DATA (Star Trek newsletter)

Zine
Title:	DATA
Publisher:	Astrex, an Australian club
Editor(s):	Julie Townsend, Susan Smith-Clarke, Rachel Shave, The Consortium, The Triumvirate, Maria and George Papadeas
Type:	club newsletter
Date(s):	August 1976 to mid-1990s
Frequency:	monthly, later bimonthly
Medium:	print
Size:	Quarto, then A4
Fandom:	Star Trek but also covered other fandoms
Language:	English
External Links:
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DATA is a Star Trek newsletter, a club zine for the Australian fan club, Astrex.

Some Background

In 1972 Jenny Stevenson (now Kentwell) and Susan Clarke (nee Smith) published the first issue of what was to become Australia's longest running Star Trek fanzine, Beyond Antares (also held by the National Library). In 1973 STAC (Star Trek Action Committee), a new Star Trek club comprising a number of old D.U.S.K. members as well as newer fans, was founded by Susan Clarke. Later that year, it was combined with a club run in Sydney by Julie Townsend and Edwina Harvey and the name changed to Astrex. The new name was derived from the asterix-like device on the command insignia worn in the television series. The first formal meeting was held in April 1976 and the first issue of the club's newsletter, Data, was published in August 1976. For a while, until Susan resigned as president in the early 80s, Beyond Antares was the club's fanzine.

Issue 4.2

DATA 4.2 was published February 17, 1977 and contains 10 pages.

cover of 4.2

from 4.2

Karen Smith was the temporary editor, taking over from Sue.

The editor asks: "Has anyone heard of Starlog, by-the-way?"

From Marjorie Miller's letter, regarding her winning fiction entry, written in 1976:

My apologizes for having tossed the rule of NO MARRIAGE FOR KIRK aside and given him a wife and son.

Perhaps you would like to know my reasons? I feel after the five year mission, with dangers met and overcome, Kirk has the right to something more substantial than women who are killed or simply beamed out of his life forever. He could almost imagine him becoming a lonely, frustrated old man, years hence.

I like to believe that in the vast Universe of Space, there is one woman who can hold his love and love him enough to wait for his journeys in space to be complete, who can love him and be loved in return, not to the determent of the Enterprise and crew, but to tighten the bond with it and them. To love him, yet be aware of the danger he constantly faces that could take, him from her forever. And she is there to comfort him when he needs it most. Though she is an added responsibility, his love for her makes him take that in his stride as he does all problems.

I like to believe his son is the final link in Kirk's chain of life, the complete fulfillment of ones' existence. A child who lives to follow in his father's footsteps or make an entirely new life of his own. The child, like Spock, is a being of two worlds. Though not restricted in emotions, he would still have many problems to overcome. (May even write a story about him.)

So I hope, dear friends, that you will bare with me and enjoy the story as it was intended, FOR I TOO AM A KIRK FAN.

From the editor:

I am sorry for not presenting the regular format but I didn't have the usual resources and Sue wanted this to be out three weeks before the next meeting. I hope you will enjoy what has been laid out as much as it has made a nervous wreck. Since this is the space in the newsletter to be filled, I will say farewell till we meet again.

• Literary Contest Winners (Poetry: 1st: Sue Clarke, 2nd: Edwina Harvey, 3rd: Roxane Woods. Story: 1st: Edwina Harvey, 2nd: Marjorie Miller, 3rd: Sue Clarke)
• a letter from Marjorie Miller thanking the judges and the readers for the literary contest; she also explains why she broke a rule
• the editor thanks a fan's parents for the use of their backyard for a party/meeting which had the highest attendance yet: 20 out of 60 members were there
• a review of the Star Fleet Technical Manual and of Star Trek Blueprints
• a lengthy quotation from the science fiction book, "Antigrav, page 62
• a proposal to order club t-shirts
• a rough draft proposal for a flyer to hand out at at the Beyond Antares dealers table at Syncon '77 in April: the purpose would be to drum up interest in Astrex
• a list of fan clubs
• a hand-drawn map and directions to a fan's house for the next meeting

Issue 5

DATA 5 was published March 20, 1977 and contains 10 pages.

cover of 5

The editors were Susan Clarke and Julie Townsend.

From the editor:

It appears that I have an apology to make to John Walker and his group S.T.A.F.F. -- I wrongly said that he was a Queensland group, that I should, have said was that he was a Queensland-based Australian Star Trek Group. I am truly sorry. However, I will not concede that ASTREX is anything but a national group myself. I'm sure Adam would object to being called a Sydney trekkie...

About the costume contest:

WIN YOURSELF A TAILOR+MADE STAR FLEET. UNIFORM! GIRLS COMP.

Although this first competition is limited to the female members of the club, don't worry fellows, your turn will come after this one is complete. The uniform has been drafted by Karen Lewis from the one in the technical manual with a slight arm alteration to preserve copywright [sic] to the Franz Joseph design. All you have to do to get a uniform is send an essay on what Star Trek means to you, along with a two dollar cheque or postal note to Karen Lewis (there will be three judges) and the best will have a uniform made especially for her. The best entries will be reprinted in DATA. All entries must reach Karen by the 1st June and you can certainly send more than one. In fact, such is definitely welcomed as we have to get at least 40 entries before any money is made for the conventions. Please note that Karen has; taken out a copywright on her uniform.

• Nimoy and Shatner in the news
• the Astrex 1977 Literary Contest is announced, and fans are encouraged to participate, the deadline is September 1, 1977
• a plea for fans to "save" Space:1999 not because it was good but because if it failed, then it would be a blow to all televised science fiction programming and this would effect Star Trek: " Unless we can get Space back for another series they will consider that they have "won" - that is their strange attitude to the above events... and science fiction will be the poor relation of drama for another ten years or so."
• information on where fans can buy pro-Trek books
• Star Trek Crossword Puzzle by Karen Smith
• Club Page by Sue (contains a thank you to fans for helping out during her leave, info about a Star Trek Marathon in Sydney in which the prints were poor, the price was high, but it was still enjoyable to the 258 fans who attended, and that club members should hang their heads that only six people showed up at the last meeting despite the generosity of the host and her home)
• fans are working on skits and a Doctor Who short film
• a fan briefly explains how to make telepics
• William Shatner is quoted in Star Log 3: "My opinion of Space 1999 is that it's very well dressed, it has good sets, it has some handsome actors, and no story. But we're comparing it, unfortunately, to Star Trek."
• Adam Jenkins of the "W.A. Chapter" has a club meeting idea: "We looked at my film clips, which I've mounted in slide; mounting frames. I have 72 of them but they are not all different. This leads mo to suggest a possible activity for your meetings. Get hold of some film clips and project,them on a wall or a screen and let everyone present guess at which episode they came from. Some are obvious, but some really rely on subtle things, and some fairly heated discussions can result."
• a costume contest for females
• tribble transfers for t-shirts
• very short review of Monthly Trek Times ("Note that this paper is only on crud newsprint. Not recommended.")
• a short fic (?) written in the style of a memo

Issue 6.1

DATA 6.1 was published May 12, 1977 and contains 8 pages.

cover of 6.1

You'll find this newsletter in two parts because of the simple fact that to save time I am typing up the things that I have received a day before Julie comes up with the rest of the news that she has received. Tomorrow we'll start again and do the things she has collected also. This half will be fairly short on news. This issue of DATA is probably going to read very confused as there is a lot to go into it and I haven't managed to sort them very well into any particularly order, I am asking for you to understand, if it takes a little more effort to find the facts you ere looking for in this issue. Sorry.

"ASTREX PRODUCTIONS PROUDLY PRESENTS THE IMPROVISE INCIDENT":

Script mainly by Graham Dodge with help by John Parks Sets mainly by John Parks with help from Graham Dodge Funds provided by individual initiative (Please help). Please note: It will to a personal involvement of time and possible money by interested parties, mainly in the construction of sets and not everyone will be the star, but we have plenty of room for ensigns... so send your written responses to Graham Dodge...

"THE SYDNEY STAR TREK CON REPORT":

Well, there has been a lot happening to see that the con. comes to fruition since the meeting in January. Those of you who attended that meeting would remember that we voted to support a Star Trek Con held in Sydney. Some of the problems were discussed and some fact brought to light. One of the methods discussed was the holding of marathons to raise monies for the con. That method has been fully investigated now and the result was this letter:

Paramount Pictures (Aust) March 29, 1977.

We have just received a reply from our Legal Department in New York, to our request on your behalf, reusing "STAR TREK" episodes at the Sydney University's Union Theatre to raise money for a "STAR TREK CONVENTION".

It is with regret that we must advise that Paramount Television cannot permit the "STAR TREK" episodes to be used in a theatrical manner, as such action violates our obligations to the artistic guilds and would incur severe penalties.

Sorry that we cannot be of help in this manner.

George Mooratoff, Managing Director.

However, the committee has decided upon another method of bringing trek-fen together and hopefully, raising some monies for the con. This is to hold a series of mini-cons. We hope to have some episodes at these as well as popular sf movies. And it would prove a good testing ground for various suggestions for programme items for the eventual con. As everyone knows, the movie has been postponed (again - although our sources overseas say that it is half written now) and so, if we are to have the Roddenberries come to our convention, the con will also have to be postponed until 1979. Another item that should be noted concerning the convention is that we apparently have the support of Channel 9 in Sydney. I say apparently, mainly because until we have it in writing we can't say definitely, more reports will follow in following newsletters. Until then, don't forget the competitions still running to win a tribble transfer and a tailor-made star fleet uniform. -- Susan Clarke

"NOTICE TO ALL FANS WHO CAN WRITE..."

I am quite disgusted by the amount of hack writing that ends up in Star Trek fanzines. The majourity [sic] is acutely underwritten and suffer from a severe lack of imagination. 85% of all fan fiction are variations of the same theme - the seduction of the Enterprise’s First Officer. I have no objection to this theme, as such, but I am dismayed by the amount of these stories, as I don’t believe that Mr Spock is Star Trek, nor is Star Trek Mr Spock.

Star Trek is an optimistic view into Earth's future, with a large slice of action/adventure tossed in, but so few fan written stories follow this theme, that I begin to wonder if the authors and authoress'es [sic] of fandom have forgotten what Star Trek really is, the Enterprise's five year mission to explore strange new to seek out new life, new civilisations, to boldly go where no gone before..."

But even when you do find a story that is truly Star Trek, half of them are ideas stolen from actual Star Trek episodes, and the remainder are usually hack written. Only 25% of all fan-written fiction is worth reading end only 15% of that concerns the original Star Trek premise.

So I urge all those reading this article to write in big bold letters "to boldly go where no man has gone before" on the top of each page of their next story so they can remember what they are really writing about, or at least what they should be writing about.

• a fan film or skit is in the works: the title is "The Improvise Incident"
• Grace Lee Whitney is making an LP
• a halt on the Star Trek Marathons as a way to raise money for a convention, includes the text of a legal letter from Paramount
• a list of Star Trek and other things items and their prices from Galaxy Bookshop ("When buying from Galaxy, because there are no real mail order facilities, it is best to write Peter and see what exactly is available at the time before sending money.")
• a list of Star Trek and other things items and their prices from Space Age Bookshop ("Space Age is run by a fan and understands the wants of a fen. It also takes mail orders. Their catalogue has news in it, reads likes a well-presented, fanzine and come out every couple of months. The latest is Supplement 6. As well as those listed "below, they have all the usual books, records, some posters and fanzines as well. Beyond Antares, the club magazine is also sold there. Just tell them you heard, about them from us.")
• a list of club members and the town they live in (80 names)
• a short essay by John Park, the topic was what he considered sub-standard Trek fiction writing in zines: too much kissing, too much Spock, not enough Star Trek, not enough imagination, and not what he considers Star Trek
• fans are urged to send postcards to the "Roddenberries" to let them know that Australian fans are thinking of them and would like them to visit Australia
• an open letter by "V*rn*n S*ndf*rs" called The Ritz Connection, the topic is Bob Johnston's Star Trek Marathons, viewing Star Trek via "uncut" films, entrepreneurship, and more

Issue 6.2

DATA 6.2 was published June 2, 1977 and contains 20 pages.

cover of 6.2

"SYDNEY STAR TREK CONVENTION REPORT 2":

The following,is a letter received from Channel 9 co-operation with our convention. We are very pleased to announce that we have Channel 9's full support.

Channel 9, February 15, 1977

In reply to your letter of January 28 to Mr Gordon French, we are able to advise that we have no objection to your utilising our prints of "Star Trek" for your convention. However, you will need clearance from Paramount Pictures Australia before we can release the prints to you.

If Paramount agree, the only condition we would place on the films is that you would be responsible for all costs incurred in securing replacement prints should the prints borrowed be damaged in any way whatsoever.

Yours faithfully, William A. Ashworth, Deputy Programme Director

The STAR TREK WELCOMMITTEE offers a fanzine service whereby you can ask about collecting, acquisition, getting fanzines with a certain subject interest or if you want a fanzine with a certain story you've heard about. The person to write to is: Joan Verba...

• some info about plans for the upcoming Trek film, some comments about the naming of the Space Shuttle Enterprise ("GENE RODDENBERRY is reported not to be very happy with the naming of the space shuttle "Enterprise" as he felt the name should reflect the whole world, not, just one nation. NASA chiefs were not too happy either as they thought it would make people the space programme less seriously."), info on Trek items in stores and on the radio
• information about the request from Susan Sackett and/or Lincoln Enterprises to inundate television execs with letters supporting Gene Roddenberry's new project, Spectre, something that many fans considered over-reach
• a retyped article from The Economist (December 11, 1976) called "Sign Up for Star Trek" -- the topic is the Space Shuttle Enterprise
• another encouragement for the con raffle: "Sorry fellows, this is strictly for the gals! Your turn is coming next. The uniform has been drafted by Karen Lewis from the technical manual with a slight sleeve alteration. All you have to do is send an essay with a $2 cheque or postal note to Karen Lewis. The essay is to be on What Star Trek means to you, and he best will be judged by a panel of three judges. All the best entries will be reprinted in DATA."
• a short essay about zine eds who do not respond to inquiries
• a plug for The Federation Trading Post in California
• Imperial Klingon Fleet, Klingon Spatial Empire (short fictional vignette in memo style)
• reviews
  • All About Star Trek, see that page
  • the show, Logan's Run
  • several issues of Starlog
  • The Mirage, see that page
• Letters of Comment
  • a cheery and welcoming introduction by Geoff Allshorn about Austrek, of which he is co-president
  • Adam Jenkins mainly writes about Spock Messiah , see that page
  • Marjorie Miller also comments about Spock Messiah, see that page

Issue 7.1

DATA 7.1 was published June 1977 and contains 10 pages.

cover of 7.1

The editor, Susan, encourages club members to be appreciative of Diane Marchant's work:

I think Diane deserves a great deal of gratitude from all Aussie Trekkies for the prompt way she keeps everyone up to date on the latest overseas news. So why not let her know how you feel occasionally.

About an upcoming event at Bob Johnson's Star Trek Marathons:

To coincide with Gene Roddenberry's birthday, August 19th, the Ritz holding a Party to co-ordinate with their regular marathon. For $9.50, your money will enclude [sic], a champagne supper, costume parade with prizes, lucky door prize, surprise episode, toast to Gene, a card service (bring along your birthday card for GR and they'll be airmailed for you), and Trek fun and games, as well as the 5 episode marathon. Doors open at 6.30pm, Cocktails 8pm, Supper, Parade 9pm, Surprise Episode 11pm, Toast 12pm, adjurn [sic] to cinema for 5 episodes 1am. The management asks you if you wish to attend the supper, etc, please send your money before August 8th. For those who can't come to the party, the regular marathon will start at 7.45 and end at 6.30am. The episodes to be shown as: Deadly Years, Requiem for Methuselah, Is There In Truth No Beauty, Arena, Paradise Syndrome.

• a June 17, 1977 press release from Paramount Television announcing that the company and Gene Roddenberry had finished negotiations to bring Star Trek back to television as a weekly series, and that production would begin in the fall; Roddenberry is quoted: "At the time this announcement is being made, a giant 'Star Trek' convention is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Centre, I can assure these fans that the precepts I followed at the beginning of 'Star Trek' will be used for the new production."
• a May 18, 1977 update by Diane Marchant which tells fans what the Roddenberrys are up to: Gene has been traveling and giving speeches, trying to give up smoking, is on a diet, and is excercising, writing, and playing golf -- Majel got "caught up on some of her Lincoln backlog, and went to La Costa to be with Gene
• a submission request and plug for Who's Who in Star Trek Fandom
• a message and warning from Susan Sackett about the films being sold by Stardate 1977
• Club Notes by Susan, short comments
  • regarding the announcement from Paramount about plans for the new series: "I am sure has brought goosebumps out on everyone who didn't already know the news (here in Sydney we were lucky enough to have a short article stating such in the dailies, and on radio...)"
  • regarding Sackett's warning, reproduced: "so that you too won't be caught by any charlatans. If we, for any reason, mention a club, or organisation in these pages, you can feel safe that we have had it investigated first. If not, we will also state that. If you find we have trusted someone you have found to be inefficient or unscrupulous, please let us know so we can pass your findings onto others so that they might not find themselves in the same situation."
  • the club has gone from 45 members at Christmas to nearly 150 now: there is "quite literally, no end in sight"
  • the state of Australian Star Trek clubs: "Good news for Aussie trekkies everywhere is that the circle of Australian Star Trek fan clubs has grown... now we have clubs in five states (perhaps six soon!), six clubs all joining in Trek friendship and co-operation, a thing that previously did not exist, in fact formed the downfall of Australian First Trek Fandom."
  • this issue has a questionnaire, and the editor hopes they have a better turn out than the last one, as so far only 10 out of 122 questionnaires have been returned
  • the questionnaire is meant to be a road map for the fan club, and was created because "more than 70% of the club cannot get to meetings... and it would hardly be fair if the other 30% made all the decisions"
  • Clarke emphasizes over and over again how this club belongs to the members, and they need to be more active in participation, decisions, and submissions
• a listing of things for sale by Space Age Bookshop
• Ritz News: this is a statement about the club and the outside businesses who's content is sometimes in the newsletter, including Bob Johnson's Star Trek Marathons: "Policy Statement: "The inclusion of news from the Ritz Cinema and its management is not to be taken as a condoning of its activities, hut merely as a news service (of Trekkie activities) for ASTREX members. ASTREX is in no way associated with the Ritz Cinema (or for that matter, with Galaxy Bookshop or Space Age Bookshop, etc)."
• Star Trek Birthday Party, an event at Bob Johnson's Star Trek Marathons
• What's Going On In...
  • updates from "our sister club: Austrek" (info about. Melcon 15 and Unicon 4
  • updates from "our sister club: S.T.A.T." (has 73 members, hoping to put out their first fanzine, Trekkin' soon)
  • updates from "our sister club: S.A.S.T.F.C." (upcoming talk by Daryl at Australian National SF Convention)
• Star Trek Merchandising
  • Dage Co. (colour photos, tribbles, bumper stickers, badges)
  • Enterprise Outfitters ("sells and makes uniform shirts and sells Vulcan bed scarves from 'Amok Time'")
  • Starfleet Command Inc. (full-scale working replica Trek props, uniforms)
  • Star Graphics (posters and art "on good quality board" -- "The Black Book" is of the nine main characters, "The Green Book" is of seven Star Trek scenes: Spock & Leila, The Rigilian Fortress, Lal & Thann, The Enterprise, The Klingon Battle Cruiser, Elaan, Apollo)

Issue 8

DATA 8 was published September 16, 1977 and contains 10 pages.

cover of 8

Flyer for Star Struck (zine) Issue #6

Flyer for Sehlat's Roar #5: Special Issue

Clarke includes an excerpt by Shayne McCormack from the program book for Syncon, and then adds her own thoughts:

[Shayne]: If you're reading this, then there's a pretty good chance you're a member of SYNCON. You could be reading it over someone's shoulder on the train, but then it wouldn't make much sense, so I suggest if that's the case that you get back to your paper or Playboy or whatever it is you read on the train.

This is to those people who are on the Secret. An elitist group of a selected few who know Where It's At. Those people who have nothing better to do with Easter than spend it in a Motel at Ashfield talking about Science Fiction or anything but science fiction. The crazy people. The sane people.

I think fans all come out of Catch-22. In a world of insanity and on-the-verge-of-madness, we are the sane ones. We discuss mind-warping subjects with humour and sincerity, a grim intensity and a twinkle in the eye. We rarely take each other seriously, but when we do, its real, and most important of all, we care. It doesn't matter what we care about; what matters is that we have the sense to care at all. In a time of lethargy, in a land of "Let someone else do it", we still manage to get interested in things. Maybe there's hope for us yet.

So, there are some of us caring enough to attend a Convention, and have fun. There are films for the film fan, discussions for the discussion fan, books for the book fan, DnD for the wargaming fan and people or the people fen....

Sue here: The above was a quote from the handbook of Syncon 77 chaired by the said Miss McCormack, which I considered rather appropriate at this time as we embark on our very first Star Trek mini-con. I hope the quote stirs something up and a few of you enough to comment on it. Just why did you become a Star Trek fan — in fact, why did you want to join a club, attend a con, write that ST story? Think about it, and let us know if you can.

Are we, the sf fan, the only sane people left in this world of non-caring or too-zealously caring (and unobjective) peoples? How do we stand?

Consider......

• William Shatner has completed filming for Kingdom of the Spiders and DeForest Kelley has finished filming Night of the Lepus
• Ruth Berman gives an update about Mark Lenard ("As Mark Lennard does not write letters, I am taking the liberty of answering your questions about him.")
• What's Going On...
  • Austrek
  • S.A.S.T.F.C. (South Australian Star Trek Fan Club?) (now has 60 members, Tau Ceti is the club zine and is going bi-monthly, Daryl Flavel is the president)
  • James Ruse Science Fiction Club Star Struck #6 is out, John Parks is the president)
• list of UK and US fan clubs and addresses
• flyer for Sehlat's Roar #5
• much about merchandise to buy at Space Age Books
• short ads for Napoleon's Military Bookshop (Sydney's largest wargaming shop) and Galaxy
• reviews
  • zine A Handful of Snowflakes and Other Trek Tales (very short comments: " A zine of high quality and stories of even bigger quality, that have originally appeared in Impulse, and Grup... what more can be said?")
  • essay, The Future of Star Trek Fandom, which was printed in Spectrum #31
• Letter Column
  • one explains and reviews "The Star Trek wargame"
  • one comments about The World of Star Trek ("I enjoyed it very much. It's very similar to Star Trek Lives!, but more masculine in outlook. Contains lots of pictures, too.")
• Sue Clarke quotes a message from Shayne McCormack in the program book for Syncon
• "The Inhumanity of the Humanities," clipping of an essay by Harry Lindgren from an unknown source (about callousness, hypocrisy, cruelty)
• Progress Report by John Parks for Astrex Minicon '78 (To be held at a church hall. "This con is not for making money, but to promote goodwill between trekfen and sf fen.")
• report on the survey/questionnaire results (the number of responses was "disappointingly few")
• a press release dated 21st September 1977 from Paramount Television News about William Shatner being set for the starring role in the new "Star Trek II" series, filming to start in November
• from a August 15th letter by Susan Sackett: ""We had a party this past week for all the old cast (I mean "original" cast). They will all be in the new series, even Grace Lee Whitney. The only one we probably won't get is Leonard Nimoy, who is doing a Broadway play and doesn't seem that interested in Star Trek. The party was terrific fun. Bill Shatner was out of town, and George Tskei couldn't get away from a meeting in the mayor's office (he's on the commission involved with bus transportation). But everyone else and their spouses and friends were all there. It was the first time they were all together at Paramount since the original series. "Construction has begun on Stage 9. The bridge of the Enterprise is now complete in its wooden frame and the plastics will be added starting next week. The corridors are also up, in plywood, and will begin to be added to shortly.")
• What's Going On In... (club news, con news, other bits)
• Bob Johnson's Star Trek Marathons: "Next marathon is slated for Oct. 29th, There will be no fan-room this time or merchandising. Starts 6pm and goes to 2pm and will be showing Trouble With Tribbles, Cat's Paw, Operation Annihilate... no others listed."
• some competition for Bob Johnson: S.T.A.F.F. is "holding a ST marathon in conjunction with the Ritz Cinema, to be held at the Realto Theatre, West End, [Brisbane] starting at 12.30 and going until 6pm. Five episodes to be shown, amongst them Menagerie 1 & 2. The price is $4.50."
• many fan club listings
• Star Trek Crossword Puzzle: "The Female of the Species"
• con report by Diane Southgate for 1977 Tolkeinfest, which was a play based on Tolkien's work ("I've attended three Tolkeinfests ~ the 1975, 1976 and this year's version, which turned out to be the best so far. This was mainly due to the care and effort that Juliet Bentley put into it; but was also the result of choosing a more easily playable work, "Farmer Giles of Ham", instead of portions of "Lord of the Rings".")
• information about A.S.F.F.: The Australian Science Fiction Foundation (mission, cost, services)

Issue 10.1

DATA 10.1 was published October 22, 1977 and contains 4 pages.

cover of 10.1

An update from Bjo Trimble about the long-awaited for new Trek series:

Latest News: Some quick info about the first show: it will be a two hour premier movie for tv. The plot was written by Alan Dean Foster, with a script by Gene Roddenberry and Harold Livingstone (a co-producer). Sets are almost built, including an alien spaceship 75km long (on your tv screen anyway) and a visit to Earth, Three new characters are being introduced: Xon ("Yohn") a full Vulcan male, Illia ("I-LEE-ah) a hairless female from the planet Delta and a starship captain-in-training, Cmdr Will Decker (no relation to other Deckers). All scripts and stories have been bought. Some of the authors who have sold scripts include Margaret Armen, John Meredith Lucas, Norman Spinrad, Ted Sturgeon and Richard Bach, The show will be starting production on the 15th November, 1977

• To Fellow Nimoy-Spock Fans, a reprint of the letter by Gene Roddenberry (dated October 22, 1977)
• Bjo Trimble's description of the new Trek series (likely reprinted in many other fan publications as well)
• tidbits about the writers and actors of the new series
• What's Going On In... (club news for Astrex, Austrek, S.T.A.F.F.)

Issue 10.2

DATA 10.2 was published January 1, 1978 and contains 12 pages.

cover of 10.2

From "Club Notes":

Contrary to any beliefs recently expressed, ASTREX and the Welcom, Rep, here in Australia have not participated, nor do they intend to participate in any 'Cold War' said to exist here. Furthermore, we do not believe that the club or any single individual has any right to make decisions for the rest of a moral, or political nature. We believe that it is up to each individual Star Trek fan to do as theigns [?], whatever that may be.

The 1977 Winners of the Literary Competition for the Stories were 1st: Judy Baumann (this was corrected in the next issue to Shayne McCormack ), 2nd: Ann Snell, and 3rd: Shayne McCormack. Honorable Mentions were: Rose-maree Green, Marjorie Miller, Sheila Clarke, Julie Townsend, and Susan Clarke. Winners for Poetry: 1st: Judy Baumann, 2nd and 3rd: Gerardine Parslow. Honorable Mentions were Edwina Harvey and Gerardine Parslow.

• Star Trek TV Revival is Delayed (an unknown clipping with a quote from an unnamed Paramount executive that the TV series is delayed due to financial problems but "the studio will began filming new episodes in a few weeks"
• another article says the "movie is back on with a ten million dollar budget" - includes a long description of the movies plot and characters
• Astrex Survey for 1977
  • average age of members: 21
  • favorite characters: Spock at the top, Sulu and Chapel at the bottom (they were beat out by "the crew" and "the Romulan Commander" -- presumably the female one)
  • favorite episodes: City on the Edge of Forever, Trouble with Tribbles, and Amok Time
  • favorite villain: Mudd, least favorite villains: two were Gene Roddenberry and Paramount
• What's Going On In..., includes an update about the upcoming Unicon IV
• review by Nikki White of Star Trek Tie-in book, The Price of the Phoenix, see that page
• review by Nikki White of Star Trek Tie-in book, Planet of Judgement, see that page
• a review by Edwina Harvey of "Pilgrimage: Part Two of the Book of the People" by Zenna Henderson
• Club Notes (all about the club and upcoming things, concerns - includes comments about a "cold war," as well as the results of the literary competition)
• a list of proposed meeting dates for 1978

Issue 11

DATA 11 was published February 2, 1978 and contains 13 pages.

cover of 11

The editor's comment regarding the Roddenberry letter:

It looks perhaps, as if all our efforts may not yet have been wasted. I urge you to still write and tell Paramount how we feel and let them know we will support the STAR TREK project. Once again we must thank our hard-working welcommittee representative for sending this onto us and the following letter; Diane works hard at keeping all Aussie trekkies informed.

Nikki White's comment in this issue is an illustration of the tensions between fans of Star Wars and Star Trek:

Current CRACKED (147 Dec.) has another parody of STAR WARS, or rather the sequel (first time a film has been parodied before it has been made) which features the ST characters near the end. The final panel would seem to reflect the feelings of a good many fans as it shows the ST people holding up signs saying "STAR TREK lives", "Remember the Enterprise", "STAR TREK will return next spring. Watch for us" and waving flags to attract the attention of filmgoers, the idea being that ever since SW was released ST’s popularity has been slipping. A similar idea pops up at the end of SICK's (DEC) parody of STAR WARS, which also uses the ST people at the end. Again, the writers seem to think Paramount has missed the boat with all their silly-shayllying over redoing ST.

• The news is generally good. Let me begin with a short history on the background of STAR TREK'S return., an open letter by Gene Roddenberry
• Diane Marchant forwarded a letter from "Ben Cropp Productions" (dated January 23, 1978) which says Channel Seven did not purchase rights to air "The Coral Jungle" (cast included Leonard Nimoy), but it might change their mind if they got enough fan letters: "Now, that's up to you - write and request they televise "The Coral Jungle" series because Nimoy is on the drawcard, but don't tell them I suggested you do this - just say that you can't understand why an Aussie series with sue popular guy like Nimoy isn't on Australian TV."
• Nikki White describes two recent parodies of Star Wars that include Star Trek
• plugs for two charities: Alan Nimoy Memorial Fund and The William Shatner Fund for Multiple Sclerosis
• a long review by Rollo Treadway of Star Wars (this appears to be a reprint of a mainstream article)
• a description of the the club and mission: Sydney University Tolkien Society
• a description of "Foundation," a newly-formed science fiction club in the Sutherland Shire Area (Mrs. V. O'Donnell is president, Miss G. Williams is the public relations officer) -- "All ages welcome - our younger members meet every fortnight at a time and place arranged between themseleves."
• a club information booklet is now available; it contains information about clubs, recommended fanzines, merchandising information, etc. (this is a different supplement than DATA Newsletter Special Supplement: Preliminary Handbook of Production Information (official statements and description of the then-current plans for Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
• photos taken at many club events and of fans (Nikki White holding a phaser in a kitchen, fans at each other homes, fans standing in yards, hanging out)
• some congrats to club members on their weddings, engagements, and new babies

Issue 12

DATA 12 was published March 28, 1978 and contains 16 pages.

cover of 12

• on the front page is a telegram dated March 28, 1978 from Gene Roddenberry about Star Trek: The Motion Picture
• some club meetings: bring food to share and sleeping bags
• everyone is invited to the baptism of two fans' baby boy
• a con report for Starcon, see that page
• a con report for Schuster Star Trek Conventions/1977 (September) New York City Schuster Star Trek Convention, see that page
• a con report for TerraCon '77, see that page
• the South Coast Premiere of Star Wars ("The South Coast Premiere Night of Star Wars was held hy Corrimal Rotoract Club, The proceeds of the evening, which came to $1,000, were used in the purchase of a dialysis machine for the Renal Unit at Wollongong Hospital." -- A fan reports: "My favourite characters were R2D2 and C-3P0, the two robots, the dialogue between them was rather amusing. The special effects were incredible. The sets and costumes were excellent, "Star Wars" is a film I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!")
• a fan who is a member of "Sydney Bushwalkers" (an affiliate of "N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs") describes the benefits of good health and community of this club
• a long bio of Mariette Hartley, much about her career, her life, her contact with fandom (information provided by Rusty Hancock and Frank Quinn, and this may have been printed elsewhere, as Hancock was the leader of The Mariette Hartley Fan Network)
• What is the L-5 Society? (a description of L-5 Society, which is "an international organisation to make space settlements a reality -- by 1990!")
• a short bit printed from Time Magazine (December 12, 1977) about buying real estate on other planets
• To All Fellow Gallactic [sic] Evildoers (fiction by "Arch Commander Kehlin" in the form of a memo)
• a long "merchandising report" by Nikki White of things to buy

Issue 13

DATA 13 was published around May 5, 1978 and contains 13 pages.

from issue #13

• a short letter by Gene Roddenberry dated March 28, 1978, the topic is: "Well, we've made it. STAR TREK - THE MOTION PICTURE IS NOW a certainty." (1)
• press releases from Paramount about the upcoming film (2)
• What's Going On (news for S.A. Strek (fan club), Austrek (fan club), Space Age Bookshop, Tasmanian Science Fiction Club, info from R. P.F. Iles the new agent for the Federation Trading Post in Australia, the zine Noumenon, NZ.ZSF Club) (5)
• Pen Pal Column (7)
• a short review of The Making of the Star Trek Conventions, Or How to Throw a Party for 12,000 of Your Most Intimate Friends by Joan Winston (7)
• Julie Townsend wrote: "ASTREX is announcing the third annual Literary Competition..." (8)
• Club Round-Up (club addresses) (9)
• Questor Tapes Movie News (10)
• a blurb for the Roddy McDowell International Fan Club and Morse Code (fan club for Barry Morse) (10)
• an ad for the zine, The Red Riding Hood Syndrome and the club, The Sydney University Tolkien Society (10)
• My Column by Nikki White (short descriptions of zines) (11)
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind, review by Nikki White (13)
• The Tribblephobic Klingon: A Mournful Tale, poem by Diana Soutgate (16)
• a fan writes about her disappointment over a removed scene from the airing of "City on the Edge of Forever" ("Harlan Ellison would have had a fit if he knew. One of the best episodes - a Hugo winner no eless — and they go and hack it to bits. I think it's disgusting.") (17)
• Star Trek's Tenth Anniversary in Australia ("At present Jenny McClean is collecting money for a floral tribute to the Roddenberries in the form of a floral starship (the mind boggles). If you'd like to contribute, send your donation plus a small card with your greetings...") (17)
• A Report on the Star Trek Conventions: ("This is the first of a series of reports on the first Australian Star Trek Convention to be held in Sydney during 1979.") (18)
• Future Meetings (scheduling and plans for future club meetings) (19)

• 

  from issue #13

• 

  from issue #13

Issue 15

DATA 15 was published in June 1978 and contains 12 pages.

cover of 15

Please note that after this page, the rest of this issue will be typed using SRI (Spelling Reform One), which is condoned by the teachers Federation and prominent names such as Sir MacFarlane Ournet and Sir Mark Oliphant. All those interested in finding out more should write the secretary of the Spelling Reform Society, Harry Lindren (40 McKinlay Street, Narrabundah, ACT 2604), enclosing a ssae for a copy of their magazine, SPELLING ACTION. The onset of printing and the written word for everyone caused stagnation of the growth and development of spelling. Change before was gradual, and now we have the opportunity to continue the gradual change to a more uniform method of spelling -- SRI

• club news
• about SRI Spelling Reform
• more about the Australian Star Trek Convention (March 10th and 11th (1979?) at the Plenziea Hotel in Sydney, Karen Lewis will be chair, list of other committee members, James Doohan has accepted the invitation to be a guest of honor)
• about the Let Me Help Fund, by Marjorie Miller
• What's Going On In... (club, bookstore, con, and other news: Australian SF News, Space Age Bookshop, Melbourne SF Club, The Nova Mob, Eastercon 1979, Austrek, S.T.A.T., S.T.A.F.F., The South Australian SF Society, SASTREK, Galaxy Bookshop, Syncon '78 and '79, Unicon 5, and the second Australian Worldcon in 1983)
• Nikki's Column (about the latest Starlog, the official Star Wars Fan Club, Against the Sith, Hyperspace)
• Susan Clarke really wants to get an audio tape that John Michael Howsen taped for "The Mike Walsh Show," she will trade photos for it
• a con report by Jenny McLean of The Adelaide Mini Con, a fan gathering spent watching "the marathon at Channel 9 studios" with Diane Marchant and others, running out of petrol, using CBs to get help, having a chicken dinner, going to a hall and seeing the "20-minute version of SW," listening to a talk by Colin Norris "a ufologist", participating and viewing the costume contest, a disco and dancing, then going to another fan's house when the hall closed, then flying home)
• the Literary Contest is announced
• Club Notes (it's been a good year for the club, fans are encouraged to host their own parties and share their fannish love with both members and the public)
• list of names and addresses of Astrex officers and coordinators

Issue 16

DATA 16 was published August 9, 1978 and contains 13 pages.

cover of 16, which is page one of the Roddenberry letter

from issue #16, page two of the Roddenberry letter

Editors Notes:

Firstly, I must ask your pardon for the quality of type in this issue. Unfortunately, most of this issue was typed out with a baby on my lap, who, incidently, now knows how to reach out and hit the typewriter keps to make the lovely noise, and so a lot of mistake will be coming through. I am truly soory if it distracts from your pleasure at 3reading the good news throughout this issue.

And all this leads me to the plea that I must extent for tupists. If you can come up here for mutual duplication of ty ed stencils, the putting together of them all to create our newsletter and don't mind typing put stencils... please we need you. My time is becoming less and less my own and I am having a great deal of difficulty getting out the issues without help. Thank you David' Ruth and my Ron for all your help in the past.

• "Hailing Frequencies Agen [sic] Open", a June 27, 1978 letter to fans by Gene Roddenberry (the letter is filled with typos, which the typist blames on the baby sitting on her lap) (the topic of the letter is the upcoming film)
• Penpal Column
• a reprint of Disquisito Literaria by RJ Gillings (about SRI, Spelling Reform)
• Through the Viewfinder: A Look at the ASTREX Fancy-Dress Ball from Behind a Camera Lens, or: "Notes from The Diary of a Male Chauvinist Pig", a report by David R. Marriott
• Happenings (Syncon '78, South Australian SF Workshop, The Nova Mob, Space Age Bookshop)
• a fan warns others not to order from Starleet Command Inc. in Burbank, as they are an "unreliable company"
• Nikki's Column (Starlog 16 which updates from Susan Sackett about the new film casting and about Sackett's book The Making of Star Trek - The Motion Picture and bits about Ballantine Books and the publishing of the rejected scripts for the rejected Trek series
• fans making plans to celebrate the The Great Bird's birthday
• the club's third Literary Competition is afoot, there are now four categories
• a list of fan winners of the club costume party: Spiderman, an Andorian Ambassadoress, a Cheronite, and Obi-Won-Kenobi [sic], Princess Leia, and a Tribble
• about fans' scrapbooks for the Roddenberrys, and planning one for the Doohans
• list of names and addresses of club officers

Issue 17

DATA 17 was published August 1978 and contains 13 pages.

cover of 17

• ASTREX: The History, see Astrex
• info on the Kathryn "Gem" Hayes Fan Club and the Grace Lee Whitney Fan Club (Richard Arnold was the president of the latter)
• Science Fiction Film Awards, conducted by Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (list of winners)
• Nikki's Column (descriptions of "Science Fiction Film Classics" #3, This Side of Paradise #3 [sic], The Other Side, Skywalker #1, Against the Sith #2, and Starlog #17
• info about the second Astrex Mail Auction
• What's Going On In... (club news for Austrek, Sastrek
• WHOPPERS, a long review by Diana Southgate of "'Great Balls of Fire' - A History of Sex in Science Fiction Illustration" by Harry Harrison
• some info from mainstream magazines about the uniforms and sets in the upcoming Trek film
• an interview with David Gautreaux conducted by Frank Quinn (Gatreaux was the actor who was to portray the Vulcan named "Xon" in the Star Trek series/film, but was cut)
• some short club news
• a hand-drawn map to a fan's house

Issue 18

DATA 18 was published October 1978 and contains 12 pages.

cover of 18

• Important Club Dates for the End of 1978 (club news, meetings, parties)
• Penpal Column (names and addresses of fans looking for pen friends)
• Nikki's Column
  • info about Enterprise, Inc. and the "Star Trek Tapes" it sold
  • short ads for Skywalker #2 and Masiform D #7
  • a short review of The Other Side of Paradise #3 (a "straight" zine) and its accompanying zine, The Other Side (a "rude" zine)
  • plug for the magazine, "Fantastic Films," the book "Alien Creatures" by Seigal
• a letter from Frank Kelly Freas about "Starblaze Editions" (""It seems that as result of exposure to my book "The Art Of Science Fiction", a number of people got hooked on science fiction. After that, it was only natural they should want to do an SF line, and equally natural what they should want Polly and me for editors. After all, who else could they find so literate, so talented, so handsome - and so close to the office? As for us - well, I ask you: what fan of SF could possibly resist the opportunity to choose the books he wanted, illustrate them the way he wanted and see them published in the form he wanted?")
• an ad for "8mm Sound Film Company" (for hire or purchase, many Trek and Twilight Zone episodes, reel one (10 minutes) and two (six minutes) of the Trek bloopers, other things: the film "Night of the Living Dead" could be yours for $185.)
• What's Going On In...
  • Cupadaycon, a minicon in Melbourne
  • Austrek news
  • Eastercon info
  • A Writer's Workshop by Terry Carr and George Turner
  • Unicon V
  • The Australian Star Trek Convention
  • The Third Fantasy and SF Films Festival
  • Syncon '79
• a review of the zine, "Cyclops 7 Plus Fanzine Fanatique 29"
• an invitation to the "Spelling Action Committee" ("It's aim is the acceptance of SRI and present spellings alternatives (like —ise and -ize), and no other spelling reform until SRI is widely accepted. Dues; $5 first year, $3 thereafter. Or subscription to S.A. $2 per year. Editor: Harry Lidgren...")
• an ad for the zine "The Mentor"
• Progress Report #3 for Australian Star Trek Convention
• a review of Star Trek: The New Voyages #2, see that page

Issue 52

cover of Data #52, by Sakura Allison

an ad for Syncon in Data #52

DATA 52 was published in March 1983 and contains 42 pages.

• What's Happening (various fan club meeting dates and info on Bob Johnson's Star Trek Marathons at the Anzac House) (1)
• Conventions (2)
  • Funcon (April 4th, Thornbury, Vic)
  • Dixie-Trek
  • Galactic Enterprise #2 (Jimmy Doohan and Judson Scott, Iowa City)
  • Conn-Minicon '83 (April 23rd, Connecticut, ST/media con, guests)
  • Advention #4 (April 23-24, Glenelg, S.A., Aus)
  • Windycon #5 (June 3-6, Wellington, NZ)
  • Syncon (June 10-13, NSW, Harlan Ellison and Dr. Van Ikin, theme "Science Fiction and Society")
• Trek News (3)
• DATA Scrapbook (newspaper clippings about Shatner and Nimoy) (4)
• William Shatner Interview, transcribed by Olivia Bottum (interview was conducted by John Kelly in Summer 1982, but not broadcast until January 11, 1983 on "Good Morning, Detroit") (6)
• The Quest for a Title, cartoon by Ian McLean (7)
• Space News (8)
• Photos: The Challenger Space Shuttle (photos not taken by fans) (9)
• Lethargycon by Peter Brodie (humor, meta, written in the style of a con report) (10)
• art by Julie Vaux (12)
• Have Phaser, Will Travel by Ian McLean (premier of this new column) (13)
• Via Babel by Linda Knorr (a parody of the episode "Journey to Babel" in script form and parody name form ) (15)
• Astrex Literary Competition Results (17)
  • Best Story: 1. "Night Watch" by Tricia Splite, 2. "Transition" by Susan Clarke, 3. "The Concert" by Tricia Splite. Best Poetry: 1. "Once" by Eden Kane, 2. "Sonnet from The Romulan" by Bev Wright, 3. "Disbelief" by Tricia Splite. Best Prose: tie between "I Call You Friend" by Marianne Plumridge and "Rec Room" by Edwina Harvey. Letter of Commendation: "Star Trek: The Klingons Strike Back" by Adam Saliba and John Vessila
• cartoon by Mike McGann (18)
• Reviews (19)
  • The Hiker's Songbook #1 (filk songbook edited by Edwina Harvey)
  • Rescue of Athena One (Six Million Dollar Man episode
  • The Making of The Wrath of Khan (pro book by Allan Asherman)
  • Pangalia #1 and #2 (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy zine edited by Edwina Harvey)
  • Mini Arcade (game review, Grandstand Leisure Pty Ltd.)
  • The UFO Journals (1975 television documentary)
  • Superman: The Movie (corny science and too much American exceptionalism and ideology)
• ad for Star Fleet (22)
• By My Selection: Current SF Releases Reviewed by Ron Clarke and Diana Fox (twenty-eight short reviews) (23)
• Newest SF Releases (32)
• Letters by Gisele Mesnage, Joanna White, Joanne Ellem, Jack Herman, and Margaret Ellem (33)
• How to Get There, map (F2)
• D.U.F.F. Ballot, includes the four nominees and who nominated them: (F3)
  • Jan Howard Finder nominated by Mike Glicksohn, Mike Glyer, Carey Handfield, Paul Stevens, Wilson "Bob" Tucker
  • Alexis Gilliland nominated by Merv Barrett, Avedon Carol, Bertram Chandler, Bill Rostler, and Mike Walsh
  • Jerry Kaufman nominated by Richard Bergeron, Andrew Brown, Irwin Hirsh, Linda Lounsbury, Sandra Meisel, Marc Ortlieb, and Stu Shiffman
  • Charlotte Proctor nominated by John Foyster, Meade and Penny Frierson, Jim Gilpatrick, Dick and Nicki Lynch, and John Packer
• Committee Nomination Forms for new club officers/Commemorative Stationary Form (F4)
• Ads, Misc (41)
• comic strip by Sakura Allison (35)
• Penpals (40)
• A Day in the Country: Information of the Club's Tenth Birthday (F1)
• Table of Contents (42)

• 

  from issue #52, Mike McGann (Kirk and Servalan

• 

  from issue #52, by Ian McLean

• 

  from issue #52, first page of new column

• 

  from issue #52, meta con report

• 

  from issue #52, meta con report

• 

  from issue #52, Sakura Allison

• 

  from issue #52, Sakura Allison

• 

  from issue #52, Sakura Allison

Issue 62

• Misogyny in Star Trek, an article by Teresa Morris
• other unknown content

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 62

As usual I enjoyed Data 62, all the various articles, comments and ads. What really caught my attention was the article by Teresa Morris “Misogyny in Star Trek'. Why is it, that people have to come along and burst my little rainbow bubble. I had never really considered the way women had been presented. I knew that they didn't exactly hold very responsible or at times interesting positions, but I never really took that further.

Now that I have thought about it, I think Teresa is right, the only women who appear to be considered equal in capability to men are the alien civilizations. It is a depressing thought, however, the show was produced in an era when women were only starting to really demand, and receive some recognition as people. The show reflected that, hopefully, the newer Star Trek movies would have reflected the changes that have occurred. They don't appear to have though. The aliens still seem to have the best working relationships between female and male. Still I have not seen STIII, perhaps I will get a pleasant surprise.

Issue 63

• an review ("Educated Guesses") by Linda Knorr about Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan and suggestions for the next Trek film (many fans comment on it in the next issue)
• other unknown content

Issue 64

DATA 64 was published in February (?) 1985 and contains 43 pages.

cover of issue #64

table of contents for issue #64

flyer for Write Now!

The editor, Rachel, says it is shorter than usual "due to a distinct shortage of contributions. (Yes, a very hairy eyeball is being aimed in your direction!)"

The editor also wrote: "Please not the Literary Competition deadline had been put back to the end of April. Write! We can't put up with Ruth's sobs of disappointment much longer."

• What's Happening... (calendar of fannish happenings)
• Editorial by Rachel
• some short clippings
• Trek News (includes: "Next ST Novel is "The Shadow Lord" by Lawrence Yep followed by "The Space Vampire" by David Gerrold.")
• Media News
• Space News
• some clippings from "TV Weeks" in the late 1960s, some photos from "TV Star Annual" 1971
• photos of "Captain Tim North, Admiral Karen Irving, Tharrah (holding Tribble Thillum), Ambassador Therin and Mr. Spock.")
• Have Phaser, Will Travel, column by Ian McLean ("Collating Day Blues," "Death of a Thizzard")
• The Page: Where You Find out What Your Club is Doing!
• photos of the 1984 Astrex Christmas Party
• Biography of ST III Actors "extracted from Paramount Picture Corporation's 'Handbook of Production Information of ST III: The Search for Spock'" (Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley, Merritt Butrick, George Takei, Dame Judith Anderson)
• a description of the club, The U.S.S. Southern Cross "a Sydney based Starship" lead by Jenny Yates
• a clipping: "Rewind. The new and unusual in SF and Fantasy Video" by Peter Brodie/Fred Smith (a review of "The Magic Sword," "Metalstorm," "Strange Invaders," "Starflight One")
• fans are urged to write letters to pressure the U.S. Postal Service to have a Star Trek stamp to honor its 20th anniversary
• a full-page flyer: "Space Write Now!... Would you like to... live on the moon?... Yes you can!" -- fans were asked to pay their annual dues of $15 and send their checks to Bjo Trimble ("WRITE NOW! is a non-profit advocacy endeavor with its own tax-deductible educational fund. WRITE NOW! was formed by John and Bjo Trimble to alert people to the need for SPACE ADVOCACY.")
  

  Flyer for Con Amore
• Star Trek III - Reviewing the Reviews, several articles that are long reviews of Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, but also comments about fan's (Linda Knorr) comments about the film in the previous issue of "DATA")
  • one by Ian McLean
  • one by Teresa Morris
  • one by Louise Hollingberry
  • one by Peter Lempert
  • one by Anne Devrell
• Edwina Harvey asks for fans' "Vogon Literature," no more than 5000 words, prizes will be awarded to the top three winners, and will be printed in the sixth issue of her zine, Pangalia
• a letter by a fan questioning penpal listings in the newsletter, mainly due to practical concerns
• a review of Starprobe #2, club zine for Quasar Science Club in Kingswood, SA
• an ad for Inside Out, a Knight Rider letterzine that also contains A-Team, Starcrash, Shannon, Remington Steele ("for adult readers only as this letterzine discusses "/".)
• photos of fans in costume at "Timelords Ball"
• review of The Vulcan Academy Murders, see that page
• National Geowatsis by Peter Brodie (first in a planned column of reviewing science articles in the magazine, "National Geographis")
• Star Trek Crossword Puzzle
• Pen-Pal List
• a tongue-in-cheek ad for fans to join "The Official Linda Knorr Fan Club"
• a copy of Star Trek IV: William Shatner-Paramount Salary Dispute and Survey by Ann Carver
• reviews of "Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics," "The Dune Encyclopedia," and "Dr. Who - The Key to Time"
• a review of the Doctor Who zine, Pangalia #5, see that page
• club committee nomination form
• a list of members who need to pay their club dues
• table of contents

Issue 73

DATA 73 was published in July 1986 and contains 70 pages.

cover of issue #73, Karen Irving

questionnaire from issue #73

• What's On (1)
• Conventions (2)
• Who to Contact (3)
• Trek News (4)
• Star Trek Publishing News by Ian McLean (7)
• Nostalgia Special: Spock... and That (8)
• Star Trek IV (Sealed Section) (9)
• Media News (18)
• Space News (22)
• NASA News (25)
• Parkes, Voyager 2, and a Planet Called Uranus by Wilson da Silva (26)
• D.C. Comics Review, part 5 by Ian McLean (28)
• Article: Robotech by Bob Miller (30)
• Review: The Great Steam Train Adventure by Roslyn Paterson (33)
• The Page(s) (34)
• Nostalgia Special: William Shatner's Moment of Terror (36)
• Reviews: The Great Denebiatt Bash, one by Ann Taylor and Krys Lichy, and the other by Roslyn Paterson (40)
• Editorial by Linda Whiley (41)
• S.F. Questionnaire by John Tipper (42)
• Have Phaser, Will Travel, The Perils of Batgirl by Ian McLean and Karen Irving, reporting on the Time-Warped steam train fundraiser (43)
• Review: Vogon Poets Rule O.K. by Edwina Harvey (46)
• Word Trek by Karen Irving (47)
• Nostalgia Special: Leonard Nimoy -- Can I Act? (48)
• Nostalgia Special: Sue Clarke Saves Star Trek (52)
• 9 LoCs (54)
• Pen Pals (57)
• Film Review by Neil Hayden (58)
• Word Trek Solution (58)
• Administration by Linda Whiley and Karen Irving (59)
• Eccentricon Update (60)

Issue 77

DATA 77 was published in May 1987 and contains 48 pages.

cover of issue #77, cover by Mike McGann

Issue 78

DATA 78 was published in July 1987 and contains 48 pages.

cover of issue #78, cover by Ian McLean

A sketch (from Bjo Trimble's memory) of the new Starfleet uniform in the then-upcoming "Star Trek: The Next Generation" TV series, during an interview for issue #78

Issue 79

DATA 79 was published in September 1987 and contains 48 pages.

cover of issue #79, cover by Karen Irving

Issue 82

DATA 82 was published in March 1988 and contains 54 pages.

cover of issue #82, cover by Sue Campbell

Issue 84

DATA 84 was published in July/August 1988 and contains 72 pages.

cover of issue #84, cover by Karen Irving

Issue 109

Issue #109 front cover

DATA 109 was published in September/October 1992.