Frequently Asked Questions
What's Going On?
'Australia in 2010' is a bid for the right to hold the World Science Fiction Convention (aka Worldcon) in 2010 - in Australia. As of March 2008, we are the only bid running for the year 2010.
Bidding to host the worldcon is done through the traditional "bid parties" held at Worldcon and/or at selected US regional conventions each year, where we woo the potential voters with food, drink and good cheer. Voters also consider the credibility of the bid committee and potential con committee.
How Can I Help?
At this stage of the bidding process, our focus must necessarily be overseas, that is outside Australia. If you are travelling to the US, try to get to one of the conventions where we will be holding bid parties. Although we have a dedicated crew of ex-pats and locals, an extra body with an Australian accent is always in demand. All you have to do is help hand out food and drink at the party and talk to people.
We have hosted parties at the worldcons in 2006 and 2007, and at regional US conventions in Austin, Boston, Cincinnati, Kansas City, San Francisco, and various other locations. We will also be attending most, if not all, SF conventions in Australia and New Zealand as well as a number of US and UK regional conventions. See us at a convention near you.
Can I Join Now?
Until we win the site selection vote at the worldcon in Denver in 2008, there is no convention to join! However, we are accepting pre-supporting memberships for $20 (in various currencies: US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand dollars, UK pounds or Euros) which will qualify you for a discounted membership if we win the bid. If we lose the bid, that money has gone to fund bid parties and the like and is not refunded.
To join as a pre-supporter from Australia or New Zealand, contact Rose Mitchell, treasurer@australia2010.org, who will be happy to arrange your pre-supporting membership to Australia in 2010. In other countries, contact the relevant Agent.
What is a Firend?
Hasty artwork by a tipsy Hugo award-winning fan artist for a rush bid T-shirt resulted in the misspelling of "Friend" as "Firend" (as in "Friends don't let friends run worldcons"). The initial bidding group liked the idea of this unique name for our special generous friends-of-the-bid membership level.
Who Is Running This Bid?
The bid committee handle the bidding process. The bid committee is an informal cabal of fans from around the world. If we win the bid, then some or all will take up positions on the convention committee. Given the length of time spent bidding for the convention, it is not unusual for some people to bow out or take a back seat when it comes to running the convention. The shape of the convention committee will not be decided until after the bid, with the exception of a few key positions.
The following people have formal appointments on the bid committee: Perry Middlemiss (Bid Chairman), Rose Mitchell (Treasurer), Mark Linneman (US Agent), Eve & John Harvey (UK Agents), and Vince Docherty (European Agent). The general bid committee includes: Stephen Boucher, Janice Gelb, Alan Stewart and Julian Warner.
In Australia, you can contact Paul Ewins, info@australia2010.org for information about the bid and its activities.