You're in Australia, right? Well, there are two main ones I go on fairly regularly.
mcau.org
lewna.net
They're quite good, and my friend and I go on mcau.org fairly often, and the people are quite friendly most of the time, unless you don't read the rules or you grief. I also found that lewna.net is very 'noob' friendly. First hour of going on that server and about 3 people were practically tripping over themselves to help me out, or to get me involved in a project c:
I like servers where people will help get you started, instead of smack talking you for not being as "intelligent" as they are.