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 Rules of Association (PDF) can be downloaded here.
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 Rules of Association (PDF) can be downloaded here.
2017-18 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 2017-18.
Below are listed the current committee for 2017-18.
President
Melanie (Mel) Nemer - President / Communications
Hi, my name is Mel and I've been a part of the Austrek club since 2001 and part of the committee since 2004. This is my fourth year as President and am happy to continue being a part of such an amazing club, with a great committee and fantastic members!
I love sci-fi generally, but Star Trek is my main passion. What interests me the most is one of Starfleet’s main goals is to explore different places and meet different people. This has been a huge influence in motivating me to travel around our own 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, dressing 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 since 2001 and part of the committee since 2004. This is my fourth year as President and am happy to continue being a part of such an amazing club, with a great committee and fantastic members!
I love sci-fi generally, but Star Trek is my main passion. What interests me the most is one of Starfleet’s main goals is to explore different places and meet different people. This has been a huge influence in motivating me to travel around our own 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, dressing up! I love being creative and making costumes, which has always been great fun and a fantastic ice-breaker... I've even been green!
Vice President
Colin Parkinson - Vice President / Rumours & Gossip / Memberships
Name: Colin Parkinson.
AKA: Col, Big Col.
Rank: General Committee (Red Shirt)
Profile: Born into a modest family on the planet Earth, my interest in Star Trek was piqued through my Mother. The Mission Logs of the Star Ship Enterprise became compulsive studying every Sunday evening between 5-6pm. From then I devoted my spare time into the research of The Missions of the Enterprise B, Voyager and DS-9.
Joining Austrek in 2007 has introduced me to many fellow fans and developed good friendships along the way. My finest Trek experience had to be a trip to Paramount Studios itself back in 2013 and to get first-hand, behind the scenes of Star Trek. Hopefully as a committee member I can add value to this great club.
Name: Colin Parkinson.
AKA: Col, Big Col.
Rank: General Committee (Red Shirt)
Profile: Born into a modest family on the planet Earth, my interest in Star Trek was piqued through my Mother. The Mission Logs of the Star Ship Enterprise became compulsive studying every Sunday evening between 5-6pm. From then I devoted my spare time into the research of The Missions of the Enterprise B, Voyager and DS-9.
Joining Austrek in 2007 has introduced me to many fellow fans and developed good friendships along the way. My finest Trek experience had to be a trip to Paramount Studios itself back in 2013 and to get first-hand, behind the scenes of Star Trek. Hopefully as a committee member I can add value to this great club.
General Secretary
Aurelia Cimino - General Secretary
Treasurer
Clare McDonald - Treasurer
I've been a Trekkie since I started reading the books in high school, and a member of Austrek for quite a while. I love reading all science fiction, but can always find time to watch Star Trek.
I'm a serial Committee member and have been on the Committee of Austrek on about 4 separate occasions. I keep trying to leave, but I always come back - like Melbourne, it just feels like home.
I also love purple.
I've been a Trekkie since I started reading the books in high school, and a member of Austrek for quite a while. I love reading all science fiction, but can always find time to watch Star Trek.
I'm a serial Committee member and have been on the Committee of Austrek on about 4 separate occasions. I keep trying to leave, but I always come back - like Melbourne, it just feels like home.
I also love purple.
General Committee
Emma Pippos - General Committee / Librarian
I've been a member of Austrek now for about 10 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 10 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
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!
He is NOT a Collingwood fan.
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!
He is NOT a Collingwood fan.
General Committee
Bill Simson - General Committee
I initially joined Austrek in the early 1990s, left for a bit, and I've now returned!
I have a HUGE collection of Star Trek memorabilia, and am constantly looking for more... eBay is my friend! My favourite captain would have to be Ben Sisko, and favourite character of all time is Odo.
I enjoy StarGate, Babylon 5, Farscape, Star Wars and pretty much most of the sci-fi stuff. Star Trek, though, is my serious passion.
When I'm not searching eBay for awesome finds, I can be found detailing vehicles of all shapes and sizes. I'm quite detail-oriented when it comes to this! (As I'm sure some of you will know from seeing my own car... hehe!)
I'm looking forward to being a part of the new committee and, personally, I will find it challenging... so bring it on!
Also looking forward to contributing to the club in as many ways as I can.
I initially joined Austrek in the early 1990s, left for a bit, and I've now returned!
I have a HUGE collection of Star Trek memorabilia, and am constantly looking for more... eBay is my friend! My favourite captain would have to be Ben Sisko, and favourite character of all time is Odo.
I enjoy StarGate, Babylon 5, Farscape, Star Wars and pretty much most of the sci-fi stuff. Star Trek, though, is my serious passion.
When I'm not searching eBay for awesome finds, I can be found detailing vehicles of all shapes and sizes. I'm quite detail-oriented when it comes to this! (As I'm sure some of you will know from seeing my own car... hehe!)
I'm looking forward to being a part of the new committee and, personally, I will find it challenging... so bring it on!
Also looking forward to contributing to the club in as many ways as I can.
