TrekCon (Australian Star Trek con)

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Convention
Name: TrekCon
Dates: 1978 - 1992
Frequency: irregularly
Location: Australia
Type: fan-run with guests
Focus: Star Trek and some other programming
Organization: Austrek
Founder: Austrek
Founding Date: 1978
URL: Trekcon 1 flyer.jpg
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David McDonnell at the first Trekcon in 1978.
Diane Marchant with Helena Binns at Trekcon 3 in 1987. Photograph from the Helena Binns collection.

TrekCon was the first Star Trek convention held in Australia.

TrekCon 1

"1978 saw Austrek run its first ever convention, Trekcon 1, which was organised by Adrienne Losin. It was a modest one-day event that was a lot of fun and received a favourable write up in The Sun newspaper." [1]

Trekcon 1 was held in a church hall in Camberwell (a suburb of Melbourne) on Saturday 15 July 1978, from 11 am until midnight. Guests of Honour were Diane Marchant, John Foyster and Chris Long. Master of Ceremonies was David Atkinson.

Pre-convention festivities were held in a private home two evenings beforehand, on Thursday 13 July 1978. This event included a TV interview and a collating party to prepare materials for Saturday.

TrekCon 1: Con Report

Thursday night saw the private party for Austrek members at Co-President, Jenny McLean's place. Arrangements had been made with ABC channel 2 to film the evening and excitement ran high as they set up their equipment. Diane Marchant, S.T. Welcommittee Rep. had brought a few slides from the episode "Plato's Stepchildren" and the film crew and reporter Sue Faulkner watched, "fascinated" with the enthusiasm we presented. Perhaps we will convert them to fans yet as Sue admitted to having watched the show when she could.

Many people were in costume and a number of "aliens" were interviewed for "This Day Tonight" for Friday's screenings We were able to say who we were supposed to represent and why we enjoy S.T. so much.

Marj Miller made a beautiful cake as always and fashioned it after the "Gang Book" from the episode "A Piece of the Action." We all sang Happy Birthday as cheers and bubbly ran with enthusiasm as Marj cut the cake as a courtesy gesture as it was to be kept for TREKCON in two days.

All in all it was an enjoyable night everyone brought together by a genuine love of STAR TREK.

And Saturday 15/7/78 was the day we had all been waiting for with bated breath and the organisers with bitten fingernails. Helpers to set up the Hall started arriving at 9:00 A.M. and soon the walls, floor and ceiling were covered with posters, tables and chairs. Everyone was running round as if we were Klingons with a new secret weapon. As people started registering, others ran around taking souvenir autographs on the back of their Con booklet.

Diane Marchant, having delayed a short while in order to record the radio interview with Gene Roddenberry, arrived a little after 12:00 and the show started rolling.

To start off the day, what better way than with stimulating discussions? Diane Marchant (guest speaker) was first speaker for the panel with a talk about her trip to America and subsequent meeting with the Roddenberrys. Next Jan McDonnell stirred the audience with her subject "The Problem With Modern Day Heroes." Jan, well known Klingon supporter (double agent?) had Kirk fans rallying in defence of their hero but Jan remained in control of the situation at all times, with the help of the phaser she continually patted on the table and occasionally pointed at the audience.

Perrie Iles then took the stand with a talk on the science and technology used in Star Trek. It had many people thinking. David Atkinson (chairman) then explained why Star Trek was so popular with his talk on "The Charisma of Star Trek." David's in-depth analysis was inspiring to listen to and people could relate to what he was saying, being fellow fans. Finally, I (Joan McLachlan) rounded off the panel discussions with a discussion, "The Kirk/Spock Relationship." [2] Perhaps I've converted everyone to K/S fans judging by the questions asked during the audience's question time. All talks went for ten minutes although the Kirk/Spock discussion went on a little longer than planned. A short trivia game followed immediately and I'm sure Gene himself would have found it difficult to answer some of the questions which were flung about.

Space Age Books were present and everyone had the opportunity to buy the books they always wanted.

After a short break, Chris Long (guest speaker) gave an interesting talk on "Alternative Communication" which was followed with John Foyster's "Science Fiction and Science Fact." Meanwhile Jan McDonnell was organising a complicated game of Dungeons and Dragons.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the auction which brought great enthusiasm.

[...]

Around 6:00 P.M. Ian McKay, a reporter for the Sun Newspaper arrived as Guest Judge for the Costume Parade. Other judges were John Foyster, Diane Marchant and Chris Long who had a difficult task in front of them. All contestants were filmed by Roxanne Woods and a copy will be sent to Gene and Majel so they too can share the fun we all had.... There was Galt and Shana from "Gamesters of Triskelion", Uhura from "Mirror, Mirror," M'Rulle (cousin to M'Ress), various crewmembers, and Harry Mudd's wife Stella Number 3291.

After great deliberation, prizes were given to Katheleen Gaitely (Yeoman Barrows from "Shore Leave"), Andrews Bauld (Gault), Marion Bauld (The Keeper from "Menagerie"), the Gang of Klingons who proceed to bash every tribble in sight.... The Klingon Gang Leader was Jan McDonnell, along with Chris King, Sue Bursztynski, and much of the S.A. contingent. Ian McLachlan showed great originality as he represented an ocker Australian complaining about life in Security Section and trying to keep a pet kangaroo. Ruth Lewis, as a delightfully BIG tribble found it difficult to get through the back door.

[...]

And then there was Smock. What can we say about poor Smock portrayed by Stephen Bates? Smock is the poor outcast black sheep of Spock's family. No wonder they choose to pretend not to know him. Smock is the first punk rockist Vulcan and he gave a demonstration of his ability with the hit song "I've got that Vulcan feeling, and it's illogical."

[...]

And to round off a very enjoyable day we watched two short films, the priceless bloopers, and slides from various episodes.[3]


Trekcon 1 Gallery

Photos identified as being from Helena Binns are used with her family's permission.

  • Pre-convention (collating) party two days before Trekcon 1: (from right) Betsi Ashton, Helena Russell, Adrienne Losin and Diane Marchant

  • Helena Roberts, Robin Young, with Betty & Tess de Gabriele at the Trekcon 1 collating party on 13 July 1978

  • Ian & Joan McLachlan at the Collating Party

  • Trekcon 1 Collating Party 13 July 1978

  • Trekcon 1 flyer (foolscap, fordigraph): note the paper was originally white but has yellowed with age.

  • Trekcon 1 Guests of Honour (from left) Diane Marchant, John Foyster and Chris Long.

  • John Foyster was Guest of Honour at Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Trekcon 1 Panel: (from left) Perry Isles, Diane Marchant, David Atkinson (MC), Jan McDonnell, Joan McLachlan.

  • Jan McDonnell (auctioneer) is assisted by Kathleen Gaitely (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Joan McLachlan (as Stella Mudd) & Paul Murphy (as Bele) (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Kathleen Gaitely (as Lieutenant Tonia Barrows) and Costume Parade MC Joan McLachlan (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Betty de Gabriele cosplays as Lieutenant M'Ress (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Betty de Gabriele and Joan McLachlan

  • Evan Carr and others cosplay the latest SF phenomenon for 1978 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Star Wars meets Star Trek at Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Stephen Bates as Schmuck, first Vulcan rocker in space and the black sheep of Spock's family (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Tess de Gabriele (as mirror-universe Uhura?) & Joan McLachlan.

  • Yvonne Miller

  • The Gamesters of Triskelion (Helena Russell, Andrew Bauld and Yvonne Miller) visit Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Gamesters cosplay characters interviewed at the costume parade (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Klingons meet a tribble, from left: unknown, Ben James, Sue Bursztynski, Chris King, Lesley James and Mark Sarrazin (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Klingons on the 1978 version of the Great Tribble Hunt at Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Tribble defeated by the glorious Klingon empire (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • The Klingons salute while tribble survivor, Mark Sarrazin (far right) looks on (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Helena Binns (bottom left) photographs the contestants for the Trekcon 1 costume parade (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Some of the gang, including Janet Ling (Gem) and Ruth Lewis (white tribble)(photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • More of the gang, including the Klingon contingent, and Anne Richardson (SASTREK) from Adelaide (bottom right) (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • John Foster, Diane Marchant and Chris Long were the Trekcon 1 costume judges.

  • Diane Marchant (middle) with Liz Czepiel (left) and Ruth Lewis (right) (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Liz Czepiel (left) and Ruth Lewis (right) (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Diane Marchant with her mother Jessie (photo from the Helena Binns collection).

  • Liz Czepiel and Ruth Lewis amidst some of the background displays that demonstrate the level of sophistication among contemporaneous Star Trek memorabilia (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Betty de Gabriele shows off the celebratory card she produced for the occasion. All con participants signed the card, and it was sent to Gene Roddenberry via his pen-pal, Diane Marchant (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Front of card produced by Betty de Gabriele for Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Convention organiser Adrienne Losin (in orange costume) presents awards for the costume parade to (from left): Marion Bauld, Andrew Bauld, Betty de Gabriele, Paul Murphy, and Kathleen Gaitely]] (photo from the Helena Binns collection)

  • Geoff Allshorn, Sue Bursztynski, Ian McLachlan, Ben James and Adrienne Losin at the convention

  • David Atkinson (left) and Paul Murphy (right) relax after a long day trekkin' at Trekcon.

TrekCon 2

TrekCon 2 was held in Melbourne, Australia at the Sheraton Hotel on April 12-13, 1980.

Joe Haldeman was the Guest of Honor, accompanied by his wife, Gaye Haldeman. The Fan Guests of Honor were Nikki White and Diane Marchant.

Some activities: Star Trek episodes were shown, there was a Haldeman Q&A, "slide and picture shows," trivia quiz, a masquerade, panels about movies and books, and a "Women in ST talk."

The fan film, The City on the Edge of the Yarra, premiered there.

Trekcon 2 Gallery

TrekCon 3

Trekcon 3 dinner, including (from right) Alison Wallace, Julie Hughes, Les Robertson, Robert Jan, Gail Adams and Adam Bradshaw hidden behind Pam Rendell (?) (photo from Helena Binns).

TrekCon 3 was held in March 14-15, 1987, in Melbourne, Australia. Diane Marchant and Betsi Ashton were the Fan Guests of Honour (FGoH).

The convention charity was the Salvation Army Crisis Centre (emergency accommodation) and provided fourteen residents with Christmas gifts, and food hampers for those in need.[4]

flyer for the third con, click to read
In March 1987 Austrek's next convention Trekcon III was held at the Sheraton Hotel in the city. As per the new mantra of invading the city with Star Trek costumes whenever possible, the convention's programming actually required the entire membership to go out into the streets in large groups on Away Missions (scavenger hunts) which made for an interesting sight for sure. [5]

Trekcon 3 Gallery

All photos in this gallery were taken by Helena Binns and used by permission of her family.

TrekCon 4

TrekCon 4 was held over the long weekend of 9, 10 and 11 June 1990; it published a con zine called The Garden Spot of Ceti Alpha V.

From the Chairman's Welcome:

Bjo Trimble will be talking about her experiences with both the old and new Treks. Robert Jan will be holding one of his "infamous" weapons panels. Gary Armstrong and Steve Scholz will be discussing varying views on costuming, and Andrew Rennie will be hosting a lecture on Astronomy and the fascinating realm of the stars. I myself will be running a Star Trek freeform, and many talented people have had a hand in putting together our static display, our photo booth, and art display. [6]

Trekcon IV convention booklet, 1990

GoH: Bjo Trimble

FGoH: Greg Franklin

Charity: The Salvation Army Crisis Centre (Emergency accommodation).

Program included:

TrekCon 5

It is reported that there was no Trekcon 5.[7]

TrekCon 6

"During 1992 another significant event was held, Trekcon VI: The Undiscovered Con, which was the first 'convention' using the one day only mini-con format. The event was very successful with over 120 attendees – which was on a par with the traditional two day conventions despite only running half as long. The success of Trekcon VI paved the way for more one day events of this type in the future." [8]

It should be noted that this report of TrekCon 6 being the first Trekcon to use the one-day mini-format is incorrect: Trekcon 1 in 1978 used this same format.

References

  1. ^ Austrek History - Austrek, The Star Trek Fan Club Inc, Archived version
  2. ^ Note: This fan did NOT mean K/S as a sexual relationship, but instead an intense platonic one. In those days, platonic stories were often known as 'Kirk Spock' or K-S, whereas the sexual variety was K/S or 'slash'. See Origins of the /.
  3. ^ from Captain's Log #14
  4. ^ 'Trekcon IV Inc. Charity', in Trekcon IV convention handbook, 1990, p. 7.
  5. ^ Austrek History - Austrek, The Star Trek Fan Club Inc, Archived version
  6. ^ Paul Poulton, 'Chairman's Welcome: Slonshal!', Trekcon IV convention book, p. 3.
  7. ^ Austrek History - Austrek, The Star Trek Fan Club Inc. [1]
  8. ^ Austrek History - Austrek, The Star Trek Fan Club Inc, Archived version
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