Category: Announcements

See also Australian Skeptical People

THE AUSTRALIAN SKEPTICS
National	http://www.skeptics.com.au
VIC Branch	http://www.skeptics.com.au/vic
SA Branch	http://www.skepticssa.org.au/
ACT Branch	http://finch.customer.netspace.net.au/skeptics/
NSW Branch	http://www.users.on.net/~ct/skeptic/nsw/
QLD Branch	qld@skeptics.com.au
WA Branch	wa@skeptics.com.au
GOVERNMENT
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)	http://www.accc.gov.au	Australian consumer protection
Australian Securities and Investments Council (ASIC)	http://www.fido.asic.gov.au/fido/fido.nsf	consumer information on financial scams
OTHER
Australian Council Against Health Fraud	http://www.acahf.org.au
No Answers In Genesis	http://home.austarnet.com.au/stear/	Presents information countering the disinformation spread by Creationists
Australian False Memory Association	http://www.afma.asn.au/
The Correx Files	http://www.abc.net.au/science/correx/default.htm
Investigator Magazine	http://www.adam.com.au/bstett/	Adelaide-based home-made magazine of enquiry
The Mystery Investigators	http://www.mysteryinvestigators.com/	The MIs hold science shows that investigate the truth behind the “paranormal“

Australians with sites containing Skeptical content. See also Australian Skeptical Organisations

Lynne Kelly	http://www.lynnekelly.com.au/skeptics_guide.html	Teacher and Skeptical lecturer, best known for her book “The Skeptic’s Guide to the Paranormal“
Dan’s Data	http://www.dansdata.com http://www.dansdata.com/empower.htm http://www.dansdata.com/personal/mottoes.htm	Although for the most part a site that reviews hi-tech toys and computer hardware, check out Dan’s clash with the EMPower Quacks, the Wine Clip Review and his “offensive“/skeptical mottos
Mark Mayer	http://www.markmayer.com	Professional “Mind Illusionist” – see ‘Consumer Affairs‘ section for info on tv psychics John Edward and James van Pragh info
Wally Anglesea	http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/	Various Skeptical matters including the “Little Pebble” Australian doomsday cult
Peter Brown	http://www.hotkey.net.au/~petercb/	info on William Kamm / “Little Pebble” Australian Doomsday cult
Peter Bowditch	http://www.ratbags.com/	A site which critically examines the claims of alternative medicine, anti-vaccination groups among other topics.

The Australian Skeptics offer a Prize of AU $110,000 for proof of paranormal ability or incredible phenomena. This includes AU $20,000 “Finder’s Fee” for a person who finds a psychic who can demonstrate genuine ability. For more information see: http://www.skeptics.com.au/prize/index.html

International Skeptical Prizes

Many other organisations around the world offer similar rewards.

• 22 International prizes: http://www.aske.clara.co.uk/AwardList.html

The 2004 Science Drama Awards

(Reviewer Rob Brown)
Things were strangely quiet on this Saturday night in Preston for the 2004 Science Drama Awards show was performing to a packed house. Months of preparation and qualifying rounds had come down to this one night, to which many people had travelled hundreds of kilometres across Victoria to attend.
Seven schools came to teach and entertain the audience with science. The host for the evening was Chris Krishna-Pillay who did a fine job and showed much enthusiasm throughout the night. The schools showed various levels of preparation and steady story telling. Unfortunately there were one or two who failed to show much that the audience could hold onto. Overall the schools used various themes for their pieces from growing beans on Mars (illustrating plant germination) to a Shakespearean tale of the love between Sodium and Chlorine (illustrating metallic and non-metallic bonding). There was much music from Devo to Wham, and movement from ribbon twirling to cartwheels.
There were two standout performances: Caulfield Grammar Grade 4 who received the Primary School Award, and MacRobertson Girls’ 7-12 who received the High School Award.
Caulfield demonstrated the principles of electromagnetic waves. They created a strong story with a boy completing a science project, trying to entertain his flighty sister who would rather simply dance through life. They involved a lot of kids, and succeeded strongly in both science communication and entertainment. A xylophone will never sound the same again to those who saw the show.
MacRob translated “Romeo and Juliet” into a story of two chemicals strongly attracted but from different backgrounds. Yes, it did get whimsical, but this was their humour and they milked it often and very well. Many students played music as well as their acting roles in this piece – showoffs!
The personal highlight for me was Chisholm Catholic School, who though they weren’t the best actors, made the air thick with irony as they told of the life and contributions of Galileo Galilei. Definitely a skeptic’s highlight!

For more information

• STAV Science Drama Awards homepage
  • http://stav.vic.edu.au/home/studentactivities/scidramaawards
• STAV Science Drama Awards 2004 finalists
  • http://www.stav.vic.edu.au/home/news/scidrama