Happy and skeptical New Year to all local readers of The Skeptic and/or members of Canberra Skeptics Inc.  The Newsletter of Canberra Skeptics is called "The Argus". This is the first issue for some years.

First Function for 2003

We will meet at the Southern Cross (Canberra) Yacht Club in Marina Place, Yarralumla, next Monday 13th January at 7.30pm. Those with ideas on what form this year's National Convention should take (see below) please come. Topics for discussion on Monday will include the report from Alistair Cooke that a psychic in New York is to be prosecuted for fraud (Radio National 5th Jan; for transcript see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/letter_from_america/2631507.stm) and the ABC TV Compass program (10.15 pm 5th Jan and possibly that of 12th Jan on slimming with God). That of 5th Jan was particularly disturbing for me. Compass has already received two nominations for the 2003 bent spoon award for this program (see www.skeptics.com.au  - what's new). The ABC Compass website contains some information about the program: part of the summary states:

"The program observes the practices and therapeutic techniques of three British claimants as "alternative healers".  Jack Temple, a dowser diagnostician and natural therapist. Stephen Turoff, a psychic surgeon, and Geoff Boltwood, a spiritual meditation healer. Each of the "healers" has his own specialised method of diagnosing and treating medical conditions, as well as a unique theory of practice, which tends to contradict conventional medical practice".

For those interested in the archaeological evidence relating to early Christians, British journalist and former Beirut hostage John McGrath reviews the controversial debates over the archaeology and early history of Israel/Judah and its challenge to The Bible in a three part series on Compass starting 19 January.

The 2002 National Skeptics Convention

The national convention of the Australian Skeptics held in Melbourne in November 2002 had the usual informative and entertaining program which our Secretary, Vicki Moss, summarised for The Skeptic (see the most recent issue).  One thing that struck me about the attendees was the number sporting white beards, and the virtual absence of anybody under age 25 years.  One factor may have been the cost of registration but more likely, in my opinion, it was its timing.  Holding the annual convention to coincide with Barry Williams' birthday evolved by accident, but it is no accident that November happens to coincide with University and High School examinations that, in these days of HECS, are taken quite seriously by the young people involved, as well as by their examiners who have marking deadlines.  Hopefully 2003 will be different.

The 2003 Convention to be in Canberra Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th August

Vicki Moss, Peter Barrett and I attended the Melbourne convention and volunteered Canberra for the next one. Your committee agreed this should be at the tail end of the National Science "Week" (16-24th Aug) from the evening of Fri 22nd to Sun 24th August. The CSIRO Discovery Centre has been booked as the venue. Barry Williams has informed us that Pompeii was destroyed, and Ghengis Khan died, on 24th Aug 0079 and 1227 respectively. We are not planning any eruptions (other than of the intellect) and deaths (other than of superstitions) but nevertheless hope the program will attract those of all age groups.  We are wishing to liaise with the Science Teachers' Association and the Double Helix Club and maybe run a "Young Skeptics" conference on the afternoon of Friday 22nd Aug.  If any receiving this newsletter is a member of either of these organizations we would be delighted to hear from you.

News from the Committee

Most of the new committee (listed below) met on 8 Dec 2002.  Discussion included the disappointing attendance at the AGM social function, lessons to be learned from Narendra Nayak's visit, what program would attract members to meetings, possible speakers and program for the National Convention in August, the need for more publicity about our activities and a program of regular events for 2003. 

Canberra Skeptics has agreed to run a public lunchtime forum later in the year as part of a program organised by U3A in association with COTA and SCOA. This will be on topics of special relevance to older people in the ACT.  Gout and arthritis come to mind, especially in view of the active peddling of alternative remedies for these. The actual topics and date of the forum have yet to be decided.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on 13th January. Please contact me by email, or phone on 62964555 if there are any issues you want raised at the meeting, if you wish to be deleted from our mailing list or if you know of someone who might wish to be added to it.

Pete Griffith,

9 Jan 2003

Canberra Skeptics Inc

Committee 2002-2003

Arno Mikli

David Wilson (Treasurer)

Jennie Louise

Michael O'Rourke

Pete Griffith (President)

Peter Barrett (Vice President)

Vicki Moss (Secretary)