| 9 a.m. |
So this is your first convention
Never been to a convention before? Find out all the do’s and do not’s with out team of experienced con-goers
Danny Heap, Janice Gelb, Gay Haldeman
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Belly dancing
A bit of early morning physical fitness.
Helen Patrice
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How to give readings without looking like a fool
Readings can be dull, dry and boring. They can also be fun and entertaining. Learn how to make your readings worth remembering.
Sean McMullen
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Reading: Michelle Marquardt Reading: Chris Gregory
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| 10 a.m. |
The Buffy Panel
Most TV shows need to reinvent themselves over time in order to survive. Has this happened to Buffy? Is Buffy season six the same as Buffy season one? Does Buffy need to reinvent in order to survive?
Sharon Moseley, James Allen, Kyla Ward, Alison Barton
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What are kids reading in the world of Nintendo and Harry Potter?
Are the stories of old captivating enough for the young of today? Apart from Mr. Potter, what are young people reading? What will kids be reading in the next ten years?
Kerry Greenwood, Dave Luckett, Kate Forsyth, Sue Bursztynski, Catherine McMullen. |
Reviewing fiction
How do you review someone else’s work? What should you include in a review and what should you ignore. How do you give a fair review when the author is a close friend? What makes a good review?
Lucy Sussex, Jonathan Strahan, Charles Brown, Rob Jan, Marianne de Peirres
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Model making workshop |
Reading: Stephen Dedman Reading: Sean McMullen |
| 11 a.m. |
Life on a BIG planet.
Ringworlds, Dyson Spheres, Orbitals, or plain giant planets. What would life be like with that much living room? Would we, for instance, find it easier to banish people to the "wilderness" rather than imprisoning them? Would it be easier for "cults"/alternative lifestylers/religious people etc. to set up camp in remote corners without being hassled? Would travelling from place to place be more like Lord of the Flies or Lord of the Rings? Adventure or danger, danger, danger???
Sean Williams, Dave Cake, Damien Broderick, Maxine McArthur, Simon Brown |
What makes a good science fiction film?
We're all allowed to enjoy a cheesy sci-fi flick now and then, but we should know the value of a good science fiction film. But given much criticism is based on personal taste, can we decide what should constitute a good film of the genre? Does a science fiction film fail or succeed by different criteria compared to other genres and if so, what criteria should that be?
Robin Pen, Grant Watson, Jack Herman, Terry Frost |
Book launch
The launch of The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction by Justine Larbalestier
Justine Larbalestier and others |
Model making workshop |
Reading: Lucy Sussex Reading: Kate Forsyth |
| 12 p.m. |
LUNCH |
Harper Collins Set up |
LUNCH |
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LUNCH |
| 1 p.m. |
The
Gay Haldeman interview
(Jack Dann) Gay Haldeman, Eric Lindsay |
Monsters among us
The serial killer has emerged as the modern personification of evil. Representations are familiar to us through movies and crime fiction. But what are they really like, and what makes people like that? A serious presentation, based mostly on FBI research. Will include discussion of background of those who become serial killers, typical crime patterns, and some specific examples. If we have time, will include some discussion of the serial killers' gradual mythologisation in modern horror fiction
Dave Cake (Presentation)
WARNING this presentation contains content that may disturb some people. |
Romance and chivalry were never what they used to be
Is that fantasy novel you’re reading vaguely familiar? Find out why!
Sean McMullen, Kate Forsyth |
Model making workshop |
Room available for other events |
| 2 p.m. |
The Joe Haldeman GoH speech
(Jack Dann) Joe Haldeman |
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Model making workshop |
Room available for other events |
| 3 p.m. |
Tomb of the unknown vampire
A look at the more obscure vampire myths that Hollywood didn’t ignore (or create).
Stephen Dedman, Richard Harland, Bill Congreve, Robert Hood, Sue Isle |
An introduction to A.I.
A presentation on the current state of Artificial Intelligence technology and research. An overview of modern approaches, and the strengths and weaknesses of different ideas about what intelligence is and how we might go about creating it. Now includes demonstrations!
David Cake |
Auction setup
Justin Ackroyd, (Jack Herman) |
Guests of honour autograph session
Sean Williams, Joe Haldeman, Lucy Sussex, Gay Haldeman
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Fan fund panel
Find out about the fan funds and how you can get a free trip to UK, USA, NZ or the other side of OZ
Cathy Cupitt, Eric Lindsay |
| 4 p.m. |
Oz fandom without any cons (1958-66) (Timebinders)
An examination of the eight years when there were no conventions. Why did cons stop being organised? What did the fans do, and what was it that lead to the re-birth of the convention scene?
John Foyster, Bruce Gillespie, Dick Jenssen |
AI: Why?
Will AIs be our pets, our worker drones, our bureaucrats, our rulers or our successors? Will they treat us with love, caution, or incomprehension? How will AIs fit into our society, and will we have to worry about how we fit into theirs? Can we make an AI that never gets bored, and what are the implications if we can or can't? Can we make an AI with emotions, and what are the implications of that? Can we make an AI that understands human interaction, and what are the implications of that?
Dave Cake, Damien Broderick, Russell Blackford, Chris Lawson, Jeremy Byrne |
Auction
The general and fan fund auction. Raise money for a fan fund or yourself and buy a few treasured items.
Justin Ackroyd, Danny Heap, Jack Herman and others |
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Reading: Cory Daniells Reading: Ian Irvine |
| 5 p.m. |
Sean William's Reading
(Jack Dann) Sean Williams |
The idea of the colony in science fiction (Academic Paper)
How does a nation's experience of colonialism influence its science fiction? Stephen Dedman reads excerpts from his M.A. thesis, which examines the different perspectives SF writers from the USA, Britain and Australia have on the idea of the colonisation of other, uninhabited worlds.
Stephen Dedman
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Auction cont’d
Justin Ackroyd, Danny Heap, Jack Herman and others
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The Random House signing session
Kate Forsyth, Maxine McArthur, Cory Daniells, Michelle Marquardt
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Reading: Chuck MacKenzie Reading: Tansy Rayner Roberts |
| 6 p.m. |
DINNER |
Dinnertime Fan Film Screenings |
DINNER |
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DINNER |
| 7 p.m. |
(Award Ceremony set up) |
The Harper Collins book launch
The launch of a number of new books from Harper Collins
Sean Williams, Jack Dann, Simon Brown, Trudi Canavan and others
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Is SF left wing?
There seems to be a trend to left wing, Labor leaning in Aussie fandom. Therefore, is Aussie fandom a recruiting resource for the ALP or does the culture of fandom foster anti conservative political leanings? Should Le Carre be required reading rather than Le Guin?
Dave Cake, Marc Ortlieb, Mark Loney, Ian Nichols, Race Mathews
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| 8 p.m. |
Awards ceremony
Presentation of the Australian Science Fiction Achievement Awards (Ditmars)
Jack Dann and others
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Feng shui hieroglyphics
A look at how the history and mythology of the Egyptian culture has influenced SF. From Doctor Who to Stargate/SG1 to the Fifth Element.
Sean-Paul Smith
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Room available for other events |
| 9 p.m. |
Awards ceremony cont’d
Jack Dann and others
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Fannish amazing stories
Did you hear the one about the fan who…
James Allen, Danny Heap, Glen Tilley
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| 9.30 p.m. |
Mega book launch
A combined launch for Agog! Fantastic Fiction (edited by Cat Sparks) and AustrAlien Absurdities (edited by Chuck McKenzie and Tansy Rayner Roberts)
Far too many people to list!
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Fannish amazing stories cont’d
James Allen, Danny Heap, Glen Tilley
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Room available for other events |
| 10 p.m. |
Mega Book Launch Cont'd
Far too many people to list! |
Dead men do not poo!
Is Lexx the world’s sexiest SF TV show? Or is it just the weirdest? Or is it just plain crap!
Sue Ann Barber, Sharon Nebel, Jane Tisell, KRin Pender-Gunn, Alison Barton
May contain material not suitable for children
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What’s hip? What’s cool?
Not read a book for 30 years? Find out what's hip and what's not in science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Andrew Macrae, Ian Mond, Kirstyn McDermott
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Room available for other events |
| 11 p.m. |
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Raw Cordial
The award winning hit of Swancon 2001 and 2002. Late night entertainment. Lots of fun for everyone!
Grant Watson, Simon Oxwell |
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Room available for other events |
| 12 a.m. |
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