Australian Skeptics
 |
|
| Formation | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | "Investigating pseudo-science and the paranormal from a responsible scientific viewpoint" |
|
Region served
|
Australia |
Australian Skeptics is a loose confederation of like-minded organisations across Australia that began in 1980. Australian Skeptics investigate paranormal and pseudoscientific claims using scientific methodologies. This page covers all Australian skeptical groups who are of this mindset. The title "Australian Skeptics" can be easily confused with one of the more prominent groups, "Australian Skeptics Inc." which is based in Sydney and is one of the central organising groups within the Australian Skeptics.
Australian Skeptics was founded in Melbourne Victoria in 1980, after Sydney electronics entrepreneur Dick Smith sponsored a visit to Australia by James Randi, principal investigator for the American-based Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), now known as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), part of the non-profit organisation Center for Inquiry (CFI), which are joint publishers of the Skeptical Inquirer. During this visit James Randi, Dick Smith, Phillip Adams,Richard Carleton and an unidentified businessman offered a $50000 prize to anyone who could prove psychic phenomena in front of Randi. A number of contenders, largely water diviners came forward, but all failed to prove their claims in front of independent observers. At that time a group of Australians decided to set up an Australian group to continue testing the claims of the paranormal. This group was named “Australian Skeptics” and consisted of Mark Plummer (Chairman), James Gerrand (Secretary) Allen Christophers, Bill Cook, John Crellin, Logan Elliot, Peter Kemeny, Loris Purcell, Joe Rubinstein and Mike Wilton.
In 1986 "Australian Skeptics Inc" or "ASI" became an incorporated association in NSW with Barry Williams as president. Publication of “The Skeptic” magazine was transferred to this committee in 1987. ASI still operates today and is responsible for several national activities, such as the publication of "The Skeptic" magazine and coordination of awards (listed below) and the annual conventions. Today ASI is one of many formal and informal skeptical groups throughout Australia which fall under the general umbrella title of "Australian Skeptics". Over time, other branches around Australia became incorporated including Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch) Inc, Skeptics (S.A.) Incorporated, Hunter Skeptics Incorporated, Canberra Skeptics and Borderline Skeptics Inc (which caters for skeptics living around the NSW and Victorian border). ASI is the local group in NSW.
In 1995 the Australian Skeptics received a sizeable bequest from the estate of Stanley David Whalley. With these funds the organisation established the "Australian Skeptics Science and Education Foundation", tasked to expose "irrational activities and pseudoscience and to encourage critical thinking and the scientific view". This foundation now funds the "Thornett award for promotion of reason", known affectionately as "the Fred", named after the late Fred Thornett, an influential figure in the Skeptical movement in Tasmania and nationally. "The Fred" is a $1000 prize given by ASI for significant contribution to educating or informing the public regarding issues of science and reason. The bequest also allowed for the introduction of a paid position, that of Executive Officer. This position is answerable to the ASI committee, and traditionally manages accounts, queries from the public and media, editing The Skeptic, and various sundry tasks. Barry Williams was executive officer from 1995 to 2009, followed by Karen Stollznow (2009) and Tim Mendham from 2009 to the present.
In 1989 at a national committee meeting the aims of Australian Skeptics were updated and drafted as follows;
...
Wikipedia