DWARF army grows stronger

By Shaun Inguanzo
BUDDING actors and future war strategists should look no further than the Dandenong Wargamers and Roleplayers Federation (DWARF) for a healthy dose of fun and friendship.
The group of 80 members meets each Sunday at Carwatha College in Noble Park to play a variety of roleplaying and war games that put the mind and teamwork skills to the test.
DWARF is the latest group to sign up for the Noble Park Community Expo on Sunday, 13 August at the Noble Park Community Centre.
The expo will offer residents and other people the slightest bit curious more about DWARF and a host of other niche and previously unearthed community groups that meet in the area.
DWARF publicity officer Amber Seidl, 31, said for the uninitiated role playing was similar to theatresports.
“You have a character and you determine how it acts basically by the personality you give it,” Amber said.
“The challenge is that the person running the game is the only one with the script so you basically have to solve all the puzzles and what not, based on what the game master has in front of him or her.”
DWARF also offers wargaming in the form of the popular Warhammer 40,000 game.
The tabletop game is a mixture of skill, tactics and fortune and participants create their own miniature warrior figurines and pit them against their opponents on a board with a set of game rules.
“You need teamwork,” Amber said.
“There is a big difference between playing an online game and playing a DWARF game.
“Here you need social interaction, you need to be able to communicate with people.”
Mr Seidl said the interest was global with roleplayers and wargamers often meeting at conventions either locally, interstate, or overseas.
“At DWARF we have all age groups, the youngest is 11 and we go right up to 50-something.”
Apart from the promise of fun, the group offers one defining benefit from role playing and wargaming: “The ability to be someone else and to express yourself,” according to Amber.
DWARF is always welcoming new members.
To be part of DWARF, contact Amber Seidl on 0400 035 754, or visit the group’s stall at the Noble Park Community Expo.
The expo’s theme is Living Your Leisure and will be at the Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park, between 10am and 4pm on 13 August.
The expo will have stalls from Noble Park community groups ranging from Rotary and Lions clubs through to stamp clubs and Irish pipe bands.