I know you want to bust out with your new gear and hit something up, but discretion is the better part of valor JF, and if valor consisted also of caution, then that would be the better part still. The VCC has two upcoming trips for beginners in Jan/Feb: one to Black Hill, and one to Camels Hump (a preferable location for first time trad leading). Check the VCC website for details: http://www.vicclimb.org.au/location/events.
Getting your lead climbing pass in a gym (and i'm guessing a Melbourne gym, as you pluralized gyms and live in VIC) is indeed a pest, but it provides vital experience that will set you up for leading trad outdoors - learn how to clip a biner with one hand (in under 3 mins), take an experience whipper off a nice steep lead wall and get the basics locked up in the safest environment possible.
When I made my first trad lead it was after seconding experienced climbers on multi pitches for two years, leading in the gym for a year and successfully leading a couple of bolted sports routes. I lead a 12 - it was scary. Get experience and get help before you undertake this. Trust me, i'm a teacher! |