Two big Skeptical Events in Melbourne on Sunday September 18th and Monday September 19th respectively!
Think Inc
The Victorian Skeptics want to make sure our followers are aware of the Think Inc conference in Melbourne on Sunday September 18th. 
“In the next 10 years what does the world need to do to survive and flourish?”
There’s a great line up of speakers for this one day event. Prominent skeptics Michael Shermer and Neil De Grasse Tyson, who both spoke brilliantly at TAM (“The Amazing Meeting”, run by the James Randi Educational Foundation) in Las Vegas last month, head the bill. Christopher Hitchens and Ayaan Hirsi Ali will be appearing by video link-up. A couple of charismatic locals will also be featured – Father Bob Maguire and TV’s Josh Thomas.
It promises to be fascinating and maybe offer some hope.
Check out their website for more details and ticketing.
Michael Shermer Lecture
Michael Shermer will remain in Melbourne to deliver a lecture the following evening, Monday 19th at the University of Melbourne. This lecture is a free event, but you need to register. http://sciencematters.unimelb.edu.au/2011/08/dr-michael-shermer-and-the-believing-brain/ 
Note that this lecture technically clashes with our September Skeptics Café.
However, look at it this way. Dr Shermer’s talk finishes at 7pm. Ross McKeown’s long-awaited Skeptics Café talk Pseudoscience and the Vulnerable commences at 8pm La Notte Restaurant, 140 Lygon Street Carlton. That gives you an hour to travel the kilometer between venues. A big night out for Skeptics, or what?
Michael Shermer is a brilliant and engaging speaker. He is a shining light as a champion for good natured, rational thought.
He writes well, too. His better-known books include “Why People Believe Weird Things”, Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design”, and recently “The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies—How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths”. He also runs a column in Scientific American.
Thanks for the notice Ken, it should be a good night, I might try ignoring my stomach, snack between and get to both. I’ll eat at La Notte after Ross’s talk – same anyone?