THE AUSTRALIAN SF BULLSHEET #33 – 26th May 1995
A slack but frequent little science fiction newsletter produced for the
Australian National Science Fiction Association by Marc Ortlieb, P.O. Box
215, Forest Hill, Vict, 3131, AUSTRALIA (e-mail:
Marc_A._Ortlieb@fc.ausom.oz.au).
Postal subscriptions $6-00 for ten issues.(Cheques made out to
Marc Ortlieb please. Stamps accepted). Available for items of gossip.
E-mail copies free. Ask to be put on the mailing list, or grab it from
aus.sf on Internet, the Ausom FC BBS 9543 3411 or Psibaud (03) 9804
3205.
DUFF
This year's DUFF winners, Pat and Roger Sims, have released a brief
introduction, including their trip itinerary. June 2-5 Melbourne; June
6-8 Adelaide; June 9-13 Hobart (Thylacon); June 13-14 Sydney; June 15-16
Wellington; June 17 Auckland.
IN PRINT
Leah Smith, one of Australia in '99's U.S.agents, reports that she has
sold her fourth story, "Hemingway, Remarks Are Not Literature," to
Wildside Press's forthcoming Alternate Skiffy anthology.
1995 N. Z. S.F. & FANTASY AWARDS
Best Fanzine: Time/Space Visualiser Paul Scoones.
Best Other Publication: The Best of TSV 21-26.
Best Writer: Peter Friend & Li Cross "Vain" (Interzone)
Best Artist: Warwick Gray
Special Achievement: The Continuum Con Committee
CONVENTION UPDATES
Basicon, the 1995 Media NatCon, has released its first flier (attached).
Thylacon, the 1995 Lit NatCon has released another progress report, with
details on their guests, hotels, a program skeleton, masquerade, the
Magic Tournament and a membership list reaching into the fifties.
UPCOMING CONVENTIONS
THYLACON 1995 Lit NatCon,June 9-12, Hadley's Hotel, Hobart. GsoH Kim
Stanley Robinson, Peter Nicholls and Grant Stone.$75-00. Sup $20-00.
Voting $5-00. P.O. Box 418, Sandy Bay, Tas 7005 (002) 313-779 e-mail
cary_jl@postoffice.sandybay.utas.edu.au
ARCON AUSSIECON REUNION CONVENTION- celebrating twenty years of
Australian Science Fiction. September 22-24 GsoH Robin Johnson & David
Grigg Savoy Plaza Hotel Melbourne. P.O. Box 215 Forest Hill, Vic 3131 Att
$50-00. Att Ages 12-18yrs $30. Supp $20.
CONTINUUM (Conquest 95) October 13-15 GsoH Jerry Hardin O.C.P. & Richard
Arnold. Gateway Hotel, Brisbane GPO Box 1376 Brisbane 4001 (07) 273 6512
Att $85 until August
BASICON 1995 Media Natcon October 14 venue tba $20 Att ($100 at the
door.) Hucksters $30. Banquet $7 P.O. Box 567 Blackburn 3130
TERROR 95 Horror Convention. October 27-29 Caulfield Arts Complex
Victoria. GsoH Richard Harland, Michael Helms & Big Bad Ralph. $40 to
1/6/95; $45 to 25/10/95; $50 at the door. Hucksters $75. P.O. Box 7545 St
Kilda Rd Melbourne 3004 (03) 9509 0766
MUDCON November 18-19 Winery tour/Convention. Susan Clarke 6 Bellevue
Road Faulconbridge NSW 2776
MUTAGEN '96 January 26-29 1996, Dr Who GsoH Peter Davison (O.C.P.)
Chris Barrie (O.C.P.) Paul Cornell. Att $90-00. GPO Box 910G Melbourne
3001. (03) 534-2752
THE FESTIVAL OF THE IMAGINATION '96 ( Confusion 96/Swancon 21) Lit/Media
NatCon April 4-8 1996. Kings Hotel Perth. GsoH Bruce Sterling, Neil
Gaiman & Robin Pen. Membership $50 until May 31; $60 from then until
September 30; Supp $20; Voting $10. GPO Box G429, Perth, 6001 Ph:(09) 434
4167. E-mail julian@multiline.com.au
CONSTELLATION NZ Natcon: Queens Birthday Weekend 1996 The Christchurch
City Travelodge, NZ GsoH Michael Moorcock, James Dignan $50.00 during
1994/5 P.O. Box 29-119, Fendalton, Christchurch NZ. Email:
c.brandenburg@lincoln.ac.nz
MEDTREK V Australia Day Weekend 1997 UWS Hawkesbury Richmond NSW Susan
Clarke 6 Bellevue Road Faulconbridge NSW 2776
CONSPIRACY 1997 18th New Zealand National Science Fiction Convention
(bidding for the 15th Australasian SFMedia Con) March 28 to 31 1997.
Airport Hotel Wellington N.Z. GsoH tba. PO Box 10104, Wellington, New
Zealand.Email: concom@sans.vuw.ac.nz
AUSTRALIA IN '99 Bid for the 1999 World Science Fiction Convention. $10
pre-supporting rate. P.O. Box 99 Bayswater 3153.
GoH = Guest of Honour
O.C.P. = Other Commitments Permitting
tba= to be announced.
OTHER EVENTS
N.S.W.
KIM STANLEY ROBINSON June 15 6pm Galaxy Books
SYDNEY FUTURIANS June 16 7pm Room 1614, Tower Building, University of
Technology, Broadway, Sydney.
KIM STANLEY ROBINSON June 17 Powerhouse Museum $10. 12noon to 5pm. Other
speakers include Professor Malcolm Walter.
SOUTHERN SF GROUP June 17 2pm Interplanetary settlement 15 Shade Place
Lugarno (02) 534-3595
TERRY DOWLING June 22 6pm Galaxy Books. Reading from An Intimate
Knowledge of the Night.
THE WINTER BALL July 29 Elim House, Shaftesbury St Burwood (NSW). $50.
All bookings by July 20th to Susan Clark, 6 Bellevue Road Faulconbridge
NSW 2776. Proceeds to the Linda Cox Chan Fund for Diabetes Research.
SYDNEY DR WHO FAN CLUB 4th Sunday of month Sefton District Girl Guides'
Hall. P.O. Box 381, Chester Hill, 2162 (02) 727-4272
NEWCASTLE DOCTOR WHO SCIENCE FICTION CLUB 3rd Sunday of the month, Alice
Ferguson Community Centre, 30 Caldwell St Merewether P.O. Box 140,
Kotara Fair 2289, ph (049) 57 5109 (049) 43 2666
BABYLON 5 OZ FAN CLUB PO Box 161 Adamstown NSW 2289 Penrith SF Group
(047) 322-179 or (047) 301-073
AUSTRALIAN SF ASSOCIATION GPO Box 4440 Sydney 2000
DR WHO FAN CLUB OF AUSTRALIA PO Box 4 Epping NSW 2121 email:
Kate.Orman@mq.edu.au $9 per year
GARGOYLE CLUB First Friday of month 7.00pm, Royal Exhibition Hotel Surrey
Hills
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GROUP Informal eating and nattering. 5-7pm Thursday
Nights (Contact Galaxy Bookshop for details)
TAVERN Monthly booze-up for Doctor Who fans in Sydney. First Friday of
month, 6 pm. Museum Hotel (just behind the Australian Museum)
Victoria
MSFC 7-30pm St David's Church Hall 74 Melville Rd West Brunswick May
26 Book readings. June 2 model car racing. June 9 Coffee, cake &
conversation. P.O. Box 212 World Trade Centre Melbourne 3005
ENTERPRISE May 27 1-4.30pm. Sydney Myer Music Bowl Ice Rink P.O. Box 466
World Trade Centre 3005
TIME TREKKERS June 2 7.30pm Bendigo Community Support Centre 46
Sternberg Street Bendigo. P.O. Box 934 Bendigo 3550
STAR TREK MARATHONS June 3 6:30pm State Film Centre 1 Macarthur St East
Melbourne (03) 9758 1807
AUSTREK June 4 12 noon Coppin Hall 313 Punt Rd Prahran. GPO Box 5206AA
Melbourne 3001 (03) 9887 1701
NOVA MOB June 7 Alan Stewart's Place. Phone Alan Stewart for details (03)
9429 8354
DANDENONG VALLEY SCIENCE FICTION & FUTURIST SOCIETY June 13, 8pm
Dandenong Library. Ann McGann 63 Woodside Ave, Frankston, 3199.
5971-3645.
KIM STANLEY ROBINSON June 14 12 noon Slow Glass Books Upstairs 305
Swanston Street Melbourne
GALLIFREY June 17 GPO Box 910G Melbourne 3001
WINTER FETE July 8 9am—3pm MSFC St David's Church Hall 74 Melville Rd
West Brunswick. Tables $15. (03) 9877-1093
FRIDAY NIGHT MOB Friday Nights 6-7.30pm. Informal eating and nattering.
K&Ms, Myer Arcade Melbourne
GAMMA QUADRANT OUTPOST A local chapter of the U.S. based Bajoran
Alliance, (Deep Space Nine) P.O. Box 567 Blackburn 3130
k.pender-gunn@latrobe.edu.au
AUSTRALIAN BABYLON 5 FAN CLUB P.O. Box 41 West Brunswick 3055 Fanzine
Babbling On
QLD
WARP SPEED May 28 GPO Box 2004 Brisbane 4001 (07) 356 5472
CONQUEST 95 June 4 GPO Box 1376 Brisbane 4001 (07) 273 6512
NEW HORIZONS June 4 British Sf 776 Cavendish Rd Holland Park 4121 (07)
349 2229
QUEST Star Trek June 11 12noon - 4.00pm Yungaba Community Centre, 100
Mains Rd Kangaroo Point (07) 356 5472
BRISBANE DR WHO CLUB June 18 P.O. Box 10308 Adelaide St Brisbane 4000
S.A.
CRITICAL MASS June 7 8pm John Foyster on 'June 1953'. SA Writers' Centre,
Second Floor, 187 Rundle Street, Adelaide. 6:30 Five Spices Restaurant
THE 'NOCK June 14 6:30pm The Brechnock Hotel, King William St, Adelaide.
AUSFA, c/- Clubs Association, University of Adelaide, North Terrace,
Adelaide SA 5001.
W.A.
UNISFA - University of Western Australia Science Fiction Association.See
Web page or e-mail (nulsmurf@tartarus.uwa.edu.au)
THE WEST LODGE DOCTOR WHO FAN CLUB. First Saturday of the month at the
Collins Street Centre, South Perth. Snail-Mail : P.O. Box 190 Mt Lawley
6050 E-Mail : nulsmurf@tartarus.uwa.edu.au
A.C.T.
CANBERRA SFS June 1 7:30pm, general meeting ph (06) 288 6391 (ah) PO
Box 47, Civic Square ACT 2608
Fanzines
THE CAPTAIN'S LOG #214 Star Trek Katharine Shade for Austrek
GPO Box 5206AA Melbourne 3001
SYDNEY FUTURIAN #6 Newszine Ron Clarke PO Box K490 Haymarket 2000
SO YOU SAY #11 Perzine/Genzine Shayne McCormack 49 Orchard Rd Bass Hill
2197
BBS
ECHO BASE HOTH (03) 9563-1323.
PSIBAUD, (03) 9804 3205, free single line stand-alone sf and education BBS
THE CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS Star Trek (03) 9723 8344.
AUSOM's First Class BBS SF conference called Sci Fi (03) 9543 3411
WEB PAGES
UNISFA
http://www.gu.uwa.edu.au /unisfa/
DAMIEN WARMAN
http://smug.student.adelaide.edu.au/~damien/
SUNDANCE BILSON-THOMPSON
http://smug.student.adelaide.edu.au/~kickaha/
VICNET
http://www.vicnet.net.au/vicnet/sf/sfpage.html
DEADLINES
1995 Ditmar Votes June 10 1995
1995 ASFMA Nominations July 14 1995
1996 FFANZ Nominations August 11 1995
1996 FFANZ Voting December 8 1995
1996 Ditmar Nominations January 31 1996
1996 ASFMA Nominations January 31 1996
JOVE NODS. BULLSHEET HAPPENS
Greg Egan is not really trying to corner the young adult market.
The title of his novel is Quarantine, not "Quaranteen " as typoed in
The BS #32. and it was the British SFA Awards, not "Britist".
(Corrections courtesy of the K&M's "after it's been run off" proof
reading service. Thanks fellas.)
SOURCES
Warp Speed, Captain's Log, Sydney Futurian Tim Jones, Roman
Orszanski, John Foyster
DEADLINE FOR #34
Tuesday June 6th. Distribution Friday June 9th.
FFANZ 1995/1996
Tim Jones NZ FFANZ Administrator Dept of Library and Information Studies
Victoria University of Wellington PO Box 600, Wellington email:
timothy.jones@vuw.ac.nz
The Fan Fund of Australia and New Zealand is looking for candidates to
travel to Perth at Easter 1996 (5-8 April) and represent New Zealand fandom at
Swancon 21/Confusion 96, the 1996 Australian Literary and Media Natcon. The
Guests of Honour at this convention are Bruce Sterling (co-author with William
Gibson of The Difference Engine, author of The Hacker Crackdown and Heavy
Weather), Neil Gaiman (famous comics dude and co-author with Terry Pratchett
of Good Omens), and Robin Pen (Perth fan, who as far as I know isn't the
co-author of anything with anyone). The Con is being held at the Kings Hotel,
Perth.
WHAT CANDIDATES NEED
To be eligible, you must be an active fan resident in New Zealand.
Candidates need one nominator from New Zealand and one from Australia. You
must provide a written candidate's platform of not more than 100 words
describing yourself and your virtues as a candidate, together with a
non-refundable deposit of $10. Candidates must promise, barring acts of God,
to attend Swancon 21, to administer the fund in New Zealand until such time as
a successor is chosen (normally, a period of approximately two years), and to
complete, publish, and sell a Trip Report detailing their trip to raise funds
for FFANZ. Although the FFANZ winner is not required to do more than attend
Swancon 21, it is customary to spend two to three weeks in the destination
country, travelling and meeting fans. Joint candidacies are possible - in
this case, the joint platform should not exceed 100 words.
WHAT YOU GET
Funds permitting, the winning candidate will receive their fare to and
from Perth from the New Zealand fund, and travelling expenses within Australia
from the Australian fund. Their Swancon 21 membership and hotel accommodation
will also be paid for. In the case of a joint candidacy winning, the fund
will undertake to pay one return airfare to Perth, and will contribute towards
the other if funds permit.
THE DATES
Nominations will close on Friday August 11 1995
Voting will close on Friday 8 December 1995
Send nominations, with name of the candidate, names of nominators, candidate's
platforms and $10 deposit to: Tim Jones, 87 Ellice St, Wellington 6001.
FFANZ IN GOOD SHAPE
At about the midway point of my term as New Zealand FFANZ
Administrator, the fund is in good shape to send the next New Zealand FFANZ
winner on their way to Swancon 21, the 1996 Australian National Convention in
Perth at Easter. After Donna Heenan's FFANZ visit, we have approximately
$1150 in the New Zealand FFANZ account, which on present prices is enough to
fly one New Zealander to Perth and back. A stopover in Sydney or Melbourne
can currently be added for only another $50.
DONNA HEENAN'S VISIT
Donna Heenan's trip as 1995 FFANZ winner seems to have been highly
successful, with a number of people who met her remarking how much they
enjoyed her company. Donna and her travelling companion Neil Murray began
their trip at Conquest in Auckland, where Donna was on several panels and also
spoke on Australian fandom at the "Australia in 1999" Worldcon bid. They then
visited Dunedin, where they were the guests of Pauline Meinung and Rex
Thompson; Christchurch, where they stayed with Murray and Natalie MacLachlan;
Wellington, with Kay and I; and Norsewood, to visit Lyn McConchie, before
flying out again from Auckland. In each centre, their hosts made sure they
met local fans; here in Wellington, we had a gathering of about 15 people
which began in our (full to overflowing) living-room and moved down the road
to Strawberry Fare dessert restaurant. I enjoyed Donna and Neil's company,
and I hope to see them again if Australia wins the 1999 Worldcon.
TRIP REPORT COMPLETED
AUSTRALIAN CRAWL, the report on Tim Jones' and Kay Gubbins' trip to
Constantinople in Melbourne last Easter and subsequent travels in Victoria and
N.S.W., is now available. For a donation of $5 to FFANZ, you get a 32-page
report featuring everything from ferrets to philosophy, from William Gibson to
pit bull terriers. Written by Tim Jones, with guest appearances by Kay
Gubbins, the report is available from 87 Ellice St, Wellington 6001. Get your
copy now!
THE MONEY-GO-ROUND
Here's a summary of the New Zealand FFANZ account's incomings and
outgoings since I took over the account in November last year:
Opening balance (24/11/94) 472.22
INCOME
FFANZ Auction - 1994 588.00
FFANZ Auction - 1995, plus sales 675.20
LynMcConchie - FFANZ afternoons 203.94
Cost reimbursement from Neil Murray 125.00
Voting fees 31.00
Interest 14.88
Total: 1638.02
EXPENDITURE
Costs of 1995 FFANZ winner's trip 844.70 (1)
Printing of 50 x trip report 115.30
Repayment of sales to WICG (Dunedin) 15.00
Total: 975.00
Excess of Income over Expenditure 663.02
Current balance (16/5/95): 1135.24
(1) This was made up of accommodation 370, tolls 14.70, expenses + travel 460.
Australian Administrator Donna Heenan P.O. Box 99 Bayswater 3153
Basicon First Flyer - May 1995
CONDIMENT IS DEAD! BUT THE MEDIA NATCON ISN'T!
Basicon
*What's Happened To The Media NatCon?
Well, basically, since Condiment won the right to hold the 1995 Media
NatCon, not a lot has happened, due to various organisational
problems. But now, with permission from the original committee, the NatCon
has a whole new look. It's under new management, it's got a new team of
helpers, it's on a completely different theme, in a new location. And we've
changed the name, too. Basicon. Sure it's not quite the convention you
voted for, but it's better than nothing.
*Why Basicon?
Well, basically, we had the idea for this before we had the idea of taking
over the NatCon. For far too long, conventions have been trying to get
bigger, better and more spectacular, with elaborate banquets, expensive
guests, pricey hotels and exorbitant entrance fees. It's time we got
back to basics. It's time we had reasonably priced convention where fans
can gather together and just enjoy themselves without the need to be
entertained by some spectacular extravaganza. No overseas guests. No
ostentatious light-and-sound shows. No long autograph queues. No rip-offs.
No hassles with hotel managers. A one-day convention in a hall. Just a
fun time, basically.
*Where And When
Is It? Good question. The location is, as yet, unconfirmed. We've got a
number of places in mind. We're looking for a hall or similar, centrally
located, reasonably priced, near public transport. We're open to
suggestions. As for the date, Condiment always said it was going to be on
Saturday the 14th of October 1995, so we're going to try to get it as close
to that as possible. We'll let you know when developments occur.
*What Are You Going To Do?
All sorts of stuff. Because it's the NatCon, we're obliged to run the
Business Meeting, complete with legal wrangling and site selection of
the 1997 Media NatCon. Also, we'll be handing out the ASFMA awards.
Other than that, a variety of interesting and entertaining panels
and items are planned. The con will only have one basic programme stream.
There will be hucksters. There will be an auction. There will be probably be
soup and bread rolls provided free for lunch. There will be a pizza banquet
at night for an extra $7.
*Who's Behind This Dastardly Scheme?
Basicon does not have a committee, per se. We do, however, have a small,
enthusiastic bunch of volunteers with over a century of convention
experience between them. Salt of the Earth, they are, each and every one.
Upon hearing that Basicon was going ahead, they all selflessly stepped
forward to offer their valuable time and expertise in order to ensure that
you, the con-going public, have an enjoyable convention. They will
each be allotted various jobs to perform before and/or during the
convention. These hero volunteers include Samantha Dare, Paul Ewins,
Ian Gunn, George Ivanoff, Paul Poulton, Wendy Purcell, Carol Tilley, Glen
Tilley, Jane Tisell, Kerri Valkova and Christine Young. Karen
Pender-Gunn is Panicker-In-Chief. If You want to volunteer to help,
you'll be most welcome.
*Who Gets The Money?
We're (keeping every cent) going to give any profit to worthy causes. We
haven't finalised the details yet, but it looks like the money will be going
to a combination of the various Fan Funds and one of the local foodbank
charities.
*What's It Going To Cost?
Not a lot. We're deliberately trying to keep the price down. The following
prices might possibly be subject to change, depending on venue charges, but
we rather doubt it...
Full Membership (if paid in advance) $20
Full Membership (if paid at the door) $100
Huckster's Table (includes 1 membership) $30
Pizza Banquet Smorgasbord Pig-Out Frenzy . $7
*Why Is Your Pay-At-The-Door Price Five Times As Much As Your Pay-In-Advance
Price? Basically because we want you to pay in advance, stupid. That's how
cons run. They need most of the money up front to book the venue and pay
other expenses. It's the same when you buy tickets to a concert. All too
often lately, cons have been cancelled because people haven't been paying in
advance. Also, we need to know how many people want lunch. So we're
training you to pay in advance. We really doubt that anyone will be dumb
enough to wait to pay at the door, so, basically, you either pay in
advance or you miss out on a pretty good convention.
*Our Dealing With Dickheads Policy.
We're running this convention. If you don't like the way we're running this
convention then shut up, go away and let the rest of us enjoy it. Or go and
run your own. If you want to help, want to offer constructive advice or any
form of assistance, then you will be welcomed with open arms. If you are
self-important enough to believe you have the god-given right to inspect our
financial records, we're quite happy to let you come round and see them at
the first convenient time, provided you are a fully paid-up member of our
convention. The donation of a small Financial Records Inspection Fee
will apply. Basically, if you act like a dickhead, we'll treat you with the
respect you deserve.
*What If I Want To Run The Media NatCon In 1997?
We'd love you to. You need to let us know as soon as possible. Right
now would be good. If you intend running a con in 1997, and have not
yet announced your guests of honour, you can make a presentation at our
business meeting. The members of Basicon will put it to the vote, and away
you go! Bids will be accepted up to one week before Basicon. Contact us
for further details.
*So What Do I Do Now?
Join up by filling in the form overleaf. Volunteer to help. Reproduce this
flyer and pass it around. Tell your friends. Advertise it wherever
you can. Watch the skies. Stay calm. Listen for further announcements.
P.O.Box 567, Blackburn, Vic, 3130
Your Basic All-Purpose Form.
I want to join Basicon and pay membership(s) ( )
in advance at $20 each.
I want to hire Huckster's Table(s) at $30 each ( )
(including one membership)
I want to pay for meals at the Pizza Banquet Smorgasbord ( )
Pig-Out Frenzy at $7 each.
Total cheque enclosed (made payable to Basicon, of course.)
TOTAL: ( )
None of the above, just yet, thank you, but I want to be on your
mailing list to be kept appraised of future developments.
I would like to volunteer to help with Basicon in the following areas...
Panels ( ) Auction ( ) Pre-con stuff ( )
Catering ( ) Publicity ( ) Registration ( )
Security ( ) Displays ( ) Setting Up ( )
Gopher ( ) Whatever ( ) Sweeping Up ( )
Other
Of course, I enclose a Stamped Self-Addressed Envelope because that's
just the sort of nice, generous person I am.
My Name:
My Address:
My Phone Number:
My e-Mail
Getting Conventions Back To Basics...