Nullus Anxietas X - The Australian Discworld Convention 2026

[Molokov]

Hi all,

In case you missed this week's big announcement, the dates and venue for next year's Australian Discworld Convention - Nullus Anxietas X - have been announced.

The convention will be April 10-12, 2026 (one year from now!) at the Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel and Conference Centre.

The theme is: A celebration of the Witches.

You can find out more information and buy your memberships at https://ausdwcon.org

 

[Tonyblack]

Thanks, Molokov!

 

[RathDarkblade]

Thank you, Molokov!

Is Nullus Anxietas coming to Melbourne at any point in time? Are there plans for that?

(I'm based in Melbourne, so I could easily make that. Of course, I can easily fly to Sydney too ... but Melbourne is obviously easier, at least for me)

 

[Molokov]

The Australian Discworld Convention was held in Melbourne in 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2019. It is highly likely that it will come back to Melbourne in 2028, but that hasn't been confirmed yet (and requires the Victorian Discworld Klatch volunteering to take on the responsibility). We only hold the convention every two years (because it takes a /lot/ of organising from a team of volunteers), and the host city has to have the bulk of the volunteers. So far, it's only been Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide as that's where the volunteers have been. Sydney missed out hosting physically in 2021/2022 (we ended up going virtual for Nullus Anxietas 7a) so they've taken on the mantle for 2026 after Adelaide's very successful convention last year.

I would, of course, highly recommend you make the trip to Sydney - the hotel is right by the airport, and you can stay there for the whole convention, so there's no major transport issues apart from flying up!

(I'm in Adelaide, so I'll be flying over to Sydney for the convention. Costume-wise, I'll have to pack light)

 

[RathDarkblade]

The Australian Discworld Convention was held in Melbourne in 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2019. It is highly likely that it will come back to Melbourne in 2028, but that hasn't been confirmed yet (and requires the Victorian Discworld Klatch volunteering to take on the responsibility). We only hold the convention every two years (because it takes a /lot/ of organising from a team of volunteers), and the host city has to have the bulk of the volunteers. So far, it's only been Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide as that's where the volunteers have been. Sydney missed out hosting physically in 2021/2022 (we ended up going virtual for Nullus Anxietas 7a) so they've taken on the mantle for 2026 after Adelaide's very successful convention last year.

I would, of course, highly recommend you make the trip to Sydney - the hotel is right by the airport, and you can stay there for the whole convention, so there's no major transport issues apart from flying up!

(I'm in Adelaide, so I'll be flying over to Sydney for the convention. Costume-wise, I'll have to pack light)

Thank you, Molokov.

I've had a look at the Con pages etc., and it all looks like very good fun. My only question: the website says that costumes aren't necessary (I can just turn up in jeans and t-shirts), which is a relief since I have no idea how to sew or crochet or anything like that. Alas.

On the other hand, I have a variety of large winter coats and scarves and gloves and hats (it can be extremely cold in the Melbournian winter), so I thought I could knock together a Lewton costume from those. None of my coats or hats are brown, though.

On the other other hand, the Con is in April (which, for any non-Aussie, is exactly when summer ends and spring begins)... so if I turned up in a winter coat and hat, I would look very strange (and probably pass out from heat exhaustion - Sydney in April tends to average tops of mid-20s degrees C, or somewhere around 65-70s degrees F). Not the weather for wool!!! ;-P

On the other other other hand (hope you're keeping up ), it'll be my first Con and I'd like to try and do something special. So ... what's your advice?

 

[Molokov]

Costumes are entirely optional. Clothing is not (you must wear some!). I usually do one day in costume, plus something nice for the Gala Dinner (costume or formal-ish), and then t-shirt and pants for the rest of the time. Because I'm usually performing (acting on stage, or hosting a panel) those are the times I'll line up with appropriate costumes.

So don't feel you need to dress up, especially because it would be your first convention. And yes, something like a long coat would probably be quite warm! Don't worry too much about the outside temperature as it's rare you'd leave the hotel, but it can still be quite warm inside depending on how good the hotel's air conditioning is.

A compromise would be something simple that could be worn with casual clothes but is still uniquely Discworld - e.g. a hat with a duck on it, or given that this convention is Witches themed, pick a character from Lancre or the Chalk that you might resemble and use that as influence. Or from wherever in the Discworld, it won't actually matter I might be packing my Vetinari costume this time around, I haven't decided yet.

Or just wear your favourite geeky t-shirts (Discworld or other), nobody will mind

The website also contains the Newcomer's ABC ( https://ausdwcon.org/newbies/ ) and the FAQ ( https://ausdwcon.org/faq/ ) but feel free to keep asking questions.

 

[RathDarkblade]

Sigh. I don't have any costumes, or any uniquely Discworldy-themed clothes, or even a geeky t-shirt. (The only remotely geeky t-shirts I might have somewhere are:

1. a t-shirt I got when performing Gilbert and Sullivan's "Patience";
2. a t-shirt I got as a "reward" for performing a Beethoven piece for 3MBS.

I have a slightly geeky "Einstein" tie, and quite possibly an extremely geeky Homer Simpson tie (though I haven't worn either in ages). Otherwise, my wardrobe is almost entirely sensible -- sorry! ;-P

I've done a few things with the Society For Creative Anachronisms (though I haven't seen them in yonks). They just might let me "borrow" a chainmail corselet, though I wouldn't bet on it.

On the other hand, I can definitely knock together a formal costume for the gala event. I have several suits and ties and even a vest, so I could do a super-formal three-piece suit, no trouble. (I doubt a three-piece suit is necessary, though? It sounds like a suit and tie, or even a suit-with-no-tie, will be more than sufficient -- am I right?)

Come to think of it -- hold on! *insert light bulb here* If I combine a nice pair of slacks with a good shirt, a semi-formal jacket and a flat cap, I could probably pass off as one of the messenger boys at The Chronicle (where Charlie works, which is mentioned in Dodger - one of my favourite non-Discworld books). How does that sound? 'Allo, guvner! What's your business 'round 'ere, den?

(Too bad I don't have a top hat (squashed or otherwise), or I could pass for Dodger himself. I'm a bit too old for either role, though).