Victorius '24 was a resounding success

A report of the NWA's annual games day from the perspective of an exhausted father

Aug 17, 2024

Tabletop gaming and all adjacent hobbies were in full force today at Box Hill Town Hall. I’m pleased to report that Victorius ‘24 delivered on all fronts and surpassed my daughters’ expectations. Mine too. As for three-year-old Theodore, he held out so the show must’ve been fantastic.

Thank you to the Nunawading Wargames Association and everyone involved in running this event! From our side it was smooth and so much fun.

Before I provide an overview of today’s experience, I encourage anyone who was present – exhibitors, volunteers, tournament participants, general public – to get in touch if you’re keen to engage in a post-show interview. It was a big day and I’m about to cover a fraction of it. There are so many stories to tell here I’m sure so please don’t be shy.

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Alrighty, let’s go!

Raise the banners

The mission was simple: Wake up, eat breakfast, get the kids ready and kindly ask Katie, my wife, for a lift to the local railway station. She had a day of study planned which is why she didn’t join our party.

Meet my children: Alice (9), Sophie (6) and Theodore (3).

Look at these excited kids totally not forced against their will to attend.

It is true that the girls, at least, share interests and are dabbling in mini painting and some tabletop gaming (we’ve been playing a bit of 7TV and Battletech lately). Not sure what Teddy is thinking but he looks happy.

The arrival

We made it. Public transport didn’t let us down.

I loved the little gift package we received – a benefit of pre-ordering online. It included a coaster from Battlefield Accessories, an awesome standard bearer miniature from Medbury Miniatures, a 3D printed measurement gauge from The Game Gear Boss and special six-sided dice with the Victorius emblem. We’re already off to a great start.

The kids were instantly drawn in by the 501st Legion Knightfall Garrison. We checked in later for photos.

Support local writers!

We also met an author, Adam J. Scholte.

After a pleasant chat I purchased the first book in his fantasy series (The Ramulas Chronicles) titled ‘The Beginning of the End’.

It’s always a delight to meet passionate writers.

He reckons my eldest daughter reminds him of his character Pip. So I’ll give it a read and let him know.

Enter the Lard Zone

A view from the stage (behind me was the bring & buy tables).

This was the main areas of the event. Here there were participation games in action, lots of demonstrations and to the bottom right there you can see mini painters. A new and emerging group (Melbourne Figure Painters Collective) were present. They’re a lovely bunch and meet once a month at The Gaming Arena in Coburg.

Thank you Model Citizens

This is exactly what our hobby is all about. The guys representing the Eastern Melbourne Club, Model Citizens, invited my daughters to play a quick round of Warhammer: Age of Sigmar and they gleefully relished in the head-to-head challenge to roll dice in a battle between Skaven and Orruks.

It was so much fun watching them listen to instruction, count dice, roll for results, do a little more math and witness the unexpected.

What was meant to be skewed in Sophie’s favour (she was given control of a massive monstrosity) turned into an awkward bout where it fell in battle, haha. The girls handled that rather well and it’s thanks to the Model Citizens team for managing a brilliant demonstration.

Hey look more photos of minis and games.

I must get around to playing Tribal and Maximillian they look awesome. Last time I checked both of those rulebooks were available via the Eureka Miniatures webstore.

Here take my wallet

That’s one of the areas where you could score all sorts of bargains.

Uncle Les brought an eclectic assortment of wargaming minis to cater for just about everyone.

Bring this Uncle Les special to an *Infinity* tournament!

I didn’t take photos of the other area where the likes of Eureka Miniatures and Battlefield Accessories were exhibiting.

We were too busy chatting to Nic of Eureka and picking through a tray full of gorgeous ‘chaos’ sculpts. The girls loved what they were seeing and now have some Eureka figures to paint. They have accepted the painting challenge so updates to follow.

3D printing is all the rage

Vision Creations are producing all sorts of fun products from cosplay props to texture rollers to dice towers. But my kids were more interested in the articulated toys. I don’t blame them ‘cause they’re really cool (they kept us occupied on the train journey home haha).

Alice really wants a dragon so maybe, if she remains on her best behaviour, dad might cave and order one.

Engaging re-enactors

Alice and Sophie raided the New Varangian Guard (Vlachernai Garrison) tents.

They got to learn a little about living history and had so much fun joining the shield wall!

The New Varangian Guard (NVG) is an international historical re-enactment organisation based on the Byzantine Empire (9th - 13th century), in particular the Varangians.
Originally started in Melbourne, Australia in 1981, the NVG became a nationally incorporated association in 1994, and then started sister organisations in other countries in 2001 (Chile, Italy, UK & USA).
Vlachernai is a branch of the NVG and is the oldest garrison of the organisation established in Melbourne in 1981.
As a re-enactment group focusing on a specific era of the early middle ages, Vlachernai members are encouraged to strive for period accuracy in everything they do with the group.

My girls have experienced what life was like between 988-1204 CE.

Roleplay in Warhammer fantasy

We also met the lovely folk behind Australia’s largest battle game and Live Action Role-Play (LARP) – Swordcraft.

They run weekly battle games, annual quest events, and operate in Melbourne, Albury, Wodonga, Ballarat, Bendigo, Brisbane and Geelong.

Follow Swordcraft on Facebook for the latest updates. I understand the first three sessions are $2 entry followed by regular sessions priced at around $13 a ticket. Sounds like amazing value considering the popularity of these clashes and the fun role-play element.

I wonder if Alice and Sophie will be keen to check it out when they’re old enough (need to be 15+).

Stormtrooper!

And yes we finally got that family photo with the 501st!

Home time

What a day! We loved it.

The other important aspect of the day was reconnecting with friends, family and meeting new people. We need to do more of that!

I feel amazing albeit tired (it’s nearly midnight at the time of writing).

Tomorrow we’ll most likely get stuck into some hobby. The girls have minis from Eureka Miniatures to paint and I have secured what will be the beginning of a new army for Bolt Action. And, of course, I have another novel to read.

We’ll be keen to attend the next one.

In November we have the Melbourne Gaming Show to look forward to.