Ditmar Award

Ditmar Award
Awarded forExcellence in science fiction, fantasy, and horror
CountryAustralia
Presented byAustralian National Science Fiction Convention
First awarded1969
WebsiteOfficial website (archived copy)

The Ditmar Award (formally the Australian SF ("Ditmar") Award; formerly the "Australian Science Fiction Achievement Award") has been awarded annually since 1969 at the Australian National Science Fiction Convention (the "Natcon") to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction (including fantasy and horror) and science fiction fandom. The award is similar to the Hugo Award but on a national rather than international scale.

They are named for Martin James Ditmar "Dick" Jenssen, an Australian fan and artist, who financially supported the awards at their inception.[1][2][3][4]

The current rules for the award (which had for many years been specified only in the minimalist "Jack Herman constitution") were developed in 2000 and 2001 as a result of controversy resulting from the withdrawal of the works of several prominent writers from eligibility, and the rules are subject to revision by the "Business Meeting" of the Natcon.

  1. ^ Dietz, Ann F. (ed.). "Australia". Science-Fiction Times. No. 464. p. 5.
  2. ^ Collins, Paul; McMullen, Sean; Paulsen, Steven (1998). "Awards". In Collins, Paul; Paulsen, Steven; McMullen, Sean (eds.). The MUP Encyclopaedia of Australian Science Fiction & Fantasy. Carlton South, Victoria: Melbourne University Press. p. 3. ISBN 0 522 84771 4.
  3. ^ Jenssen, Dick. "My life in SF Fandom". Challenger 23. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  4. ^ McMullen, Sean (2017), "Outpost of Wonder", Dreams of the Technarion, ReAnimus Press