Austarcon
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Austarcon |
| Dates: | planned for 1978? |
| Frequency: | |
| Location: | Melbourne, Australia |
| Type: | celebrity attendees, non-profit, fan-run |
| Focus: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Organization: | |
| Founder: | |
| Founding Date: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Austarcon was the name of an Australian Star Trek: TOS convention that never happened.
It is notable, however, for the role that optimism and rumor played in fans' lives, specifically those who sometimes felt they were on the sidelines of activity.
This con was likely envisioned to emulate the highly successful and influential series of U.S. cons called Star Trek Lives!.
Australian Fans Were Off the Beaten Trek
One example of the feeling of being a fandom "out-sider" due to distance and attention were Australian Star Trek: TOS fans.
In late 1976, a fan club president explained why the print zine Spock was created:
["Spock"] could supply what we could of what Australian audiences have been denied. I myself have never seen the complete series of STAR TREK, even though I was eight when first the show was introduced to me. In the following nine years, it would not seem to be asking for too much to ask that the show be given at least on clear run [on television].... We hope to involve the knowledge of all concerned and make this fanzine fun and informative and maybe all you trekkies out there will not be so neglected.
Where and When
Australian fans appeared to have gotten information, or had deduced from rumours, information from Gene Roddenberry about his attendance at one and possibly two conventions in 1978.
From Spock v.2 n.2 (February 1977):
People (not just members [of Austrek] continually write or ring and ask, "When's the Convention? Where? How much? Who's coming? etc etc etc etc etc etc.
No-one yet knows the complete answer to any of the above questions. You see, the Convention is only in the rough planning stages. But I'll tell you all I can.
So far, an Australian Committee is being set up. We hope to have about 2 members from each state in the Committee so that each state is represented. That way, for example, if someone in Queensland wanted to know something, he/she would writer to his/her state representative (maybe John Walker?, and John would ask the Committee.)
Who's coming? Gene and Majel Roddenberry are pretty definite. Gene plans to bring the movie. And what about the other cast? Well, this is only a rumour, but Gene may be bringing the entire cast from Bill and Lenny right down to script writer Harlan Ellison. Gene has apparently chartered a plan (and Paramount's bill will be going up), and will be bringing the entire cast on an Around Australia tour before the Convention. That way, he hopes to get them down here, and he hopes they will stay (for the Convention). This is not definite, but just might be true.
Where? Well, the Melbourne Convention is pretty definite, but the Sydney one.... um. In Melbourne, we are tossing up between the Hilton and the Southern Cross. We might (just MIGHT) be able to get the Hilton for a fairly cheap rate (but if anyone knew I told you, they'd have me beamed into the Sun. So don't tell, yet.).
When? No date has yet been finalised, but Gene has apparently planned a six-night Convention (banquet, fancy dress, etc).
How many coming? Well, it could be anywhere from four hundred to eight hundred [attendees]. There is a possibility that Interstate trekkies will be flown in (10% or something) and trekkies from as far as England may be flown in.
Price? Depends. It could be from anything as "low" as $15 (if you don't sleep at the Hotel on the nights) to $2,500 (if you're coming from England, sleeping at the Hotel all six nights, etc.)
(Austrek may soon start up a newsletter with Convention progress reports).
Stalled in the Water
From Spock v.2 n.3 (June 1977):
As far as the Convention, we are still waiting for Gene to give us a date to work with, and once we get it, we can start moving along smoothly. As Gene has been in England and out of touch with Diane for the last two months, we can't start to plan the convention until we have the date (and Gene won't be able to give a us a date until the movie plans are finalised.