Public meetings

Rationalist Think Tank

The RSA holds monthly meetings (at this stage, only in Melbourne and Perth) for Members and others interested in discussing contemporary issues from a rationalist perspective.

If you would like to see a Rationalist Think Tank in your city, please contact info@rationalist.com.au.

 

Perth

Details of meeting held in Perth can be found here.

 

Melbourne

Meetings have usually been held at friendly pubs on the southern side of Melbourne (Prahran, South Yarra) on Monday nights. However, in September 2018 our hosting pub decided not to open at all on Monday nights, and we have had to change the day of the week for our meetings, and the venue.

Our meetings will now be held on Wednesdays at the Tivoli Club, 291 Dandenong Rd, Windsor VIC 3181. The club has its own parking area with plenty of room, and it's on the no 64 tram line (stop no 36 at Closeburn Ave, one stop past Williams Road coming from the city).

We are working on getting similar discussion events running in other Australian cities. If you would like to help host such an event, place contact info@rationalist.com.au

When	What	Discussion
Wed 13 Feb	Alternatives to Prayers before Council, and State and Federal Parliaments
Wed 16 Jan 2019 (Note: third Wednesday rather than second, due to Australia being asleep between Xmas and mid Jan!)	The Role of Reason in a Fractious Society	We'll begin the discussion with a 20 min video of philosopher Julian Baggini at a recent Qld conference.
Meetings held in 2018
Wed 12 December 2018	Homelessness
Wednesday 14 November	Chaplains in Schools, Hospitals, Emergency Services and the Armed Services	Please note the change of DAY OF THE WEEK and VENUE
13 August 2018	The Communist Manifesto	How relevant is it today?
9 July 2018	China-Australia relations
12 February	Religious Freedoms for the Non-religious
8 January	An Aussie President
Meetings held in 2017
11 December	Sport
13 November	False Witness
9 October	Human Responsibilities
11 September	Democracy
14 August	Genital Autonomy
10 July	Welcome to the World
12 June	Is the Australian tax system fair?
8 May	The new Worldviews curriculum
10 April	Government funding of the arts
13 March	Nudity
13 February	Division of Time
9 January	Drug Law Reform

Information for first time attendees

Transport: TBA

Protocol: Guests should arrive at 6.30pm. Upon arrival, you will be issued a name tag, and can introduce yourself to the other guests. Seating is not allocated, join any table!

Eating/Drinking: You are warmly encouraged to join us for a meal and get to know the others. Allow $25 for a meal and drink.

Discussion programme: The group at each table discusses and endeavours to reach a consensus on questions set for the evening’s topic. It will help if you come with some initial thoughts on the subject. Tables appoint a person to facilitate the discussion and someone to record and report the group's deliberations.

The evening concludes around 8.30 to 9pm.

 

RSVP

If you are planning to attend, it will assist the organiser if you let us know by emailing thinktank@rationalist.com.au by the Thursday before so we can notify the hotel of the expected numbers.

If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute you can send an email with your comments or answers for consideration on the night.

You can also register via Meetup.com. By signing up, you will be able see information on future meetings, introductions and lists of questions, as well as comment and see who else may be attending. You can RSVP yourself and up to one guest. Go to: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Rationalist-Think-Tank/ to join up.