Well, it's a pleasant surprise to read something by Bruce Haigh that doesn't warrant a hostile response. Congratulations, Bruce.

But Australia has had it's own version of Chatauquas as early as colonial times - the so-called self-improvement movement, the remnants of which can be seen today in many small rural locations (and some city suburbs) in the guise of schools of arts and mechanics' institutes. Admittedly, those were mainly focussed on the provision of libraries and skills sharing, rather than discussions with prominent people, but the latter were probably a bit thin on the ground in Australia at the time.

No doubt meeting face to face somebody who has a story to tell and experiences to share would be a boon for people in rural and remote areas. But with free to air TV, pay TV and the internet in all its manifestations, it's hard to see what a Chatauqua would add to the sum total of human knowledge these days, even for the most isolated.

Nevertheless, if an Australian version of Chatauquas is organised, I wish it the best.

Well, you had fun Bruce! I guess that's alright then?

I believe it might be a good tradition, perhaps supported by the NBN, and Q+A style video conferencing in our high schools and or tertiary campuses!

I like the four speaker model, with two (angel's advocates) speaking for a case and two (devil's advocates) speaking against it. And a good model for encouraging reasoned logical debate and critical thinking!

Perhaps followed by essays that encapsulate what the individual student got from the exercise?

Young minds, so pliable! And so many activists wanting unfettered access?
Alan B.

"Young minds, so pliable! And so many activists wanting unfettered access? Alan B."

I think you may be a lot closer to the truth of the matter than you realize Alan. After all, from what ranks shall we invite speakers?

I can give you three suggestions: Free marketeers, agrarian socialists, or someone from the Victorian "Safe Schools" program.