About Us
AUSTREK, The Star Trek Fan Club Inc, is a not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne, Australia.
Established in 1976, AUSTREK is a social club for individuals of all ages and from many different walks of life who share a common interest in the television and movie franchise Star Trek. AUSTREK is a great way for Star Trek fans to meet regularly and join in activities such as trivia games, costuming, quizzes, alien make-up techniques, conventions, picnics, phaser-strike tournaments, social BBQs, debates, costumed film premieres and heaps more.
We also have our regular newsletter, The Captain's Log. The Captain's Log contains Star Trek and general science fiction news, book and film reviews, letters, articles, club news and lots more. In your Log you'll also find information on social activities, regular meetings and special events, including upcoming conventions.
In addition, your AUSTREK membership will get you discounts on Star Trek merchandise and services from participating businesses around Melbourne, including discount entry to conventions run by First Contact Conventions.
People often ask, "Why is Star Trek so popular?" At AUSTREK we believe the positive vision of the future each episode envisages is the answer.
Gene Roddenberry's vision of all mankind working together in a great quest for knowledge sets the theme for each show and gives all the peoples of planet Earth a goal to work towards.
Austrek Statement of Purpose and Rules
Our new Rules of Association (PDF) can be downloaded here.
These rules were approved by a majority vote at the Special General Meeting on 11 May 2013, and were then approved by Consumer Affairs, coming into effect on 14 August 2013.
Established in 1976, AUSTREK is a social club for individuals of all ages and from many different walks of life who share a common interest in the television and movie franchise Star Trek. AUSTREK is a great way for Star Trek fans to meet regularly and join in activities such as trivia games, costuming, quizzes, alien make-up techniques, conventions, picnics, phaser-strike tournaments, social BBQs, debates, costumed film premieres and heaps more.
We also have our regular newsletter, The Captain's Log. The Captain's Log contains Star Trek and general science fiction news, book and film reviews, letters, articles, club news and lots more. In your Log you'll also find information on social activities, regular meetings and special events, including upcoming conventions.
In addition, your AUSTREK membership will get you discounts on Star Trek merchandise and services from participating businesses around Melbourne, including discount entry to conventions run by First Contact Conventions.
People often ask, "Why is Star Trek so popular?" At AUSTREK we believe the positive vision of the future each episode envisages is the answer.
Gene Roddenberry's vision of all mankind working together in a great quest for knowledge sets the theme for each show and gives all the peoples of planet Earth a goal to work towards.
Austrek Statement of Purpose and Rules
Our new Rules of Association (PDF) can be downloaded here.
These rules were approved by a majority vote at the Special General Meeting on 11 May 2013, and were then approved by Consumer Affairs, coming into effect on 14 August 2013.
2013-14 Austrek Committee Members
AUSTREK's Committee consists of a President, a Vice President, a General Secretary, a Treasurer, and up to five general committee members. The committee is voted in annually at our Annual General Meeting (usually in February or March of each year).
Below are listed the current committee for 2013-14.
Below are listed the current committee for 2013-14.
President
Peter 'MPS' Sims - President / Media Liaison
(Pictured here with fan-favourite Jeri Ryan)
I have been a member of many science fiction fan clubs in Melbourne (Austrek, Starwalking and the MSFC) for the last 10 years. I have worked in various capacities as a presenter, on committees and appeared in costume in person and on TV. My main love of science fiction began with Star Wars and Batman. My other interests in sci-fi are reading technical journals, looking at how things work and the understanding of sci-fi concepts that have become realities in the 21 century.
As a film-maker I have worked on many sci-fi related projects, both in front of and behind the camera. I have a degree in Applied Sciences.
(Pictured here with fan-favourite Jeri Ryan)
I have been a member of many science fiction fan clubs in Melbourne (Austrek, Starwalking and the MSFC) for the last 10 years. I have worked in various capacities as a presenter, on committees and appeared in costume in person and on TV. My main love of science fiction began with Star Wars and Batman. My other interests in sci-fi are reading technical journals, looking at how things work and the understanding of sci-fi concepts that have become realities in the 21 century.
As a film-maker I have worked on many sci-fi related projects, both in front of and behind the camera. I have a degree in Applied Sciences.
Vice President
Melanie (Mel) Nemer - Vice President / Communications / Catering
Hi, my name is Mel and I've been a part of the Austrek club for about eight years now, though this year is my third year on the committee, long overdue.
I love sci-fi generally, but love Star Trek the most, and love that their main goal is to explore different places and meet different people. This has been a huge influence on motivating me to travel around our planet, which I've done plenty of. The club itself is a fantastic place to meet new people with the same interest, make new friends and of course, dress up. I love being creative and making costumes which has always been great fun and a fantastic ice-breaker... I've even been green!
Hi, my name is Mel and I've been a part of the Austrek club for about eight years now, though this year is my third year on the committee, long overdue.
I love sci-fi generally, but love Star Trek the most, and love that their main goal is to explore different places and meet different people. This has been a huge influence on motivating me to travel around our planet, which I've done plenty of. The club itself is a fantastic place to meet new people with the same interest, make new friends and of course, dress up. I love being creative and making costumes which has always been great fun and a fantastic ice-breaker... I've even been green!
General Secretary
Jodie Sauvage - General Secretary / Memberships
I've only been a member of Austrek since 2009 but have been a fan of Star Trek as long as I can remember, mainly thanks to my Mum. I go to as many conventions each year as I can afford, and a few I can't. I love being a part of the fandom community and have made many good friends and hope to make many more in the future.
I've only been a member of Austrek since 2009 but have been a fan of Star Trek as long as I can remember, mainly thanks to my Mum. I go to as many conventions each year as I can afford, and a few I can't. I love being a part of the fandom community and have made many good friends and hope to make many more in the future.
Treasurer
Emma Pippos - Treasurer / Librarian
I've been a member of Austrek now for about eight years. I am a High School English and History teacher, and I generally teach years 8, 9, 10 and VCE classes. I have two children, a boy and a girl and my son was married recently.
My hobbies are reading, going to the opera, gardening, sewing, embroidery, the theatre, dancing, Austrek and many more. I have been a fan of Star Trek since I watched it in the 1960s and have loved every reincarnation of it, though the original is my favourite and Captain Kirk is my hero.
I've been a member of Austrek now for about eight years. I am a High School English and History teacher, and I generally teach years 8, 9, 10 and VCE classes. I have two children, a boy and a girl and my son was married recently.
My hobbies are reading, going to the opera, gardening, sewing, embroidery, the theatre, dancing, Austrek and many more. I have been a fan of Star Trek since I watched it in the 1960s and have loved every reincarnation of it, though the original is my favourite and Captain Kirk is my hero.
General Committee
Veronica Gribble - General Committee
I have been a closet Trekkie since I was a teenager, and I grew up on (or around) ST:TOS, before graduating to ST:TNG. Thus, I am torn between Capt. James T. Kirk and Capt. Jean Luc Picard as my favourite! Science fiction has been my great love since the early days of ST: TOS. Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke opened up a world of 'what ifs', and my desire "to go where no-one had gone before" continues to the present day and beyond.
I came out as a Trekkie when I joined Austrek three years ago (when it became cool to like Star Trek) and then joined the Committee a year later. My deepest desire/ambition is to go to Antarctica and start up the southern-most Star Trek club in the world. Do penguins dream of going where no penguin has gone before?
Rebecca Pinskier - General Committee / Catering
Lynne Barnes - General Committee / Catering
I've always been a fan of Star Trek since as far back as I can remember and am especially fond of TOS. Even though I enjoyed watching the
show the opportunity to become a part of the fan community didn't present itself until 2011 when I joined Austrek. Now that I'm here, my greatest joy is meeting new and like-minded fans at club meetings and chatting to them about their interests. Another benefit of being part of Austrek is that it has helped me discover my inner fan; I'm now happy to buy the odd sci-fi collectable from time and time and recently wore my first ever Trek costume.
Outside of my Austrek life, I work in the catering industry and enjoy reading crime novels, collecting teddy bears, line dancing and supporting the Hawthorn football club.
Michael Laizans - General Committee / Artist-in-residence
Michael Laizans, or 'The Vile' as he is better known in the local sci-fi communities, has been a Star Trek fan since 1984, after seeing ST: TMP he soon was wowed by the classic episodes 'Tomorrow is Yesterday' and 'City on the Edge of Forever' (leading him to believe they were going to time travel a lot!).
Also a big fan of many other sci-fi franchises (e.g. Star Wars, Creature from the Black Lagoon), it all became part of the inspiration towards a career as a Scenic Artist. The Vile paints backdrops and sets for live theatre and exhibitions. His current favourite artwork being the Menacing Mouth of Jaws, which rises up from his bathtub!
Clare McDonald-Sims - Webmistress
I have been a trekkie since high school and a member of Austrek for over ten years. I previously served on the Austrek committee as General Committee for a while, General Secretary for a few years, President for one year, and now I'm back on General Committee. In between I took some time off to work on Aussiecon 4 (the 2010 World Science Fiction Convention, which was held in Melbourne) and to get married. I am now back for more.
My love of Star Trek was born through the books that a friend lent me in high school. Much later I discovered fandom and I immediately became hooked, and have never looked back.
My favourite colour is purple (and this picture looks almost, but not quite, entirely unlike me).
I have been a closet Trekkie since I was a teenager, and I grew up on (or around) ST:TOS, before graduating to ST:TNG. Thus, I am torn between Capt. James T. Kirk and Capt. Jean Luc Picard as my favourite! Science fiction has been my great love since the early days of ST: TOS. Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke opened up a world of 'what ifs', and my desire "to go where no-one had gone before" continues to the present day and beyond.
I came out as a Trekkie when I joined Austrek three years ago (when it became cool to like Star Trek) and then joined the Committee a year later. My deepest desire/ambition is to go to Antarctica and start up the southern-most Star Trek club in the world. Do penguins dream of going where no penguin has gone before?
Rebecca Pinskier - General Committee / Catering
Lynne Barnes - General Committee / Catering
I've always been a fan of Star Trek since as far back as I can remember and am especially fond of TOS. Even though I enjoyed watching the
show the opportunity to become a part of the fan community didn't present itself until 2011 when I joined Austrek. Now that I'm here, my greatest joy is meeting new and like-minded fans at club meetings and chatting to them about their interests. Another benefit of being part of Austrek is that it has helped me discover my inner fan; I'm now happy to buy the odd sci-fi collectable from time and time and recently wore my first ever Trek costume.
Outside of my Austrek life, I work in the catering industry and enjoy reading crime novels, collecting teddy bears, line dancing and supporting the Hawthorn football club.
Michael Laizans - General Committee / Artist-in-residence
Michael Laizans, or 'The Vile' as he is better known in the local sci-fi communities, has been a Star Trek fan since 1984, after seeing ST: TMP he soon was wowed by the classic episodes 'Tomorrow is Yesterday' and 'City on the Edge of Forever' (leading him to believe they were going to time travel a lot!).
Also a big fan of many other sci-fi franchises (e.g. Star Wars, Creature from the Black Lagoon), it all became part of the inspiration towards a career as a Scenic Artist. The Vile paints backdrops and sets for live theatre and exhibitions. His current favourite artwork being the Menacing Mouth of Jaws, which rises up from his bathtub!
Clare McDonald-Sims - Webmistress
I have been a trekkie since high school and a member of Austrek for over ten years. I previously served on the Austrek committee as General Committee for a while, General Secretary for a few years, President for one year, and now I'm back on General Committee. In between I took some time off to work on Aussiecon 4 (the 2010 World Science Fiction Convention, which was held in Melbourne) and to get married. I am now back for more.
My love of Star Trek was born through the books that a friend lent me in high school. Much later I discovered fandom and I immediately became hooked, and have never looked back.
My favourite colour is purple (and this picture looks almost, but not quite, entirely unlike me).
