- Australian National Science Fiction Convention
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The Australian National Science Fiction Convention or Natcon is a science fiction convention that is scheduled each year usually at Easter.
Unlike many national conventions, each convention is run by a different committee unaffiliated with any national fannish body. Bids for running the Natcon are voted on by attendees at the Natcon two years in advance. These votes are organised by the current national convention committee.
Ditmar Award
Main article: Ditmar AwardThe Ditmar Award has been awarded at the convention since 1969 to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction (including fantasy and horror) and science fiction fandom. The award is similar to the Hugo Award but on a national rather than international scale. At various times in its history the award has included international categories, but this is the exception. Categories include both professional and fan categories, focusing on fiction but also including some artistic and general achievement (as well as, since the demise of the ASFMAs, several "production" awards).
List of recent Australian National Science Fiction Conventions
No Date Name Location Guests of Honour September 1999 Spawncon II (part of Aussiecon III, the 57th Worldcon) Melbourne (none) April 2000 Swancon 25 Perth Connie Willis and Ian Nichols. 40 April 2001 Swancon 2001, Masquerade Perth Robert Silverberg, Karen Haber, Rosaleen Love, Marilyn Pride, Lewis Morley, Kate Orman, and Sue Ackerman 41 7-10 June 2002 Convergence Melbourne Joe & Gay Haldeman, Lucy Sussex, Sean Williams, and (fan) Race Mathews 42 April 2003 Swancon 2003 Perth Lynn Flewelling, Tony Shillitoe, Fiona McIntosh, and (fan) Justin Ackroyd 43 April 2004 Conflux Canberra Greg Benford, Sean McMullen, and (fan) Karen Herkes 44 June 2005 Thylacon III Hobart Anne Bishop, Marianne de Pierres, and (fan) Merv Binns 45 April 2006 Conjure Brisbane Bruce Sterling, Cory Doctorow, Sean Willaims, Kim Wilkins, and (fan) Erica Lacey 46 8–11 June 2007 Convergence 2 Melbourne Isobelle Carmody, Fred Gallagher, Dave Freer, and (fan) Cath Ortlieb 47 20–24 March 2008 Swancon 33 Perth Ken Macleod, Rob Shearman, Glenda Larke, and (fan) Zara Baxter 48 5–8 June 2009 Conjecture Adelaide Julie E. Czerneda, and (fans) Steve & Catherine Scholz 49 2–6 September 2010 Dudcon III (part of Aussiecon IV, the 68th Worldcon) Melbourne Peter Watts, Helen Merrick, and (fan) Jacob Blake 50 21–25 April 2011 Swancon Thirty Six Natcon Fifty Perth Ellen Datlow, Justina Robson, Sean Williams, and (fan) Sarah Xu External links
Categories:- Australian science fiction
- International science fiction conventions
- Festivals in Australia
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