ABC Catalyst – NEWS
“PSYCHIC INVESTIGATORS” Fortunately this excrable summer program has been replaced by the regular “CATALYST” . See all the fall-out at http://www.mysteryinvestigators.com/psychicinvestigators.htm
Have your eight cents worth! http://www.abc.net.au/contact/
And now back to the topic of the 2007 National Skeptics Convention

CONVENTION

The 2006 Convention went fabulously and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.
For those who did a great deal of meeting and greeting at the convention, what are these images about? (See the end of this post for the answers.)

• Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has been voted the 2006 Skeptic of the Year, for his tireless efforts promoting scientific (sceptical) thinking, and presenting it in an exciting (excitable?) manner.
• The infamous Bent Spoon Award (BS Award!) has been given to “the pharmacies of Australia that maintain a professional image whilst selling ineffective altmed products and services such as homeopathy, iridology, healing magnets“
• the Skeptics Prize for Critical Thinking was awarded to Martin Bridgstock of Griffith Uni, for his innovative programme teaching skepticism to his students
• Kylie Sturgess, an English teacher from MLC in Perth won the Runner-Up Prize. (She and her students were mentioned in the last issue of the Skeptic.)
• PRESS RELEASE

Saturday 18th November 2006
BENT SPOON AWARD
The Australian Skeptics Bent Spoon Award for 2006 goes to the many Australian pharmacies who promote and sell “therapeutic” goods such as homeopathic medicines and magnetic healing devices which have no demonstrable value.
View More March 07 Archive, Catalyst and the National Convention

2007

( = events organised by or with other groups)

15 January	Skeptics Cafe Video Night
12 February	DARWIN DAY BARBECUE
19 February	Skeptics Cafe Speaker: Tim van Gelder
19 March	Skeptics Cafe Speaker: Roman Kozlovski
11 April	Fossil Findings Melbourne Museum Presentation
16 April	Skeptics Cafe Speaker: Peter Pentland of SCIENCEWORKS
21 May	Skeptics Cafe ”Third Annual Skeptics Trivia Extravaganza”
18 June	Skeptics Cafe speaker: Richard Saunders Fakes, Frauds and Fools
16 July	Skeptics Cafe speaker: Carlo Kopp The E- Bomb
2 August	”’ Intelligent Design Debate ”’
18/19 and 25/26 August	Australian Skeptics at Scienceworks for Science Week
20 August	Skeptics Cafe Panel Discussion: Depression: How Effectively is it Managed?
17 September	Skeptics Cafe Jill Quirk: Population policy
15 October	Skeptics Cafe Catherine Deveney – My Conversion to Atheism
19 November	Skeptics Cafe Screening: Guru Busters
17 December	Skeptics Cafe Social Evening
Various dates	Atheists meet-up Group Calendar http://atheists.meetup.com/485/calendar/
Various dates	Royal Society of Victoria Calendar

There are other Victorian organisations of interest that regularly have Public Events. Previous events: Calendar 2006, Calendar 2005, Calendar 2004 Extra keywords: sceptics

The 2007 National Skeptics Convention will be held in Hobart on 17/18 November 2007 . The venue will be the University of Tasmania . Meals will be provided by the University Staff Club.
The conference theme is:
“The Use and Abuse of Scientific Data in the Environment Debate”
The theme will be interpreted very broadly, but will encompass virtually any issue concerned with human ecology and the environment generally. So it is about as broad a theme as could be imagined.
We would like to know of any people who might wish to provide a paper at the conference. Any suggestions or questions welcome. Please write to:
fredthornett@gmail.com Phone: 03 6234 4731 or 0419 341 585.
Costs will be announced in early 2007, when the matter becomes clearer. We expect that it will be no more than that charged for the excellent Melbourne convention in 2006.
An innovation is that we will permit full-time students View More National Convention Hobart 2007

The Victorian Skeptics have received notification about this brand new science group. It certainly sounds very interesting and meets not far from our Skeptics Cafe location.
SCIENCE ISSUES CAFE is a monthly discussion group which allows lay people to get together and hear about the latest research or discuss the big issues in science today.
It seems people are willing to express passionate opinions on a range of scientific subjects (global warming is just one example) so I thought it would be good to look at the science behind the policies, and some of the debates within science.
Kaye Hargreaves Convener Science Issues Cafe View More Science Issues Cafe

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO REVISION

View More National Convention Program, 2006

Speakers at the Australian Skeptics 2006 Convention, to be held 18-19 November in Melbourne.

Dr Stephen Basser

• (GP, Australian Skeptics commentator on medicine and alternative medicine).
• Topic: “Medicines, Money and the Media – A Dangerous Cocktail?”
• Go to www.skeptics.com.au “Search” for articles by Stephen Basser.

Dr Martin Bridgstock

• (Griffith University Academic, author)
• Topic: “Where is the truth most needed? Where can skepticism do the most good? ”
• http://www.griffith.edu.au/school/sce/StaffPages/staff_bridgstock_2.html

Leigh Dayton

• (Science Journalist, The Australian)
• Topic: “A Skeptics Guide to the Newsroom.”
• http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/cyberwar/biog.htm

Dr Kevin Hennessy

View More CONVENTION SPEAKERS

If you have any questions or need assistance in arranging accommodation, please contact: Email convention@skeptics.com.au Phone (03) 9378 4414

NEARBY HOTELS

The following hotels have been found to be near the venue. The event organizers have no connection to these venues and have not thoroughly researched each facility. The information that follows is intended to help you narrow your search and is about places to stay that are close to the museum.
THE HOTEL WINDSOR At the top end of town, and venue for the convention dinner. MENTION THAT YOU ARE ATTENDING THE CONVENTION FOR A SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNT IN ACCOMMODATION RATES ! http://www.thewindsor.com.au/index.html 103-115 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000 Telephone (03) 9633 6000 Facsimile (03) 9633 6001 Email: reservations@thewindsor.com.au Reservations: (03) 9633 6002 toll free reservations: (1800) 033 100
THE CARLTON CLOCK TOWER http://www.clocktower.com.au/ Carlton Clocktower Apartments Shop 27 255 Drummond Street Carlton, VIC 3053 Phone: (03) 9349 9700 Fax: (03) 9349 2542 Email: info@clocktower.com.au
View More 2006 Convention Accomodation

Come along on and have a friendly meal with the Victorian Skeptics and chat about life, the universe, everything.

See Calendar for dates.

The 2006 Australian Skeptics convention will be held at the Melbourne Museum on Nicholson St. near the city. It is walking distance from the Parliament or Melbourne Central Train Station. It is walking distance from the City Circle Tram and on the #34, 36 and 96 tram stop at Nicholson and Gertrude Street.
Any accommodation that you may find that has easy access to public transport will make your access to the museum quick and easy. The following url gives map descriptions of the Melbourne public transport system.
http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/transport_maps/public_transport_map.php
For fares information you can follow this:
http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/metcard/fares_zones/
If you have any questions or need assistance View More Convention Accommodation, 2006