ConFederation 88

Subtitled 'The Con at the Edge of the World', this was held in Christchurch, Aotearoa NZ in 1988. Guest stars were Michael Keating (Vila), Paul Darrow (Avon) and Janet Lees Price (Klyn).

It was well before my time, but I met two people in a local SF club who were there and had a wonderful time. They lent me a con report and photos to scan.

Michael Keating's talk is on Youtube. The questions aren't very audible, but his answers are clear.

Note: The following text is from the two fans who attended.

Paul and Janet with dogs

Paul and Janet visited Dogwatch, whose volunteers rescue condemned dogs from the pound and foster them till they find good homes.

There were four dogs there that day, and Paul and Janet were photographed with Mitch and Abby, who found good homes after the picture appeared in the paper.

The other two, Irish Setter-cross puppies, were named Jenna and Cally, and I'm sure they too found a home.

Cuddly wombats and scratchy koalas

Paul, Janet, and Michael visited Australia on their way here. 'Avon and Vila' were recognised at the Melbourne Zoo by two very excited Aboriginal girls on holiday from Alice Springs, with much giggling and photo-taking.

Janet, who had fallen for wombats, was given plush one which she immediately named Michael because, to quote her, "Well, they are rather small, plump, and cuddly".

Michael displayed his 'koala bear scar' to impressed con-goers. How very... Vilaesque to be scratched by a cuddly bear, though to be fair, koalas are nervous little guys and get very stressed too much interaction.