25th Australian Magic Convention - June 7-10, 1996

Billed as a 'Celebration of Imagination', Tim Ellis headed the convention committee for Melbourne. NHK TV filmed the convention as part of a television magic special for Japan called 'Magical Mystery Tour Downunder'. Wizard's Inn, Tokyo, also gave an award to the 'Best Act of the Convention' which included a free trip to Japan. This was also the first convention in the world to feature 'MagicSports'.

VENUE: World Congress Centre, Melbourne

REGISTRATION COST: $150 maximum - $70 minimum

NUMBER OF REGISTRANTS: 400+

GUESTS: Tom Ogden, Tommy Wonder, Bob Sheets, Ali Bongo

DEALERS: Chatterbox Puppets, Abracadabra Promotions, Wizard’s Inn (Japan), Adrian Kebbe, Blueprint Magic, Magic Moments, Bernards, Nigel Kennedy (NZ), Tom Sharp, Sonny Hew (Malaysia), Gary Sparks (USA), Classic Magic, El Gregoes (NZ), Abracadabra Toys

AWARDS:
Under 18 – Gidon Silveron
Favourite Trick – Evelyn Strugnell
Non-Pro Stage – Beverley Unitt
Ken Littlewood Stage ($1000 prize money) – Taylor & Pearson
Kids Entertainer – Alan Sloggett
Strolling Magic – Phil Bevan
Close Up – Andrew Wimhurst
Weirdo Comedy Trophy – Phil Cass
Lifetime Achievement Award – Gerald Taylor
Best Act of the Convention (Free trip to Japan) - Raymond Crowe

LECTURERS: Tom Ogden, Tommy Wonder, Ali Bongo, Bob Sheets, Gary Norsigian, Phil Cass

INTERESTING STATISTICS: A break down of the first 400 registrants showed where they all came from:

191 - Victoria
65 - News South Wales
38 - South Australia
33 - Queensland
17 - Western Australia
8 - Australian Capital Territory
6 - Tasmania
1 - Northern Territory

23 - New Zealand
5 - Japan
6 - USA
3 - Singapore
2 - Malaysia
1 - United Kingdom
1 - The Netherlands

Of the first 400 registrants:
286 - Full price magicians
86 - Accompanying persons
28 - Under 18

Breakdown by sex:
307 - Male
91 - Female
2 - ???

REGISTRATION BROCHURE:



SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Friday June 7
12.00-4.00pm - Optional Yarra Cruise (Extra Cost
4.00pm - Registration Desk opens
5.00pm - Dealers Den opens
5.30pm - Earlybird Bonus Event - 60 minutes with Bob Sheets
6.30pm - Cocktail Party (free drinks!)
8.00pm - Opening Night Show
9.30pm - Break
10.00pm - Lecture by Tom Ogden
12.00am - Gary Norsigian in the Lobby, Magic Quiz in the Bar

Saturday June 8
8.30am - Dealers Den opens
9.00am - Registration Desk opens
9.30am - Auction
11.00am - Coffee Break & Strolling Magic Competition
11.00am - Silent Auction
11.30am - Under 18 Stage Magic Competition
12.15pm - Lunch Break & Dealers Den open
12.30pm - Phil Cass Lecture (Extra Cost)
1.45pm - Favourite Trick Competition
2.45pm - Break
3.00pm - Lecture by Tommy Wonder
4.30pm - Coffee Break & Strolling Magic Competition
5.00pm - Non-Pro Stage Magic Competition
6.00pm - Dinner Break & Dealers Den open
8.00pm - Ken Littlewood Stage Competition
10.00pm - Break & Dealers Den open
10.30pm - MagicSports
12.00am - Gary Norsigian in the Lobby & Magic Quiz in the Bar

Sunday June 9
8.30am - Dealers Den open
9.30am - Masterclasses: Gerald Taylor, Phil Cross, & Christof!!
11.00am - Coffee Break & Strolling Magic Competition
11.30am - International Close Up Show
1.00pm - Lunch Break & Dealers Den open
1.15pm - Gary Norsigian Lecture (Extra Cost)
2.30pm - Kids Entertainers Competition
2.30pm - Intensive Sessions: Bob Sheets, Barry Govan, Kent Blackmore
4.00pm - Coffee Break & Strolling Magic Competition
4.00pm - Dealers open, final session
4.30pm - Close Up Competition
6.30pm - Break
7.30pm - Banquet, Show and Awards Presentation

Monday June 10
9.30am - Lecture by Ali Bongo
11.00am - Break
11.30am - Talk Soup: Panel Session
12.30pm - Lunch Break
2.00pm - Closing Show: Circus of Magic
4.00pm - Break
4.30pm - The Magic of Clowning Session
5.30pm - Close
7.30pm - Tramcar Restaurant Dinner (Extra Cost)