On Saturday, 29 August, Nerdmania returned to Shepparton after a seven-year hiatus, and such was my excitement that I decided to take the TARDIS for a spin!
Nerdmania has a special feel to it. The fans are friendly, warm and welcoming, with just the right touch of quirky. It was a wonderfully casual and fun day, and it was great to catch up with Greg, Adam, Michael and David from the Bendigo Whovians.
Fans could take photos with the TARDIS or interact with the Dalek and K-9. Greg had his Dalek voice modulator set up, giving fans the opportunity to become the voice of the Dalek themselves. I have never heard a Dalek say quite so many interesting things!
K-9 charmed the crowds, and it always surprises me watching him interact with young kids who don’t know the character.
Adam’s incredible lead-light Dalek was also a big hit. It proved so popular that there were plenty of requests for photos of the Dalek attacking the ambulance. Because, of course, what else would a Dalek do when it encounters an ambulance?
It was also great to catch up with friends from Southern Cross Transformers, Star Walking and the 501st Legion. Events like Nerdmania are always a wonderful reminder of just how much crossover there is between our different fandom communities.
The day was a huge success, with 1,163 fans coming through the doors. As the TARDIS dematerialised and started travelling home, I couldn’t help but look forward to next year’s Nerdmania. I had just decided to cheat and travel ahead to 2027 when I received a distress signal from a space freighter. But that’s a story for another day…
After a seven-year wait, it was fantastic to see Nerdmania back in Shepparton—and hopefully the TARDIS won’t have to wait quite so long before making another appearance!
Our Trivia Night on Saturday 22 August was a fantastic night.
42 members and friends came along to test their Doctor Who knowledge—and, fuelled by pizza, proper English Jelly Babies and popcorn, they tackled challenges that tested their artistic skills, running ability and capacity to identify questionable science-fiction theme tunes!
It was a wonderfully fun night, and while the trivia itself provided plenty of challenges, some of the biggest laughs came from our non-trivia games.
Of course, no proper Doctor Who event would be complete without appropriate refreshments. We had English-style Jelly Babies and popcorn available throughout the evening.
Paper Monsters
One of the highlights was Paper Monsters, where each table was challenged to create their very own Doctor Who monster in the style of the 1960s.
The rules were simple: no budget, no fancy materials and 100% imagination!
Each team was supplied with nothing more than butcher’s paper, sticky tape and textas. From those humble beginnings, some remarkably creative—and occasionally terrifying—creatures emerged.
It was amazing to see just how creative everyone became when given permission to make a monster using whatever they could imagine. Perhaps this proves that the BBC’s 1960s special effects department was actually onto something!
Name That Sci-Fi Tune
We also tested everyone’s musical knowledge with Name That Sci-Fi Tune. There were plenty of familiar themes, some slightly less familiar ones, and a few moments of “I know this… give me a second!”
It was another great reminder that being a science-fiction fan involves far more than simply knowing the Doctor’s enemies!
Monsters in the Corners
Then there was Corners or Monsters in the Corners or, more accurately, Last Time Standing.
Everyone chose a corner of the room: Daleks, Sontarans, Cybermen or the TARDIS. Cards were then drawn at random, and if your corner came up, you were out!
What started as a simple game quickly became surprisingly competitive, with people racing from one side of the room to the other trying to avoid elimination. Watching a room full of Doctor Who fans frantically running between corners was every bit as entertaining as it sounds.
And, as with all the best games, there could only be one survivor!
Everybody Wins, Rose! Everyone Wins!
There was fierce rivalry, and by the end of the night only a few points separated the first-place table from the runners-up. But honestly, everyone was a winner.
We left with smiles on our faces, and nobody was left facing the long walk home empty-handed—yes, everyone went home with a prize!
Thank You
A huge thank you goes to the DWCV Committee for all the hard work that went into organising and running the night. Events like this don’t happen by themselves, and the effort that goes on behind the scenes is greatly appreciated.
A special thank you must go to Sean-Paul, who did an amazing job as our MC. Not only did he create all the trivia rounds, but he also did a mighty job keeping the night moving, entertaining 42 people and managing the chaos. It was no small task, and he did it brilliantly.
And finally, a very special thank you to Edward for creating the amazing trophies. They were fantastic and added a wonderful finishing touch to the evening.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who came along and joined in. Whether you were a trivia champion, a paper-monster genius, a corner-running survivor—or simply there for the Jelly Babies—we hope you had as much fun as we did.
It’s almost time for Jamie McCrimmon to hang up his kilt and sporran!
Frazer Hines is returning to Australia one last time, making this your final opportunity to meet one of the most beloved companions in Doctor Who history. If you’ve ever wanted to hear his stories, ask him questions, have photos taken, or get an autograph, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
📅 Sunday 9 August 2026 📍 Melbourne Multicultural Hub 506 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Sirens of Audio have put together a fantastic day featuring interviews, audience Q&A, photo opportunities, autographs, a Jamie-themed quiz, and much more. There are also limited VIP tickets available, including dinner with Frazer the night before. Numbers are strictly limited, so booking early is recommended.
And there’s another bonus—it’s at a brand new city venue, directly opposite the Queen Victoria Market. So you’ll have absolutely no excuse for forgetting where you parked your TARDIS! 😉
This is set to be a memorable farewell to one of Doctor Who’s greatest stars. Don’t miss your chance to say goodbye to Frazer on his final Australian tour!
The Doctor Who Club of Victoria’s Trivia Night returns!
If you love Doctor Who, having fun, and winning fantastic prizes, then this is the event you’ve been waiting for!
Join us for an evening of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey trivia, laughs, games, and plenty of surprises as you put your Time Lord knowledge to the ultimate test.
📅 Saturday 22 August 2026 🕕 6:00pm – 9:00pm 📍 Community Hub at The Docks 912 Collins Street, Docklands VIC 3008
Book your ticket online in advance and you’ll automatically go into the draw to win an exclusive raffle prize!
Feeling hungry? You can pre-order a large pizza, which will be delivered to the venue at 7:00pm.
So dust off your sonic screwdriver, gather your companions, and prepare for the Doctor Who trivia event of the year!
Spaces are limited, so book now and don’t miss out! 🚀✨
