Trekcon (Australian Star Trek con)

Trekcon was the first Star Trek convention held in Australia. 
==Trekcon 1==
"1978 saw Austrek run its first ever convention, Trekcon 1, which was organised by Adrienne Losin. It was a modest one-day event that was a lot of fun and received a favourable write up in The Sun newspaper." 
Trekcon 1 was held in a church hall in Camberwell (a suburb of Melbourne) on Saturday 15 July 1978, from 11 am until midnight. Guests of Honour were Diane Marchant and John Foyster, with Chris Long serving as a guest speaker. Master of Ceremonies was David Atkinson. 
The advance publicity material stated:
Pre-convention festivities were held in a private home two evenings beforehand, on Thursday 13 July 1978. This event included a TV interview and a collating party to prepare materials for Saturday.
===Trekcon 1: Con Report===
==Trekcon 1 Gallery==
Photos identified as being from Helena Binns are used with her family's permission.
File:005.jpg|Pre-convention (collating) party two days before Trekcon 1: (from right) Betsi Ashton, Helena Russell, Adrienne Losin and Diane Marchant
File:Women at the Trekcon 1 Collating Party 13 July 1978.jpg|Helena Russell, Robin Young, with Betty & Tess de Gabriele at the Trekcon 1 collating party on 13 July 1978
File:Ian & Joan McLachlan at Trekcon 1 Collating Party.jpg|Ian & Joan McLachlan at the Collating Party
File:Trekcon 1 Collating Party.jpg|Trekcon 1 Collating Party 13 July 1978
File:Trekcon 1 flyer.jpg|Trekcon 1 flyer (foolscap, fordigraph): note the paper was originally white but has yellowed with age.
File:Trekcon 1 GOHs.jpg|Trekcon 1 Guests of Honour (from left) Diane Marchant, John Foyster and Chris Long.
File:John Foyster GOH.jpg|John Foyster was Guest of Honour at Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Trekcon 1 Panel.jpg|Trekcon 1 Panel: (from left) Perry Isles, Diane Marchant, David Atkinson (MC), Jan McDonnell, Joan McLachlan.
File:DM and KG.jpg|Jan McDonnell (auctioneer) is assisted by Kathleen Gaitely (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Joan & Paul at Trekcon 1, 15 July 1978.jpg|Joan McLachlan (as Stella Mudd) & Paul Murphy (as Bele) (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Kathleen and Joan.jpg|Kathleen Gaitely (as Lieutenant Tonia Barrows) and Costume Parade MC Joan McLachlan (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Betty.jpg|Betty de Gabriele cosplays as Lieutenant M'Ress (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Trekcon 1, 1978.jpg|Betty de Gabriele and Joan McLachlan
File:Star Wars characters.jpg|Evan Carr and others cosplay the latest SF phenomenon for 1978 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Star Trek meets Star Wars.jpg|Star Wars meets Star Trek at Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Schmuk, the first Vulcan punk rocker.jpg|Stephen Bates as Schmuck, first Vulcan rocker in space and the black sheep of Spock's family (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Tess & Joan at Trekcon 1 in 1978.jpg|Tess de Gabriele (as mirror-universe Uhura?) & Joan McLachlan.
File:Yvonne at Trekcon 1.jpg|Yvonne Miller
File:Helena, Andrew and Yvonne.jpg|The Gamesters of Triskelion (Helena Russell, Andrew Bauld and Yvonne Miller) visit Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Interviewed by Joan.jpg|Gamesters cosplay characters interviewed at the costume parade (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:David McDonnell.jpg|Jan McDonnell
File:Klingons and Tribble.jpg|Klingons meet a tribble, from left: unknown, Ben James, Sue Bursztynski, Chris King, Lesley James and Mark Sarrazin (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Klingons and Tribble 1.jpg|Klingons on the 1978 version of the Great Tribble Hunt at Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Klingons and Tribble 2.jpg|Tribble defeated by the glorious Klingon empire (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Klingon salute.jpg|The Klingons salute while tribble survivor, Mark Sarrazin (far right) looks on (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Costume Parade.jpg|Helena Binns (bottom left) photographs the contestants for the Trekcon 1 costume parade (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Some of the gang.jpg|Some of the gang, including Janet Ling (Gem) and Ruth Lewis (white tribble)(photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Some more of the gang.jpg|Some of the gang at Trekcon 1, 1978
File:More of the gang at Trekcon 1.jpg|More of the gang, including Ann Richardson from Adelaide (in blue Starfleet uniform).
File:Trekcon 1 costume judges.jpg|John Foyster, Diane Marchant and Chris Long were the Trekcon 1 costume judges.
File:DM with EC and RL.jpg|Diane Marchant (middle) with Liz Czepiel (left) and Ruth Lewis (right) (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:EC and RL.jpg|Liz Czepiel (left) and Ruth Lewis (right) (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:DianeandJessie15July1978.jpg|Diane Marchant with her mother Jessie (photo from the Helena Binns collection).
File:RL and EC with background displays.jpg|Liz Czepiel and Ruth Lewis amidst some of the background displays that demonstrate the level of sophistication among contemporaneous Star Trek memorabilia (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Betty with Card.jpg|Betty de Gabriele shows off the celebratory card she produced for the occasion. All con participants signed the card, and it was sent to Gene Roddenberry via his pen-pal, Diane Marchant (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Front of Card.jpg|Front of card produced by Betty de Gabriele for Trekcon 1 (photo from the Helena Binns collection)
File:Awards presented.jpg|Convention organiser Adrienne Losin (in orange costume) presents awards for the costume parade to (from left): Marion Bauld, Andrew Bauld, Betty de Gabriele, Paul Murphy, and Kathleen Gaitely
File:Trekcon 1 participants.jpg|Geoff Allshorn, Sue Bursztynski, Ian McLachlan, Ben James and Adrienne Losin at the convention
File:David & Paul at Trekcon 1.jpg|David Atkinson (left) and Paul Murphy (right) relax after a long day trekkin' at Trekcon. 
==Trekcon 2==
Trekcon 2 was held in Melbourne, Australia at the Sheraton Hotel on April 12-13, 1980.
Joe Haldeman was the Guest of Honor, accompanied by his wife, Gaye Haldeman. The Fan Guests of Honor were Nikki White and Diane Marchant.
Some activities: Star Trek episodes were shown, there was a Haldeman GoH speech and Q&A, "slide and picture shows," trivia quiz, a masquerade, panels about movies and books, and a "Women in ST panel" chaired by Greg Franklin. Diane Marchant gave a report on the Star Trek clubs in Australia (at least eight of them at the time, including her work as Star Trek Welcommittee representative), while Nikki White also gave a talk. Saturday lunchtime included a "Feeding of the 5,000" in a park across the street from the hotel, and Sunday morning included a "Landing Party expedition" in the same park. 
The fan film, The City on the Edge of the Yarra, premiered at 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon, in the hotel near the river featured in the film title; with discussion led by the film creators, Stephen Bates and Paul Murphy.
==Trekcon 2 Gallery==
These photos were supplied by Geoff Allshorn.
File:Trekcon 2 GOHs.jpg|(from right): Trekcon 2 Guest of Honour Joe Haldeman with Gaye Haldeman, Fan Guest of Honour Diane Marchant.
File:Trekcon 2 Panel.jpg|Trekcon 2 panel, from left: Gaye Haldeman, Joe Haldeman, Tracy Adamczyk, Diane Marchant, Tessie de Gabriele.
==Trekcon 3==
Trekcon 3 was held in March 14-15, 1987, in Melbourne, Australia. Diane Marchant and Betsi Ashton were the Fan Guests of Honour (FGoH). 
The convention charity was the Salvation Army Crisis Centre (emergency accommodation) and provided fourteen residents with Christmas gifts, and food hampers for those in need.'Trekcon IV Inc. Charity', in Trekcon IV convention handbook, 1990, p. 7.
==Trekcon 3 Gallery==
These photos were supplied by Jan MacNally:
File:Trekcon 3.jpg|Paul Poulton (Starfleet costume) and others at Trekcon 3.
File:Trekcon 3, 14 & 15 March 1987.jpg|Audience members at Trekcon 3.
File:Trekcon 3 Faction Panel - 1.jpg|thumb|Faction Panel - varied fandoms.
File:Trekcon 3 Faction Panel - 2.jpg|thumb|Faction Panel (fandoms interact).
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Parade 1.jpg|Julie Hughes (left) and Allison Wallace (right) with friend at TrekCon 3 costume parade.
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Parade 2.jpg|Trekcon 3 costume parade.
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Parade 4.jpg|Trekcon 3 costume parade.
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Parade 5.jpg|thumb|Trekcon 3 costume parade participants.
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Parade 6.jpg|thumb|Trekcon 3 costume parade participants.
These photos were taken by Helena Binns and used by permission of her family:
File:Trekcon 3 - Panel.jpg|Trekcon 3 Panel - Greg Franklin with FGoHs Diane Marchant and Betsi Ashton.
File:Trekcon 3 - Betsi Ashton and Craig Hooper.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Betsi Ashton chats to Craig Hooper
File:Trekcon 3 - Diane Marchant and Craig Hooper.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Diane Marchant and Craig Hooper
File:Trekcon 3 Panel - 1.jpg|Trekcon 3 Faction Panel: includes (from left) Paul Poulton, unknown, Robert Jan, Gail Adams, Greg Franklin, and unknown.
File:Trekcon 3 Panel - 2.jpg|Trekcon 3 Faction Panel - includes (from left): Greg Franklin, unknown, Alison Wallace, George Ivanoff, unknown.
File:Trekcon 3 Panel - 3.jpg|Trekcon 3 Faction Panel - (from left) Christine Young, unknown, Robert Jan, Gail Adams, Craig Hooper, unknown.
File:Trekcon 3 Panel - 4.jpg|Trekcon 3 Faction Panel (from left): Craig Hooper, unknown, Julie Hughes, Jenny McLean, Adam Bradshaw.
File:Trekcon 3 - Greg Franklin.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Master of Ceremonies Greg Franklin
File:Trekcon 3 Star Trek costume.jpg|Trekcon 3 Star Trek costume.
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 1.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 1
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 2.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 2
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 3.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 3 - Andorian
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 4.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 4
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 5.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 5
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 6.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 6
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 7.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 7 - Ken Haesler
File:Trekcon 3 Star Trek costume contest - 8.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 8
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 9.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 9
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 10.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 10 - Geoff Dignam
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 11 .jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 11 - Marion McNally
File:Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 12.jpg|Trekcon 3 Costume Contest - 12 - Mike McGann
File:Trekcon 3 Auction.jpg|Trekcon 3 Auction - Sharon Tapner and Craig Hooper
File:Trekcon 3 - Craig Hooper.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Craig Hooper
File:Trekcon 3 - Paul Poulton leads Roleplay.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Paul Poulton leads Roleplay
File:Trekcon 3 - Ian Tupper and others in Roleplay.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Ian Tupper (center) and others in Roleplay
File:Trekcon 3 - Roleplay.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Roleplay - Includes Marion McNally and Ian Tupper
File:Trekcon 3 - Robert Jan.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Robert Jan
File:Trekcon 3 - Art Display - 1.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Art Display 1
File:Trekcon 3 - Art Display 2.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Art Display 2
File:Trekcon 3 - Andrew McGee awarded.jpg|Trekcon 3 - Andrew McGee receives an award
==Trekcon 4==
Trekcon 4 was held over the long weekend of 9, 10 and 11 June 1990 at the Townhouse Hotel.
The con zine was The Garden Spot of Ceti Alpha V.
From the Chairman's Welcome:
GoH: Bjo Trimble
FGoH: Greg Franklin
Charity: The Salvation Army Crisis Centre (Emergency accommodation).
Program included: 
* Writers' workshop with Bjo Trimble
* SFX panel with guest speakers Steve Scholz and Gary Armstrong
* FGoH talk with Greg Franklin
* "The Empire Strikes Back" 10th Anniversary Banquet, hosted by Star Walking Inc
* Astronomy lecture with Andrew Rennie from the Space Association of Australia
* Role Playing workshop led by Paul Poulton 
* Masks and Costume Parade, Awards
==Trekcon 4 Gallery - Committee Meeting (30 January 1988)==
Photos by Jan MacNally
File:T4 CM 300188 - 1.jpg|Anita Livings, Mark Riley, Julie Hughes, Alison Wallace, ? and Christine Young
File:T4 CM 300188 - 2.jpg|Jan MacNally, Gail Adams, Debra Cunningham and Anita Livings
File:T4 CM 300188 - 3.jpg|Jenny McLean, Robert Jan and Ian Kerr
File:T4 CM 300188 - 4.jpg|?, Marion MacNally, Jenny McLean and Robert Jan
==Trekcon 4 Gallery - Band Night (10 September 1988)==
Photos by Jan MacNally
File:TBN 1.jpg|Julie Hughes 
File:TBN 2.jpg|thumb|Dinner on the night
File:TBN 3.jpg|Jan MacNally and Andrew McGee
File:TBN 5.jpg|Lisa Poulier
File:TBN 6.jpg|Some of the entertainment on the night
File:TBN 7.jpg|Greg Franklin and Robert Gudgeon
==Trekcon 5==
It is reported that there was no Trekcon 5.Austrek History - Austrek, The Star Trek Fan Club Inc. 
==Trekcon 6==
"During 1992 another significant event was held, Trekcon VI: The Undiscovered Con, which was the first 'convention' using the one day only mini-con format. The event was very successful with over 120 attendees – which was on a par with the traditional two day conventions despite only running half as long. The success of Trekcon VI paved the way for more one day events of this type in the future." 
It should be noted that this report of Trekcon 6 being the first Trekcon to use the one-day mini-format is incorrect: Trekcon 1 in 1978 used this same format.
==References==
Category:Star Trek Conventions
Category:1978 Conventions
Category:1980 Conventions
Category:1987 Conventions
Category:1988 Conventions
Category:1992 Conventions
Category:Conventions in Australia