AustLit

The origins of the Sydney Science Fiction Foundation lay in the visit to Australia of writers Leigh Brackett and Edmond Hamilton in the late 1960s. Melbourne fan John Bangsund contacted some people he knew in Sydney to organize a meet and greet when the two writers visited that city. The event's success provided a groundswell of interest within the local fan community that eventually led to the founding of Foundation sometime around 1968 or early 1969. Following the death of Australian fan Pat Terry in 1970 the Foundation established an award for humour in science fiction in his honour.

One of the principle organisers during the first few years was Gary Mason, who established the club zine The New Forerunner (later Foreunner Quarterly). Others to play key roles in the Foundation were Ron Clarke, Sue Clarke (president/Forerunner editor), Shayne McCormack (president), and Jack R. Herman (Forerunner editor). Some of the more well-known members were Alfred Van der Poorten and Richard Faulder.

The Foundation maintained its presence throughout the 1970s but by the early 1980s falling membership led to its demise.