CHAMPAGNE SUPANOVA
SOME Tardis technology to make things bigger on the inside is desperately needed at the Gold Coast Convention Centre where about 30,000 super-geeks packed in to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars at Supanova over the weekend. Among the superheroes was 16-year-old Mia Kolich who donned a pair of enormous silver wings crafted by her father over nine months and costing $900.
SOME Tardis technology to make things bigger on the inside is desperately needed at the Gold Coast Convention Centre where about 30,000 super-geeks packed in to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars at Supanova over the weekend.
The Gold Coast event, one of the biggest on the Supanova calendar, is going from strength to strength with the attendance an increase from 26,000 last year.
Supanova event director Daniel Zachariou told the Bulletin some weeks ago they had to put up the full sign.
“We had to cut some exhibitors from the convention because of space,” he said.
“We could have made the convention bigger but we had no space.”
Mr Zachariou said other options had been explored such as using other buildings but had come out as too expensive.
The convention floor was packed during the two main days of the exhibition with people barely able to move between stores.
Some vendors said the number of blue tooth devices being used in the space meant their electronic banking devices were not working.
Despite the squeeze Mr Zachariou said the convention would be back next year.
This year the man draw of the ‘Doctor’ himself Peter Capaldi from Doctor Who and his companion Pearl Mackie and fellow time-traveller John Barrowman meant families of all ages were coming along to the event.
Other stars of the 44 special guests included Star Wars and Firefly favourite Alan Tudyk, Smallville’s Superman and Lex Luther, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist Elizabeth Henstridge.
The Supanova Parade, an event unique to the Gold Coast, attracted the biggest crowds yet with more than 750 cosplayers marching.
They were cheered on by about 8000 spectators.
Among the superheroes taking to the streets was 16year-old Mia Kolich who asked her parents to build her a pair of enormous silver wings.
Nine months later, the Upper Coomera teen was ready to show off her 1.5m wingspan at the parade.
For Mia, who was diagnosed with autism at around six years of age, the event is a chance to step outside her comfort zone and interact, according to mum Leanne Kolich.
“The first time she came in the cosplay people came up to her and wanted to give her a hug or a photo, and she was a bit scared,” Ms Kolich said.
“But the second day she came she was fine, she just got into character and had a great time.
“It makes her feel a bit different from her day to day where she struggles … it’s been a real help.”
The costume was entirely handmade by Mia’s father Steve Kolich using several
types of foam, and cost about $900, mostly paid for by Mia herself.
Both parents work regular office jobs throughout the week and said the costume was the result of hours and hours of free time and trial and error.
The outfit, modelled after one of Mia’s favourite anime characters, was a hit at the Supanova Parade early yesterday morning.
Despite the workload, Miss Kolich said it wasn’t that tough convincing her dad to take on the project.
“I’ve been doing cosplay for about three years, and that’s what’s really brought up my confidence,” she said.
“So I was like, ‘I want a change in costume’, and he said, ‘you know what, we’ll try it’.
Running for six years now the Supanova Parade is one of the most successful events in Broadbeach with visitor numbers last year topping the Easter weekend.
Cafe workers told the Bulletin yesterday that the precinct was busier than during the Commonwealth Games.
Convention representative Lionel Midford said he’s still blown away by how many people join in each year.
“I spoke to organisers and they said we were expecting a couple of thousand, but when I came and saw how many people were here, I couldn’t believe it,” he said.