Welcome to the NAFF race for 2008. NAFF is the National Australian Fan Fund and is designed to assist fans travelling across Australia to attend the National Science Fiction Convention. NAFF usually provides funds to cover part of the cost of airfare (or travelling expenses) and/or convention membership.

The Natcon for this NAFF race is the 47th Australian Natcon, SwanCon 33 "The State of the Art" and will take place in Perth, Western Australia over the Easter weekend (20^th - 24^th March 2008). SwanCon 34 "The State of the Art" will feature Ken McLeod as International Guest of Honour alongside Glenda Larke as National Guest of Honour and Zara Baxter (former NAFF recipient) as Fan Guest of Honour. Fans residing in all states an territories except Western Australia are eligible to be nominated to be the recipient of this year's NAFF.

Voting for the NAFF Candidate is now open!

Votes must be received by the candidates or the administrators by Sunday 24th February.

Any Australian fan can choose to vote for the NAFF nominee. The voting process contributes to the fundraising - so each vote costs $5. There is no limit to the number of times you may vote.

Votes are being collected by Emma Hawkes, Grant Watson, Sue Ann Barber, Ju Landéesse. You can hand over cash or cheques to any of these people or pay by PayPal to Sue Ann Barber.

Please make all cheques payable to NAFF or National Australian Fan Fund. Please email if you would like to pay via direct deposit or paypal. Stuff can be mailed to:

PO BOX 249, Pascoe Vale South, VIC 3044.

Direct deposit details are:

NAB:
BSB: 083 004
A/C: 55819 3753

Please send a confirmation email with the reciept and your voting form to Ju.

Candidates

Paul Poulton

Who the hell is Paul Poulton?

While not officially an "old fart fan" Paul has been around fandom for over 20 years, his first ever con being KinKon at the Victoria Hotel in Melbourne in 1984.

A reader of fantasy and SF as far back as he can remember, he also enjoys his SF media flavoured and has been a member of assorted TV and movie fan clubs over the years.

Often wanting to get things done he has been a part of committees of conventions, fan clubs, role-playing clubs, historical re-enactment clubs and even the Australian Costumers' Guild.

As co-chair for Continuum 5 (currently in planning for 2009) Paul would like your vote for NAFF to help him get to Perth, a city he's sure has changed slightly since his last visit there in 1978.

Aimee Smith

I would be thrilled to go to Swancon! Unfortunately, after my first convention, Conflux 4 last year, the bug has bitten but the funds won’t stretch all the way to Perth. Four reasons: Sean Williams says I have to go and help him DJ. I can meet Tehani Wessely, who edited my first story to be published (this year, ASIM!) and whom I’ve never met in person. Third, I can see all the nice people I met at this year’s Aurealis Awards. Fourth, I can see the man who wrote the hairdryer gag when Rose and my Doctor met Daleks!

Edwina Harvey

I admire the long and strong fannish traditions of Western Australian fans regularly holding Swancons. This year marks my third decade as an active Australian SF fan. Growing up writing for, then producing fanzines and newsletters including the Australian Science Fiction Bullsheet has led me to a career of writing and editing for larger publications like Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. Being on several convention committees has given me lots of experience in running fundraising events, and I can draw upon my artistic talents to donate raffle prizes or items for auction to support future NAFF races.