Canberra Skeptics

Canberra Skeptics Annual General Meeting
Date – 25 October 2022
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
 
Canberra Skeptics Inc. will hold its 2021 AGM on 25 October 2022 from 7:00pm – 8:00pm. To ensure maximum participation, this will be conducted online.
To participate, please use the following link – (https://meet.google.com/wte-zark-ton).


Draft Agenda for the AGM 
Apologies
Confirmation that quorum present
Minutes of previous AGM – acceptance
Business arising from previous AGM
Report of the President
Report of the Treasurer, including receipt of Auditor’s report
Consideration of annual subscription fees (no proposal to change)
Election of Committee and office bearers for 2022/23
Other business
The relevant reports and other information will be emailed out prior to the meeting
Nominations for committee 2022/23
 
 
Only paid members of Canberra Skeptics can vote or nominate for a role. If you have not already done so, please register you details via the google forms – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uVg-mWyXoIv_tmieSy24FMdra4JedcLTRj9UPPeeYlA/viewform?edit_requested=true.
We have up to 9 positions to fill on the committee. We traditionally fill all positions by consensus, but we will be prepared to go through a voting procedure if this is necessary.
 
There are several positions available, including president. If there are insufficient volunteers willing to run the committee, Canberra Skeptics Inc. will be forced to close, and this would be nothing short of terrible. If you are interested in any committee positions, could you please contact canberraskeptics@gmail.com as soon as possible.
 
November event
Free Screening of ‘An Honest Liar’
Sunday, November 20, 2022, starting at 1pm
King O’Malley’s Irish Pub
131 City Walk, Canberra

 
“AN HONEST LIAR is a feature documentary about the world-famous magician, escape artist, and world-renowned enemy of deception, James ‘The Amazing’ Randi. The film brings to life Randi’s intricate investigations that publicly exposed psychics, faith healers, and con-artists with quasi-religious fervor. A master deceiver who came out of the closet at the age of 81, Randi created fictional characters, fake psychics, and even turned his partner of 25 years, the artist Jose Alvarez, into a sham guru named Carlos. But when a shocking revelation in Randi’s personal life is discovered, it isn’t clear whether Randi is still the deceiver – or the deceived.” – http://anhonestliar.com/wp/

This documentary is exempt from classification.

Fellow skeptics,

Following the very recent statements from the ACT Chief Medical Officer regarding the large increase in COVID-19 cases, I have made the decision to move the talk online. It will now be held on Monday, 18 July at 6pm.

The details can be found here – https://my.demio.com/ref/IT5LnunrwTe3IWCG

No decision has been made regarding the National Science Week 2022 and we will inform you of any changes.

I apologise for the late notice and any inconvenience this may have caused.

Stay skeptical,
Kevin Davies 
President – Canberra Skeptics

Rights, Riots and Ratbags: Making Sense of Magical Thinking
Date: Monday, 18 July 2022
Time: 6:00 to 7:30pm
Speaker: Associate Professor Bruce Baer Arnold

Membership
With the end of the financial year approaching, it is time for people to please renew their membership for 2022/2023. Please do so by filling out the form here – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uVg-mWyXoIv_tmieSy24FMdra4JedcLTRj9UPPeeYlA/viewform?edit_requested=true and pay as per the instructions on the form. The fees are quite minimal, but they are essential for ensuring Canberra Skeptics continues.

AGM and Committee
The Canberra Skeptics Inc AGM will be held sometime in October (date tbc) and a new committee will be formed. Canberra Skeptics Inc cannot function without a working committee so if you are interested in joining the next year’s committee, please contact us on canberraskeptics@gmail.com.

It is with great delight that Canberra Skeptics announces the Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022, to be held at the National Library of Australia from the 3rd to the 4th of December. The theme of the convention is ‘Science and Skepticism in a Changed World’, and I am honoured to say that the international speakers will be President of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations Claire Klingenberg and the hosts of The European Skeptics Podcast (https://theesp.eu/) Pontas Böckman, Annika Harrison, and András Pintér. We have many other fascinating speakers lined up and the convention promises to be a great show! While it will be held in-person, the event will also be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend. The convention website will be going live shortly, so please check it (http://www.skepticon.org.au) for further information. There will also be a convention dinner and some pre-convention events so stay tuned!

The regular speakers program continues, and we have several interesting talks coming up. Please note that both the June and July talks require tickets for COVID-19-related purposes. The talk details are as follows:

June talk

Ned Kelly: the making of a myth

Date: Monday, 20 June 2022

Time: 6:00 to 7:30pm

Speaker: David Dufty

Venue: Belconnen Community Service, 26 Chandler Street, Belconnen ACT 2616

Cost: Free

Tickets essential: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ned-kelly-the-making-of-a-myth-tickets-346391415047

July talk

Rights, Riots and Ratbags: Making Sense of Magical Thinking

Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Time: 6:00 to 7:30pm

Speaker: Associate Professor Bruce Baer Arnold

Venue: Belconnen Community Service, 26 Chandler Street, Belconnen ACT 2616

Cost: Free

Tickets essential: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rights-riots-and-ratbags-making-sense-of-magical-thinking-tickets-360287338127

August talk (National Science Week 2022)

Free screening of ‘Science Friction’

Date: Sunday, 14 August 2022

Time: 1:00 to 3:00pm

Venue: King O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 131 City Walk, Civic

Cost: Free

Details:  https://www.scienceweek.net.au/event/free-screening-of-science-friction/canberra/

Skeptics in the Pub

Due to lack of interest that is possibility COVID-19-related , Skeptics in the Pub will be suspended until January 2023.

Membership

With the end of the financial year approaching, it is time for people to please renew their membership for 2022/2023. Please do so by filling out the form here – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uVg-mWyXoIv_tmieSy24FMdra4JedcLTRj9UPPeeYlA/viewform?edit_requested=true and paying as per the instructions on the form. The fees are quite minimal, but they are essential for ensuring Canberra Skeptics continues.

Upcoming psychic fair

The ‘Psychic and Well-Being Festival – Canberra’ is to be held from 17 to 19 June 2022 at EPIC (https://allevents.in/canberra/psychic-and-wellbeing-festival-canberra/200022199588749?ref=eventlist-cat#) and I encourage you all to attend. Canberra Skeptics Inc. is not involved in this event in anyway, but I strongly recommend people attend and politely listen and learn. There should be no COVID-19 concerns because you would think that they already know which potential attendees will have it ….

Stay skeptical,

Kevin Davies

President – Canberra Skeptics

Fellow skeptics,

As previously mentioned, Canberra Skeptics will not be running a talk in May. Instead, we would be delighted if you attended one of the Pint of Science talk that will be held from 9-10 May.  The details can be found on their website – https://pintofscience.com.au/events/canberra. I am volunteering at King O’Malley’s so I hope as many of you can come to learn more about some exciting science!

The next Skeptics in the Pub will be held at King O’Malley’s Irish Pub on Sunday, 29 May from 1pm onwards. Details can be found here – https://www.meetup.com/SocialSkepticsCanberra/events/285514113/.

Stay skeptical,

Kevin Davies

President – Canberra Skeptics

Fellow skeptics,

Just a quick reminder that the next Canberra Skeptics webinar will be held tonight. The details are as follows:

Beyond the Panopticon: Evidence-Based Approaches to Criminal Justice Reform
Date: Tuesday, 15 March 2022
Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Speakers: Dr Mindy Sotiri
Please register via Demio
(https://my.demio.com/ref/CRctRfze8lLvAaiu)

Please note that preparation for the Australian Skeptics National Convention 2022 has commenced. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us at canberraskeptics@gmail.com.

The next Skeptics in the Pub will be held on Sunday, 27 March, 1pm @ King O’Malley’s Irish Pub. Details can be found here – https://www.meetup.com/SocialSkepticsCanberra/events/gzbprsydcfbkc/.

As always, if you have not already done so, please consider becoming a member of Canberra Skeptics. Your membership fees help make all our events possible – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uVg-mWyXoIv_tmieSy24FMdra4JedcLTRj9UPPeeYlA/viewform?edit_requested=true.

Stay skeptical,
Kevin Davies
President – Canberra Skeptics

Fellow skeptics,

Just a quick reminder that the next Canberra Skeptics’ webinar is coming up this Tuesday. The details are as follows:

Psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental illness: why innovation in treatment is needed now more than ever

Date: Tuesday, 15 February 2022

Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Speakers: Tania de Jong AM

Dr Jennifer Loughnan

Please register via Demio

(https://my.demio.com/ref/JNkiRnu0JqnO8GuS)

The details for the March talk are as follows:

Beyond the Panopticon: Evidence-Based Approaches to Criminal Justice Reform

Date: Tuesday, 15 March 2022

Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Speakers: Dr Mindy Sotiri

Please register via Demio

(https://my.demio.com/ref/CRctRfze8lLvAaiu)

Stay skeptical,

Kevin Davies

President – Canberra Skeptics

Canberra Skeptics proudly presents:

Psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental illness: why innovation in treatment is needed now more than ever

Date: Tuesday, 15 February 2022Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Speakers: Tania de Jong AM, Dr Jennifer Loughnan

Please register via Demio
(https://my.demio.com/ref/JNkiRnu0JqnO8GuS)

Pre-Covid 1 in 5 people in Australia were suffering from a mental illness. At least 1 in 8 adults, 1 in 4 older adults in 1 in 30 children are on anti-depressant medications currently, and often without disclosure of potential side effects. There has been no innovation in existing treatments for 5 decades. The lack of effective treatments has most certainly contributed to Australia’s devastating mental health statistics, which position Australia as second worst amongst all OECD nations, only ahead of Iceland. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic many, more Australians are experiencing anxiety, trauma, addiction, depression, loneliness, and social isolation, and suicide rates could significantly increase in the absence of innovation in treatments.

In the quest for new treatment options for mental illness, attention is being paid to the potential role of psychedelic medicines as adjuncts to psychotherapy for a wide array of conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and some addictions. Trials are also underway for dementia, Parkinson’s, strokes, cluster headaches, OCD, and eating disorders. A proactive approach to broadening the treatment options available for people who have a mental illness is desperately needed. This keynote and Q & A are presented by Mind Medicine Australia. The session will provide an engaging and educational update incorporating new learnings, science, and data about innovative, safe, and effective treatments being used in a practical clinical setting. It will also provide information on how to access the TGA’s SAS-B pathway for psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapies for treatment-resistant patients on a case-by-case basis.

Tania de Jong AM is the Co-Founder and Executive Director Mind Medicine Australia, Creativity Australia, Creative Universe, and The Song Room.

Dr Jennifer Loughman is a local GP, who has worked in multiple GP clinics in Canberra plus Indigenous communities around the country, as well as less common gigs such as prisons and quarantine facilities, and her own occupational health clinic.

This event was made possible by a generous grant from Australian Skeptics Inc.
Questions can be sent via Demio or emailed to canberraskeptics@gmail.com.

Canberra Skeptics Inc. is a non-profit association incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory for the purpose of promoting critical thinking.

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanberraSkeptics/
Twitter: @cbrskepticsEvent announcements:
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/SocialSkepticsCanberra/Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/canberra-skeptics-1862845876