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).