Category: Announcements

After five years as Museum Victoria’s Head of Sciences, Dr John Long is leaving this week to take up the position of Vice President of Research and Collections at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
John’s interest in palaeontology dates back to when he collected his first fossils at the age of seven. Following postgraduate and postdoctoral studies, John worked at several Australian institutions before joining the Western Australian Museum in 1989 as Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology.
John’s most prominent research at MV has examined the evolution of prehistoric placoderm fishes, which were among the first verebrates to evolve jaws. The fossils that he studies are more than 380 million years old and were discovered in the Gogo Formation of the Western Australian Kimberley region. View More Museum Victoria Farewells John Long

MEDIA RELEASE
Simon Taylor’s ILLUSINATION
The Stage Show, When Magic Meets Psychology
Simon Taylor defines the difference between sleight of hand and sleight of mind magic. Through studies in psychology, practice of hypnosis and experience in the performing arts, he is able to blend a range of skills into an unforgettable presentation of illusion. Simon’s personable demeanour and energetic performance style allows him to deliver high powered entertainment with intellectually captivating content. Whether it’s magic, mind reading, or hypnosis, Simon is a pioneer in presenting entertainment for the mind, about the mind.
As a psychology student, Simon has always derived immense enjoyment from sharing the things that excite him about his studies. Now with his stage show, Illusination, Simon is able to present incredible magic entertainment blended with some of the most intriguing psychological principles.
The performance is divided into two acts, the first focuses View More Illusination

DARWIN DAY 2008 is on Tuesday 12th February

• Teachers can celebrate Darwin Day in their classrooms by downloading photocopiable worksheets from http://www.skeptics.com.au/resources/resources.htm Scroll down to “Darwin Day“.

There are a number of significant events planned for 2009 around the World. Here are some examples: http://darwin-legend.org/html/Charles-Darwin-2009-Celebration-events.htm
There are also some public events planned for in and around Melbourne. Here are a few.
(Melbourne) International conference 8th to 13th February http://www.darwinday.org/events/listing.php?id=12527
(Melbourne) Rick Barker (Philosophy Forum) 10th February “Evolution’s Controversial History: Lamark, Darwin and Wallace” (Lecture) Unitarian Church Hall, 110 Grey Street, East Melbourne. 8pm
(Melbourne) There will be a celebratory evening Barbecue on the south bank of the Yarra River on Darwin Day, February 12. Closest intersection: Alexandra Avenue / Anderson Street. Melways 2G D11 or 44 HB12. BYO everything from 5.30pm.
(Mornington) http://www.darwinday.org/events/listing.php?id=12492
Please keep us up to date with your activities for inclusion on this page. Send an email to feedback@skeptics.com.au, attaching relevant text and images.//

Visit this great site for heaps of science events:

• Science Diary – Victoria (ABC Online)
  • http://www.abc.net.au/science/event/diary.htm

Other Victorian organisations of interest that regularly have public events:

Science Organisations

• Science Issues Cafe (monthly discussion group in Carlton)
  • http://www.scienceissues.net
• Astronomical Society of Victoria
  • http://www.asv.org.au/genmeet.htm
• Space Association of Australia
  • http://www.space.asn.au/schedule.html

Other Groups View More Public Events (Other) for 2008

Chris Krishna-Pillay one of Australia’s most prominent science communicators and performers. Chris has performed across Australia, as well as in the UK and New Zealand. In his writing credits he includes, “Howard Florey – a Tale of Tall Poppies“, “Somnium” and “Pre-Coital, the Science of Dating“. He also writes and performs the “Great Big Science Gigs” performed across Australia each year as part of National Science Week.
Chris’ energetic presence, quick wit and engaging demeanour have made him a much sought after performer and MC. He is frequently called upon as a speaker and has been MC for countless events from orchestral concerts to corporate award presentations. Recent engagements have been with BHP Billiton, Bunnings, ABC, Siemens, State Library of Victoria and CSIRO. Chris has experience in television, drama, musicals, stand-up comedy and radio.
He was the science consultant for children’s television series “Wicked Science” (Network Ten), and has appeared on television on “Today“, “Scope” and “Totally Wild“. He is also a regular panelist on popular radio program “Einstein A Go Go” (Triple R radio).
Chris is Victorian Manager of CSIRO Education where he has worked for more than 15 years, and is Secretary of the National Science Week Victorian Coordinating Committee.

If you would like to assist us with running this stall, please contact feedback@skeptics.com.au
ScienceWorks program: http://www.scienceworks.museum.vic.gov.au