Welcome to MUDS

The Macquarie University Debating Society is a student-run body within Macquarie University. Promoting debating in all its forms, Macquarie Debaters conduct competitions, host and attend tournaments, and provide training and social events for all our members.

Updated: 16/10/2007

Archived News from MUDS Parliamentary Novitiates come to the table UTS Novice Tournament On Saturday 1^st September, UTS hosted an invitational British Parliamentary tournament aiming at those who had not had much experience in the style. With three largely technology-themed rounds and a final, motions included privatising SBS, citing Wikipedia as authority, and regime change in Saudi Arabia. Commendations to the organising team from UTS for their efforts. Congratulations to Kate Kim who kicked off her British Parliamentary adjudicating career! What a wonderful way to bring in the Spring! ANU Debating tournament A fantastic tournament to hone your British Parliamentary Skills, the ANU Debating tournament in late August was one of the best invitational weekends put on in recent memory. Commendations to Sarah, Matt, Claudia and all the team from Canberra’s pre-eminent university for their generous spirit and hard work. Many of us will definitely be back next year. Congratulations to Edwin Nelson, Susie Jerapetritis and Daniel Delimihalis, who all kicked off their British Parliamentary careers in emphatic fashion! Karaoke Night a song! Australs reunion sees opera-like performances On Saturday August 17, we celebrated the homecoming of the all-conquering Australs contingent with a review party over Karaoke, fine food and a couple of drinks. It was a fantastic night! Capitalism is bad for the soul says audience Vice-Chancellor’s Debate a great success The Inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Debate held on Wednesday August 15 at 5pm in Building E7B Courtyard was a fantastic success. It was yet another positive step in the relationship between the University Administration and the Debating Society, in the lead up to the society hosting the Australian Championships in 2008. Speaking for the proposition were acclaimed author, public intellectual and director of the Australia Institute, Dr Clive Hamilton; distinguished Macquarie academic, author and cultural economist Professor David Throsby; and Macquarie intervarsity debater Ms Luigina Webb (President 2006, Macquarie University Debating Society; has spoken at Australian and Australasian Championships; Arts (Politics)/Law V). Speaking against the proposition were Professor Peter Saunders, author and Social Research Director at the Centre for Independent Studies who oversees the Centre's Social Foundations program; distinguished academic and Dean of Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Professor Roy Green; and Macquarie intervarsity debater Mr Thomas Hosking (President 2007, Macquarie University Debating Society; has spoken at Australian, Australasian and World Championships; Actuarial Studies/Maths IV). The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steven Schwartz, chaired the debate. Audience members were also given the opportunity to express their views. Drinks and finger food were available for guests immediately following the debate under the Marquee. This House Would Negotiate With Terrorists? No, and resolutely so! BP Exhibition Debate On Monday August 6, opening the second session of the debating year, we held an exhibition debate in the British Parliamentary Style in W5C. The opening government set it to the negotiation with hostage takers in Iraq. In the end, the Closing Opposition was victorious. Everyone experienced the wonder of multiple "points of information", two at times bizarre "extensions", a good deal of brazen unparliamentary conduct, and hilarious quips from the team that was winning. Opening Government: James O'Brien, Thomas Hosking Opening Opposition: Matthew Fellew, Luigina Webb Closing Government: Amy Van de Ruit, Marcus Dunn Closing Opposition: Felicity Wilson, Tamer Morris Then, post debate, we engaged in some socialising over wine, cheese and biscuits, and for those who went to Epping, beer! For many it was the first time they had had contact with debating at university, and so it was a fantastic opportunity to see what the fantastic pursuit involves, and hear about the ways you can give speeches week in, year out, and have a whole lot of fun in the process. For a video of the debate, contact the secretary, James O’Brien. Macquarie Schools Cup – Intermediate Division 2007 won by Roseville College Thursday July 26. Minisite HERE. The Macquarie Schools Cup Intermediate Division was a fantastic success, with close to fifty teams, and thirty adjudicators making the trip over to Macquarie Theatre and surrounds for the day. The format of the day saw three rounds and then a final, with the final seeing Roseville A defeat Tara Anglican School for Girls A while Affirming the topic “That organ donation should be compulsory”. The 180 students and teachers were introduced yet again to our university, each given a “Macquarie: My Uni” booklet. All in all it was a fantastic day, with good signs for the Junior Division, to be held held in September. Macquarie a fantastic success at Malaysian Australs 2007 A very strong contingent was sent to Australs 2007 from July 2 to 10 at Universiti Teknologi MARA in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Out of our three teams, two finished on 5 wins, one short of breaking to the Octo-Finals. Macquarie A went down to University of Queensland 2 in Round 8, who went on to win the whole tournament. Congratulations are in order for Felicity Wilson (Macquarie A), who was ranked 12^th best speaker for the tournament. Plaudits also to the winners from Queensland (Andrew Hodge, Kristen Price and Mitch Grady), and finalists from Victoria University of Wellington (Sayeqa Islam, Stephen Whittington and Chris Bishop), who displayed considerable wit and skill in debating “That governments should pay for treatments that seek to 'normalise' autism.” Special thanks to our Irish friends, Derek Lande (University College Cork), and Ruth Faller (Trinity College Dublin), who were adopted into our contingent, making it considerably more enjoyable. Easters 2007 THE Australian novice debating tournament was held this Easter at the University of Sydney from Thursday 5 April to Sunday 8 April. Our 7 teams and 6 adjudicators did incredibly well, with the top team making the finals! Welcome BBQ On Sunday 11 March Blues Point Reserve played host to a string of debaters, a BBQ, a Frisbee and a beautiful view of that very same Frisbee and the opera house. Demonstration Debate W5C played host to a wonderful display of debating prowess. Debating the motion “That we should allow assisted suicide” the Negative team ended up with the goods. Thanks for all who came along and made it a great night! O Week – Record New Member Intake! Welcome to our 300 New Members: Come invade a Rogue State with us every Monday from 6pm at W5C – All year round! Tara Anglican School for Girls win Macquarie School’s Cup – Senior Division In Late February we held our Senior Schools Day. Well done to Tara Anglican School for Girls who prevailed over North Sydney Boys High, negating the motion “That we should name and shame the of perpetrators of domestic violence.” Thanks to all schools and adjudicators who participated in a most enjoyable day. Worlds 2007 – Vancouver Vanquished! Over the new year, our Worlds contingent of three teams and two adjudicators travelled to the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, for a feast of motions, motives and mooseheads. Our teams fared well, with Macquarie A (Felicity Wilson and Tom Hosking) unlucky to miss out on breaking through to the Octo-finals. Ó Macquarie University Debating Society, 2007.

Weekly Events Internals Mondays 6PM W5C220/W5C320 Join or watch a debate and socialise. Regionals Wednesdays 6PM Sydney Uni Education Building Join in a debate and socialise. Special Events Easters – Macquarie University April 2008 Australian Intervarsity Debating Championships. Focus on Novices: we want you to conquer it with us! Trials: Early 2008 Make sure you get involved!