I'm a 4th year civil/maths student. Yes engineering students are rowdy and have keg parties (called FLUIDS, ask
mrbassman for more info..i haven't been yet).
First year for each program is as follows:
taken from:
http://ccdb.newcastle.edu.au/courseinfo/programlist.cfm?ugpg=13&fos=6
Civil Engineering
GENG1001 - Introductory Mechanics
MATH1110 - Mathematics 111
PHYS1210 - Advanced Physics 1
SURV1110 - Surveying 1
GENG1002 - Introduction to Engineering Computations
GENG1803 - Introduction to Engineering Practice
MATH1120 - Mathematics 112
SURV1120 - Surveying 2
Mechanical Engineering
MATH1110 - Mathematics 111
GENG1000 - Computer Aided Engineering
PHYS1210 - Advanced Physics 1
GENG1001 - Introductory Mechanics
MATH1120 - Mathematics 112
GENG1002 - Introduction to Engineering Computations
GENG1803 - Introduction to Engineering Practice
ELEC1300 - Electrical Engineering 1
So, yes you are correct that first year is very similar for each program
After first year of civil you would know a bit about differential equations and linear algebra, some physics. And you would have a fair grasp of surveying. But the main thing to take from first year civil would be basic structural engineering - analysing simple structures and calculating forces, moments etc... fun stuff. I did a fluid mechanics subject when i was in first year but i don't think you get to do it until second year now with all the restructuring of the engineering degrees that is going on at the moment.
Feel free to ask any more questions about civil/mechanical.