Since 1972 the Down Under Fan Fund, a fan-supported fellowship, has encouraged closer ties between science-fiction fans in Australasia and North America through an alternating exchange of representatives. DUFF is supported by voluntary contributions from fans all over the world. DUFF delegates attend the Worldcon or a national convention in the host country and visit fans they might otherwise never meet in person. Delegates are responsible for raising funds and administering DUFF until a new delegate from their continent is elected, and are expected to publish trip reports which can be sold to aid the fund.
DONATIONS: DUFF exists solely on the donations and contributions of fans and fan organizations. Please give generously. Anyone may contribute and donations in excess of the voting donation are gratefully accepted. Checks should be made payable to Patrick Molloy or Naomi Fisher (in North America) or Cathy Cupitt (in Australasia). Money should always be sent in the administrator's home currency.
VOTING: DUFF uses the preferential balloting system to guarantee an automatic runoff and a majority win. The voter ranks the candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.). If there is no absolute majority for one candidate after the first count of votes, first-place votes for the lowest-ranking candidate are dropped, and the second-place votes on those ballots are assigned to the candidates named. This goes on until one candidate has a majority. It is therefore important to vote for second, third, etc. places, especially if you choose to write in a candidate. (The voter is not required to fill in more than their name, address and first choice.)
Ballots must be signed and accompanied by a donation of at least $4 in US currency or $6 in Australian currency. You must return the entire ballot (both sides). Each voter may vote only once.
VOTER ELIGIBILITY: Anyone who has been active in fandom on or before January 1, 2001, may vote. "Active in fandom" means involved in fannish pursuits such as fanzine writing or reading, convention running or attending, amateur film/video production, or club participation. Voting is limited to natural persons.
CANDIDATES: Three Australasian fans and two North American fans serve as nominators for each of the candidates. Each candidacy has provided a $25 bond, a brief written platform, and a description of previous North American travel. They have also promised (barring Acts of God) to travel to ConJose, the 60th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), in San Jose, California, August 29 - September 2, 2002, and to serve as administrator of the fund until a new Australasian delegate is elected.
DEADLINE: Ballots much be received by midnight June 17, 2002! Send this entire ballot with US$4 or A$6 (or more) donation to an administrator, or you may take it to Slow Glass Books, 305 Swanston St., Melbourne, Victoria. Many thanks to Justin Ackroyd for graciously agreeing to let his store to serve as an additional ballot collection point!
VERIFICATION: The voters must be natural persons who have been active in fandom on or before January 1, 2001. If you think you may be unknown to the administrators, please give the name of a fan or fan group (other than a candidate or nominator) who can vouch that you meet these criteria.
Reference:
Reference address:
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY. LIST IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE (1, 2, 3, ETC.):
(__) David Cake & Sarah (Locksley) Xu
(__) Julian Warner
(__) Write-in
(__) Hold Over Funds
(__) No Preference
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Donation _____ (Your generosity is appreciated.)
We are both active con-running fans from Western Australia, we've both been nominated for fan writer awards, and Sarah for fan artist, editing and (video) production awards too. David's been involved in fandom for 14 years, and Sarah for 6. Dave was Fan Guest of Honour at Swancon in 1997.
We have been involved in many conventions, including being committee members of the 2001 Australian Natcon (Dave as co-convenor), and will be involved in several more (3 currently!). You'll typically find us in the midst of the programming and party organization at any convention we attend. We are both on the team currently reviving the award winning Western Australian semi-pro 'zine Eidolon.
We love Australian fandom, and would love to meet more fans from the US!
Previous North American Travel: "Sarah has never traveled outside of Australia. David has been to North America three times, all on work related travel (technical conferences), but has never managed to make it to a US convention or link up with US fans despite some efforts."
Nominators: Australasia -- Grant Stone, Jeremy Byrne, Sue Ann Barber. North America -- Lucy Schmeidler, Lloyd & Yvonne Penney
There is a Wild Australian Boy,
Julian Warner is his name,
He
edited some fanzines
That he now regards with shame.
He was a rake but
now he's not,
But his charm he still employs,
In intra-State fan
politics,
This Wild Australian Boy.
But he's drawn away to San Jose,
To meet with fans so couth,
With
US fans to chunder
And with US fans to "smooooth"
We'll
scour the latest parties,
Where the Rasffans laugh like drains,
And
scorn to live in Gafia,
Bound down by things Mundane.
So help this Wild Australian Boy,
To reach star-spangled shores,
Vote Warner for DUFF and send that scruff,
From the land where the Drongo
soars.
Previous North American Travel: "I spent three weeks in the U.S. in 1994 on a combined holiday and research trip."
Nominators: Australasia -- Perry Middlemiss, Bruce Gillespie, Mark & Vanessa Loney. North America -- Janice Gelb, Moshe Feder
Australasia:
Cathy Cupitt (Australasian Administrator)
P.O.
Box 915
Nedlands 6909 Western Australia
Australian Phone #: (08)
9471-1268
Internet:
ccupitt.geo@yahoo.com
Justin Ackroyd
Slow Glass Books
305 Swanston Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
North America:
Naomi Fisher & Patrick Molloy (North American
Administrators)
P.O. Box 9135
Huntsville, AL 35812-0135
US
Phone #: (256) 830-4471
Internet: mephan@mindspring.com,
or
duff2001@mindspring.com