Australia Melbourne West Mission

Australia Melbourne West Mission

Here are free resources about the Australia Melbourne West Mission:

*Other Mission Pages: Australia LDS Missions.

Australia Melbourne West Mission Address

Here’s a recent address for the Australia Melbourne West Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the mission address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Australia Melbourne West Mission
*This mission does not currently exist.

Phone Number: N/A
Mission President: N/A

Australia Melbourne West Mission Map

Here’s a link to the mission map for the Melbourne West Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Melbourne West Mission

  1. Log into your LDS account here.
  2. Click here.

Australia Melbourne West Missionary Blogs

Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Melbourne West Mission. This blog list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their mission blog was updated.

*Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Mission Alumni mission.net/australia/melbourne/west 2013
Unknown mormonmission.blogspot..melbourne-west-mission 2008

Australia Melbourne West Mission Groups

Here are Melbourne West Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the mission.

  1. Australia Melbourne West Mission Group (428 members)
  2. Melbourne West Mission Group (161 members)
  3. Melbourne West Mission Group (27 members)

Australia Melbourne West Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Australia Melbourne West Mission!

Shirt designs include Australia Melbourne West Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.

*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Australia Melbourne West missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

*Click here to browse Melbourne West Mission gifts

Melbourne West Mission Presidents

Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Melbourne West LDS Mission.

  1. 2010, Melbourne East and West Missions Combined to Form Australia Melbourne Mission.
  2. 2007-2010, Barry Lee
  3. 2004-2007, Joel Whiting Warner
  4. 2001-2004, D. Jay Curtis
  5. 1998-2001, Lynn C. Brenchley
  6. 1998, Melbourne West Mission created.

Australia LDS Statistics (2016)

  • Church Membership: 146.643
  • Missions: 6
  • Temples: 5
  • Congregations: 309
  • Family History Centers: 176

Helpful Articles about Australia

Coming soon..

Melbourne West Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Australia Melbourne West RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.

*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.

When did you serve?

  • 2009-2010 (Fran)
  • 2008-2010 (Jake)
  • 1099-2001 (Jesse)
  • 1998-2000 (Travis)
  • 1997-1999 (Nate)

What areas did you serve in?

  • Chadstone, Sunbury, Melton, Geelong, and Epping. (Fran)
  • Many, but I served in Tasmania for half my mission. (Jake)
  • Pascoe Vale, Broad Meadows, Essendon, Geelong, Launceston TAZ, Glenroy, Bendigo. (Jesse)
  • Box hill, Heidelberg, Doncaster, Caufield. (Nate)

What were some favorite foods?

  • Wheat bix, taro, chop Sui, otai, custard, roasted potatoes, cheesy cauliflower, Tim tams, and fish and chip shops and chicken and chip shops. Also Nandos! (Fran)
  • Christmas pudding, vegemite, mangoes, fruit cheese. (Jake)
  • Glenroy Kebab house – like a gyro in pita bread, but WAY better Cordial – like premixed kool-aid syrup Tim-Tam slam – imagine a chocolate covered wafer cookie, where you bite open opposing corners and suck it full of hot Chocolate (Milo) Milo – hot chocolate but less sweet. Every corner has a fish and chips. Awesome. (Jesse)
  • Donner kabobs, pumpkin soup, woos stove pizza in footspray. (Travis)
  • Jiaozi. Baozi. Cao Fan. Cong You Bing. (Nate)

What was a funny experience?

  • There was one time when we found a giant Huntsman spider in our toilet! Scared the living day lights out of my companion. Also, there was a certain time of the day where huge flocks of cockatoos would fly overhead. One day my companion and I were walking to a house and this flock just happened to poop in the perfect spot that it landed on her nose and ran down her face. (Fran)
  • Within the first five days of arriving to Australia, my trainer and I run into a Jehovah’s Witness. The conversation went something like this: Jehovah Witness: I don’t believe in The Book of Mormon, because it contradicts the Bible. Us: Could you give an example? I know that The Book of Mormon compliments the Bible and helps us understand it better. Jehovah Witness: You know the story of Job? When does that take place? Trainer: Somewhere between Kings and Chronicles? (I’m impressed, I would have had to look it up) Jehovah Witness: Right! Well, in your Book of Mormon, the story of Job happens in the preexistence. I am racking my brain to try and find any story in the Book of Mormon that even mentions Job. I can tell my trainer’s going through the same thought process. So I pull out a copy of the Book of Mormon and say “That’s fascinating, but I’ve read cover to cover and don’t remember that. Can you show me where it says that?” He won’t even touch the book, saying “No, but I think it’s somewhere in Nephi.” To his credit, he A) pronounced Nephi correctly and B) knew Nephi was related to The Book of Mormon. And to answer your burning question, the only place Job is mentioned in the Standard Works outside of the Bible is in Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord tells Joseph Smith he is “not yet as Job.” (Jake)
  • Elders would capture spiders, feed them a lot to get bigger, then starve them prior to Zone Conference and have a spider death match. I always lost, but was enjoyable to watch. Also, don’t expect to just drive on the other side of the road and not have close calls or accidents in traffic. The opposite is also true when returning home. I have photos of both. (Jesse)
  • Any day with Elders Hen, Wood and Maynes. (Travis)
  • Trying to say “pingguo” and actually saying “pigu”. (Nate)

What was a crazy experience?

  • My first time driving as an American driver on the wrong side of the road. No explanation needed. (Fran)
  • We were walking down a super long driveway when four Rottweilers come charging at my companion and I. We’re too far down to run back to the gate at the end of the driveway, so we stand our ground. The dogs come barking and snarling until they get about five feet away, then they start circling us and sniffing and generally being friendly. We get within sight of the house and the owner comes out warning us of his “highly trained guard dogs that will rip us to shreds” and walks us back to the gate. (Jake)
  • I experienced some racial persecution at the time America was bombing areas in the Middle East and most of my area were descendants or had family in the war zone. It never came to violence, but there were other local people that did get assaulted and/or hospitalized. (Jesse)
  • Getting hit by a motor cycle. (Travis)
  • Eating solidified pig’s blood. (Nate)

What was a spiritual experience?

  • I was on a mission, too many to count. (Fran)
  • Reading Jesus the Christ. If you haven’t, you need to. (Jake)
  • After literally weeks of nothing, and the “un-tracted” road map getting very limited, a Christmas miracle; literally the 23rd of Dec, on Snowflake Court, we found a “golden” angel and two wonderful kids that though much work was needed, they were all willing and excited to begin their life changing experience. Awesome way to end my mission with her baptism 3 days before leaving. (Jesse)
  • Taking a convert through the temple. (Travis)
  • Praying with investigators. (Nate)

What are some interesting facts about the Melbourne West Mission?

  • I was in more tri-companionships than I was in pairs. – 6 weeks before I finished the East and West missions merged into the Melbourne Mission. – It’s such a beautiful place, especially if you get to be next to the ocean! Stunning! (Fran)
  • There are two LDS families on the island state of Tasmania. I met one family there who wasn’t related to either. If you’re LDS in Tassie, you’re either a Wooley or a Triffitt. (Jake)
  • The people are laid back and often non-commital, but overwhelming kind-hearted. “No way are you coming into my house, but it is really hot. Would you like some cordial?” No snow, but it does get cold. Sports are most people’s religion. If going there, research Aussie-Rules football and pick a team. Doesn’t matter what team, but pick one and a few reasons why and defend your team. Even with a rival team, your commitment to a team will gain respect and intrigue. (Jesse)
  • Port authority in Tasmania was the first prison used by the British to transport convicts. (Travis)
  • Had five companions and three transfers. (Nate)

What was the weather like?

  • We definitely got all the seasons. But don’t expect too much snow. Rain, wind, and lots of sunshine is what you’ll get from the beautiful state of Victoria. (Fran)
  • When I arrived, it was so hot that hay bales were spontaneously combusting in the fields. Two thirds of the State of Victoria burned within a month of my arrival. Winters were mild and wet. (Jake)
  • Like Texas. The coast can be really humid/cold and the bush can be really dry/hot. If you are familiar with humidity and cold enough to snow but doesn’t, you’ll be fine. (Jesse)
  • If your in Hobart in winter and the wind is blowing from the south, it comes from Antarctica. When your on the main land in summer you can swim through the humidity. (Travis)
  • Four seasons in a day. (Nate)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

  • Everyone was very friendly and kind. I had the opportunity to serve in a Tongan branch and there I was able to embrace the beautiful culture! Everyone would give the shirt off their back for the missionaries. A beautiful people. (Fran)
  • A lot of people in Australia have a very dry sense of humor, which helped me fit in quickly. The best description I ever heard of Aussies was that they are the US’s little brother. They like most of the same things Americans do, but when you ask them, they will never admit it. (Jake)
  • As a people, they are very amiable. a little they are very laid back, they are very loving and kind people. The members will welcome you into their homes, and if behavior is good, they will willingly work with you every day. (Jesse)
  • The country is beautiful. The people are amazing. (Travis)
  • The humility, the range of cultures, the tolerance and friendliness of others. (Nate)

Any packing/clothing advice?

  • I never needed a heavy, winter jacket, so don’t bring one. (Fran)
  • Unless you’re going to a third world country, don’t worry about wrinkles. You can always iron your clothes. (Jake)
  • There are plenty of service opportunities. So bring some clothes that you want to work in both shorts and long pants. I didn’t use my suit coats much except in the winter to help stay warm and the trench coat that was recommended I didn’t use but rarely when raining. (Jesse)
  • Prepare to go through a few pairs of shoes. (Travis)
  • The sun is dangerous. Bring a good hat for outdoor work. (Nate)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

  • Too many to count! (Fran)
  • Too many to count. If I had to pick one, it would be the friendship of the people I met there. (Jake)
  • As with many others, I started a young kid with borrowed testimony and money. Through the continued choices during my mission came out a more grown and established young man with a testimony and understanding of my own. And yeah…the growing was more than just spiritual, but in Australia everything is measured in stones anyway so 14.5 is WAY better sounding than 220. (Jesse)
  • Being able to teach those who never heard of Christ for the first time, bringing families closer through baptism and watching a temple bring blessing to a country of people. (Travis)
  • Too many to list. (Nate)

What are some skills you gained?

  • I learned how to speak a little Tongan and to cook some Tongan foods. I learned how to be able to talk to random strangers anywhere! (Fran)
  • Everyone’s going to say things like learning how to talk with people or better study skills. I’ll be a rebel and say I learned some things I never expected. I learned how to break into a second story apartment (Useful when you lock your keys inside.) I learned how to solve a Rubik’s Cube from a companion who was way into puzzles. (Jake)
  • I am naturally an introvert, so being able to talk to people was a huge problem, and then a skill for me. Also, the ability to meet people and come together on common ground and become interested in the same likes and interests of others has also been very helpful to me later in life. (Jesse)
  • Learning to live with others. Learning to cook and budget money. Learning to schedule. (Travis)
  • Language, public speaking, courage, adaptability. (Nate)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

  • Nothing, the learning curve was part of the experience. Just embrace it! (Fran)
  • I’d have bought things I would take home at the end of my mission and just shipped them over the course of the two years. Back up your pictures. I lost the first three month’s worth of my mission pictures because I left my camera on the train. Either email them home each week (your family would love to see pictures with your letter) or carry a thumb drive separate from everything else. (Jake)
  • Better personal testimony, but really, not much. Call the mission office and get a rundown of what to expect when getting off the plane would have been nice. I was told to bring and exchange money at the airport not understanding that at the mission office, we were going to buy sheets, a bike, and other things. I showed up, they said to pick one or the other, and totally jet lagged I just held out my strangely colored bills in one hand and let the office couple pick what they needed and give me change. (Jesse)
  • I always recommend to others to read and know the first two books of the old testament and all of the new testament. This with the Book of Mormon will help in relating and converting others. (Travis)
  • Learned more Chinese before I left. (Nate)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Melbourne West?

  • Just embrace the culture and the people. That’s the most important thing you can do (as well as being obedient). People will be drawn to you if you show care and love for them. Also, be patient with yourself. You aren’t going to be perfect at the beginning and while you’ll have improved by the end and you won’t be perfect then either. Allow yourself to make mistakes because it is from them that you grow. Do your best and let God make up the rest! And be yourself! God sent You because he know you can help someone there, so just be you! (Fran)
  • A little unconventional advice. You are going to hear about the big movies that come out while you’re serving. Get a 3X5 card, and when you hear about anything that makes you wish you could take a break for one day, write it down. It lets you forget about it and focus on your purpose. Then, when you’re an RM, you have a list of things to catch up on already without anyone having to tell you. DON’T GET LAZY: If you ever feel the urge to give it less than your best, repent and redouble your effort. It is a lot easier to stay busy than to change a lazy habit. I had a companion who refused to leave the apartment. I thought at the time it would be the hardest transfers of my mission. It wasn’t. The transfer after was, because I had become complacent, and when I was able to go back into the field, I had a lot of little habits to break. (Jake)
  • Times get tough, areas go stagnant, investigators get non-committal or overly committal and don’t perform, companions can be your right arm or you may be willing to cut off your arm and hit them with it. But nothing you experience on a mission is anything different than what you can expect from life after a mission. Deal with it. Make a plan to fix problems. Work the problems don’t dwell on them. Life will go on and it is the best training ground for marriage you can get. (Jesse)
  • We did it, we made it. So can you. (Nate)

What was a funny language mistake?

  • Melbourne is pronounced “MEL-BUN”, just an FYI. Be very careful of certain words in AUSTRALIA. Like fanny pack (not sure why you’d say it in a conversation) means something totally different in AUSTRALIA than it does here! (Fran)
  • We spoke English, but my companion spent ten minutes with a girl we were talking to trying to say “no” in an Australian accent. She claimed he never got it down. I was laughing because the two of them were sitting there saying ‘no’ to each other over and over sounding, to me, identical. (Jake)
  • Australia has many different language missionaries, but I was fortunate enough to speak English. One strange word difference in Australia is the term fanny pack. In America, it means a small bag attached to a belt worn around the waist. In Australia, a fanny is a slang term for a private part of a woman’s body. As a missionary, there will be no fanny packin’ going on. (Jesse)