The Australian National Science Fiction Convention or Natcon is a science fiction convention that is scheduled each year usually at Easter.
Unlike many national conventions, each convention is run by a different committee unaffiliated with any national fannish body. Bids for running the Natcon are voted on by attendees at the Natcon two years in advance. These votes are organised by the current national convention committee.
The Ditmar Award has been awarded at the convention since 1969 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. At various times in its history the award has included international categories, but this is the exception. Categories include both professional and fan categories, focusing on fiction but also including some artistic and general achievement (as well as, since the demise of the ASFMAs, several "production" awards).
| No | Date | Name | Location | Guests of Honour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1999 | Spawncon II (part of Aussiecon III, the 57th Worldcon) | Melbourne | (none) | |
| April 2000 | Swancon 25 | Perth | Connie Willis and Ian Nichols. | |
| 40 | April 2001 | Swancon 2001, Masquerade | Perth | Robert Silverberg, Karen Haber, Rosaleen Love, Marilyn Pride, Lewis Morley, Kate Orman, and Sue Ackerman |
| 41 | 7-10 June 2002 | Convergence | Melbourne | Joe & Gay Haldeman, Lucy Sussex, Sean Williams, and (fan) Race Mathews |
| 42 | April 2003 | Swancon 2003 | Perth | Lynn Flewelling, Tony Shillitoe, Fiona McIntosh, and (fan) Justin Ackroyd |
| 43 | April 2004 | Conflux | Canberra | Greg Benford, Sean McMullen, and (fan) Karen Herkes |
| 44 | June 2005 | Thylacon III | Hobart | Anne Bishop, Marianne de Pierres, and (fan) Merv Binns |
| 45 | April 2006 | Conjure | Brisbane | Bruce Sterling, Cory Doctorow, Sean Willaims, Kim Wilkins, and (fan) Erica Lacey |
| 46 | 8–11 June 2007 | Convergence 2 | Melbourne | Isobelle Carmody, Fred Gallagher, Dave Freer, and (fan) Cath Ortlieb |
| 47 | 20–24 March 2008 | Swancon 33 | Perth | Ken Macleod, Rob Shearman, Glenda Larke, and (fan) Zara Baxter |
| 48 | 5–8 June 2009 | Conjecture | Adelaide | Julie E. Czerneda, and (fans) Steve & Catherine Scholz |
| 49 | 2–6 September 2010 | Dudcon III (part of Aussiecon IV, the 68th Worldcon) | Melbourne | Peter Watts, Helen Merrick, and (fan) Jacob Blake |
| 50 | 21–25 April 2011 | Swancon Thirty Six Natcon Fifty | Perth | Ellen Datlow, Justina Robson, Sean Williams, and (fan) Sarah Xu |