Australians and Canadians: Long-lots siblings?

Australians have been so lovely to us.  I have been really impressed with how friendly everyone has been.  People at various stores, appointments for work, at the park, on the street have gone out of their way to ensure we are getting around ok and enjoying our time here.
Today I had to go to the medical board and had to bring Cian because Emily had her first music class. It was a quick meeting where this guy had to see some documents so I didn't think it would be a big deal to bring Cian along and it wasn't.  The man was very nice to both of us, asking how we were doing and if we were enjoying Australia.  He talked directly to Cian about a few things too.  It's something I've really noticed here about adult men.  Maybe it's a function of where I usually am with the kids but there have been numerous adult men who have talked to the kids and this has been surprising to me (in a nice way).  Usually in a couple it's the older woman or the mother/grandmother who stops and says hello  and men (especially by themselves) seem to keep to themselves.  Anyway, it's something I've noticed and it's nice.
Australians have been so nice that on our way to what is now remembered as the "failed attempt at visiting the Zoo" someone called to us FROM THEIR CAR while waiting for a light on a 6 lane highway to ask us what we were looking for on the map and if they could help us (and they did point us in the right direction instead of the wrong way we were going).
There are lots of examples: service people, train station attendants, people at the park.  They're also very welcoming when they find out we're from Canada; like we're two sides of the same distantly flipped coin.  Maybe it's the extreme weather that builds character.
Also in Melbourne they have a love of 7-11 I can get behind.  Although Manitoba might be the Slurpee capital of Canada I don't think it's the Slurpee capital of the world.  I've seen way more 7-11s here than back home.  And although Australians are very similar to us in demeanor their Slurpees have an American flavour and I'm not a huge fan (I think it's frothier?) and the small size is $2.60.  Fortunately, Hungry Jack's (the Australian Burger King) that is 50 paces from our house has $1 frozen Cokes that are like the Slurpees I am used to.  I'm sure when the warm weather kicks in I'm going to have to will myself down the stock path in the direction of the gym and not in the direction of Hungry Jack's. Hopefully that won't be the road less traveled by, for I fear that may make all the difference...in pounds.
ON top of the convinience of the proximity of frozen Cokes and gyms I am grateful everyday for the place we've ended up in this year.  It's in a really great location for us.  Lots of parks, the rec centre, the long walking baths and the most recent excitement...the signet.  A signet, for those of you who didn't know (like me), is a baby swan. There is a duck conservation area beside the walking path near our house and the Black Swans have had a baby swan (signet) that is white and fluffy and super cute.  The kids love going there to see if we can see the baby.  It's a beautiful walk, especially on Sunday morning when the rowers are out on the Yarra river.  The rowing club is up the river from us so there were a few single and group rowing teams on the water as well as a couple kayakers (although my well-trained kid was looking for a canoe because he "loves canoes").  There were also cranes, diving ducks and swallows so lots for the kids to see as we went for a long walk down the palm tree lined path.  Basically the cardinal rule of real estate has applied itself in full force for us this year: Location Location Location!