G'day Tom. Geography seems to be a challenging subject here ? Since its early springtime in Victoria, you're right to be thinking about planting seeds. Your climate is getting warmer and as soon as you have average day temps. of greater then 12 deg. C and no more danger of frost, then go ahead and plant.
Are you sure nobody ever goes on your proposed planting patch ? If theres a farm next door with lots of vegetables in the field then there are going to be people around. Make sure you are secure; thats important.
Next, plant the seeds just below the soil surface; don't bury them. Give them lots of water if its dry.
Your next problem will be insects and animals that love the succulent leaves of seedlings. You will probably need to take defensive measures in this regard.
If you take care of your plants, use basic common sense, get a little gardening knowledge (look elsewhere on this site) then by the time the first ball is bowled in the Ashes, you should have a set of healthy plants. Flowering will not commence until the days begin to shorten (actually the nights begin to lengthen), which for you will be around March 2007.
I suggest you not worry about males and females until flowering of the males commences. Then ask more questions if you are unsure what to do.
Good luck with your grow.