Helena Binns

Helena Binns (formerly Roberts) (22 December 1941 - 18 September 2023) was a long-time fan within the Australian science fiction community, becoming involved in many groups and conventions. Born Margaret Phyllis Duce, she grew up in the outer Melbourne municipality of Healesville and then spent her teenage years in the Victorian country town of Alexandria. While having a keen interest in astronomy, maths and science, she was denied the educational opportunity to pursue a career in these subjects or in teaching. She also pursued art but had no success.
Helena discovered science fiction at a young age and quickly became an avid reader of pulp magazines, and a pen pal to others who shared her interests. In January 1958, at the age of sixteen, she visited the Melbourne Science Fiction Club (MSFC) and commenced lifelong friendships and associations. 
Geoff Allshorn wrote in his tribute for Helena: 
Helena was married twice, first to Kelvin Roberts from 1965 to 1991 (when he died); and then to Merv Binns from 1998 to 2020 (when he died).
She participated in costuming, writing and illustrating fan fiction, and even wrote an occasional serious article for the Space Association of Australia. 
Helena probably became best known in the SF and Australian space communities for her prodigious photography, firstly with a pre-digital camera and rolls of film, and then later with digital equipment. Bruce Gillespie notes in his tribute:
Helena herself wrote of her enthusiasm for photography in a 2009 autobiography when she was awarded life membership of MSFC:
After Merv's death, Helena lost touch with her SF friends, and spent her final years in a nursing home, where she died at about 10pm on 18 September 2023.
==Photo Collection==
Helena became very well known for attending functions (ranging from conventions to birthday parties) with a camera and eagerly photographing the event and participants. Towards the end of her life or after she died, some of her photos were generously donated to fans for dissemination. Some of these photos are shown below or on other Fanlore pages, including those for Merv Binns, Kate Doolan, Robert Jan, Sue Bursztynski, Theresa de Gabriele, Darren Maxwell, Dick Jenssen, Betty Franklin, Diane Marchant, Shane Morrissey, TrekCon, and Austrek.
In memory of Merv and Helena Binns, and to honour their seeding grants, Continuum Conventions runs a community grants fund that offers free memberships to deserving fans.
==Personal Gallery==
File:Teenage Margaret Duce (second from right) with friends, 1950s.jpg|thumb|Margaret Duce (second from right) with friends from the Melbourne Science Fiction Club at her 21st birthday party in December 1962: Chris Bennie, Jill Dudding, Keith McLelland, Margaret and John Foyster (caption source)
File:Margaret Duce and MSFC friends at her 21st birthday party in 1962.jpg|thumb|MSFC friends at Margaret's 21st birthday party. Standing: Merv Barrett, John Foyster, and Chris Bennie. Seated: Bob Smith and Jill Dudding (caption source) Please note that another source incorrectly lists Helena as being in the photo.
File:Ambassadors Banquet 1 March 1980.jpg|Helena (on left) and Theresa de Gabriele (on right) in costume at an 'Ambassador's Banquet' with Austrek, Melbourne, 1 March 1980
File:Galactic Tours 1986 - edit.jpg|Helena at Galactic Tours Convention, Melbourne, March 1986 (from Helena's collection)
File:Helena Binns at Galactic Tours, 1986.jpg|Helena at Galactic Tours convention, 1986 (from Helena's collection)
File:Helena and Diane.jpg|thumb|left|Helena with Diane Marchant at Trekcon 3 in 1987 (from Helena's collection)
File:John Young.jpg|Helena meets Apollo 16 astronaut John Young in Melbourne, 1987 (from Helena's collection)
File:SAA with Thomas Paine Oct 1988.jpg|Space Association of Australia folks meet former NASA Administrator, Thomas Paine, in Melbourne on 18 October 1988. This includes Helena, Wynne Whiteford, and Geoff Allshorn
File:Austrek Xmas Party 1989 - 15.jpg|Helena at the Austrek Xmas Party in 1989 (from Helena's collection)
File:NASA astronaut Pierre Thuot 28 April 1990.jpg|NASA astronaut Pierre Thuot with Dr Joseph Leach and space fan Helena Roberts, Melbourne, 28 April 1990
File:Helena and Kelvin Roberts 1990.jpg|Helena and Kelvin Roberts 1990 (from Helena's collection)
File:Helena Roberts-Binns at USSR space exhibit, January 1991..jpg|Helena at USSR space exhibit in Melbourne, January 1991
File:Helena Roberts (Binns) June 1991.jpg|Helena at Southern FM radio station in Melbourne, assisting with the 'Space Show' for the Space Association of Australia. June 1991 (photo by Geoff Allshorn).
File:The gang.jpg|Helena (wearing black and white jacket) surrounded by friends at a party in Melbourne, June 1991
File:Merv&HelenaContinuum2009.jpg|Helena and Merv Binns, Continuum convention, 2009 (photo by Cat Sparks) 
==Galactic Tours Gallery==
These photos (taken at the Galactic Tours Convention in 1986) were supplied from the Helena Binns Collection and used with her family's permission. Unless marked otherwise, all photos were taken by Helena Binns.
File:Galactic Tours (1) .jpg|Terl, an alien on the awning outside the hotel, courtesy of a book publisher
File:Galactic Tours (2).jpg|Julie Hughes and Alison Wallace advertise the hotel
File:Galactic Tours (3).jpg|Craig Hooper and Liz Czepiel welcome people to the convention
File:Galactic Tours (4).jpg|Tessie de Gabriele at Galactic Tours
File:Galactic Tours (5) -photo by Helena Binns.jpg|John Meekings (convention chairman) and Robyn Cullen (committee member). She is wearing the GT uniform.
File:Galactic Tours (6).jpg|Space talk to Galactic Tours
File:Galactic Tours (7).jpg|Katy Manning answers questions for Antony Howe
File:Galactic Tours (8).jpg|Betsi Ashton at Galactic Tours
File:Galactic Tours (9).jpg|Planetarium visit at Galactic Tours
File:Galactic Tours (10).jpg|Katy Manning meets fans
File:Galactic Tours (11).jpg|Space Association of Australia display in the Science area at Galactic Tours
File:Galactic Tours (12).jpg|Kate Doolan gives the space shuttle some spit and polish
File:Galactic Tours (13).jpg|'All these ships were named Enterprise' - space display at Galactic Tours
File:Galactic Tours (14).jpg|On the Bridge
File:Galactic Tours (15).jpg|Shane Morrissey (kneeling), John Meekings and Robyn Cullen, with TV crew about to film an interview.
File:Galactic Tours (16) - KD.jpg|David Prowse in the Captain's chair, Marje Miller and Shane Morrissey (at the console) and others on the Bridge including Tracy Adamczyk, Jenny Maclean, Helena Russell, Robyn Cullen and John Meekings - photo by Kate Doolan
File:Galactic Tours (17) - KR.jpg|David Prowse, Shane Morrissey and Helena Binns on the Bridge - photo by Kelvin Roberts
File:Galactic Tours (18) - HS.jpg|Diane Marchant and Betty de Gabriele at the banquet - photo by Helene Shaw
File:Galactic Tours (19).jpg|Susan Clarke (Guest of Honour) clings on to Klingon Robert Jan
File:Galactic Tours (20).jpg|“You have not experienced Shakespeare until you have read him in the original Klingon.” - MC Greg Franklin and band of slightly cultured but maurauding Klingons
File:Galactic Tours (21).jpg|Julie Hughes and Tony Nathan in the dealers' room
File:Galactic Tours (22).jpg|Dealers and fans mingle
File:Galactic Tours (24) - KR.jpg|Among the collectibles - photo by Kelvin Roberts
File:Galactic Tours (25) - HS.jpg|Aliens among us, including Gail Adams (left) - photo by Helene Shaw 
==Trekcon 3 Gallery==
These photos (taken at Trekcon 3 in 1987) were supplied from the Helena Binns Collection and used with her family's permission.
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 Panel: includes (from left) Paul Poulton, unknown, Robert Jan, Gail Adams, Greg Franklin, and unknown.
File:Trekcon 3 Panel - 2.jpg|Trekcon 3 Panel - includes (from left): Greg Franklin, unknown, Alison Wallace, George Ivanoff, unknown.
File:Trekcon 3 Panel - 3.jpg|Trekcon 3 Panel - (from left) Christine Young, unknown, Robert Jan, Gail Adams, Craig Hooper, unknown.
File:Trekcon 3 Panel - 4.jpg|Trekcon 3 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
File:Trekcon 3 dinner.jpg|Trekcon 3 dinner, including (from right) Alison Wallace, Julie Hughes, Les Robertson, Robert Jan, Gail Adams and Adam Bradshaw 
==References==
Category:2023 Deaths
Category:Fanartists
Category:Fanwriters
Category:Deceased