Author: Lauren Davis

Data Extract back issues now available through the DWCA Shop

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The DWCA is pleased to announce that select editions of our club fanzine, Data Extract, are now available through our Online Shop.

      

Published continuously since 1980, Data Extract (DE) has grown from a two-page newsletter into a fully fledged fanzine, with articles, interviews, art and more besides. Earlier this year, the first 100 issues of the publication were collected together in one hardcover volume from the first time – from the heady days of the past from Tom Baker’s departure to the end of the classic era and into the Wilderness Years.

Now, single issues of DE from 2014 to 2016 are also available for purchase, giving both newer members and curious bystanders the chance to relive some of the recent history of the Whoniverse – from the aftermath of the 50th anniversary to the casting of Pearl Mackie as Bill Potts. Featuring celebrity interviews, event recounts, reviews and fan fiction – including the first stories in an ongoing series featuring original companion Eleanor Chaplette – each issue is chock full of high-quality content written by fans, for fans.

      

Limited issues of Data Extract #223 to #231 are available here while stocks last. The latest issue, #236, was released in late September and is currently available exclusively to members. To sign up as a member, visit http://dwca.org.au/membership/

DWCA Book Club December – The Shining Man

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With Stephen King’s IT currently taking the box office by storm, the DWCA Book Club is getting into the spirit of the spooky season with our next novel: Twelfth Doctor adventure The Shining Man.

The Shining Men are everywhere. You spot them out of the corner of your eye. Abnormally tall, with long lank hair, blank faces and blazing eyes. If they catch you, they’ll drag you away to who knows where. No one is safe. They’re on every street corner. Waiting. Watching. Shining bright.

Of course it’s a hoax. It has to be, right? It started as a joke, a prank for Halloween. Then it went viral. Idiots dressing up as monsters. Giving folk a scare. Silly masks and fright wigs. No one gets hurt. Because bogeymen aren’t real.

Until people start going missing and lights burn in the darkness. Burning like eyes.

But help is on its way, in the form of a strange man called the Doctor and his friend, Bill. The Doctor will keep us safe. The Doctor will stop the monsters. Unless the monsters stop the Doctor first…

If you’d like to share your thoughts on the book, you are invited to come along to our Book Club meeting on Friday 1 December, where discussion will be recorded for the official DWCA Book Club podcast. You can also comment on our Facebook page if you can’t make the event.

SEND US YOUR REVIEWS AND WIN A PRIZE!

Do you consider yourself something of an amateur critic? Send us a written review of the current Book Club text, and your words just may end up published in our club fanzine, Data Extract. What’s more, you will go into the running to win a $5 voucher to spend at the DWCA Shop!

This offer is valid for all Book Club titles from Blake’s 7: Mediasphere onwards, until stated otherwise. Reviews should be sent to Dom Kelly at fsq@doctorwhoaustralia.org.

2017 DWCA office bearers revealed

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The DWCA is pleased to announce the election results from its recent Annual General Meeting, held on Sunday 13 August at Club Burwood, Sydney.

Only one person had nominated for each position, so the following were all elected unopposed:

  • President – Lauren Davis
  • Vice President – Jon Andersen
  • Secretary – Roger Reynolds
  • Treasurer – Brad Harrison

Each of these people also held the same position the previous year.

The DWCA would also like to announce a change to the non-office bearing position of Local Groups Manager, which has until now been held by Tai Wong. Tai recently indicated that he would be resigning from the committee, ending several years of service which have seen him previously act as the editor of Goods Gallery of Gallifrey for Data Extract magazine, as well as a general assistant to the team. We wish him well on his next endeavour.

Tai’s position on the team will be filled by Shania Everson, as appointed by the members of the committee. Like Tai before her, she will be the club’s contact for all things to do with local groups, offering advice on everything from event ideas to how to set up your own group from scratch. She can be contacted at local@doctorwhoaustralia.org.

LOOK WHO’S TALKING 2017: One weekend, two exciting DWCA events!

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The DWCA is excited to announce the return of Look Who’s Talking, a two-part event giving Doctor Who fans the chance to meet celebrity guests in a fun, friendly and informal setting.

DWCA Book Club Presents: Jon and Kate Plus Blake

The weekend will kick off on the evening of Friday 6 October with a very special edition of the DWCA Book Club, as we will be joined by husband-and-wife writing team Jonathan Blum and Kate Orman.

 

Jon and Kate have been authoring fiction for the Whoniverse since the Wilderness Years, having written together and separately for the Virgin New Adventures, the Eighth Doctor Adventures, the Bernice Summerfield books, the Big Finish monthly audio adventures and more. More recently they expanded their horizons into cult sci-fi show Blake’s 7, devised by Dalek creator Terry Nation and long considered Doctor Who’s unofficial cousin.

Event attendees will have the chance to hear Jon and Kate talk in-depth about their work on the Blake’s 7 novel Mediasphere – the current set text for the club – as well as some of their other projects. Limited copies of Mediasphere and other Orman/Blum titles will be available for purchase from the DWCA Shop on the night.

Book Club tickets are completely free; however, online booking is essential as space is strictly limited. Attendees are also asked to purchase food or drink from the venue on the night.

When: Friday 6 October, 6:30pm-10pm
Where: Albion Place Hotel, 531 George St, Sydney
Tickets: http://dwca.org.au/ee-events/dwca-book-club-presents-jon-and-kate-plus-blake/

The Whovian World of Adam Richard

The fun will continue on Sunday 8 October, with a DWCA day event featuring comedian and actor Adam Richard.

Adam will be best known to Doctor Who fans as a regular panellist on ABC2’s Whovians, broadcast during Series 10, but this is far from his first foray into the realm of science-fiction. Adam previously co-created and starred in the six-part ABC comedy series Outland, which documented the adventures of a group of gay sci-fi fans, back in 2012. He also popped up in an episode of sci-fi/comedy audio series Night Terrace, created by his partner in crime on Outland, John Richards. We look forward to hearing from Adam about his work and life as one of Australia’s most beloved sci-fi geeks!

Admission for this event includes a small fee to cover the cost of the venue, although children under 13 are free with a paying adult. Each ticket includes a token for a complimentary autograph from Adam, as well as automatic entry into the club’s door prize competition. Book online to secure your ticket now and receive a second door prize entry absolutely free!

When: Sunday 8 October, 10am-5pm
Where: Club Burwood (2nd floor), 97 Burwood Rd, Burwood
Tickets: http://dwca.org.au/ee-events/the-whovian-world-of-adam-richard-dwca-sydney-day-event/

DWCA Book Club October – Blake’s 7: Mediasphere

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The DWCA Book Club is taking a detour away from the Whoniverse for its next meeting, discussing a book set in the world of Doctor Who’s unofficial cousin – cult classic sci-fi series Blake’s 7.

Mediasphere is the eighth in a series of standalone Blake’s 7 novels from Big Finish Productions, written by Australia’s own Jonathan Blum and Kate Orman. The novel focuses on new recruit to the Spaceship Liberator, Dayna, as the crew infiltrate the Mediasphere – a space station which produces propaganda and popular entertainmen for the evil Federation. But who is really controlling the Mediasphere – and scripting a series of deadly encounters for our heroes?

Discussion of the book coincides with the debut of Dayna in the latest Blake’s 7 audio box set from Big Finish, The Spoils of War, with Yasmin Bannerman (Doctor Who: The End of the World) cast in the role in question.

Both Mediasphere and The Spoils of War are available now from the DWCA Online Shop, alongside a whole range of other titles set in the Blake’s 7 universe. Limited copies of Mediasphere will also be available to purchase in person at the club’s upcoming Inner Sydney Tavern, to be held on Friday 1 September. To set aside your copy for collection at the event, contact shop@doctorwhoaustralia.org

Discussion of the book itself will take place at our Book Club meeting on Friday 6 October, as well as on our Facebook page for those who can’t make it.

DWCA Publishing Presents: Data Extract Issues 1 to 100

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The DWCA is excited to announce that the first 100 issues of the club fanzine, Data Extract, have been collected together in one special archival volume for the first time.

In 1980 a publishing legend was born with the release of the first newsletter for the Doctor Who Club of Australia. Editor Dallas Jones named it Data Extract and under his stewardship the publication grew from a two page newsletter into a fully fledged fanzine, with articles, interviews, art and more besides.

Now for the first time since their original releases, the first 100 issues of this Doctor Who fanzine have been reprinted and collected in one hardcover volume. Relive the heady days of the past from Tom Baker’s departure to the end of the classic era and into the Wilderness Years. It’s all here, presented exactly as it was.

This collection features interviews with Jon Pertwee, Sylvester McCoy, John Freeman and Jeremy Bentham. Experience Doctor Who history through the eyes of Australian fandom with the first 100 issues of Data Extract, Down Under’s premiere fanzine and the flagship publication of the DWCA.

The Doctor Who Fanzine Collection: Data Extract Issues 1 to 100 is available through Lulu. For your copy, click here.

NOTICE OF 2017 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE DWCA

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DATE: Sunday 13 August 2017

TIME: 4pm

VENUE: 2nd Floor Club Burwood, 97 Burwood Road, Burwood NSW

AGENDA: President’s Report; Treasurer’s Report; and Election of Office Bearers.

Any candidate standing for election as an Office Bearer (President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer) must be a current DWCA member who has held membership for a minimum period of five years, including at least one year immediately prior to the election. Additionally, they should be able to commit to duties including but not limited to:

  • Attendance at monthly committee meetings in the Sydney metro area;
  • Attendance and assistance at bimonthly day events in the Sydney metro area, plus Trivia Night and other special events;
  • Attendance and assistance at third-party events, including set-up of the Club Shop;
  • Regular contribution to email discussions;
  • Assistance with quarterly mailout of Data Extract magazine.

To nominate for an Office Bearer position, download a form below and fill in the following information:

  • the name of the nominee;
  • the address of the nominee;
  • the Club member number of the nominee;
  • a statement that the member wishes to nominate for a specific Office Bearer position (a person can only nominate for one position in any election);
  • the signature of the nominee;
  • the date of the nomination; and
  • the signature and the Club member numbers of two members endorsing the nomination.

The form must be submitted to the following address by 13 July:

The Returning Officer DWCA
PO Box 870
Epping
NSW 1710

Eligible nominees will be notified by the Returning Officer once nominations are closed and invited to submit a statement to be provided to members in support of their nomination.

Nomination Form
Election of Office Bearers – Rules & Procedures (attached to the DWCA constitution as a special resolution)

New companion Bill Potts is openly gay, and it “shouldn’t be a big deal”

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The BBC has announced that the new companion to the Twelfth Doctor, Bill Potts, will be an openly gay woman.

The news will apparently be revealed in Bill’s second line of dialogue in the opening episode, The Pilot, to be shown on ABC on 16 April and in selected cinemas.

Speaking about the revelation, Mackie said her character’s sexuality “shouldn’t be a big deal”.

“[Being gay] is not the main thing that defines her character – it’s something that’s part of her and something that she’s very happy and very comfortable with,” she said.

Mackie did note, however, that representation of different races and sexualities is important, especially on a mainstream show such as Doctor Who.

“I remember watching TV as a young mixed race girl not seeing many people who looked like me, so I think being able to visually recognise yourself on screen is important.

“It’s important to say people are gay, people are black – there are also aliens in the world as well so watch out for them.”

Of course the Doctor has had LGBT friends before – both Captain Jack and River Song had relationships with both men and women, and though Madame Vastra and Jenny were not technically companions, their status as a married lesbian couple was seen as a big milestone for the show. Bill will however be the first companion to both identify as gay and travel in the TARDIS on screen, joining off-screen companions such as Izzy Sinclair from the comics and Oliver Harper from the Big Finish audio dramas.

Rove McManus presents Whovians

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The ABC has announced a brand new panel show to accompany Doctor Who on Sunday nights – and Australian fans are invited to join in the fun!

To be broadcast following each episode of Series 10, Whovians will see Doctor Who enthusiast Rove McManus and his team of superfans dissect the world of our favourite Time Lord. As well as unpacking the most recent episode, the team will also go back in time to analyse, critique and unravel the mysteries of the series.

Rove will be joined by other self-confessed Doctor Who superfans Tegan Higginbotham, Adam Richard and Steven ‘Bajo’ O’Donnell, as well as a roster of celebrity guests.

“I’ve been a fan of Doctor Who for as long as I can remember, so you can imagine how pleased I am to be hosting a show about it,” said McManus. “Whether it be the classic era that dates back over fifty years, or the modern series that has created its own decade-long legacy, it’ll be nice to have the opportunity to talk about my favourite TV show with like-minded individuals and be paid to completely geek out. You might say I’m so excited that I too feel like I have two hearts beating in my chest – and yes, it’s references like that which prove I’m the right guy for the job.”

Whovians will be filmed in front of a live studio audience in Sydney and broadcast as live on Sundays at 8.30pm on ABC2, starting on Sunday 16 April. To be part of the studio audience, email drwho.audience@abc.net.au

Tooz Company: A DWCA Tavern Special Event

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The DWCA is delighted to announce a special guest for our Inner Sydney Tavern night on Friday 3 March – British actor Richard Unwin.

    richard-unwin

Richard is a huge Doctor Who fan and has been lucky enough to lend his voice to four audio dramas with Big Finish Productions – Doctor Who: Three’s Company (as Vidler), Bernice Summerfield: The Kingdom of the Blind (as the Monoids), and Gallifrey: Appropriation and Fractures (as Tooz). He’s coming to Australia with the play ‘The Chemsex Monologues’, which is playing in Adelaide and Sydney during March.

threes_a_crowd_cover   kingdom_of_the_blind_cover
appropriation_cover   fractures_cover

Richard will be taking part in a Q&A session covering his work in the Whoniverse and will also be joining in the group discussion for the evening, including our analysis of the current DWCA Book Club text ‘Engines of War’ – an original novel featuring the War Doctor.

So come along with your friends and enjoy a pleasant evening with good food, great beverages and excellent company!

Date: Friday 3 March

Time: 6:30-10pm

Venue: Level 2, City of Sydney RSL, 565 George Street, Sydney (just a short distance from Town Hall Train Station).

Cost: Entry is free, however tickets must be claimed from the DWCA website prior to the event. This event is open to both DWCA members and non-members.   Click here to claim tickets

Please note: Whilst entry is free, it is requested that food or drink be purchased from the Bistro during the event.