Society & Culture
SF Fandom in first half of the 1970s Leigh Edmonds introduces the topic, SF Fandom in the first half of the 1970s, and panel: Rob Gerrand, Robin Johnson and Bruce Gillespie. The Panel: Robin, Bruce, Rob and Leigh (Photo: Cath Ortlieb) Leigh started by asking about the development of professional SF writing in Australia (2:25): Rob talked on the Easter 1974 writer’s workshop and the 1975 LeGuin Workshop; Robin on the need for a workshop to lure LeGuin (4:58); Bruce on LeGuin’s requirements and who turned up… (7:06)and Rob on the Workshop itself (8:31) . There was a discussion about the lack of a publishing industry in Australia by Bruce & Rob (9:35);Rob talked about end of ASFR and material handed on to Bruce (11:00), Norstrilia Press & The Altered Eye (12:00) Robin spoke on New Year’s Con 1970 in Sydney, John Ryan and Panel by Panel (12:30) and The Syncon 70 discussion about world con (14:17). Discussion about the Antifan Strikes Back movie by Rob and Robin (15:15)Bruce on why we were bidding for the world con (17:00);Leigh on the slan shack (17:25),Publishing fanzines to plug the world con - Bruce (19:05)John Bangsund’s importance discussed by Leigh (21:00).Leigh asked about new fan groups outside Melbourne (21:45),Fans in Adelaide mentioned by Marc Ortlieb from the audience (23:40). An appreciative audience: Terry Frost, Janice Murray, Jenny Brice, Roman Orszanski and Marc Ortlieb.Thanks to Cath Ortlieb for her kind permission to use the photo. SpaceAge opening:Bruce on importance of SpaceAge (25:30);Rob on the role of Merv Binns (27:29)and the Fantasy Film Society (28:27),and the beginning of media fandom in Aus (29:30). Leigh noted the appearance of women! at SF conventions (30:00),Talk moved to the critical side of SF — Leigh, Bruce (32:05);Lem, Foyster and Exploding Madonna (33:50),and the influence of George Turner (35:27). Leigh asked about DUFF and fan funds (36:55),then discussion of slan shacks, Magic Pudding’ Club — Robin & Bruce (36:55); Bruce noted the importance of Jack Chalker & the Anti fan film (40:30). Discussion about the delegation to the TORCON bidding (41:15) by Bruce. Finally, Leigh invited the panel to talk about their favourite memories from this time (43:33).