ANZAPA at 50

Down Under they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the amateur press association ANZAPA on October 7 in Melbourne. Here’s a report from Bruce Gillespie —

Thanks to everybody who turned up to the ANZAPA 50th Anniversary celebration at the Mail Exchange Hotel, 2-6 p.m., Sunday 7 October 2018. An exhilarating occasion, with quite a few interstate members and ex-members, including Gary Mason (last met at the 25th Anniversary gathering). Thanks in particular to Carey Handfield for making all the arrangements. Thanks to Breanna Handfield for baking and decorating the much-appreciated cake. No final numbers yet, but at least 30 people turned up.

Sorry that some people could not make it, especially Leanne Frahm and Cath Ortlieb. And it was good to talk by Skype to Spike in California and Christina in Cornwall. Onward to the 60th …

Attending: Bruce Gillespie, Carey Handfield, Jean Weber, Eric Lindsay, Roman Orszanski, Perry Middlemiss, Gary Mason, Bill Wright, David Grigg, Irwin Hirsh, Alan Stewart, Murray MacLachlan, Nataiie MacLachlan, Leigh Edmonds, Jack Herman, Leanne Frahm, KRin Pender Gunn, Marc Ortlieb, Gerald Smith, Terry Morris, Hung, Justin Ackroyd, Mervyn Binns, Helena Binns, Robin Johnson, Sally Yeoland, Michael Green, LynC, James ‘Jocko’ Allen, David Russell, Stephen Campbell.

All part of the celebrations, but a surprise to many (including me, a week ago), was the offer by Carey Handfield and Justin Ackroyd to raise funds for me to get to Wellington in 2020 for the worldcon. Much gratitude from me, although suggestions about motivations were made — a one-way trip? a dunking in the Tasman on the way over? Remember, it’s Carey’s and Justin’s idea. I just have to renew my passport.

Bruce Gillespie says ANZAPA currently has 22 members. Average page count per mailing: 240.

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