The Association holds regular meetings on a wide range of subjects. Meetings usually take place at our headquarters, Rationalist House, 64 Symonds Street, Auckland City. Topics for past meetings have included art, philosophy, science, and social issues. Some months we go on excursions to places of interest.
 

On Sunday, 21st February, 2010 at 4.00 pm we will present our 2009 annual awards.

Named after the English philosopher and peace activist Bertrand Russell. This award is presented annually to a member of the Association whose efforts have significantly advanced the cause of the Association during the year.

The recipient of this year's award is Toby Ricketts of Christchurch.

In 2009 Toby started a local group of the NZARH, known as the Canterbury Atheists. Toby's group has been meeting for some months now and each month they always have over 20 participants. That is an excellent achievement.

Toby also runs a blog called 'The Positive Atheist' (in his words) "to try to show people that we're a really joyous and positive bunch really". It's at http://thepositiveatheist.blogspot.com

He also has a website for freethinkers in the Canterbury area at: www.canterburyatheists.org.nz

Toby has done wonders in advertising to the freethinkers / atheists / rationalists / humanists in his area that there are other like minded people out there and how good it is to be able to meet and discuss topics of interest.

Also at the February meeting will be special guest Graeme Hill who will give us an informal talk as well as being presented with the following award:

This award is presented to a person or body who represents the values of the Enlightenment. The award is named after Charles Southwell New Zealand's first recognised freethinker.

This year's Charles Southwell award, which we present to a non-member who "represents the values of the Enlightenment", will be awarded to radio and television personality Graeme Hill.

Graeme began his broadcasting career on Auckland University student radio station 95Bfm before moving to Radio Sport, and on television was a presenter on the long running Sports Cafe show and writer on Eating Media Lunch and The Unauthorised History of New Zealand.

Graeme now runs a Saturday and Sunday morning show on Radio Live filled with scientific and skeptical news and information. He talks about outer space with Dr Grant Christie, skepticism with Vicky Hyde, broadcasts Pat Condell's atheist commentaries, and a lot more besides.

We will be presenting Graeme with the Charles Southwell Award on February 21st - in the meantime go to http://www.radiolive.co.nz, find your local frequency, and enjoy what for years has been the most Enlightening radio show around.