Hi David,
to IIS. Plenty of helpfull people here so If you have any questions just ask and someone will be able to help. Even if you think it is a really simple/dumb question still.
If you live north of Melb. some of us are heading to Mernda on Friday night around 9pm. Details
here
I too am a total newbie when it comes to viewing the heavens and had my first light Friday night just gone. I saw Jupiter and 4 of her moons for the first time before the clouds put a end to things.