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Well with the weekend come and gone, another convention behind us, it's time to update the site.

Last weekend in Hobart was AICon where myself and other 501st members suited up to bring some imperial order to the Anime fans of Tasmania.  What is AICon you ask?  Well the AICon website says

"Our convention is a celebration of Japanese culture in Tasmania, with a focus on animation and fashion, as well as a mix of Western “Popular” culture mixed in. It runs for two days, and is a great way to meet people who share similar interests, as well as learn more about different aspects of our increasingly eclectic culture."

There are some photos in the gallery.  Troopers from Hobart and Launceston attended both days having fun with the anime fans and generally having fun..

Tasmanian troopers gathered together at a secret Imperial bunker in the north of the state to work on costumes and props for the day.  Stories were told, Questions were answered, Meat was cooked and consumed, costumes assembled, blasters repaired.

Photos in the Gallery

At the request of the Country Club Casino I attended their General Managers space themed Christmas celebration. Myself and a members of the Casino security staff donned armour to help bring a little fun to the event.

I don't think a lot of the staff really knew what was actually involved in having us there.  I dropped off the two Stormtrooper suits in the morning and the look from some of the staff who were setting up was ... bemused.  I think they were expecting someone to show up in a K-Mart off the rack haloween costume and a little interactive R2-D2.

Boy were they in for a shock.

That evening with R2 in pieces int he car I headed up to the event.  R2 was assembled in the parking lot and took the lead while I held back and drove.  he turned several heads as he went through the Watergarden Restaurant and past the gaming machines.  Once we got the lift to the floor the event was on and R2 emerged from the elevator the Casino staff realised that this wasn't some $20 costume and toy evening. 

R2 was a hit for the whole night.  The Stormtroopers, as usual, most people thought we were statues until they poked us and we moved. 

Had great fun scaring the patrons and having photos taken.

Another event finished for the year.

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At the request of the Country Club Casino we attended their New Year Eve space themed celebration. In the morning a few of us delivered the armour and tools required for the evening gathering to the casino, we began assembling at the casino around 5:30. Due to concerns about some patrons being scared of the replica blasters it was decided by the Casino and us not to carry the Trooper weapons but our Jedi was able to carry around his light sabre. After getting ready upstairs we all gathered in the foyer for a few photos. After doing this for a little while we headed upstairs to one of the function rooms to assist in patrolling and providing photo opportunities for the members of the Tasman Club New Years Function.

After having some fun with the Casino staff and photo’s with members of the Tasman Club we then proceeded downstairs to mingle with the people attending the Casino, first we stopped in at the bar and had some fun with the staff and patrons within before moving into Links restaurant.

After stowing R2D2 we all headed outside to cool down, our Jedi chased a trooper though the outer section of the Links much to the delight of the Patrons. After spending a little time having some fun with the playground and tennis courts we headed back to the water garden only stopping for a few more photos on the way in. In the Water Garden we mingled with the crowds and provided photo ops for a while before we headed back up to ours staging area for some refreshments. After cooling off for a bit we headed back down to the Foyer for more group shots. R2 was a big hit with the kids present and they enjoyed getting their photos taken.

After a quick refreshment break upstairs we headed back to the Function where the party was in full swing and we entertained the masses with Troopers and R2D2 joining in the dancing which was a big hit.

Not long after we decided to call it a night as fun as it was due to the heat the troopers were experiencing inside their armour and as we had spent nearly 4 hours wandering around the casino we were starting to get a bit tired.

All in all everyone had a great night and the Casino expressed their thanks to us for turning up and assisting with the nights festive celebrations.

Attendies:

Nick Bishop             – Storm Trooper

Shannon Zofia Klekociuk– Storm Trooper

Dave Coglan             – Clone Trooper

Hannah Klekociuk        – Snow Trooper

Jacob McGrifford        – Scout Trooper

Stephen Nelson  – Jedi

Toby Shorter            – R2 Operator and Photographer