Programme of Activities
There are many lectures and other activities to keep you busy during the Convivium. Below we have listed some details on what will be available.
Please note that many activities still require volunteers to run them or help run them. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the volunteer registration form.
The schedule is subject to change right up until the last minute (and sometimes after). This list will be kept updated to reflect the current reality, which is always fluctuating, the b*****d.
Click here to see the timetable of activities
| Ballooning Workshop | ||
| Matt Falloon shows you the secret workings of a balloon wrangler. You too can join in and learn how to manipulate your own piece of inflated rubber. | ||
| The Clickies | TV/Movie screenings | Saturday night |
| Watch some Discworld-related movies on the big(ish) screen. This will run concurrent to Gaudy Night. | ||
| Commencement | Opening Ceremony | Saturday 10am |
| The faculty of the Unseen University welcome you to the Convivium in style! | ||
| Convivium Continuinuum | Group discussion | |
| What’s next, after Nullus Anxietas IV? What would you like to see for these interim events, whether in SA or other states? Come along if you want to contribute to the future of Australian Discworld fandom all over the country. | ||
| Department of Post-Mortem Communications | After Party | Sunday 8pm |
| The official unofficial Convivium after party. Nothing is really organised, we just all agree on a place to meet up for drinks. An excuse for all you drunkards to get further inebriated on a Sunday night, and we’re allowed to say such things because of the Skull Ring! | ||
| Desert Island Books | Discussion Panel | |
| What (non-Pratchett) Fantasy/Sci Fi books would you take if you were stranded on a Desert Island (without any potatoes)? Our panel will discuss their favourites, and you can suggest yours too. Perhaps there will be some new authors for you to try? | ||
| Entrance Examination | Quiz | Friday 7pm |
| Experience the life a new University student! Join together with a team of friends and strangers and test your knowledge of Discworld and Roundworld. This is a great way to start the Convivium and to meet new people (and then use them for their large brains). | ||
| Games | Saturday, Sunday | |
| All your favourites – Thud, Ankh-Morpork, Guards! Guards!, Werewolf, and even other fun ones! Most of the time, the games will be available for you to play at any time, but we will also schedule some “learn to play” sessions. Some games may require guidance by an experienced hand (e.g. Werewolf, Guards! Guards!), but if you happen to be one of those hands, lead the game at any time! Volunteers needed for “learn to play” & scheduled sessions. |
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| Gaudy Night | Gala Dinner | Saturday 7pm |
| It is often said that Wizards don’t have balls. This is one of those traditional Unseen University big dinners, that is not a ball. However, with copious amounts of food, drink, and more food, plus some entertainment, you’re sure to have one! (a ball, that is.) There is an extra cost for Gaudy Night, and places are limited. Click here for more information. |
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| The Great Debate | ||
| Wizards enjoy an argument as much as anyone else. More than most, in fact. Hear a controversial issue discussed and debated, and then vote on who comes second (after Granny Weatherwax) Volunteers needed |
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| Maskerade | Costume parade and contest | Saturday 7.30pm (during Gaudy Night) |
| A chance to parade your fancy costumes! Prizes awarded in the Undergraduate and Post Graduate categories. Click here for more information. |
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| Magic Workshop | ||
| Ever wanted to learn the basics of Round World magic (which is akin to conjuring, and is far less likely to break down the barriers of reality)? Let our local magician show you how! | ||
| Martin Pearson | Folk Singer | Sunday afternoon |
| Who likes folk songs? After all, they’re all about sex or beer, aren’t they? Master of this fine art Martin Pearson provides us with an hour of entertainment. We probably won’t have to push too hard to get him to play the Hedgehog song. | ||
| Matt Falloon and his Trained Balloons | Balloon Creations | Saturday afternoon |
| Join master Conjuror Matt as he turns ordinary pieces of inflated rubber into amazing Discworld creatures before your very eyes! | ||
| Performing Discworld | Discussion Panel | |
| Our three visiting lecturers – Daniel, Pamela and Martin – are all involved in some way of bringing Discworld to life – on film, on stage, and through music. Join us for a discussion on how Sir Terry’s words can be adapted for different media, and get to know our guests a little better. | ||
| The Philosophy of Discworld | Interactive Lecture | |
| A perennial favourite. Allow some of the Disc’s best philosophers pose to you some questions that make you think. Mostly what we think is “how long until lunch?” Volunteers needed. |
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| Pratchett Pieces | Play | Saturday afternoon |
| Unseen Theatre Company presents a collection of plays based on Terry Pratchett’s short stories. | ||
| Snowgum Films After Dark | Film screening | Friday night |
| View a selection of Snowgum Films’ fantastic short films. We plan to show: Run, Rincewind, Run! Undead Ted Goldilocked The Morning After Blood On The Game Dice (featuring Liam McIntyre of Spartacus: Vengeance) This session is recommended for ages 15 and over. Films contain moderate level gore, violence and coarse language. |
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| Terry’s Shorts | ||
| Once upon a time there was an author named Terry Pratchett who wrote amazing stories. People loved them so much they liked to read them out loud to other fans. Volunteers needed. |
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| Troll Bridge – Behind the Scenes | Q&A and film footage | Sunday afternoon |
| Visiting Lecturer Daniel Knight shows us some trailers and behind the scenes footage of the production of “Troll Bridge”, based on the short story by Terry Pratchett. You’ll find out more about the film in this session than anywhere else! | ||
| Transmogrification | Face/Body painting | Saturday afternoon/evening |
| Get yourself turned into a frog. Or a werewolf, troll, zombie, vampire, Feegle, or any other creature! Face & body painting available by appointment only at reasonable prices. In addition, a demonstration of a full-body painting will be done during Gaudy Night. Click here for more information. |
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| Try Wizarding | Children’s Activities | Saturday, Sunday |
| Activities for the children! (Warning: average age of children is 25). Making shambles, build your own Tower of Art, Wizard’s Chocolate Challenge, Feet of Clay, Librarian’s Banana Challenge,and more! | ||
| Virtual Guest – Terry Pratchett | Video call | Friday night |
| Through the magic of the omniscope we will speak with the creator himself! This activity is dependent on Terry’s availability. |
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| Virtual Guests – Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen | Video Call | Saturday evening |
| Through the magic of the Omniscope we chat with real-life University academics, Professor Ian Stewart and Doctor Jack Cohen, co-authors of The Science Of Discworld series. For those with an enquiring scientific mind, come along and ask these experts your questions! | ||
| Virtual Guest – Bernard Pearson | Video call | Friday night |
| Through the magic of the omniscope we will have the opportunity to speak with Bernard Pearson, the Cunning Artificer, creator of Discworld sculptures, artwork, stamps, and currency, and the man behind the Discworld Emporium in Wincanton, Somerset. | ||
| Winery and Gourmet Tours | Monday all day | |
| There’s nothing that Wizards like more than dining and whining. Explore the fabulous region of McLaren Vale for the greatest of vintages and the most succulent morsels of epicurean delights. Or just stuff your face and get sozzled. There is an extra cost for the Winery and Gourmet Tours, and places are limited. The Winery tour is suggested for ages 18 and over. Parents with children under 18 are encouraged to select the Gourmet tour. Click here for more information. |
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| The Wizard’s Excuse Me | Closing ceremony | Sunday 4pm |
| We say farewell and thank you to those who have enjoyed a weekend of University life. Featuring a promotion for Nullus Anxietas IV, March 2013 in Melbourne! | ||
| Wossnames | Blankety Blanks | |
| The classic Australian game show Blankety Blanks re-imagined Discworld style! Match your wits (or at least the ability to think up double entendres) against an array of Discworld characters for the chance to win… well, absolutely nothing. But it’s good fun anyway. Volunteers needed. |
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