Conquest (multifandom convention)

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Science Fiction Convention
Name: Conquest
Dates: 1982 - 2022
Frequency: annually
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Type: science fiction media
Focus: science fiction, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Blake's Seven, multimedia
Organization: originally Quest, a fan club out of Queensland, Australia; later an annually-elected independent committee; then Conquest Sci/Fi Media Club.
Founder: Glynnis Chalmers, Judy Baumann, Katina Barry, Sonja van den Ende and committee
Founding Date: 1982
URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/379845452795604/
Conquestsf.jpg
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Conquest is the annual science fiction media convention held in Brisbane, Australia. It regularly features celebrity guests and is fan-run, organised first by members of the local Queensland "Star Trek" club, Quest, and in subsequent years by an elected, independent committee. The original procedure was for profits to be passed onto the next year's committee, with excess funds donated to the charity, Red Cross. Usually held in September, in its early days the convention often coincided with the city's Warana Spring Festival.

The convention was often supported by a gen multimedia anthology fanzine, also titled Conquest, which published fanfic entries in the pre-con literary competitions.

  • Conquest originals in 1982. Committee members are in Starfleet maroon.

Conquest conventions tend to take on a theme each year, depending on the invited celebrity guest. The first was heavily "Star Trek" in focus and the second showcased "Doctor Who". 1992's Conquest, also known as Robocon, featured a robot makeup demonstration and fan panels about androids, robots, cyborgs and AI. 1994's convention had a "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Borg theme. One convention had a time travel theme, commencing with the Closing Ceremony and ending with a welcoming address. Local actor Katy Manning ("Doctor Who" Companion, Jo Grant) became a friend of the convention after her first stint as a Guest of Honor and was often an unannounced visitor on banquet night. Paramount Studios' Star Trek Archivist, Richard Arnold, was a popular, semi-regular guest in the 90s, bringing Star Trek news and slideshows, plus rare collectibles for the charity auctions. Peter Budd, Ian McLean and Scott Driscoll have been regular Masters of Ceremonies.

Currently, the annual conventions are organized by a group known as the Conquest Sci/Fi Media Club and usually scheduled for the October.[1]

Conquest (1982)

Guest of Honor was actor Grace Lee Whitney (Star Trek's Janice Rand).

At this first convention, representatives of interstate Australian fan clubs attended a think tank to brainstorm procedures for instigating an annual, rotating National Science Fiction Media Convention (Natcon) that could host Australian Science Fiction Media Awards. Minutes were distributed to all Australian clubs, and several committee meetings followed. This venture was deemed a success, and voting for national events soon began to be scheduled.

Conquest (1983)

While a Doctor Who Guest of Honor was rumored for this event, none could be secured. The convention still reflected a "Doctor Who" theme and a Sydney fan, Gary Armstrong, was elevated to guest status when he arrived with his life-size, remote-control facsimile of the robot companion, K-9.

Following up on the previous year's think tank, this convention declared itself the first Australian Science Fiction Media Convention. Another meeting was held for interested representatives of interstate and local clubs to formalise guidelines for how future Natcons and Awards could be administered.

Conquest (1984)

Guest of Honor was actor George Takei (Star Trek's Sulu).

Conquest (1985)

Guest of Honor was actor Janet Fielding (Doctor Who's Tegan Jovanka).

  • Janet Fielding addresses convention attendees, Brisbane, 1985. Photo by John Tipper.

Conquest (1986)

No guest.

Conquest (1987)

No guest.

Conquest (1988)

Held during World Expo '88, Paramount Studios' Star Trek Archivist, Richard Arnold was Guest of Honor. Richard became a frequent visitor to subsequent Conquests.

Conquest (1989)

Guests of Honor were actor Katy Manning (Doctor Who's Jo Grant), Australian TV host, David Lyle of "The Golden Years of Television", and Star Trek Archivist, Richard Arnold. Actor DeForest Kelley (Dr. Leonard McCoy in Star Trek) participated in a live-via-satellite phone call from the USA. Fan Guests of Honor were Lewis Morley & Marilyn Pride. Master of Ceremonies was Ian McLean. A highlight was the gala preview of "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" in a nearby cinema, arranged for the convention attendees. (It was several months before the official Australian premiere.)

Conquest (1990)

Guest of Honor was actor Jon Pertwee (The Third Doctor from Doctor Who). Katy Manning (Companion Jo Grant) made a surprise appearance.

Quartercon, aka Conquest (1991)

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of "Star Trek". Guests of Honor were James Doohan (Star Trek's Montgomery Scott), John de Lancie (Q) of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Paramount Studios' Star Trek Archivist, Richard Arnold. Master of Ceremonies was Peter Budd. Karen Irving and Ian McLean were MCs of the Saturday evening banquet and masquerade.

Robocon, aka Conquest (1992)

Guest of Honor was Gene Roddenberry's assistant, Susan Sackett. Chairperson was Maria Letters. Fan Guest of Honor was Ian McLean. Special guests were professional model makers, Lewis Morley and Marilyn Pride.

  • Fan GoH Ian McLean (left) demonstrates how to create a half-man/half-robot during his opening speech, 1992

  • "SBS Sports Machine Robot" by Lewis Morley, 1992. (Poster on the wall shows pics from the previous convention.)

  • Model maker Lewis Morley with his robot creation for SBS TV, 1992. (Photo by Jan Toohey.)

  • GoH Susan Sackett (left) at Warner Bros' Movieworld after the convention, with Daffy Duck, Sonja van den Ende and Ian McLean, 1992

Conquest (1993)

Guests of Honor were John de Lancie (Q) & his wife, Marnie Mosiman (Harmony / Balance), both of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and former Paramount Studios' Star Trek Archivist, Richard Arnold. Actor Ed Bishop (Colonel Ed Straker of UFO) participated via satellite from the USA. Master of Ceremonies was Peter Budd.

Conquest (1994)

Guests of Honor were actor ‎Jonathan Del Arco (Star Trek: The Next Generation's Hugh the Borg) and Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold. Master of Ceremonies was Ian McLean as "Loquacious of Borg".

Conquest (1995)

Guest of Honor was actor Jerry Hardin (The X-Files' Deep Throat and Star Trek: The Next Generation's Samuel Clemens). Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold, also featured.

  • GoH Jerry Hardin and his wife, Diane, at the convention banquet, 1995. (Photo by Jan Toohey.)

Conquest (1996)

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of "Star Trek". Guests of Honor were actors Majel Barrett-Roddenberry (Number One, Christine Chapel, Lwaxana Troi) and Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi of Star Trek: The Next Generation). Also featured was Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold. Master of Ceremonies was Peter Budd.

Conquest (1997)

Guests of Honor were actor Todd Bryant (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier's Captain Klaa) and Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold.

Conquest (1998)

Guests of Honor were actor Walter Koenig (Star Trek's Pavel Chekov and Babylon 5's Alfred Bester) and Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold.

Conquest (1999)

Guest of Honor was actor Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica's Apollo). Also featured was Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold.

Conquest (2000)

Guests of Honor were actor Virginia Hey (Farscape's Pa'u Zotoh Zhaan) and Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold.

Conquest (2001)

Guest of Honor was stunt performer and actor Marjean Holden (Crusade's Dr. Sarah Chambers). Also featured was Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold.

Conquest (2002)

Bjo Trimble ("the woman who saved Star Trek") and John Trimble were Guests of Honor, plus voice actor Tony Bela, puppeteers Sheldon Wade & Wayne Duxbury, and Farscape's Jonathon Hardy.

Conquest (2003)

Star Trek writer D.C. Fontana, Highlander actor James Horan, and Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold were Guests of Honor.

Conquest (2004)

Actors Ed Bishop (Colonel Ed Straker of UFO) and Katy Manning (Doctor Who's Jo Grant) were Guests of Honor. Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold was also featured.

Conquest (2005)

Guests of Honor were actor Katy Manning (Doctor Who's Jo Grant), stunt performer and actor Marjean Holden (Crusade's Dr. Sarah Chambers) and Steve Bisley of BeastMaster. Also featured was Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold.

Conquest25, aka Conquest (2006)

Celebrating "2001: A Space Odyssey" and the 25th Conquest. Guests of Honor were actors Gary Lockwood (Star Trek's Gary Mitchell & 2001's Frank Poole) and 2001 & 2010's ‎Keir Dullea (David Bowman). A surprise guest interviewer of the "2001" sessions was Katy Manning (Jo Grant of Doctor Who). Star Trek Consultant Richard Arnold and author Sonny Whitelaw were also featured. Chairperson was Jan Toohey.

Sydney's Ian McLean was asked to host a screening of a US fan film, Starship Exeter: The Savage Empire (2002), during breaks in the evening banquet. Ian had a cameo in the episode as Senator Therin of the Andorian Planetary Council. From his speech at the banquet: I'd just started working in a new school, and then "The Savage Empire" premiered on the Internet in the Australian December/January school holidays. When Term 1, 2003, started back, one teacher (who had previously worked out that I was an avid "Star Trek" fan) raced up to me and exclaimed, "Did you see the 'Sydney Morning Herald' article about some wacky American 'Star Trek' fans? They spent over $20,000 of their own money to make a 'Star Trek' episode - they wrote it, acted in it, made their own costumes, special effects - everything - then they put it up on the Internet. It was so popular it crashed the Mac web server for several days!'

'Yeah, I know,' I said with a smirk. 'I'm in it.' [2]

Conquest (2007)

Guests of Honor were Star Trek Consultant Richard Arnold, Farscape graphic artist Marco Nero, and author Sonny Whitelaw.

Conquest (2008)

Guests of Honor were Stargate Atlantis actor, David Hewlett (Dr. Rodney McKay), Katy Manning (Doctor Who's Jo Grant), Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold, and author Sonny Whitelaw.

Conquest (2009)

Guests of Honor were entertainer Martin Pearson and astronomer Peter Franklin. Also featured was Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold.

  • GoH Martin Pearson performs, 2009. (Photo by Jan Toohey.)

  • GoH Peter Franklin's astronomy presentation, 2009. (Photo by Jan Toohey.)

  • Star Trek Consultant Richard Arnold answers attendees questions, 2009. (Photo by Jan Toohey.)

  • GoH Martin Pearson performs, 2009. (Photo by Jan Toohey.)

Conquest (2010)

Guests of Honor included Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold, novelists Marianne de Pierres, RC Daniells, Kylie Chan, Trent Jamieson and AC Warrilow, and a particle physicist, T'Mir Julius.

Conquest (2011)

No guest.

Conquest (2012)

Guests of Honor included novelists Marianne de Pierres and N Lee Wood. Also featured was Star Trek Consultant, Richard Arnold.

Conquest (2013)

Guests of Honor were actors Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica's Apollo), Simon Fisher-Becker (Doctor Who's Dorium Maldover) and Ian McNeice (of Frank Herbert's Dune).

Conquest (2014)

No guest.

Conquest (2015)

No guest.

Conquest (2016)

Guest of Honor was actor, Daniel Davis (Star Trek: The Next Generation's Professor James Moriarty & The Nanny's Niles). Also attending were novelists Marianne de Pierres (many fantasy/science fiction titles) and Paula Weston (Rephaim series).

Conquest (2017)

Guests of Honor included novelists Marianne de Pierres, Damien Fegan, Josie Montana & Rob McLachlan, Emma Randall & Mungo McKay, Jeanette O'Hagan and Trent Jamieson. Master of Ceremonies was Scott Driscoll.

Conquest (2018)

This proposed convention had to be cancelled. Intended Guests of Honor were to be Sarah Mitich (Star Trek: Discovery's Airium) and John Billingsley (Star Trek: Enterprise's Dr Phlox). A smaller event was scheduled for later that year, with author guest, Marianne de Pierres.

  • Conquest (2018): Cancelled

Conquest37, aka Conquest (2019)

The 37th annual Conquest event was held on the weekend of 20 and 21 July and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing "and all things luna".[3] Con attendees visited the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium for a special presentation about Apollo 11 by its staff. Actor Michael Forest (Apollo from Star Trek's "Who Mourns for Adonais?" and the Star Trek Continues fan film sequel, "Pilgrim of Eternity") participated via a Skype interview by con chairperson, Peter Budd. Ian McLean conducted a live fan commentary for the movie, Star Trek: The Motion Picture in its 40th year, using the Director's Edition. Master of Ceremonies was Scott Driscoll.

  • Theme: 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing

  • Michael Forest (Apollo from Star Trek) Skypes in his attendance, 2019

Conquest 2020: Judgment Day

This was to have been held on the weekend of 29 and 30 August, to coincide with the date of "Judgment Day" from "The Terminator" movie franchise, but the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and state border lockouts postponed the convention. Rescheduled to 10 and 19 October, with "Zoom" activities for interstate fans no longer able to attend in person. Guests of Honor on "Zoom" included filmmaker, Neil Johnson (Starship: Rising, Starship: Apocalypse and Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter), actors Tracey Birdsall and Neil Kaplan, and Australian comics writer and illustrator, Dean Rankine.

  • Theme: Judgment Day, "The Terminator" and Robots of Sci-Fi.

  • New Conquest logo.

Conquest 2021: To Absent Friends

Held on the weekend of 23 and 24 October. Due to COVID-19 pandemic state border lockouts, there were "Zoom" activities for interstate fans unable to attend in person. Virtual Guest of Honor was John de Lancie (Q from Star Trek: Picard and My Little Pony), interviewed online by con chairperson, Peter Budd. In-person guest was Australian comics writer and illustrator, Dean Rankine. A special segment celebrated Gene Roddenberry, and Conquest friends, notable fans and previous convention guests who have passed.

Conquest 2022: Ruby Anniversary

The finale of four decades of conventions was Conquest 2022, held on the weekend of 1 and 2 October, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Conquest conventions. A Ruby Ball and a cinema screening of the movie, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: The Director's Edition, helped to commemorate its 40th year. Peter Budd was Chairperson. Master of Ceremonies was Scott Driscoll. Guests via "Zoom" included past Guests of Honor, Katy Manning, Dean Rankine and 1982 Conquest original attendee, Neil Johnson, now working in the movie industry in Los Angeles.

  • Conquest 2022 advertisement.

  • Conquest 2022 program.

References

  1. ^ Conquest Sci/Fi Club Facebook group
  2. ^ Starship Exeter: The Savage Empire Down Under, 30 September, 2006 ("Have Phaser, Will Travel", Accessed 21 May 2019)
  3. ^ Conquest 37 Facebook page
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