Perdrix Address: 50 Years of NACAA

Presenter(s): Brett McMillan

Affiliation(s): Sutherland Astronomical Society Inc

Session details: Saturday, 2016-03-26 04:30:00, LT101

Abstract

In 1965, a group of members from the James Cook Astronomers Club (now the Sutherland Astronomical Society Inc.) visited the Canberra Astronomical Society at what was then the premier astronomical observatory in Australia. During discussions, it was suggested that a national conference be organised to allow amateur astronomers to get together to discuss observations, observing techniques and other matters of mutual interest. The following year, in 1966, a preliminary conference was held in Katoomba and the first national convention, later given the name NACAA, was held in the following year. This presentation traces the history of the setting up of the convention and changes that have happened in the 50 years since.

Biography

Brett McMillan has been interested in amateur astronomy since he was a child, probably encouraged by lunar landings and books from the local library. He joined Sutherland Astronomical Society (then known as James Cook Astronomers Club) at the age of 12 and has been a member ever since. He has been Treasurer, President, then Secretary of the Society since 1988. Brett attended his first NACAA convention in Sydney in 1988 and has attended every NACAA convention since, and was Sutherland’s delegate from 1990 under the old system of organisation. Brett was convenor of the 1998 NACAA held in Sutherland and was on the Local Organising Committee for the 2008 NACAA held in Penrith and the current 2016 NACAA in Sydney. Brett was a founding member of the NACAA Inc Secretariat when the new system was introduced after 2006, and has remained on the Secretariat ever since as its Treasurer.