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 annual 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 DUFF (in North America) or Perry Middlemiss (in Australasia). Money should always be sent in the administrator's home currency.

VOTING: DUFF uses the preferential system of balloting to guarantee an automatic runoff and a majority win. The voter ranks the candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3). 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.

VOTERS' ELIGIBILITY: Anyone who has been active in fandom on or before January 1, 1996 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 North American Fans and two Australasian fans have stood as nominators for each of the three candidates. Each candidate has provided a $25 bond, a brief written platform and a description of previous Australasian travel; and promised (barring Acts of God) to travel to BasiCon 2 in Melbourne, Australia September 27 & 28, 1997 and to serve as administrator of the fund until a new North American delegate is elected.

DEADLINE: BALLOTS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 1 AND REACH AN ADMINISTRATOR BY APRIL 10, 1997. SEND THIS ENTIRE BALLOT WITH US$4 OR A$6 (OR MORE) DONATION TO AN ADMINISTRATOR.

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY. LIST IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE (1, 2, 3 ETC.):

(__) Andy Hooper

(__) Janice Murray

(__) Joel Zakem

(__) Write-in

(__) Hold Over Funds

(__) No Preference

Name:

Signature:

Donation (Your generosity is appreciated.)

Street:

City:

State/Province:

ZIP/Postal Code:

Country:

Phone #:

E-Mail:

The voters must be natural persons who have been active in fandom since January 1, 1996. 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:

Americans often regard Australia as a parallel reality, similar to the states in the colonial origins of its society, but sufficiently different in geography, culture and sensibility as to be undeniably alien to Yanks. This makes it an appealing destination for American fans as visiting it allows us to experience a world removed from our own without leaving the planet. That there are fans there to meet and have fun with as well makes the prospect irresistible. If chosen as an American DUFF delegate I pledge to share the experience through written reports and regular bulletins to advance the fund. Previous Australasian Travel: I, Andy Hooper, have never been to Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea or any of the pinkish-purple territories on the Risk board.

Nominators: North America -- Robert Lichtman, Jeanne Gomoll, Dan Steffan.
Australasia -- Ian Gunn, Irwin Hirsh.

Australia in 1999? I don't want to wait that long! Not when my ANZAPAmates and others tell me how memorable this NatCon will be. Administrator? No worries. I've been treasurer for two conventions with budgets over US$100K, I am the North American distributor of Dave Langford's fanzine Ansible and I'm currently administering the FAAn Awards. I want to see the nation that has engendered such an astonishing explosion of science fiction and fanzines in the past five years and I would love the opportunity to act as an ambassador of North American fandom. (And then I'd write my trip report!)

Previous Australasian Travel: None.

Nominators: North America -- Jerry Kaufman, Jeanne Mealy, Art Widner.
Australasia -- Eric Lindsay, Cheryl Morgan.

While the 1997 Midwestcon begins my thirtieth year in fandom, I often tend to stick to the background. I was GoH at Corflu 4, but only because my name was drawn from a hat. I am single, a beer aficionado, a rock music fan, a former member of ALPS (a music apa), attend cons in the Midwest and South and I am currently in charge of programming for RiverCon. I have never been to Australia, but did help to host several Australia in '99 parties. I am running for DUFF to see the country, meet Australian fans and drink real Australian beer.

Previous Australasian Travel: None.

Nominators: North America -- Mike Glicksohn, Dick and Nicki Lynch, Dick and Leah Smith.
Australasia -- Stephen Boucher, Jean Weber.

Australasia
Perry Middlemiss, GPO Box 2708X
Melbourne, Victoria 3001, AUSTRALIA
Home Phone: (3) 9818-2343
Internet: Pmiddlem@vcrpmrkt.telecom.com.au

North America
Pat and Roger Sims, 34 Creekwood Square
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-3811, USA
Phone: (513) 771-7587
Internet: 73473.2247@compuserve.com