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A science fiction fanzine from Eric Lindsay, at PO Box 640, Airlie Beach, Qld 4802 Australia. Jean's phone number is (07) 4948 0450. I don't have a home phone. Jean stole it, because I wasn't there. Then she stole the phone line (07) 4948 0435 for her fax, because I wasn't using the line. Then she stole my modem, because I wasn't using it. Then she borrowed time on my desktop computer when her one broke. Then she borrowed my laptop computer, since she wanted to run Windows 98 and Office 2000 (beta) for an editing job. I think my Psion is still safe. It reminds me of the time Dorothy Parker was asked by her editor why she wasn't in the newspaper office, and she replied "Someone was using the pencil". Commenced late January 1999, unlikely to be finished until April. You think you get more time when you don't have a job? Hah, have I got news for you!
Bits and Pieces
Futurian Society of Sydney
Taking its name (and with several members) from the 1939 organisation, this meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Friday of each month in Room 1615 (16th Floor), Tower Building, University of Technology, Sydney, at 13-73 Broadway (the room is in the corner overlooking the ABC and Darling Harbour). Devoted to discussion of written science fiction. There is little formal structure, and no entry fees. Newsletter can be obtained by sending a SASE to Ron Clarke, PO Box K940, Haymarket, NSW 1240. Rev. Dalrymple, PO Box 2, Bexley North NSW 2207 produced a small pamphlet regarding Futurian activities, and those of other SF groups in Sydney. Discounts are available to members at some bookshops and groups. Web pages are available at linus.socs.uts.edu.au/~iwoolf/writings.htm or email Ian Woolf at iwoolf@socs.uts.edu.au
George Turner Prize
For the second year, Bantam announced a $10,000 prize for fantasy and science fiction. Transworld Publishers, Ground Floor, 40 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 is the address, and you need to get a copy of the conditions of entry. The prize is an advance against royalties, and you contract for first publication. They also ask for a $30 handling change. Entries usually end in January each year.
But Is It Food?
Have you noticed the Food Standards Code seems to be changing, now that there is a joint Australia and New Zealand food authority, ANZFA. The change appears to be towards the lowest common denominator, rather than towards whatever standard best promotes food purity and safety. Margarine fats and oils no longer need be exclusively of vegetable origin, leaving it open for manufacturers to make them from saturated fats. Chocolate need no longer contain cocoa, which makes the entire idea of chocolate pretty pointless then in my opinion. It is proposed that chemical and antibiotic residues need no longer be removed from milk. Check with some of the consumer affairs bodies in your state.
Convenience?
There are over 84,000 ships over 100 tons, and 20,000 of these are registered under "flags of convenience". Over 18% of all world shipping is done under the flag of Panama, and over 13% under the flag of Liberia. Such ships are disproportionately involved in accidents, groundings, oil spills, appalling safety records, and fraud against crew members who often wait months for low pages.
Why do we let such ships enter our ports unless they can meet our own safety standards, and, if shipping between Australian ports, our own crew conditions?
Telecoms
I can't believe the way the Australian stock market has reacted to communication sttoccks. It is normally a lot more sensible about technology companies than is the US market.
A third of Telstra was sold by the government back in November 1997, with buyers paying an initial installment of $1.95, and a second installment of $1.35 due in Novvember 1998. Telstra installments opened on the market on its first day at $2.67. Last time I checked in January 1999 it was at $8.15. Optus went to market in November 1998 at $1.85, and was 15 times oversubscribed.
Magazines
Australian Owned Companies Association
Promotes buying from Australian owned companies via lists of ownership, supporting informative labelling laws, spreading information about the problem, and general lobbying. If every family in Australia moved just $50 of their weekly purchasing from overseas owned companies to Australian owned companies, we wouldn't have a balance of payments problem. Buy your children a job by sending locally. Membership $550 a year, or $25 for their magazine. PO Box 440, Rydalmere NSW 1701 phone +61 (2) 9898 0309 fax +61 (02) 9638 5670 www.ausbuy.com.au or email ausbuy@magna.com.auSky & Space
Southern Astronomy
These two magazines cover space development, and astronomy in the southern hemisphere. 12 issues of either cost A$70 posted within Australia, overseas Sky and Space is A$136 while SA is A$140. Contact Sky & Space, PO Box 1233, (80 Ebley Street), Bondi Junction, NSW 1355 Australia, or visit the Sky & Space Shop. Phone +61 (2) 9369 3344 or fax +61 (2) 9369 3366Books Read
Books in Australia have traditionally been free of sales taxes. This ends when the Goods and Services Tax hits readers. Expect your books, magazines and newspapers to incurr a 10% tax. If your income doesn't increase, and you don't cut expenses elsewhere, this means you buy that many fewer, so authors get less money, publishers get less money, bookshops get less money. Some of them will go to the wall, and we will again get less choice in our reading. Authors will probably go on writing, even though many are doing the traditional "starving in a garret" stunt.
Publishers were recently hit by the loss of the book bounty, and now face lower sales, publishers additional costs. All their service providers, editors, designers, printers, bookbinders, will be charging publishers the 10% tax. So publishers are laying out more initially on books, some of which may sit in warehouses and bookshops for months or years before they can recover the extra tax paid. Many books are pulped, so I assume the publishers have to wear the tax they have already paid for the services that went into producing these lost books. It is only ten percent you say. There are a hell of a lot of people and organisations in publishing who would just love to be making a ten percent margin on their product. I think this will mean the end for many marginal publishers.
LoCs
Xmas Cards 1997
Merv and Helena Binns
Lindsay and Kim Botten
Dorothy and Ron Coker
jan howard finder
Al and Elaine and Sioblian Fitzpatrick
John and Diane Fox
Lync and Clive and Roger and Estelle
Adrienne Losin
Betty Lyle and Alan Lyle
Nicole at Long McAuglan
Karen Pender-Gunn
Bob and Margaret Riep
Yvonne Rousseau and John Foyster
David L Russell
Graham Sale
Ben Schilling
Womble and Gerald Smith
Brian Stephenson
Milton and Carolyn Weber
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Andy Porter's Science Fiction Chronicle is a bimonthly Hugo nominated newsmagazine, essential reading for those interested in the SF field. I am Australian agent. A$47 for 6, A$77 for 12, A$107 for 18 issues.
Eric Lindsay PO Box 640, Airlie Beach Qld 4802 Australia