General

I know i'd feel more comfortable fattening up in a colder area, these aussie summers can be a killer with the heat...

That's actually pretty true, especially of caucasians. The colder climate triggers a "feasting" response in most people, and it's even more pronounced if they're used to a warmer climate. So it's little coincidence that most of the holidays that involve feasts *in the west at least* happen during the winter.