Australian Skeptics

Origins

In 1979, Mark Plummer (later president of Australian Skeptics) sent a letter to the American skeptical magazine The Zetetic in which he expressed interest in beginning a skeptical organisation in Australia. Sydney electronics entrepreneur Dick Smith responded to the letter, and offered to sponsor a visit to Australia by James Randi, the 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 $50,000 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.

The Australian Skeptics formed in 1980 out of this event, with the original purpose of continuing to test claims of the paranormal, with committee members Mark Plummer (president), James Gerrand (secretary), Joe Rubinstein (treasurer), and Allan Christophers, as well as Bill Cook, John Crellin, Logan Elliot, Peter Kemeny, Loris Purcell, and Mike Wilton. It was at this time that the group adopted the name "Australian Skeptics". The amount of the prize was raised to AU$100,000 and it has been offered since then (see The $100,000 Prize below). Very soon after the original formation of the Australian Skeptics in Victoria, Barry Williams from Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), responded to a call from Dick Smith seeking interest for new members. He became involved, and the New South Wales committee formed. The NSW committee included Barry Williams (president), Tim Mendham (secretary/treasurer), Mel Dickson, Dick Champion, Jean Whittle and others. The Australian Skeptics are the second oldest English language skeptical group in the world after CSICOP in the US. Tim Mendham joined the NSW committee from the very first meeting and went on to become secretary, treasurer, and editor of the magazine.

In 1986, the year after the first national convention in Sydney (see below), Mark Plummer stepped down as national president when he began a new job as an executive officer at CSICOP in the US. At this time the NSW Skeptics group took over the role as the national secretariat and the national committee, but the magazine production remained in Victoria with various editors including James Durand. The national committee did not consist of representative from all the state organisations, but rather was just of the state groups which acted as the national organising committee. "Australian Skeptics incorporated in NSW" (Australian Skeptics Inc. - ASI) became an incorporated association in 1986 in NSW with Barry Williams as president.

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 that 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:

• To investigate claims of pseudoscientific, paranormal and similarly anomalous phenomena from a responsible, scientific point of view.
• To publicise the results of these investigations and, where appropriate, to draw attention to the possibility of natural and ordinary explanations of such phenomena.
• To accept explanations and hypotheses about paranormal occurrences only after good evidence has been adduced, which directly or indirectly supports such hypotheses.
• To encourage Australians and the Australian news media to adopt a critical attitude towards paranormal claims and to understand that to introduce or to entertain a hypothesis does not constitute confirmation or proof of that hypothesis.
• To stimulate inquiry and the quest for truth, wherever it leads.

As of 2015, every state and territory within Australia has its own regional branch, and some have their own newsletters, with new local skeptics' groups springing up in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Launceston and Darwin.

Awards and prizes

{{anchor|Thornett }} Thornett Award for the Promotion of Reason

The Thornett Award for the Promotion of Reason, affectionately known as "The Fred" (much like the Academy Award is known as the "Oscar"), is named after Fred Thornett, a noted member of Australian Skeptics from Tasmania who died in April 2009. The Fred award includes a $2000 cash prize (increased from $1000 in 2018) that is given to the recipient or to a charity or cause of their choice. It is awarded annually to a member of the public or a public figure who has made a significant contribution to educating or informing the public regarding issues of science and reason.

Skeptic of the Year

The Skeptic of the Year award is given annually to someone associated with the skeptical community who has been particularly active over the previous year. ASI coordinates the prize, and the final decision is voted on by representatives from the various Australian Skeptics groups.

Barry Williams Award for Skeptical Journalism

The Barry Williams Award for Skeptical Journalism which recognises "the best piece of journalism (in any medium) that takes a critical and skeptical approach to a topic" within the scope of the Australian Skeptics. The award is named in memory of Barry Williams who died in 2018 and carries a $AU2000 prize. Williams was a past president and executive officer of Australian Skeptics who regularly appeared in the Australian media. The award has been nicknamed "the Wallaby" after the nom-de-plume Sir Jim R Wallaby, used by Williams in some of his more whimsical writing.

Bent Spoon Awards

The Bent Spoon Award is an annual award coordinated by ASI, although the final decision is voted on by representatives from the various groups comprising Australian Skeptics. It is "presented to the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of paranormal or pseudoscientific piffle" in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. The group describe the award trophy as follows:

Although awarded annually since 1982, only one copy of the trophy exists, as "anyone wishing to acquire the trophy must remove it from our keeping by paranormal means" and no winner has yet overcome this obstacle.

The award is offered only to Australian individuals or groups, or those who have carried out their activities in Australia. The New Zealand Skeptics have a similar Bent Spoon Award.

∞ In 2012 the Australian Vaccination Network was ordered by the New South Wales Office of Fair Trading to change its name within two months. The order was challenged, but the challenge was dismissed, and in 2014 the group changed its name to the Australian Vaccination-Skeptics Network.

$100,000 Prize {{anchor|100000 Prize}}

Since its foundation in 1980, Australian Skeptics has been offering a cash prize to anyone who can prove they have psychic or paranormal powers and is able to demonstrate their ability under proper observing conditions. The offer has been made in an effort to seek out the truth of paranormal claims such as those of psychics, healers, witnesses to paranormal events and those selling devices which claim to defy scientific laws. If someone nominates another person, and that person is successful, then 20% of the prize may be awarded to the nominator.

The challenge originally offered $50,000 to any water diviner who was able to demonstrate their powers, and it was later raised, with contributions from various sources, to AU$100,000 offered to anyone who could demonstrate any form of paranormal or psychic ability unknown to science. Up to the end of 2018, more than 200 claims have been seriously investigated but none of them has produced a positive result.

This challenge is now coordinated by ASI and the prize money is backed by the Australian Skeptics Science and Education Foundation. It is open to any contender who can state exactly what their paranormal claim is, and the claim can give a definite yes or no result. They must define under what conditions the claim can be performed, and expect to beat million to one odds in order to claim success. The result of each test is then published in The Skeptic, the magazine of Australian Skeptics. ASI states that should any contender pass the challenge, and be awarded the prize, they want to tell the world and give the claimant proper recognition. If, however, a claim is proved to be unfounded or fraudulent, the association reserve the right to expose this result in an effort to prevent clients from spending time and money on a product or service that cannot deliver what is claimed for it.

Eureka / Critical Thinking Prize

The Australian Museum Eureka Awards is a series of annual awards presented by the Australian Museum in partnership with their sponsors, for excellence in various fields. Until 2005 the Australian Skeptics were major sponsors of the award for critical thinking, which during this period was awarded to:

∞ The 2000 Spring edition of The Skeptic magazine erroneously listed Richard Kocsis as the 1999 winner

After 2005 the Australian Skeptics decided to withdraw from the Eurekas, and award their own critical thinking Prize known as the Australian Skeptics Critical Thinking Prize. The winners are as follows:

Both of these prizes have been discontinued. File:ASI Logo 2015.png|The map of Australia in the shape of a question mark was adopted as the official logo by the Australian Skeptics in 1996 and is a registered trademark image of the Australian Skeptics Inc. All Australian skeptical groups have been granted unconditional licence to use the image. File:Eran Segev ESC2017.webm|Australian Skeptics Inc. former president Eran Segev on the secrets of an effective skeptical organisation.

Regional and state groups

New South Wales

• Australian Skeptics Inc.
• Hunter Skeptics

Victoria

• Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch) Inc.
• Ballarat Skeptics
• Borderline Skeptics Inc.
• Citizens for Science
• Great Ocean Road Skeptics
• Melbourne Eastern Hills Skeptics in the Pub
• Melbourne Skeptics
• Mordi Skeptics
• Young Australian Skeptics

Queensland

• Brisbane Skeptic Society Inc.
• Gold Coast Skeptics
• Queensland Skeptics Association Inc.

Australian Capital Territory

• Canberra Skeptics

Western Australia

• WA Skeptics
• Perth Skeptics

South Australia

• Skeptics SA
• Thinking and Drinking

Tasmania

• Hobart Skeptics
• Launceston Skeptics

Northern Territory

• Darwin Skeptics

Past events

National conventions

The Australian Skeptics National Convention is the longest running annual skeptical convention, and has been held annually since 1985.

No Answers in Genesis

No Answers in Genesis is a website affiliated with the Australian Skeptics organisation that provides information to defend the theory of evolution, and, more specifically, counter young Earth creationist arguments put forward by Answers in Genesis. It was founded by Australian atheist and skeptic John Stear, a retired civil servant. The website contains links, essays and other postings that rebut creationist arguments against evolution. Stear states that the site is meant for educational purposes as well as to illustrate the problems with young Earth creationism. The site also contains simple introductions to evolutionary concepts. It mainly has posts on creationism, but now has some essays on "intelligent design". It has two discussion boards.

In June 2005, members of the creationist group Answers in Genesis – Australia debated a team from the Australian Skeptics online on Margo Kingston's web diary section of the Sydney Morning Herald website.

Psychic hoaxes

In 1984 the Australian Skeptics brought magician Bob Steiner to Australia to pose as a psychic under the name "Steve Terbot". He went on The Bert Newton Show with Derryn Hinch who was in on the hoax, and accused him of being a charlatan. He also performed shows to live audiences in Melbourne and Sydney, pretending to be psychic. He later returned to the Bert Newton Show to reveal that he was a magician performing a hoax.

Later in February 1988 Richard Carleton, a reporter on the TV show 60 Minutes, brought James Randi back to Australia to oversee an elaborate hoax involving a fictional character named Carlos who was reported to be a 2,000-year-old entity who had last appeared in the body of a 12-year-old boy in Venezuela in 1900 was now manifesting through a young American art student named José Alvarez. In reality José had no special abilities, and was actually Randi's partner and assistant. The hoax involved the character Carlos appearing on various television shows in character and culminated in channel nine hosting a large media event at the Sydney Opera House where members from the Australian Skeptics were interviewed in front of a large audience of believers. The Australian Skeptics had not been made aware of the hoax until hours before it was revealed, a few days later, on 60 Minutes. There was outrage amongst the Australian media, to which Randi responded by pointing out that none of the journalists had bothered with even the most elementary fact-checking measures. There were some among the Australian Skeptics who took the view that this hoax had the potential of harming the good relationships that had been formed with certain media organisations, possibly discouraging them from reporting critically on similar stories in the future, and instead leaving such stories to other, less skeptical media organisations.

Historical investigations and demonstrations

Over the years the Australian Skeptics have conducted many investigations and demonstrations. Some examples are as follows:

Divining

In the early 1980s Dick Smith brought James Randi to Australia to conduct a test to determine whether those who conduct water divining have any real abilities. They laid out a grid of plastic irrigation pipes which were able to have water flowing or not flowing, and then challenged water diviners to determine which pipes contained the running water. Prior to the testing, the diviners agreed that the experimental conditions were suitable, however, when they were unable to display any ability, they changed their positions and blamed various external influences for preventing their success. This experiment was repeated several times beginning in 2001 using bottled water and bottled sand hidden within paper bags, with similar results.

Water powered car

In 1983 Ian Bryce and Mark Plummer investigated a patent filed for a "water powered car", designed by Stephen Horvath. The car was well publicised in the media of the day, and promoted by the then Premier of Queensland; Joh Bjelke-Petersen. The investigation concluded that the claim that the car was powered by nuclear fusion was not supported by evidence.

Psychic surgery

In 1981 when James Randi was visiting Australia he demonstrated how psychic surgery can be performed by sleight of hand with no actual surgery taking place. This was then later demonstrated again by the Australian Skeptics at a convention held in Sydney. The publicity from these demonstrations led to other forms of media, including the Australian Penthouse magazine publishing the story.

Fire walking

The Victorian Skeptics have demonstrated several times how firewalking or lying on a bed of nails can be achieved without any harm to the person. As publicity stunts they had various celebrities such as Steve Moneghetti, as well as committee members including Barry Williams, demonstrate fire walking, and then invited members of the public to repeat the stunt.

Telepathy

In 2010, a $100,000 prize challenger named Barrie Hill claimed to have the ability to transfer information by paranormal means, i.e. not through established communications or other physical means, from Australia to the USA. A test protocol was developed and agreed to by both parties. On test day, the Sydney "transmit" team assembled and was ready to execute the test, but in New York, the "receiver", known only as "Sue" and her lawyer "Jamie", did not show up to the agreed location. Hill claimed that they could not be reached by cell phone as they did not use them due to concerns over health. The test was eventually called off. After the first attempt, Hill explained that the receiver team was stuck in an elevator on the test date, and asked for another test. The investigation team insisted on speaking to the receiver, and asked the name. Hill replied it was "An Indian Spirit Guide."

Cold Fusion

On behalf of Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith, the Australian Skeptics performed an investigation of Andrea Rossi's Energy Catalyzer purported cold fusion generator. Several reviewers, including 2 nuclear physicists, had previously observed the device in operation and found it worth more study. Bryce's investigation postulated that extra energy was being added into the system through an unmetered earth ground wire.

Wine Card

In 2014 the Australian Skeptics investigated a product marketed by a Brisbane company known as the 'Premium Wine Card'. The device was the size of a credit card with holes punched in it that one would press against a glass when wine was poured in. The claim is that 'embedded frequencies' in the card improve the taste of wine, and was sold for about sixty-five dollars. Investigators devised an informal test using a placebo wine card, and placed both cards into identical envelopes, after which they invited participants to select which glass of wine was superior. The test was performed with two types of wine of differing price and with tap water. Sixty-six trials were performed. The results showed no correlation between use of the wine card on samples and the preference of the participants.

Publications

''The Skeptic'' magazine

The journal of the Australian Skeptics is called The Skeptic. The first issue of The Skeptic came out of Melbourne in January 1981, edited by Mark Plummer and produced by James Gerrand. The first issue was a black and white broadsheet tabloid. For many years the logo was the same logo as the American publication the Skeptical Inquirer only photocopied with the end chopped off. After that first issue, the format was reduced to a standard A4 publication produced on a typewriter. In the early days of the Australian Skeptics there was a strong focus on media and outreach, and the magazine ran a special column in each issue listing all media coverage for that period. After the national secretariat moved up to NSW in 1986, the production of the magazine was moved to the Sydney branch in 1987 with Tim Mendham as the new editor, and at this time the magazine was produced on a computer (a Macintosh) for the first time. About a year before the change, there was a competition held to choose a new logo for the Australian Skeptics, and this new logo was used in the magazines up until the 1990s. In 1988 for the first time the magazine was produced with a cover, showing the title and various art work, and for a few years after that the publication was produced in a different colour for each issue. In 1990 Tim Mendham stepped down as editor and Barry Williams took on the role, intending to only edit one issue in 1991, but then remaining in the role until 2008. Both Karen Stollznow and Steve Roberts were editors briefly in 2009, until editing was handed back to Tim Mendham in June 2009, and with whom it remained until the printed magazine stopped being published in 2025 and the magazine became an online only publication.

Books

The first big project that the Australian Skeptics undertook was in the 1980s when two scientists, Martin Bridgstock and Ken Smith, researched the various claims of creationism, and the Australian Skeptics, along with other authors, published a very successful book detailing their debunking of creationist claims. The book, titled Creationism: An Australian Perspective was first published 1986. At this time creationism was still being taught in science classes in some public schools in Queensland, but this research led to campaigns led by Martin Bridgstock, which resulted in creationism being removed from science classes. Ken Smith and Martin Bridgestock were both awarded the first life memberships in the Australian Skeptics at the 1986 convention for this service.

The Australian Skeptics also re-published the book Gellerism Revealed: The Psychology and Methodology Behind the Geller Effect by Ben Harris, originally published in 1985.

The Canberra Skeptics also published a book titled Skeptical which gave one- to two-page overviews of various skeptical topics.

Booklet

During the creationism in science classes debate, the Australian Skeptics attended a talk by a creationist geologist and collected various leaflets at that event. They responded to the leaflets by setting up a small sub-committee for the purpose of researching and responding to the various points raised in the creationist leaflets. The results of this research were published in a booklet in 1991 titled "Creationism-Scientists Respond".

Skeptical Australian podcasts and radio programs

Criticisms

There are claims the NSW Skeptics have over-reached in claiming the name 'Australian' skeptics, and also that supporters have no democratic standing, the group being akin to an 'invite only' gentlemen's club, amongst other criticisms about how they conduct themselves generally.

References

References

1. (7 July 2009). "Australian Skeptics 'About us'". Australian Skeptics Inc..
2. "The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry". CSICOP.
3. "Center For Inquiry – About us".
4. (10 November 2019). "History of Australian Skeptics – Barry Williams and Peter Hogan". Australian Skeptics.
5. (10 November 2019). "History of Australian Skeptics – Tim Mendham". Australian Skeptics Inc..
6. (10 November 2019). "History of Australian Skeptics – Dick Smith". Australian Skeptics.
7. (Spring 1994). "A Mighty Oak from a Tiny Acorn Grew". The Skeptic.
8. (2014). "Phillip Adams AO". The Celebrity Speakers Bureau.
9. (10 January 2013). "Humanist whose work saved lives". [[The Age]].
10. "Australian Skeptics 'Another Skeptical Pioneer Dies'". Australian Skeptics Inc..
11. (9 January 2013). "Engineer exploded myths in many fields". Sydney Morning Herald.
12. (January 1981). "Australian Skeptics". Australian Skeptics.
13. (22 January 2019). "There's a $100K Reward Going for People Who Prove They're Psychic". Vice Media LLC.
14. (10 November 2019). "History of Australian Skeptics – Barry Williams and Peter Hogan". Australian Skeptics.
15. (10 November 2019). "History of Australian Skeptics – Ian Bryce".
16. (10 November 2019). "History of Australian Skeptics – Steve Roberts". Australian Skeptics.
17. (September 2015). "Skeptical Groups in Australia". The Skeptic.
18. (31 May 1995). "Column 8". The Sydney Morning Herald.
19. (28 November 2011). "Australian Skeptics 'Merit Awards'". Australian Skeptics Inc..
20. (September 2015). "Local Skeptical Groups". The Skeptic.
21. "The 'Fred' Award 2009".
22. (5 December 2014). "Australian Skeptic Awards 2014".
23. (27 November 2016). "Skeptic Zone episode 423".
24. (June 2020). "#374".
25. (December 2014). "Around the traps...". Australian Skeptics.
26. (December 2013). "Skeptic of the Year". The Skeptic.
27. (December 2012). "Skeptics' Awards 2012... And the winner is". Australian Skeptics.
28. "2012 Bent Spoon Award". Australian Skeptics Inc.
29. "Australian Skeptics National Convention 2014". Australian Skeptics Inc.
30. "Bent Spoon to RMIT; Skeptic of the Year to Loretta Marron". Australian Skeptics Inc..
31. (December 2011). "Around the traps... awards". Australian Skeptics.
32. (December 2011). "Ken Harvey taken to court". Australian Skeptics.
33. (December 2011). "The SensaSlim Saga". Australian Skeptics.
34. (December 2010). "Onward...". Australian Skeptics.
35. (December 2010). "Skeptics' Awards... And the winner is". The Skeptic.
36. "Australian skeptics cheer David and Toni McCaffery". Discover Magazine.
37. "The 'Fred' Award 2009". Australian Skeptics Inc.
38. (December 2009). "And the Winners are...". Australian Skeptics Inc..
39. "Merit Awards: Skeptic of the Year". Australian Skeptics.
40. (28 November 2011). "Merit Awards: Skeptic of the Year". Australian Skeptics.
41. (19 November 2017). "2017 Bent Spoon to NICM; Skeptic of the Year Christine Bayne".
42. (29 November 2014). "Australian Skeptic of the Year 2014".
43. "University of Sydney Professor awarded Australia's biggest Skeptic". University of Sydney.
44. "Professor Simon Chapman AM".
45. (23 May 2011). "Simon Chapman". The Conversation.
46. (27 May 2015). "What if Sydney University's complementary medicine research shows it's useless?". The Conversation.
47. (9 December 2012). "Testing times for medical science".
48. "Loretta Marron wins Order of Australia".
49. (2 Feb 2014). "The Skeptic Zone Episode 276". The Skeptic Zone.
50. (December 2012). "Loretta Marron – Exposing CAM". Australian Skeptics.
51. (March 2013). "Bent Spoon Awarded to Homeopath". Skeptical Inquirer.
52. "Australian Skeptics honor the Best and the Worst of the Year".
53. "About FSM Association and Executive".
54. (December 2011). "The end of the world news". Australian Skeptics.
55. (Summer 2007). "Convention Round-up". Australian Skeptics.
56. (20 March 2008). "Karl S. Kruszelnicki".
57. "About Karl".
58. (May 2019). "Karl Kruszelnicki (Dr Karl)". RiAUS.
59. (Summer 2006). "Annual Skeptics Awards". The Skeptic.
60. (Summer 2004). "Convention Round-up". Australian Skeptics.
61. "Paul Willis". RiAUS.
62. (Summer 2002). "Skeptic of the Year". Australian Skeptics.
63. (Summer 2000). "Australian Skeptics awards". Australian Skeptics.
64. (Summer 1999). "Worthy recipients of Skeptics' awards named". The Skeptic.
65. "Professor Michael Archer". University of NSW.
66. (Summer 1998). "Awards and music at annual dinner". Australian Skeptics.
67. (Spring 1997). "1997 Convention a great success". Australian Skeptics.
68. (Summer 1996). "Convention Notes". The Skeptic.
69. Mendham, Tim. (20 August 2018). "Skeptics award for critical thinking in journalism – Nominations open".
70. (28 November 2011). "The Barry Williams Award for Skeptical Journalism".
71. Mendham, Tim. (13 October 2018). "A bad day for Sarah".
72. (30 Aug 2015). "The Skeptic Zone Episode 358". The Skeptic Zone.
73. Williams, Barry. "History of the Bent Spoon Award". Australian Skeptics.
74. (1 December 2007). "Australian Skeptics Awards 2007".
75. (29 November 2006). "Bad slot for mumbo jumbo". The Australian.
76. (12 August 2011). "Ken Ring coverage wins skeptics' Bent Spoon award". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
77. (2024-11-26). "Cancer Council WA wins 2024 Skeptics’ Bent Spoon - Australian Skeptics Inc".
78. (8 December 2023). "Walkley winner Coulthart wins 2023 Bent Spoon". Australian Skeptics.
79. (20 July 2022). "COVID-denying fake doctor who handed out 1200 exemptions fined $25,000". Brisbane Times.
80. (12 December 2022). "Non-doctor Maria Carmela Pau wins 2022 Bent Spoon".
81. "MP Craig Kelly wins 2021 Bent Spoon". Australian Skeptics.
82. (12 July 2009). "The Bent Spoon Award: Past Winners". Australian Skeptics.
83. (8 December 2019). "Episode 582".
84. "Pete Evans given award which recognises 'quackery'". Sydney Morning Herald.
85. "Bent Spoon goes to CSIRO Head". Australian Skeptics Inc..
86. (January 2015). "Skeptics Award Bent Spoon to New CSIRO Chief". Australasian Science.
87. (9 July 2016). "The Science Show – CSIRO chief retains award for dodgy science". ABC.
88. "Chiropractors win joint Bent Spoon". Australian Skeptics Inc..
89. (December 2013). "Chiropractors win joint Bent Spoon". Australian Skeptics.
90. Smith, Bridie. (3 December 2012). "Skeptics confer spoon accolade". The Age.
91. "Australian Bent Spoon award goes to Homeopathy Plus".
92. "2012 Bent Spoon Award/". Australian Skeptics Inc..
93. (29 November 2009). "Meryl Dorey and the AVN win 2009 Bent Spoon". Australian Skeptics.
94. "Meryl Dorey on her 'Bent Spoon Award'". ABC Radio.
95. "Meryl Dorey wins the Bent Spoon".
96. (1 December 2009). "Skeptics hand out Bent Spoon". The Northern Star.
97. (Summer 2008). "Convention Roundup". Australian Skeptics.
98. (30 November 2006). "Mortar, pestle and bent spoon". Cirrus Media.
99. Williams, Barry. (Summer 2005). "Massaging the Message". Australian Skeptics.
100. (Spring 2003). "Bent Spoon". Australian Skeptics.
101. (Summer 2002). "Award Winners". Australian Skeptics.
102. (Summer 2001). "Bent Spoon Winner". Australian Skeptics.
103. Rodrigues, Marilyn. (8 December 2002). "Conversation: Michael Willesee, journalist and producer -…the presence of Jesus". The Catholic Weekly.
104. (21 February 2014). "As it happens, crime does pay ... and it always will". The Canberra Times.
105. (6 December 1995). "Stay In Touch: Visionaries". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
106. (Spring 1995). "Bent Spoon Award for 1995". Australian Skeptics.
107. Williams, Barry. (Spring 1994). "A G Wins B S". Australian Skeptics.
108. Walker, David. (7 July 1993). "Seven earns a bent spoon". The Age.
109. Warburton, Annie. (Spring 1993). "Kinesiology on the Wireless". Australian Skeptics.
110. Williams, Barry. (Spring 1992). "Bent Spoon Award". Australian Skeptics.
111. (Spring 1991). "Bent Spoon Winner". Australian Skeptics.
112. (Autumn 1991). ["Bent Spoon Revisited"](http://www.skeptics.com.au/magazine/The%20Skeptic%20Volume%2011%20(1991)%20No%201.pdf}}{{Dead link). The Skeptic.
113. "The Second Coming – Psychics". The Skeptic, All the Best from 1986 to 1990.
114. "The Second Coming – Skepticism". The Skeptic, All the Best from 1986 to 1990.
115. West, Andrew. (30 March 1988). "The 1988 Bent Spoon award is up for grabs". The Age.
116. (20 April 1987). "Brock Impresses the Sceptics". The Sydney Morning Herald.
117. "The Second Coming – Pseudoscience". The Skeptic, All the Best from 1986 to 1990.
118. "In the Beginning". The Skeptic, the First 5 Years.
119. Andy Burns. (15 December 2012). "Minister orders anti-vaccination group to change its name". Herald Sun.
120. (17 December 2012). "Anti-vaccine group must change 'misleading' name". Northern Star.
121. (20 December 2012). "Anti-vaccine set forced to fess up". David Penberthy.
122. "Australian Vaccination Network changes name to reflect sceptical stance". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
123. (12 July 2009). "Australian Skeptics 'The $100000 Challenge'". Australian Skeptics Inc..
124. Robson, Lou. (3 July 2008). "Witches brave the fires of scepticism". The Age.
125. "Go with Australian Skeptics".
126. (20 November 2016). "Who We Are". Australian Skeptics Inc..
127. "Macquarie University Psychology Staff". Macquarie University.
128. (22 November 2013). "Amanda Barnier". The Conversation.
129. (14 February 1998). "Profile: Amanda Barnier".
130. Williams, Barry. (Summer 1997). "Eureka winners announced". Australian Skeptics.
131. (Winter 1999). "1999 Eureka Prize winners announced". Australian Skeptics.
132. (Winter 2000). "Eureka Prize winners". Australian Skeptics.
133. (21 June 2012). "Tim van Gelder". The Conversation.
134. "Lifeboat Foundation Advisory Board". Lifeboat Foundation.
135. (11 November 2014). "MAP14 Master Class Series". The University of Melbourne.
136. (Winter 2001). "Eureka Prizes Reward Science Excellence". Australian Skeptics.
137. "The University of Adelaide News and Events". The University of Adelaide.
138. (May 2019). "RiAUS People". Research Institute of Australia.
139. "Nature Foundation SA Our People". Nature Foundation SA.
140. (Spring 2002). "Eureka Prize Winners". Australian Skeptics.
141. (16 August 2003). "Eureka Prizes 2003".
142. (Spring 2003). "Eureka Winners Announced". Australian Skeptics.
143. (Spring 2004). "Eureka Prizes Set New Records". Australian Skeptics.
144. (9 August 2005). "Prestigious Eureka science prizes awarded". ABC.
145. "Amanda Wilson". The Conversation.
146. (10 August 2005). "Eureka full winners list".
147. (Summer 2005). "Eureka Winner". Australian Skeptics.
148. (Spring 2000). "Skeptics World Convention". Australian Skeptics.
149. "Martin Bridgstock". CFI.
150. (May 2019). "Dr Martin Bridgstock The Skeptical Eye".
151. (31 March 2010). "The 'Token Skeptic' at the Rise of Atheism—Global Atheist Convention, Melbourne, Australia". CFI.
152. (19 December 2006). "ThePhilosopher's Zone with Joe Gelonesi". ABC Radio National.
153. Peter Ellerton. "Critical Thinking Project". The University of Queensland.
154. (18 April 2012). "Peter Ellerton". The Conversation.
155. (Summer 2008). "Critical Thinking in Schools". Australian Skeptics.
156. "Young Australian Skeptics".
157. "Brisbane Skeptics Society". Brisbane Skeptics Society.
158. "Perth Skeptics".
159. "Perth Skeptics".
160. (March 2015). "Skeptical Anniversaries". Skeptical Inquirer.
161. "Banned naturopath Barbara O’Neill wins 2025 Bent Spoon". Australian Skeptics.
162. "Skepticon 2019". Victorian Skeptics.
163. (2018-04-12). "Skepticon: Australian Skeptics National Convention".
164. "Australian Skeptics Convention 2017".
165. (2016-06-01). "2016 Convention latest".
166. "Australian Skeptics National Convention MMXV". Brisbane Skeptic Society.
167. (June 2015). "2015 Skeptics Convention Speakers". The Skeptic.
168. (March 2014). "Sydney 2014 30th Skeptics National Convention". The Skeptic.
169. "Australian Skeptics National Convention 2013". Australian Skeptics Inc.
170. (March 2012). "Randi for 2012 Melbourne – November 30 to December 2 National Convention". The Skeptic.
171. (March 2010). "Celebrating Australian Skeptics 30th Anniversary". The Skeptic.
172. (September 2009). "Briskepticon '09". The Skeptic.
173. (Winter 2008). "National Convention". The Skeptic.
174. (Spring 2007). "Australian Skeptics National Convention". The Skeptic.
175. (Autumn 2006). "National Convention". The Skeptic.
176. (Winter 2005). "Australian Skeptics National Convention 2005". The Skeptic.
177. (Spring 2004). "Australian Skeptics National Convention". The Skeptic.
178. (Autumn 2003). "National Convention 2003". The Skeptic.
179. (Autumn 2002). "The Fourth World Skeptics Conference". The Skeptic.
180. (Summer 2001). "Convention a Great Success". The Skeptic.
181. (Autumn 2000). "Third International Skeptics Convention". The Skeptic.
182. (Winter 1999). "National Convention Adelaide". The Skeptic.
183. (Autumn 1998). "1998 National Convention". The Skeptic.
184. (Spring 1997). "1997 Convention a great success". The Skeptic.
185. (Autumn 1996). "Richard Dawkins for 1996 Convention". The Skeptic.
186. (Autumn 1995). "Australian Skeptics 1995 Annual Convention". The Skeptic.
187. (Winter 1994). "National Convention Dates Changed – Venue Announced". The Skeptic.
188. (Autumn 1993). "Randi for Convention". The Skeptic.
189. (Spring 1992). "Successful 1992 Convention". The Skeptic.
190. (Winter 1991). "National Convention". The Skeptic.
191. "The Second Coming – Editorials". The Skeptic.
192. "The Second Coming – Editorials". The Skeptic.
193. "The Second Coming – Health". The Skeptic.
194. "The Second Coming – Skepticism". The Skeptic.
195. "The Second Coming – Psychics". The Skeptic.
196. "In the Beginning". The Skeptic.
197. "No Answers in Genesis!". noanswersingenesis.org.au.
198. "Intelligent Design". noanswersingenesis.org.au.
199. "Welcome to the Discussion Board of No Answers in Genesis".
200. "Andrew's Discussion Forum".
201. "Creation / Evolution Debate". skeptics.com.au.
202. Higginbotham, Adam. (7 November 2014). "The Unbelievable Skepticism of the Amazing Randi". The New York Times Magazine.
203. (Autumn 1988). "The Carlos Hoax". The Skeptic.
204. "'Carlos' hoax". Robert Todd Carroll.
205. Randi, James. (7 May 1998). "James Randi and the Great Carlos". [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]].
206. (Autumn 1988). "The Carlos Hoax a personal view". The Skeptic.
207. (18 April 2011). "James Randi in Australia". Dick Smith.
208. (4 June 2009). "Dick Smith On Water Divining". Skeptically Thinking.
209. (November 1983). "Horvath Car Secrets Revealed". Australian Skeptics.
210. (March 1985). "Psychic Surgery – A fraud". Australian Skeptics.
211. (28 July 2009). "Fire Walking". Australian Skeptics.
212. (March 2011). "Message Not Received". The Skeptic.
213. "Ian Bryce - The Australian Skeptics". The Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking.
214. (March 2012). "Going Cold on Cold Fusion". The Skeptic.
215. (June 2020). "A Tasteless Experience". The Skeptic.
216. (June 2009). "Brief History of the Skeptic". skeptics.com.au.
217. (March 2009). "The Skeptic". The Skeptic.
218. (June 2009). "The Skeptic". The Skeptic.
219. "The Skeptic becomes online only publication". ABC Radio National.
220. (1986). "Creationism: An Australian Perspective". Australian Skeptics.
221. (1985). "Gellerism Revealed: The Psychology and Methodology Behind the Geller Effect". M. Hades International.
222. "Skeptic Podcasts".
223. "Brains Matter".
224. (12 July 2009). "Australian Skeptical Podcasts".
225. "Diffusion Science Radio".
226. "Dr Karl Podcasts". ABC Science.
227. "Dr Karl's Great Moments in Science".
228. "Einstein a Go-Go". Triple R.
229. "About the Imaginary Friends Show".
230. "Mysterious Universe".
231. "Reality Check".
232. "Reality Check".
233. "About Skeptically Challenged".
234. "Ockham's Razor". ABC Radio National.
235. "Science, news and pop culture". The Young Australian Skeptics.
236. "Young Australian Skeptics". Young Australian Skeptics.
237. Lallo, Michael. (2 April 2009). "Not in Kansas any more". The Age (Melbourne, Vic.).
238. "Dr Karl".
239. "About".
240. "The Science Show". ABC Radio National.
241. Saunders, Richard. (2001). "Take an Internet Dip in The Skeptic Tank". The Skeptic.
242. "The Tank – Skeptics on the radio". skeptics.com.au.
243. "The Skeptic Zone Podcast".
244. (15 August 2014). "Skeptically Challenged 2014/08/15 Richard Saunders".
245. "About". ABC Radio.
246. [[Kylie Sturgess]]. (31 March 2010). "The 'Token Skeptic' at the Rise of Atheism—Global Atheist Convention, Melbourne, Australia". Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
247. (21 May 2009). "About".
248. "Special Articles – Curiouser and Curiouser". CFI.
249. "The Tank Vodcast". mysteryinvestigators.com.
250. "Young people, big topics: over coffee". The Young Australian Skeptics.
251. John August. "Why I am not an Australian Skeptic".