Ditmar Award (Australian SF 'Ditmar' Award; formerly the Australian Science Fiction Achievement Award)

でぃっとまーしょう

Domestic award presented annually since 1969 at Australia's Natcon to recognize achievements in SF, fantasy, horror, and fandom.

Science fictionFantasyHorrorFandom awardsBest NovelBest Novella or NoveletteBest Short StoryBest Collected WorkBest ArtworkBest Fan WriterBest Fan ArtistBest Fan Publication in any MediumBest New TalentWilliam Atheling Jr. Award for Criticism or Review

Established: 1969
Organizer: Australian National Science Fiction Convention (Natcon)
Category: Genre Fiction
Selection Method: Vote
Target: Open
Frequency: 1 per year
Status: Active

Description

The Ditmar Award was established in 1969 and named after Martin James Ditmar "Dick" Jenssen. It recognizes outstanding achievements in science fiction (and fantasy/horror) and fandom within Australia, awarded annually at Natcon (Australian National Science Fiction Convention). Nominations are made by fans or members of that year's Natcon, a subcommittee creates the voting ballot, and winners are determined by votes from that year and previous year's convention members (including on-site voting at the convention if necessary). Finalists receive certificates, winners receive trophies. Rules were refined in 2000–2001.

Prize

Main Prize: Winner receives a trophy; finalists receive certificates; no standard cash prize.

Finalist certificate
Presentation at the National Science Fiction Convention (Natcon)
Recognition within the Australian SF community
Category-specific recognition (e.g., William Atheling Jr. Award)

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Nomination	Nominations by individuals (active in fandom) or full/supporting members of that year's Natcon.	—	Nominations are tallied, and a candidate list (ballot) is created.
Ballot compilation	A subcommittee primarily composed of standing committee members selected at the National SF Convention's business meeting compiles the ballot.	—	The compiled ballot is distributed to members of the current and previous year's conventions.
Final voting & announcement	Voting by members of the current and previous year's conventions (may include at-con voting at the convention venue at the committee's discretion).	—	Winners are announced at Natcon, trophies awarded to winners, certificates to finalists.

Nomination

Judges Nominations by individuals (active in fandom) or full/supporting members of that year's Natcon.

Announcement Nominations are tallied, and a candidate list (ballot) is created.

Ballot compilation

Judges A subcommittee primarily composed of standing committee members selected at the National SF Convention's business meeting compiles the ballot.

Announcement The compiled ballot is distributed to members of the current and previous year's conventions.

Final voting & announcement

Judges Voting by members of the current and previous year's conventions (may include at-con voting at the convention venue at the committee's discretion).

Announcement Winners are announced at Natcon, trophies awarded to winners, certificates to finalists.