Scholarship Pre-Departure Guide Towards an HIV Cure Symposium

19 & 20 July 2014, Melbourne, Australia

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Contents

Welcome 3 Symposium Objectives 4 An Introduction to Melbourne 4 Symposium Venue 5 Registration 5 Living Allowance 6 Accessibility 6 Internet Access 6 Meals and Coffee Breaks 6 Traveling to Melbourne 7 Visa Information 7 Landing in Australia 7 Customs Information 8 Prescription Medication 8 Travel and Health Insurance 8 Arriving in Melbourne 9 Accommodation 9 Transport from the airport to the Hotel 9 From the Hotel to the Symposium Venue 11 From the Symposium to the AIDS 2014 Conference Venue 12 From the Hotel to the AIDS 2014 Conference Venue 12 In Melbourne 13 Banks and Currency 13 Business Hours 13 Climate and Clothing 13 Drinking Water 13 Eating Out 14 Electricity 14 Language 14 National and International Calls 14 Security and Safety 14 Taxes and Tax Rebates 15 Time Zone 15 Tipping 15 Travel around Australia 15 Checklist for Melbourne 15

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Welcome

The IAS “Towards an HIV Cure’ Team is pleased to welcome you to the International AIDS Society’s Towards an HIV Cure 2014 Symposium. We have prepared this document to assist you in your planning for the symposium so that your experience will be as rewarding as possible. This guide is a complement to other informative material related to the AIDS 2014 conference (General Information Guide, Programme-at-a-Glance, and the conference website) and focuses on practical matters relating to your travel and stay in Melbourne. We recommend that you go through this information in advance of your journey to Melbourne, especially if this is your first travel to Melbourne. The symposium will take place at the City Convention Center, Victoria University, 300 Flinders Street, while the AIDS 2014 conference will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). We hope that you find this document useful and we wish you all the best in preparing for your trip to Melbourne. We look forward to seeing you there. For help or support please contact us via hivcure@iasociety.org. The team will have local phone numbers in Melbourne which will be communicated to you by email at a later stage, in case of emergencies. Sincerely, The Towards an HIV Cure Team

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Symposium Objectives

The symposium is co-chaired by Professor Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, IAS President, Dr. Steven Deeks, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Professor Sharon Lewin, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University and Burnet Institute. The objectives of the symposium are to:

• Provide an opportunity for scientists who are working on HIV cure to share ideas, debate, and network among their peers;

• Develop knowledge on the priorities that future research must address in order to tackle HIV persistence in patients on ART;

• Accelerate research on viral reservoirs and latency as the way towards achieving a cure for HIV infection;

• Promote increased investments in HIV/AIDS cure research; • Provide a platform for information-sharing between scientists, clinicians, funders, media

and members of civil society. The HIV Cure Strategy and Science Manager is Anna Laura Ross.

An Introduction to Melbourne Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and home to almost 4 million people. Melbourne is the youngest of all of the ‘world cities’; it grew from a small settlement in the 1850’s into a world city within just 30 years. Much of the growth can be accredited to the gold rush, which was one of the biggest in the world’s history. In the 1880’s, the city was given the title ‘Marvellous Melbourne’, and boasted a city that rivalled the great cities of Europe and North America. Courtesy of the gold rush and the 1880’s land boom, much of inner Melbourne has a distinctly Victorian architectural character. Melbourne is home to a number of outstanding and architecturally significant National Trust homes and museums, as well as historically significant parks and gardens. Among the best are the lavish French Renaissance-inspired Como house, a colonial mansion set in five acres of garden at Toorak, and Rippon Lea Estate, the last of Australia’s great privately owned nineteenth century suburban estates. An international centre for performing and visual arts, Melbourne is often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital. It is also one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities, which contributes to its reputation as Australia’s culinary capital, with many fine restaurants representing cuisines from around the world. Melbourne is also the sporting capital of Australia, hosting many international sporting events, such as the 1956 Olympics, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Australian Open Tennis, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Melbourne is a city that knows how to live. Take advantage of the diversity of attractions and activities in a beautiful city full of parks, gardens and historic architecture.

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Symposium Venue

The symposium will take place on Level 12, at the Victoria University City Convention Centre, 300

Flinders Street, Melbourne.

Registration

Delegates can receive their symposium badge and the symposium programme on 19 July from 8am

at the registration desk, located in the foyer on level 12, Victoria University City Convention Centre,

Flinders Campus.

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Living Allowance

If you have been awarded a living allowance as part of your scholarship, please collect it upon

registration at the symposium on 19 July.

Accessibility

If you require support regarding venue accessibility, please contact hivcure@iasociety.org

Internet Access

Wifi will be available at the symposium; the password will be available on-site.

Meals and Coffee Breaks

Lunch and coffee breaks will be provided on-site to all delegates on both 19 & 20 July, they will be

served in the poster exhibition area

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Traveling to Melbourne

Please ensure that all the information on your flight tickets, including your name, departure dates

and return dates are correct before you fly. If you received air travel as part of your scholarship, our

travel agent will have issued your ticket electronically.

Visa Information

Delegates are requested to check the Australia visa requirements relevant to them as soon as

possible. All visitors to Australia, except New Zealanders, must have a valid visa before boarding

their plane. It is the delegate's responsibility to investigate the visa requirements and to apply for a

visa, if necessary. Many delegates will need to apply for a Visitor (Business Stream) Visa (Form

1415) which can take two months to process, therefore applications should be made as early as

possible.

The conference organizers are working with the Australian Department of Immigration and

Citizenship on visa processes for delegates and have put together the following factsheets:

• Visa Information for Delegates [中文]

• Immigration Health Factsheet [中文]

Delegates should also check the country-specific information by contacting the embassy or visa

office for their country: www.immi.gov.au/Help/Locations/Pages/our-offices.aspx. Additional

question can be sent to: visa@aids2014.org

Landing in Australia

Your Incoming Passenger Card, which will be issued on the plane before landing in Australia, is a

legal document. There are penalties for not completing it correctly and for making a false

declaration. Everyone who arrives at an Australian airport must present their travel documents and

Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) to officers in immigration clearance and in customs clearance. An

example of this card is available here.

Anyone who arrives without a valid travel document, visa or authority to enter Australia, may be

refused entry to Australia or delayed until their identity and claims to enter Australia have been

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confirmed. If a person does not meet immigration clearance requirements, they may be refused

entry to Australia.

Further information about Incoming Passenger Card is available here.

Customs Information

Customs in Australia is strictly controlled. After passing through immigration clearance at the

airport, your baggage can be collected and may be checked by Customs and Border Protection or

Quarantine officers for prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods and you may be questions by

officers. In the passenger hall and quarantine area there are often dogs working to search for drugs

and other prohibited or restricted goods as well as food, plant or animal material.

On the Incoming Passenger Cards passengers need to declare all food, plants, animals, biological

goods and medicines. This includes some prescription medications, alternative, herbal and

traditional medicines, vitamin and mineral preparation formulas. Some products require a permit or

quarantine clearance and/or a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medication

and medical condition. A complete list of restricted and prohibited items is available here.

REMEMBER – IF IN DOUBT, DECLARE IT!

For further information, click here or read the Know Before You Go guide.

Prescription Medication

There are rules about bringing medicines and medical devices into Australia. Some medicines

require permission to be granted by the relevant Australian Government agency or meet other

conditions such as a letter or prescription from a medical practitioner before they can be brought

into Australia by individuals. Information about bringing medication into Australia is available here.

Travel and Health Insurance

We strongly advise that you arrange sufficient travel insurance to cover unexpected events or costs,

including any health emergencies. The symposium organizers cannot accept liability for personal

injuries, loss or damage to property belonging to symposium delegates (or their accompanying

persons), either during or as a result of the symposium.

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Arriving in Melbourne

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is 25km north of the city on the Tullamarine Freeway. It has both

international and domestic terminals in close proximity, making transfers easy.

Accommodation

If you have been awarded accommodation as part of your Towards an HIV Cure Scholarship, you will

be staying at the Space Hotel, located in the Central Business District (CBD). Please note the hotel

address and contact details so that you can find your way there from the airport.

Space Hotel

380 Russell Street

Melbourne, 3000

Australia

To reach the Space Hotel:

Transport from the Airport to the Hotel

By Bus

Skybus (www.skybus.com.au) operates 24 hours, 7 days a week, running every 10-15 minutes from

Melbourne Airport to Southern Cross train station in the city. The journey takes about 25 minutes.

From Southern Cross station, you can take a train to Melbourne Central Railway Station.

Upon arriving at Southern Cross train station, the Skybus offers a complimentary hotel transfer

service to The Space Hotel. You must check in at the Hotel Transfer Service Booth at the station,

there is no need to book in advance. For more information on this service, visit

http://www.skybus.com.au/hotel-transfer-service/.

The Space Hotel is 500m from the station, an 8 minute walk.

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By Taxi

Melbourne’s taxis are a safe and convenient way to get from the airport to your destination. Taxi

ranks are located on the ground floor outside Terminals 1 and 3. Taxi fares are calculated according

to the distance and duration of the journey, and will vary depending on the number of people and

time of travel. Additional charges apply if you travel on some public holidays, late at night, with five

or more people, or pay with credit or debit card. Estimated cost to the Central Business District

(CBD) is AUD 50. For more information, visit www.melbourneairport.com.au/to-from-the-

airport/taxis/overview.html.

There are no train or tram links to the airport.

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From the Hotel to the Symposium Venue

By Tram

Melbourne’s tram network services the metropolitan inner-city area with 28 lines. The Victoria

University City Flinders Campus is located next to the tram stop Flinders St Station/Elizabeth St,

which is serviced by regular services departing every few minutes. To reach the venue from the

hotel, you can take the 19, 57 or 59 tram towards City from the Melbourne Central

Station/Elizabeth St stop.

By Bus

Take the route 200 bus from the La Trobe St/Russell St stop towards City and get off at the

Melbourne Central/Lonsdale St stop. Change to the route 250 bus towards Garden City and get off

at the stop Banana Alley Vaults/Flinders St. The symposium venue is 190m by foot along Flinders

Street.

For more information on Victoria Public Transport, please visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au

By Foot

The walk to the Symposium venue is 1.6km, approximately 23 minutes. To reach the

Symposium venue, head south on Russell St towards Mackenzie St, turn right onto La Trobe

St, turn left onto Elizabeth St. Follow Elizabeth St down until you reach Flinders St and then

turn right. The Victoria University Flinders Campus will be on the right.

By Taxi

Taxis can be hired off the street, at designated taxi ranks, or by phone or mobile app booking. Late

night taxi trips must be paid for in advance. In Victoria, between 22.00 – 05.00, the driver will ask

the passenger for an up-front deposit, based on a table of point to point estimates. Melbourne’s

major taxi companies include: 13 CABS, www.13cabs.com.au, and Silver Top Taxis,

www.silvertop.com.au.

By Car

Congestion in Melbourne’s city centre can be high, especially during peak hours: 06.15 – 09.00 and

15.15 – 18.30.

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From the Symposium to the AIDS 2014 Conference Venue

The AIDS 2014 Conference will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

(MCEC), 2 Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006, Melbourne.

By Foot

The walk to the MCEC is 1.1km, approximately 15 minutes. To reach the MCEC, head west on

Flinders Street, turn left over Queens Bridge, and then turn right onto Yarra Promenade until

reaching Clarendon Street.

By Tram

The journey takes approximately 12 minutes. Take the 35, 70, 71 or 75 tram from outside the

symposium venue 3 stops to Spencer St/Flinders St. Walk towards Spencer Street Bridge, take the

96, 109 or 112 tram at Batman Park/Spencer Street for one stop to the Casino/MCEC stop.

From the Hotel to the AIDS 2014 Conference venue

The AIDS 2014 Conference will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

(MCEC), 2 Clarendon Street, South Wharf 3006, Melbourne.

Take the train from Melbourne Central Railway Station in the direction of Flinders St; get off the

train at Southern Cross Railway Station. Take the route 96 tram to stop 124a, Crown Casino/MCEC.

The stop is located opposite the MCEC on Clarendon Street. The journey takes approximately 23

minutes.

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In Melbourne

Banks and Currency

Bank operating hours vary between banks but most open Monday – Thursday, 09:00 – 16:00 and

Friday, 09:00 – 17:00. A number of banks are open Saturday, 09:00 – 12:00. Check on individual

bank’s websites for full opening hours.

ATM’s are located throughout Melbourne, additionally a large number of supermarkets and

convenience stores have cash withdrawal facilities. VISA, MasterCard, AMEX and Diners are readily

accepted, and foreign exchange facilities are available at kiosks around the city.

Australia’s national currency is the Australian dollar which comes in denominations of $5, $10, $20,

$50 and $100 notes. Coins come in 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denominations.

Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels and international airports.

EFTPOS/CIRRUS/MAESTRO is widely accepted in most Australian shops. Fees may be charged on

transactions, particularly if withdrawing from an international account.

Business Hours

City shops generally open Monday – Thursday, 09:00 – 18:00. On Friday, many shops in the Central

Business District (CBD) and suburban shopping centres remain open until 21:00. On Saturday the

hours in the CBD and shopping centres are generally 09:00 – 17:00 and Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00.

Climate and Clothing

Melbourne has a reputation for its changeable weather. A tip for any visitor is to be prepared for

anything – wear layers that can be worn or removed as needed. In winter daily average

temperatures can drop to 7°C with an average high of 14°C.

Drinking Water

Tap water in Melbourne is considered drinking water and of good quality.

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Eating Out

Restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs are always buzzing in Melbourne. An eclectic range of cuisine is

on offer across town – hidden down laneways, high above street level or overlooking the

waterfront.

http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/DiningandNightlife/Pages/DiningandNightlife.aspx

Electricity

Australia’s electricity voltage for domestic use is AC 240 volts, 50

cycle. Most hotels have provision for AC 110 volts in the rooms.

Plug sockets are as follows:

Language

The primary language in Australia is English.

National and International Calls

Dialling to Australia from abroad: 00 61, followed by phone number. Dialling from Australia to

abroad: 00 11, followed by country code and phone number.

Security and Safety in Melbourne

In general, whether you are staying in the area close to the conference venue or traveling around

the city, it is necessary to consider the following common-sense principle for travellers to any city:

• Avoid areas of the city that are unfamiliar to you;

• Always travel with someone or in a group;

• Avoid carrying large sums of money with you; bring only what you will need;

• Always let people know where you are and, if possible, carry a mobile phone with you;

• Always carry identification (including a copy of your passport) with you, along with the

name, address and contact information of your hotel.

Emergency Telephone Number: 000

Dialing 112 is also redirected to 000, but only on GSM mobile phones.

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Taxes and Tax Rebates

A 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is incorporated into the price of all goods and services sold in

Australia, except for some basic items. Some tourists may be eligible for a GST refund on goods

bought in Australia. Visit www.customs.gov.au for more information, or phone + 61 262 75 6666.

International business visitors whose organizations claim GST/VAT refunds regularly from various

countries should keep all receipts including registration and accommodation as the GST

components may be refundable.

Time Zone

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) covers the eastern states of Queensland, New South

Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. AEST is equal to Coordinated

Universal Time (GMT) plus 10 hours. Daylight Saving Time is not observed May to September 2014.

Tipping

Tipping in Australia is not a custom. However for excellent service, tips of 10% are always welcome

and appreciated.

Travel around Australia

The State of Victoria is home to a wealth of diverse destinations and experiences easily accessible

from the capital, Melbourne. You can experience forests, native animals, mineral springs, coastlines

and gourmet local produce in a day or if you can spare a little more time, the choices are endless.

For further information, you can visit the Tours desk in the registration area of the AIDS 2014

conference.

Checklist for Melbourne Airline Ticket Valid Passport Visa(s) (ensure you have this prepared early) Photocopies of your passport and visa(s) (for easy replacement if necessary) Letter of Invitation AIDS 2014 Conference Registration Confirmation AIDS 2014 Conference badge (if received in post, if not, you may pick it up onsite) Health insurance (recommended) Money