Launch event a success
// March 27th, 2010 // Global Atheist Convention
MEDIA RELEASE
The new Freethought University Alliance, a coalition of atheist, skeptic, humanist and secular campus groups in Australia, was successfully launched at the 2010 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne last weekend.
Over 100 students attended the event from 20 different universities from around Australia.
Jason Ball, 22-year-old Arts undergraduate from the University of Melbourne, was elected as President and Victorian State Convener, while Scott Sharrad from Adelaide University was elected for the position of General Secretary and South Australian State Convener.
“It’s my hope that by forming this alliance we’ll be able to work together as a coherent student movement dedicated to promoting science, reason and secular values on our campuses and also in the wider community” said Ball.
Other State Conveners elected included Alex Holmes (ACT), Charo Serventy (NSW), Matt Jacob (WA), Jonothan Meddings (QLD) and Jeremy O’Wheel (TAS)
The Alliance will aim to foster networking between the leaders of the campus groups, allowing them to share ideas to increase their impact and membership base, and to assist students forming new groups.
The launch event was covered by The Age in ‘Atheist Convention’s first secular success‘ (13/03/10) written by religious editor Barney Zwartz.
PZ Myers (left) with some of the freethought student leaders at the launch event (left to right) Jason Ball (University of Melbourne), Emily Vicendese (La Trobe University), Alastair Tait (Monash University), Scott Sharrad (Adelaide University), Callum Tyler (RMIT), Brett Edman (University of Newcastle).