|
THE AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE FICTION FOUNDATION |
P.O. Box 215 Forest Hill Vic 3131.
[Temporary email address: asff@darkenchanter.net]
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2008 DITMAR AWARDSNominations are now open for the 2008 Ditmar Awards. The Ditmars are awarded annually for outstanding works of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror written by Australian citizens or by people who are permanent residents of Australia. The closing date for nominations is February 8th 2008. The awards will be presented at Swancon 2008 which will be held in Perth over the Easter long weekend. For more information on the Ditmars and to download a nomination form
please visit: |
About the Foundation
The Chandler Award
The Wright Collection
Fan Funds
Amateur SF Competition
Joining the Foundation
The Australian Science Fiction Foundation (affectionately known as the Foundation) was formally established in 1976, partially to carry on the work of Aussiecon, the first Australian World Science Fiction Convention.
Its main purpose is to sponsor and encourage the creation and appreciation of science fiction in Australia. The Foundation does that through the sponsorship and administration of writing workshops and short story competitions, seed loans to national conventions, and the publication of its newsletter, The Instrumentality. The Foundation has, since its inception, been a resource centre for everyone involved in Science Fiction in Australia.
The Foundation was the nucleus for the successful Aussiecon II bid and its members worked, along with many others, to run the 1985 Worldcon in Melbourne. In March 1988, the Foundation became an incorporated association.
The results of the Foundation's work can be seen at many conventions, for the Foundation lends seed money to get Natcons up and running. It also provides the funds for prizes in short story competitions. Help the Foundation carry on its good work - join now.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 1991 the Foundation set about establishing a new award for "Outstanding Achievement in Australian Science Fiction". In recognition of the contribution that science fiction writer A. Bertram Chandler made to Australian Science Fiction, and because of his patronage of the Foundation, the new award (after gaining the approval of Bert's widow Susan) is called the Chandler. Unlike the Ditmars, this award is decided upon by a jury and, although nominally an annual award presented in conjunction with the National Science Fiction Convention, is not necessarily presented every year.
The first Chandler Award was presented in 1992 to Van Ikin at the National Science Fiction Convention - SynCon '92. Subsequent winners were Merv Binns, George Turner, Wynne Whiteford, Grant Stone, Susan Batho(Smith-Clarke), Graham Stone, John Bangsund, John Foyster, Lucy Sussex, Lee Harding, and Bruce Gillespie.
Nominations for the Chandler Award are always open. Just drop a note to the Secretary via the post box or email.
As a result of the generous donation Bill Wright, the Foundation has begun a memorabilia collection of fanzines, convention booklets, etc., some as early as from the 1950s. It is now housed at the Melbourne Science Fiction Club but may be accessed by fans. An audio/visual collection, such as the Anti-fan films, is also stored there. Any donations of films, photos, audio tapes are gratefully accepted.
More about the Wright Collection
The Foundation is pleased to announce that three fan funds have now taken advantage of using a sub-account under the ASFF's main account to avoid the difficulties and expense of having to set up new accounts each time the administrators change. Account fees are also negligible.
The Foundation is currently working on guidelines to offer conventions running the Amateur SF Competition that the Foundation funds. There would only be suggestions that may assist the committee, particularly if they haven't run one before. If anyone has some ideas that would be helpful please send them to the Foundation for consideration.
Fees:
There is a $5.00 joining fee, plus an annual membership fee of
$10.00. (For overseas members, the annual membership fee is $15, in
Australian dollars please.) Write to the secretary for a membership form.
Last Update: 27 February 2008.