Natcon

The Natcon is the informal name for the Australian National Science Fiction Convention.

Structure

The Natcon is not an independent series of conventions; rather, one Australian convention is designated to be the Natcon each year, and it moves around between states regularly. There are no particular restrictions on which conventions may bid to be the Natcon. Large and small conventions have been the Natcon, Natcons have taken place in all states of Australia (though not all territories). Long ongoing conventions such as Swancon have bid for the Natcon regularly, and conventions have been organised just for the purpose of holding the Natcon.

Selection

A bid for a convention to become the Natcon should be made at the business meeting of the Natcon two years before the provided date. Natcons should then present a progress report at the convention one year before their convention, and a convenor's report at the business meeting in the year the convention is held.

Rules

The Natcon has its own constitution, and conventions bidding for the Natcon should abide by its rules.

There are two essential aspects to running a Natcon. One is that there must be a business meeting of the Natcon. The other is that the Ditmar awards must be decided and given out.

Timing

It is tradition that the Natcon can choose to run over Easter, and that other Australian conventions should avoid competing with it if it chooses to do so. Many Natcons do not choose to take up this offer, its relatively rare for a non-Swancon to do so. Swancon usually ran over the Easter weekend up until 2019, but more recently has avoided Easter.

Standing Committee

main article: Natcon Standing Committee.

The Natcon now has a permanent standing committee, who deal with issues related to the Ditmars and other issues that the business meeting might require. A Natcon will have a representative on this committee from when it wins the bid, until the Natcon that succeeds them, this representative being either the convention chair or a delegated representative.

See also

• Natcon Business Meeting (including minutes)
• Natcon Constitution
• Natcon Standing Committee
• Natcon Standing Committee Rules
• Natcon running guide
• Ditmar award
  • Ditmar subcommittee
  • Ditmar running guide
  • 2010 Ditmar eligibility list
  • 2011 Ditmar eligibility list
  • 2012 Ditmar eligibility list
  • 2013 Ditmar eligibility list
  • 2014 Ditmar eligibility list
  • 2015 Ditmar eligibility list
  • 2016 Ditmar eligibility list
  • 2017 Ditmar eligibility list
  • 2018 Ditmar eligibility list

External links

• Australian National Science Fiction Convention (offsite)
  • Natcon and Ditmar discussion list
  • Natconcom site — resources for the Natcon Business Meeting Standing Committee
• Natcon Standing Committee website