Vic Skeptics: For the Press

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~kengreatorex/mypic835.jpg

TEXT VERSION - 27th September 2007 How to Contact Vic Skeptics for Press Comment

Terry Kelly is President of the Victorian Skeptics and is a hospital-based social worker with experience in grief and trauma counselling. His skeptical instincts have been honed by experiences with cult-like professional development programs and outrage at the exploitation of vulnerable grieving people by "psychics" pretending to talk to dead relatives. Terry is a punter and part-owner of horses and a former leg-spinner. ‘Phone 0438 626 107

Steve Roberts has a background in the sciences, and makes his living in computer security. Steve is Vice-President of the Astronomical Society of Victoria. He is a recognised Skeptical authority on aliens, UFOs, astrology, crop circles and the like, as well as hidden codes (in the Bible, Shakespeare, etc), creation "science", and so-called "intelligent design" mobile 0414 991 231 Phone: (BH) 9846 2751 (AH) 9850 8866 (both tel/faxes) steve@steveroberts.com.au

Charles Tivendale is a retired CSIRO scientist and is a member of the Inventors' Society. Charles has an innate curiosity and a facility for constructing and running scientific tests. He is the Skeptics' Challenge Coordinator for Victoria, which means that he is responsible for the testing of any claims of paranormal ability or phenomena that we receive. Phone 9772 8277

Dr Stephen Basser works in General Practice in suburban Melbourne, and takes a keen interest in the use and regulation of what are variously referred to as complementary, natural, or alternative medicines. He is also a staunch critic of the anti-immunisation lobby. (BH) 9459 1100 mob 0419114186 frizzzb@iinet.net.au

Visit http://www.skeptics.com.au/vic (Victoria) , http://www.skeptics.com.au (National) for ready information about Australian Skeptics' activities and views on a range of issues. General contact with Vic Skeptics can also be made through Freecall 1800 666 996 or vic@skeptics.com.au

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PRESS RELEASES

PRESS RELEASE 24th November 2007 Skeptics Annual Awards

The following awards were presented in Hobart in November 2007 at the annual Australian Skeptics Convention Dinner:

The 2007 Australian Skeptics' $10,000 Prize for Critical thinking went to WA English teacher Kylie Sturgess, who was also Runner-up in 2006. A Runner-up prize of $2000 went to performer Nicholas Johnson ("The Honest Con Man") http://www.conman.com.au.
The 2007 Skeptic of the Year is Loretta Marron of http://www.Healthinformation.com.au.
The Bent Spoon Award for 2007 was given to Marena Manzoufas, Head of Programming at the ABC, for authorising the dreadful Psychic Investigators television show, a crime made worse by showing the dreck in the time slot usually occupied by Catalyst.

PRESS RELEASE 6th September 2007 Skeptics Promote Scientific Investigation and Critical Thinking

The Australian Skeptics are currently involved in two important projects that are designed to stimulate scientific investigation among children and to enhance critical thinking and reasoning skills among academics and the general population.

Nationally, the $10,000 Australian Skeptics' Prize for Critical Thinking will be awarded in November for work that investigates popular conventional wisdom and beliefs which lack reliable evidence or scientific method, and that promotes rational thinking about such matters by the public, educators and the media. Our Prize is aimed to attract entries from educators across the broad spectrum, journalists or others in the media, and academic or private researchers.

Details at http://www.skeptics.com.au/prizes/2007skepticsprize.pdf

In Victoria, we continue to support the Science Teachers Association of Victoria's Science Talent Search. This magnificent institution is a familiar concept to primary and secondary science teachers in Victoria. STS was founded in 1952, making it one of the longest running programs of its type in the world! Many Australian scientific careers have been kick-started by recognition as an STS student bursary winner, and Australian Skeptics are proud to be associated with this event as major annual sponsors.

http://www.stav.vic.edu.au/home/studentactivities/sts/history

We welcome enquiries about these and other Skeptics activities at 1800 666 996 or vic@skeptics.com.au.

Yours sincerely,

Ken Greatorex Secretary, Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch)

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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.

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PRESS RELEASE Saturday 18th November 2006 SKEPTIC OF THE YEAR

The Australian Skeptics have named Dr Karl Kruszelnicki Skeptic of the Year for 2006.

Dr Karl, through his radio and TV appearances and website has successfully promoted a love of Science and enquiry with an large audience of younger Australians.

These awards were announced at the Australian Skeptics Annual Convention in Melbourne this evening.

For further comment, please contact 1800 666 996 or vic@skeptics.com.au

The History of the Bent Spoon: http://www.skeptics.com.au/spoon/aboutthespoon.htm

Ken Greatorex,

Secretary, Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch)