WORTHY CAUSE: Murdoch University is reaching out to Australia’s science fiction community in a bid to raise enough funds to preserve the state’s most comprehensive collection of speculative fiction material. The MURDOCH UNIVERSITY SCIENCE FICTION FOUNDATION spans more than 30 years and includes rare books, comics, fanzines, t-shirts and personal writings that relate to the science fiction community of Western Australia and Australia. It was established by Murdoch University’s Chris Creagh. Those interested in donating to the Murdoch University Science Fiction / Speculative Fiction Foundation can go to http://library.murdoch.edu.au/forms/donation_scifi_collection.pdf. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. (www.murdoch.edu.au; Picture by Elaine Klemp)

Australian artist SHAUN TAN won the Oscar for ‘Best Animated Short Film’ for the 15-minute digitally animated ‘The Lost Thing’, based on the book by the same name. The film can be viewed here.

WILLIAM SHATNER will be visiting Sydney and Melbourne in April. “This is not a Star Trek Convention, this is a very unique encounter with William Shatner, the Man”. Tickets here. ETA: Shatner will also be doing conventions while in Sydney and Melbourne, along with Scott Bakula, JG Hertzler and others. Details can be found here: http://www.thehubproductions.com/events/star-trek-2011/home. (extra information by Clare McDonald)

Urban fantasy author CASSANDRA CLARE will be appearing at the Westgarth Theatre, Northcote, on Wednesday 25 May. Prizes for the best costume, and book signings.

The SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DOCTOR WHO CLUB, Inc. gathers twice a month. It meets every third Saturday at Adelaide High School between 3 and 10pm, and every first Saturday at a pub from 5pm. The next meeting is on March 19 at Adelaide High School from 3pm.

DRAGONFALL PRESS is an independent SF publisher looking for Australian submissions.

NEW RELEASES

NIGHTSIDERS by Sue Isle, published by Twelfth Planet Press, will be out in March. In a future world of extreme climate change, Perth has been abandoned. A few thousand obstinate and independent souls cling to the city and to the southern towns. Living mostly by night to endure the fierce temperatures, they are creating a new culture in defiance of official expectations.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

The 2011 DITMAR AWARDS, to be presented at Swancon/Natcon, are open for nominations until 14 March. A list of eligible works can be found here.

The CHRONOS AWARDS recognise excellence in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror by Victorians and are open for nominations until Sunday 27 March. Voting then opens on Sunday 3 April 2011. The Awards will be presented at Continuum7 (see under Conventions).

DUFF, the Down Under Fan Fund, has opened for nominations for an Australian fan to travel to Renovation, 17 August 2011 to 21 August 2011. Anyone may nominate who is active in fandom. Each candidate must be nominated by three Australasian fans and two North American fans. Nominations close Thursday 31 March 2011. For more information, contact Emma Hawkes (ehawkes@iinet.net.au).

The Australian Horror Writers Association have announced the finalists for the 2010 AUSTRALIAN SHADOWS AWARD. The full list can be found here.

CONVENTIONS

2011 will be the fiftieth Australian National Science Fiction Convention (NATCON). It will run from 21-25 April and is being held at the Hyatt Hotel, Perth (in conjunction with Swancon36). (http://natcon50.wordpress.com/)

CON 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, celebrating sci-fi movies, TV shows, radio programmes and comics from before 1965, will be held in July 2012, in Melbourne. (www.con9fromouterspace.com)

CONTINUUM, the annual Melbourne speculative fiction and pop culture convention celebrating creativity across genre and media, will take place on the Queen’s Birthday Weekend, June 10-13. Guests of honour this year are Catherynne M Valente and Dave Freer along with a wide range of other speakers and panellists in a fabulous line up of panels, presentations and special events. (http://continuum.org.au/)

SUPANOVA Pop Culture Expo kicks off in Brisbane in April (and on to Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth). Guests so far include cast members from Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica, actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and author Robin Hobb. (http://www.supanova.com.au/)

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