Sub Portal: Easters 2003 Photos
MUDS at Easters 2003
Macquarie University featured 7 teams and 6 adjudicators at the Australian Intervarsity debating Championships held at the University of Queensland over the Easter long weekend in 2003. The Australian National University defeated Adelaide University in a split decision in the grand final.
Team One: Dave Cramsie, James Bodero-smith and Dave Porter
MUDS' notable achievements at the Easters Tournament:
> Macquarie University was represented in the quarter finals of the tournament via the talents of Macquarie Team 2: Tamer; Abby and Andrew. Well done to Team 2!
> Abby Millerd's debating talents were well recongised with her being ranked *3rd* best novice speaker at the tournament. Congrats to Abby!
> MUDS "old hacks" (2002 president and vice-president) Melissa Saadat & Eamon Mooney made the break as adjudicators. Eamon made it through to the quarter finals and Melissa through to the semi-finals. Congrats to Eamon & Mel!
>Six Macquarie debaters make the overall top 100 speaker ranking:
4th - Abby Millerd
>Congrats to Abby, Tamer, Dave, Andrew, Dan and
Siyao! A First Year’s Perspective on Easters; Brisbane 2003
As a vulnerable, unknowing, naive first year student, one would attempt to forsee the scope and magnitude of an intervarsity debating event such as Easters before arriving in the host location. However, being able to comprehend the scale of such an event really does involve complete participation in all the assorted revels that Easters has to offer. Not only did Easters 2003 entail a colossal sum of alcohol consumption, but it also proved to be a superb means of solidifying relations between Macquarie University’s finest debaters, old and new. Brisbane was a trip that was never going to be forgotten about swiftly. As the days progressed the true identities of each debater began to emerge in full Macquarie style…
The quest begins…
The concluding scene…
Some Questions that were left Unanswered;
Controversial Occurrences;
Final Impressions…
Team Two: Tamer Morris, Abby Millerd and Andrew Chivers
Team Three: Emma Gingell, Matt Hanson and Maddy Penman
Team Four: Vince Repaci, Dan Philips and Matthew Christensen
Team Five: Jerome Nelson, Olivia Ross and Nick Burrage
Team Six: Henry Lehkonen, Elisa McDonnell and Luigina Webb
Team 7: Sam Kafitaris, Layla Nafari, Conor (?)
Adjudicators: Melissa Saadat, Eamon Mooney, Lisa Sharland, Kevin Wong, Karen McDowall and Tony
Newall.
20th - Tamer Morris
41st - Dave Cramsie
74th - Andrew Chivers
74th - Dan Phillips
87th - Siyao Jiang
UNOFFICIAL
REPORT
by Luigina Webb
The initial sexual harassment talk (not performed by Tamer, surprisingly, but by the more "experienced" Eamon) was a definite highlight, however the real fun began with the symbolic ‘naming ritual’ on the first night following the river cruise (apparently this is traditional and the names tend to stick). Tamer was dubbed as ‘Big Mumma’ (how appropriate) by Mel and did the name stick! Sam was awarded the title of ‘Shane’ due to his rather effusive and (dare I say) evocative manner of dancing.
Debating Chaos…
The opening day of debating elapsed quite rapidly and as the day drew to a close we returned to the hotel to prepare and brace ourselves for the evening’s festivities. Upon arrival at the hotel the Macquarie contingent was taken aside by the manager of the Summit and invited to compensate a hefty $2000 for a mystery broken fire door. Shock. Horror. Providently, Macquarie’s legally educated affiliates were on the case, examining and even taking photos of the contentious door in question. Following this brief hiccup we were whisked off to a surprise penitentiary location (the scene had previously been a women’s gaol, had it not?). By the end of the evening most people had forgotten that it was indeed good Friday. Copious quantities of cheap wine were consumed, inspiring a fun night for the Macquarie team. Amongst the retro music mahem Tamer requested ‘RESPECT’, a fatal move that was to be exploited in the regressive debate the following evening…
Making the Break…
Saturday was primarily dominated by the proceedings of the Championship dinner. Tensions ran high as everyone became anxious to discover who would and wouldn’t make the dreaded ‘break’. Macquarie team two (consisting of the talented Tamer, the audacious Abby, and the animated Andrew Chivers) triumphed into the quarters, as did Mel and Eamon as adjudicators. The Championship dinner was unquestionably a fascinating evening for all who attended. Funnily enough, the girls initially failed to locate the venue which took us on an extravagant winding tour of the Brisbane CBD. Upon arrival we witnessed the spectacle of Eamon Mooney effortlessly flipping Macquarie’s own Dave Cramsie. Macquarie’s extra-cirricular talents were on display. Mac Uni’s talents were further accentuated with our radiant rendition of ‘RESPECT’. Also, needless to say… does anyone recall a certain Garibaldi salami reference?? Not that we need to revive those memories. Take some advice; putting things in your mouth can be dangerous…trust me, I know.
An exciting day of finals unfolded and the grand final at Suncorp Piazza, Southbank provided some enthralling entertainment with Adelaide University taking out the title. On the last night we found ourselves at one of Brisbane’s renowned night spots; The Port Office. Complete with miniature balcony that managed to support a hundred people, the night was young. And Karen had much kissing to partake in. Subsequently, all Macquarie students magically found themselves in one of the boys’ rooms, listening to a mystery man strumming away at his guitar for our enjoyment. Where did he come from? Across the hall, presumably. No one slept on this night.
- Did any women actually attend the women’s lunch?
- Why were we not provided with adequate breakfasts?
- Why wasn’t Andrew Senchenko pummeled into the earth after a certain five individuals discovered that the Velvet Cigar Lounge was in fact a strip club?
- Does Andrew Chivers ever wear non-pastel coloured attire?
- One affair that really requires no descriptive imagery was Senchenko’s infamous chicken impersonation. Not only was it exploited throughout the entirety of the weekend, but it was done to death. The chicken impersonation is now engrained in Macquarie debating folk law.
- Arguably, the weekend belonged to a protagonist identified in discrete circles as the notorious ‘Wookie’. No, not ‘Rookie’ ladies and gentlemen… but ‘Wookie’. He was named by Andrew… and the name did stick. For a long time.
So how can Easters be best encapsulated? Throughout the duration of such a tumultuous weekend spent in the company of such an eclectic and inspiring group of young debaters, one may even fail to recall the fact that they spent four nights sleeping on the floor of a four star motel as opposed to sleeping on a bed. But I presume that just sums up the chaos of Easters for you.
*Photos from Easters 2003*
Preparing for a tournament Macq style...
Macquarie room after parties...
Waiting for the next round to begin...
Macquariites taking it easy...
Letting out that excess energy... the wholesome way