friendly and lined with restaurants and famous cake shops. The cuisine is international and the cakes have a distinct European heritage. The coffee, though, is all Melbournian.

If the local colony of 1,400 adults just isn't enough penguins and you yearn for more, then fear not. Philip Island is home to an additional 30,000 Fairy Penguins if you are willing to travel a bit farther. Located about 90 minutes' drive from Melbourne, the star attraction is the 'Penguin Parade’ This nature park offers a wide variety of activities, including self-guided or park ranger-led tours. One can remain at the visitor centre, where an underground viewing area allows the penguins to waddle right up to the window or head out on nightly tours of the beach to experience the birds in their element. Tickets can be purchased on-site at the visitor centre or booked ahead of time online.

So come on down under and you too can have your view of penguins receive a much-needed update!

If you are now inspired to visit St Kilda and the Little Penguins – write to marketing@iucr2023 and tell us in 25 words or less why you would like two free passes for an Ultimate Adventure Tour or a Family Wildlife Tour at Philip Island Nature Park.

For more information about things to do, visit https://iucr2023.org/visit-victoria/

Bragg Your Pattern is our program to get a wider audience thinking and learning about Crystallography – with many of the resources we are developing being aimed at primary-aged students (those under 11). At the time of writing, we are now in our last week of our 2022 pattern competition and already have many entries to sift through. Entries close on 30th September, and not only will winners get a great prize package, but their work will be exhibited at our Crystallography Extravaganza during the congress in 2023.

Remember, you can stay up to date with the Bragg Your Pattern project by signing up for our e-zines; we’d love to hear ideas from the community for more exhibits for our Crystallography Extravaganza.

Rigaku are well-known supporters of the IUCr community, having previously sponsored both the Hyderabad and Prague congresses. We are therefore thrilled to announce that Rigaku has re-dedicated their commitment and confirmed as a Diamond Sponsor for the Melbourne Congress in 2023.