La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus offers a uniquely Melburnian setting for AMUNC. The lush gardens and open spaces will provide a calming and serene atmosphere for delegates to battle it out. Contrasting with the urban style of the Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra AMUNCs, La Trobe’s bush environment will present a different side of Australian academia. AMUNC at La Trobe University allows delegates to participate in active debate away from the buzz and distraction of a bustling metropolis. La Trobe University is named after Victoria’s first governor Charles La Trobe. La Trobe was responsible for a statute that requires Melbourne to maintain a minimum of 20% of its land area as parklands or gardens; La Trobe University was designed and continues to be maintained with this ideal in mind.

The university has a reputation for excellence in the Humanities and Law in Melbourne and Australia. At present the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has over 30 elected fellows of the Australian Academies. The school also has a proud reputation for engaging in public debate and commentary, a feature that distinguishes it from Universities that focus solely on research to the detriment of public discussion. Robert Manne’s “Ideas and Societies” program, Joe Camilleri’s “Centre for Dialogue” and Dennis Altman’s continuing work with the ABC are just three examples.

The university has a reputation for being the most progressive in Melbourne, it is a reputation our students embrace. Walking around the grounds you will see students enjoying the open gardens, sitting by the moat, participating in campus events or enjoying one of the 25 on campus cafes serving Melbourne’s world famous coffee. La Trobe also holds the title of being Australia’s first University to appoint a Pro-Vice Chancellor for Sustainability (Carol Adams). This commitment to sustainability is reflected not only by La Trobe, but by AMUNC 2012. The conference aims to be the most environmentally responsible AMUNC ever held.