DUFF BALLOT 2004
Australasia to North America


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. 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 Guy and Rosy Lillian (in North America) or Julian Warner (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, 2003, 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.

VERIFICATION:The voters must be natural persons who have been active in fandom on or before January 1, 2003. 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.):

(__) Norman Cates

(__) Erika Maria Lacey

(__) Danny Oz (nee Heap)

(__) Hold Over Funds

(__) No Preference

(__) Write-in _____________________________


Name:

Street:

City:

State/Province:

ZIP/Postal Code:

Country:

Phone #:

E-Mail:

Signature:

Donation:

(Your generosity is greatly appreciated!)


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 Noreascon, the 62nd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), in Boston, Massachusetts, September 2 - 6, 2004, and to serve as administrator of the fund until a new Australasian delegate is elected.

Norman Cates

I love the written word and visual media. As a fan it's been my privilege to set up the Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand and the Sir Julius Vogel awards. I've chaired two National Conventions, and worked on many committees and I'm active in various clubs, including amateur theatrics. For the last five years I've worked on the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy - first with prosthetics and now in digital post-production.

Sharing my amazing experiences on LOTR and exchanging ideas on SF and fandom at a WorldCon would be the icing on the cake!

Previous travel outside Australia: Spent a 'little time' in the US with parents when nine years old!

Nominators: NA nominators -- Julie E. Czerneda, Janice Gelb; ANZ nominators -- Sean McMullen, Matthew Pavletich, Kevin Maclean

Erika Maria Lacey

One bag to the USA, slung over a shoulder as I waltz through airport, con, street alike. I've stared forlornly to the East since knowing fandom existed, wanting to meet those corresponded with and read about. I've edited the semi-prozines Harbinger and Winedark Sea, produced numerous apazines, and maintain a fannish online journal. Madly passionate for crafts, bicycling and SF, I make for a rather gung-ho cyclist riding the streets, sewing with one hand and reading with the other. No, not really. Collections in all three increase ... and shall add fans to the mix.

Previous travel outside Australia: No fannish travel outside of Australia.

Nominators: NA nominators -- Arthur D. Hlavaty, Dave Weingart; ANZ nominators -- Bruce Gillespie, Kim Huett, David Cook

Danny Oz (nee Heap)

G'day, I'm an ex-drover (cowboy) and a *very* Australian fan. I've been in fandom for 25 years, been involved with various conventions, edited a Ditmar award-winning fanzine and twice been a guest at Swancon. I'm probably best known for co-hosting the Aussiecon 3 Masquerade, where I did "Effects from the Matrix" live.

Currently I produce column called Fandom Is my Life for the MSFC newsletter and I'm attempting to kickstart a yearly regional con in Melbourne.

If I win I'm hoping I'll manage to do a road-trip of the USA, so I can see the country and meet the people.

Previous travel outside Australia: Went to the Worldcon in Scotland in 1995 and travelled around the UK.

Nominators: NA nominators -- Mike Glyer, Pat and Roger Sims; ANZ nominators -- Marc Ortlieb, Justin Ackroyd, Robin Johnson

DEADLINE: Ballots must be received by midnight May 1, 2004! Send this entire ballot with US$4 or A$6 (or more) donation to an administrator.

Mail to: North American Administrators:
Guy & Rosy Lillian
P.O. Box 53092
New Orleans, LA 70153-3092
USA

or

Mail to: Australasia Administrator:
Julian Warner
13 Frederick Street
Brunswick, Victoria 3056
Australia

Reproduction and distribution of this ballot is encouraged as long as it is done verbatim. Anyone doing so should substitute their name here: OZ Fan Fund web site