|
(username removed) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | {{Infobox convention
| + | LISTEN UP YA CUNTS AND LISTEN UP WELL, YOU’D BETTER GET THE FUCK OUT OF THIS COUNTRY OR I’LL FUCKING BASH YA HEAD IN WITH A ZOOPER DOOPER YA HEAR ME YA DOG GO FUCK YOURSELF |
| − | | name = Furry Down Under
| + | |
| − | | logo = [[File:Furry_Down_Under_-_logo.jpg|FurDU|225px]]
| + | |
| − | | caption =
| + | |
| − | | subject = Furry
| + | |
| − | | location = {{flagdiv|aus|[[wikipedia:Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast,]] [[wikipedia:Queensland, Australia|Queensland]], [[wikipedia:Australia|Australia]]}}
| + | |
| − | | url = http://www.furdu.com.au
| + | |
| − | | status = Ongoing
| + | |
| − | | first = April 23-25, 2010
| + | |
| − | | final =
| + | |
| − | | organizer = Furry Down Under Inc.
| + | |
| − | | resources = {{con resources|FurDU}}
| + | |
| − | }}
| + | |
| − | {{FurDU}}
| + | |
| − | '''Furry Down Under''' (also commonly referred to as '''FurDU''') is a furry [[convention]] that is held annually on the [[Wikipedia:Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], in [[Wikipedia:Queensland (Australia)|Queensland]], [[Wikipedia:Australia|Australia]] and is currently the largest, most attended furry convention in the country.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | FurDU was first held in the [http://www.vibehotels.com.au/default.asp?page=/vibe-locations/gold-coast-hotels/vibe-hotel-gold-coast 'Vibe' Hotel], Surfers Paradise, between the 23rd and 25th of April, 2010. The convention was originally intended to be held in [[Wikipedia:Melbourne|Melbourne]], but it was later decided during the planning stages (and in conjunction with the original organizers relocating to Queensland) that hosting FurDU on the Gold Coast, a major Australian holiday destination, would prove far more beneficial.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Furry Down Under is a convention built around the core principal of making attending an Australian furry convention as affordable as possible. The official website stated that attending FurDU in 2010 for the three days it runs for should cost under $200 AUD for its attendees including all accommodation costs.<ref>''[http://www.furrydownunder.com/Cost.html Furry Down Under - Cost]'' on the official FurDU Website</ref>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==Programming==
| + | |
| − | FurDU runs for three days, with programming starting Friday and ending Sunday night (or early into Monday morning). The convention changes its programming each year, these changes are reflected by the addition of new key events and the removal of events that have grown stale in the opinion of the organisers.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Since 2013, the Thursday prior to start of the convention has become a very popular day for 'pre-con' meet ups by attendees. In 2014 the Thursday prior to commencement was nicknamed 'Day Zero' by convention organisers even though there was no official programming scheduled for that day.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Fursuiting===
| + | |
| − | There are several events and other facilities for [[fursuiter]]s. These events change each year with the program, with the exception of the Fursuit Games, Fursuit Walk and Fursuit Photography which have been traditionally held since founding.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The Headless lounge, an area that only fursuiters can enter where they can freely un-suit and relax, has progressively increased in size each year as the number of fusuiters in attendance has also grown. Between 2010 and 2012 the headless lounge was a simple cordoned off area with a gazebo set up for privacy, this area usually shared one of the smaller convention spaces such as a game room or chill out area.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The transition to the [http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/australia/queensland/outrigger-surfers-paradise/overview Outrigger Hotel] in 2013 saw the introduction of a separate 70 square meter self contained room used only as a dedicated headless lounge. This was the first time that the convention had ever been physically able to allocate a separate room specifically just for Fursuiters. In 2014 the same layout with this dedicated room was repeated, however the fursuit lounge was scheduled to open later on day one as this room was temporally used to house part of the initial registration queue on Friday morning.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Art and Merchandise===
| + | |
| − | Since the conventions founding in 2010, FurDU has offered dealers tables for attendees to sell artwork and merchandise. Between 2010 and 2012 due to hotel space restrictions, the dealers area always shared a common area with the main convention space and it was only possible to offer a strictly limited number of table spaces.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | While available table spaces improved at the [http://www.watermarkhotelgoldcoast.com.au/ Watermark Hotel] in 2012, permitting a larger number of dealers to trade, it wasn't until 2013 with the transition to the Outrigger Hotel that FurDU dealers were for the first time able to be provided with separate designated dealers den in which to trade from. In 2013 and 2014 the dealers den trading hours were restricted to only two days in order to allocate the dealers room for other convention activities on the third.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==History==
| + | |
| − | [[File:FurDU_Attendance_Graph.png|thumb|right|300px|FurDU Attendance Statistics]]
| + | |
| − | FurDU has been held in the following locations;
| + | |
| − | {| class="wikitable"
| + | |
| − | ! Year !! Dates !! Attendance !! Location
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2010|2010]]
| + | |
| − | | 23 - 25th Apr
| + | |
| − | | 92
| + | |
| − | | Vibe Hotel, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2011|2011]]
| + | |
| − | | 15 - 17th Apr
| + | |
| − | | 150
| + | |
| − | | Vibe Hotel, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2012|2012]]
| + | |
| − | | 27 - 29th Apr
| + | |
| − | | 300
| + | |
| − | | Watermark Hotel, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2013|2013]]
| + | |
| − | | 26 - 28th Apr
| + | |
| − | | 352
| + | |
| − | | Outrigger, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2014|2014]]
| + | |
| − | | 28 - 30th Mar
| + | |
| − | | 563
| + | |
| − | | Outrigger, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2015|2015]]
| + | |
| − | | 1 - 3rd May<ref>''[https://www.facebook.com/groups/305047158452/permalink/10152635038923453/ Furry Down Under Announces 2015 Dates & Opens Pre-Registration]'' via FurDU official Facebook group</ref>
| + | |
| − | | 490<small>*</small>
| + | |
| − | | Outrigger, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2016|2016]]
| + | |
| − | | 27 - 29th May
| + | |
| − | | 533
| + | |
| − | | The Mantra on View (previously called Outrigger), Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2017|2017]]
| + | |
| − | | 5 - 7th May
| + | |
| − | | 600
| + | |
| − | | The Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2018|2018]]
| + | |
| − | | 4 - 6th May
| + | |
| − | | 680
| + | |
| − | | The Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2019|2019]]
| + | |
| − | | 31st May - 2nd June
| + | |
| − | | 800
| + | |
| − | | The Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2020|2020]]
| + | |
| − | | 1 - 3rd May
| + | |
| − | | Postponed*
| + | |
| − | | The Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2021|2021]]
| + | |
| − | | 7 - 9th May
| + | |
| − | | 639
| + | |
| − | | The Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2022|2022]]
| + | |
| − | | 29th April - 1st May
| + | |
| − | | 899
| + | |
| − | | The Mantra on View, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | | [[FurDU 2023|2023]]
| + | |
| − | | 12 - 14th May
| + | |
| − | | TBA
| + | |
| − | | Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise
| + | |
| − | |}
| + | |
| − | ''*'''2015:''' A drop in attendance occurred in 2015, which is believed to be attributed to severe weather closing airports on both the Gold Coast and Brisbane on Friday May 1st, 2015 (the first day of the convention) which resulted in a number of flights being cancelled.''<br />
| + | |
| − | ''*'''2020:''' FurDU 2020 was postponed until 2021 due to issues related to the [[COVID-19]] pandemic.<ref>[https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2518614671732117&id=1712351495691776&sfnsn=mo ''Unfortunatley due to the new laws banning gatherings over 500 people, and our concern for attendees health, FurDU will be postponed until 2021''] post on [[Facebook]]. Retrieved May 21, 2020.</ref>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Themes===
| + | |
| − | Furry Down Under features unique theme for each year that it runs. Although the convention has officially been themed since its founding in 2010, this became much more apparent in 2012 during "Carnival" where the venue began to reflect the theme more clearly through the use of stage props, decorations and theme specific events. Furry Down Under was postponed in 2020 due to the [[COVID-19]] pandemic.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | * 2010: "The Beach"
| + | |
| − | * 2011: "Nightlife"
| + | |
| − | * 2012: "Carnival"
| + | |
| − | * 2013: "The World Of Tomorrow"
| + | |
| − | * 2014: "Fhloston Paradise"
| + | |
| − | * 2015: "Jurassic Safari"<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurDUcon/status/490727252665987072 Tweet] on the FurDU account on [[Twitter]]. Dated July 19, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2016: "Toon Town"
| + | |
| − | * 2017: "The Outback" <ref>[https://twitter.com/FurDUcon/status/774497257072783360 Tweet] from the FurDU Twitter. Dated September 10, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2018: "Film Noir"
| + | |
| − | * 2019: “Back To The Beach”
| + | |
| − | * 2021: "Mad Science" <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156653927609263 Post] from the FurDU Facebook. Dated June 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2022: "Pirate"
| + | |
| − | * 2023: "Game on!"
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Special guests===
| + | |
| − | FurDU first started featuring special guests as part of the convention content in 2012. Since then, it has featured the following special guests;
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | * 2012: [[ActFur on Air|Actfur On Air]], Dustin, Lupie, [[Anthrax]], [[Wikipedia:Matt Hollywood|Matt Hollywood]]
| + | |
| − | * 2013: [[StuCat]], [[Foxamoore]]
| + | |
| − | * 2014: [[Silverfox5213|SilverFox]], [[Foxamoore]], Vurt
| + | |
| − | * 2015: [[Jay Stoat]], [[Macroceli]]
| + | |
| − | * 2016: [[Pepper_Coyote|Pepper Coyote]]
| + | |
| − | * 2017: [[Kyell_Gold|Kyell Gold]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurDUcon/status/787928267164487680 Tweet] from the FurDU Twitter, Second 2017 GOH Announced Dated 13 Oct 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2017</ref>, PJ Saber (aka [[Kaz_(Australia)|Kaz]])<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurDUcon/status/786480625389674496 Tweet] from the FurDU Twitter, First 2017 GOH Announced Dated 17 Oct 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2017.</ref>, Deus Ex Moose
| + | |
| − | * 2018: [[Darren Close]], Luvbites (BearPatrol, Electrixocket), Tracey Butler.<ref>[https://twitter.com/FurDUcon/status/891892631906603008 Tweet] from the FurDU Twitter, Second 2018 GOH Announced Dated 31 Jul 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2019: [[Foxamoore]], [[Pepper_Coyote|Pepper Coyote]], [[Muttasaur]], [[StuCat]]
| + | |
| − | * 2021: [[Faux Veritas]], [[Skyhigh Studios]]
| + | |
| − | * 2022: [[SunsetScorpion]]
| + | |
| − | * 2023: [https://magicdawolfy.com/ Magicdawolfy], [[Adler the Eagle]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Charity===
| + | |
| − | Furry Down Under has sponsored the following charities;
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | * 2010: [http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/ Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors]
| + | |
| − | * 2011: [http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/ Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors]
| + | |
| − | * 2012: [http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/ Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors]
| + | |
| − | * 2013: [http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Animal Welfare League of Queensland], raised ~$4,600 AUD<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/305047158452/permalink/10151656794613453/?comment_id=10151656873853453&offset=0&total_comments=4 Comment by FurDU volunteer] on the FurDU Group on [[Facebook]]. Dated April 30, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2014.</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2014: [http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Animal Welfare League of Queensland], raised $4,296.80 AUD<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152142712390945&set=gm.10152481845143453&type=1 Post] on the FurDU Group on [[Facebook]]. Dated May 12, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2015: [http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Animal Welfare League of Queensland], raised $5,883.60 AUD<ref>[https://twitter.com/JetDingo/status/595504102819278848 Tweet] by [[Jet Dingo]] on [[Twitter]]. Dated May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2016: [http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Animal Welfare League of Queensland], raised $3,740 AUD
| + | |
| − | * 2017: [http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Animal Welfare League of Queensland], raised $4,318.25 AUD
| + | |
| − | * 2018: [http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Animal Welfare League of Queensland], raised $4,095 AUD
| + | |
| − | * 2019: [http://freshstartrescue.wixsite.com/freshstart Fresh Start Rescue], raised $7,000.00 AUD <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/FreshStartRescue/posts/2367617153295730 Post] from the Fresh Start Rescue Facebook. Dated June 6, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2021: [http://freshstartrescue.wixsite.com/freshstart Fresh Start Rescue] and [https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/nsw-rfs-and-brigades-donations-fund The NSW Rural Fire Service and Brigades Donations Fund], raised $5,570 AUD <ref>[https://t.me/FurryDownUnderA/622 FurDU Announcements] message from FurDU's [[Telegram]] channel. Dated/Retrieved December 6, 2022</ref>
| + | |
| − | * 2022: [http://freshstartrescue.wixsite.com/freshstart Fresh Start Rescue], raised $7,500.00 AUD <ref>[https://t.me/FurryDownUnderA/703 FurDU Announcements] screenshot & message from FurDU's [[Telegram]] channel. Dated/Retrieved December 6, 2022</ref>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Venues===
| + | |
| − | Furry Down Under has been held in the following hotel venues;
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | * 2010: Vibe Hotel, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2011: Vibe Hotel, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2012: Watermark Hotel, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2013: Outrigger Hotel, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2014: Outrigger Hotel, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2015: Outrigger Hotel, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2016: Mantra On View, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2017: Mantra On View, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2018: Mantra On View, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2019: Mantra On View, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2021: Mantra On View, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2022: Mantra On View, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | * 2023: Crowne Plaza Hotel Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==Organization==
| + | |
| − | Since 2016, the FurDU convention has been owned and operated by Furry Down Under, Inc. a registered non-profit association.
| + | |
| − | .
| + | |
| − | The association's committee is elected each year in keeping with its rules and bylaws. Elected management committee members are charged with the running of the convention, while also managing the association's general affairs.
| + | |
| − | The elected chairman of the association also resides over the FurDU convention as its chairman.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Prior to its incorporation in 2016, FurDU was owned by the founders; [[Oz Kangaroo]] and [[FlameDrake]], and operated with a volunteer committee of close friends.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == References ==
| + | |
| − | {{reflist}}
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == External links ==
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | * [http://www.furdu.com.au FurDU Website]
| + | |
| − | * [https://www.facebook.com/groups/305047158452/ FurDU Facebook Group]
| + | |
| − | * [https://twitter.com/FurDUcon FurDU Twitter]
| + | |
| − | * [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/furdu FurDU] on [[FurAffinity]]
| + | |
| − | * [http://community.livejournal.com/furrydownunder/profile Furry Down Under community] ''(defunct)'' on [[LiveJournal]]
| + | |
| − | * [http://furstralia.com/home/#/categories/furdu FurDU forum] on [[Furstralia]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | {{Australia}}
| + | |
| − | {{Conventions}}
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[Category:Conventions]]
| + | |
| − | [[Category:Gold Coast]]
| + | |
| − | [[Category:Queensland]]
| + | |
| − | [[Category:Australia]]
| + | |
| − | [[Category:2010 births]]
| + | |
| − | [[Category:18+ event]]
| + | |
| − | [[it:FurDU]]
| + | |
LISTEN UP YA CUNTS AND LISTEN UP WELL, YOU’D BETTER GET THE FUCK OUT OF THIS COUNTRY OR I’LL FUCKING BASH YA HEAD IN WITH A ZOOPER DOOPER YA HEAR ME YA DOG GO FUCK YOURSELF