Events

Au Contraire is the New Zealand National Science Fiction Convention for 2010. Not sure what a science fiction convention is? See About. The convention will be taking place in Wellington over 27-29 August 2010 - the weekend before the WorldCon in Australia. This is to allow fen travelling from overseas to attend both conventions while in Australasia.

Group discussion on everyone's favourite Time Lord - what do we think of Matt Smith?

Au Contraire is the New Zealand National Science Fiction Convention for 2010. Not sure what a science fiction convention is? See About. The convention will be taking place in Wellington over 27-29 August 2010 - the weekend before the WorldCon in Australia. This is to allow fen travelling from overseas to attend both conventions while in Australasia.

Learn from the experts - those poor bastards who've already done it.

Predicting our future - what are our lives going to be like over the next few decades?

A moderated group discussion on depictions of gods and organised religion in SF/F literature.

"The first glass of New Zealand beer that I drank convinced me that I really had come to the ends of the Earth. But that was many years ago and today the situation is much improved. A serious scientific investigation of the baseline and any improvement will take place in certain carefully selected Wellington establishments on the Monday after Au Contraire closes for business. Anyone wishing to provide input to the analysis should meet in the hotel foyer. We'll walk out and crawl back, suitably refreshed. Kneepads not provided." - Alan and Simon

The 68th World Science Fiction Convention will be held 2-6 September 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Our Guests of Honour are Hugo-winning author Kim Stanley Robinson, award-winning Melbourne artist Shaun Tan, and dedicated fan Robin Johnson. Melbourne has also hosted Worldcons in 1975, 1985, and 1999.

What use are the myths of the world’s cultures to the creation of science fiction? Are there archetypal stories we can draw from to create new worlds and ideas, or are they best suited for re-telling classical stories with a high-tech or otherworldly perspective? A look at what’s been done, who did it best, and why.
Thursday 1600 Room 219

The 68th World Science Fiction Convention will be held 2-6 September 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Our Guests of Honour are Hugo-winning author Kim Stanley Robinson, award-winning Melbourne artist Shaun Tan, and dedicated fan Robin Johnson. Melbourne has also hosted Worldcons in 1975, 1985, and 1999.

Interested in the chance to have your overseas conventioning subsidized by the kind folk in fandom? Find out from current and past winners how Fan Funds work.
Friday 1200 Room 215

One form of folklore that crosses cultures with remarkable similarities is ghost stories, which indicates they may actually exist. Our international panelists share their haunting experiences or assembled collections. Can you add to them?
Friday 1300 Room 219

Come and bid on stuff to raise money so that we can send other fans on amazing trips.
Friday 1600 Room 210

Party to promote the London 2014 Worldcon bid.

The 68th World Science Fiction Convention will be held 2-6 September 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Our Guests of Honour are Hugo-winning author Kim Stanley Robinson, award-winning Melbourne artist Shaun Tan, and dedicated fan Robin Johnson. Melbourne has also hosted Worldcons in 1975, 1985, and 1999.

Learn how to build a Dalek model out of LEGO. This is a GUFF fundraiser.
James Shield, Sue Ann Barber
Saturday 1200 Room 209

Party hosted by UK and Irish fans.

The 68th World Science Fiction Convention will be held 2-6 September 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Our Guests of Honour are Hugo-winning author Kim Stanley Robinson, award-winning Melbourne artist Shaun Tan, and dedicated fan Robin Johnson. Melbourne has also hosted Worldcons in 1975, 1985, and 1999.

In the field of humorous speculative fiction, the shadows of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett loom large over the genre. What influence have these two authors had on comedic science fiction and fantasy? Is it possible for authors to step out from under their shadow and find new territories for humour and the imagination?
Sunday 1400 Room 219

Learn how to build a Dalek model out of LEGO. This is a GUFF fundraiser.
James Shield, Sue Ann Barber
Sunday 1700 Room 216

MCEC Main Plenary Hall

The 68th World Science Fiction Convention will be held 2-6 September 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Our Guests of Honour are Hugo-winning author Kim Stanley Robinson, award-winning Melbourne artist Shaun Tan, and dedicated fan Robin Johnson. Melbourne has also hosted Worldcons in 1975, 1985, and 1999.

A bit of sight seeing in south Australia.

A bit of sight seeing in south Australia.