Welcome to the Monash Association of Debaters: the largest and most successful debating society in the Southern hemisphere. MAD has a rich history spanning over 50 years, and we are passionate about building on this legacy. Based at the Monash Clayton campus, MAD's 500+ members include the current and former World and Australaisan Champions.
MAD would like to congratulate Monash's own Gemma Buckley who has just been named one of the Deputy Chief Adjudicators for the upcoming Australasian Women's Debating Championships. This is another feather in the cap for the former MAD President and 2014 Easters Chief Adjudicator. Gemma's excited to join the adjudication core and can't wait to work alongside Kristen Price and CA Angela Kintominas this September.
More details about the tournament can be found on the tournament website. Details about the Monash contingent, including trials and sponsorship, will be made available early next semester.
After three weeks of gruelling rounds the Martin Sorensen Memorial Competition drew to a close with a hard fought finals series. Breaking to the semis were Tom Hvala has a mature age friend featuring Nisha Dutta, Sasha Lytas, Gen Trinh and Tom Hvala and Two Beatrices, no time for Stephen starring Beatrice Paull, Beatrice Duong and Stephen Moore.
Making it through to the Grand Final were Use your face (and other parts) responsibly featuring Gemma Buckley, Katie Moore and Sam Scott who narrowly lost a tense final to the 2013 Martin Sorensen Champions Britt Jeffs, Luke McGreevy and Sam Whitney of team We're Already Naked.
Speaker Prizes were claimed by Britt Jeffs (Best Novice), (Best Intermediate), (Overall Best)
Former Worlds and Australs Champion and Life Member Amit Golder delivered the annual Memorial Oration and it was fantastic to see Martin's story and values passed onto the next generation of MADdies.
Don't let the name fool you, MAD's very exciting first general meeting for the year will be held next Monday May 13th at 5pm (further details have gone out in Tastebud prior). We require over 50 members to make quorum and thus are encourgaging all MADdies to attend and have their say on the club's management.
If you cannot attend the OGM, the Executive urges you to submit a proxy to vote on your behalf, not only does this help the club make quorum, but allows you to have your say as well.
Procedure for Proxies
Any ordinary club member (Clayton student) can hold a proxy for one other club member. You may nominate your proxy either by emailing the Club Secretary or by completing the online Proxy Request Form. We kindly suggest that, as a member can only hold one proxy at a time, you check in advance with the person you are providing a proxy to or provide a list of alternatives. If you cannot find someone to hold your proxy, we're happy to help by providing a matching service (maybe a dinner date to follow?) and this can ba arranged by emailing the Club Secretary.
MAD thanks you for your assistance in helping fufill this vital club function.
Congratulations to everyone who completed round one of trials on Sunday, the standard was set incredibly high. Round two will be held this Saturday, participants will be emailed the draw in advance. For any questions regarding trials please contact Nisha
Monash once again has returned a stellar result at the 2013 Australian Novice Intervarsity Debating Championships.
Sending a whopping 11 teams and over 10 adjudicators MAD was once again one of the largest contingents represented and saw amazing development in our new debaters and seasoned team leaders alike. With five teams in contention to break a tense Championship Dinner turned to riotous celebration as Monash 5: Britt Jeffs and Jacqui Duong led by Beatrice Paull, advanced to the Octofinals along with adjudicators Nisha Dutta, Madeline Schultz, James Beavis and Sam Whitney.
After a stunningly well fought debate Monash 5 lost out to hometown rivals University of Melbourne. With Madeline Schultz and Monash's Own™ DCA Chris Bisset judging through to the Grand Finals the club representation remained strong.
Throughout a tournament run amazingly well by hosts Griffith University, the true MAD spirit shined through with contingent trips to Movie World and Wet and Wild, bar tabs truly serviced and our very own first year Lucinda Williams pocketing $150 after dominating the Saturday night dance off.
A massive congratulations goes to Externals Officer Nisha Dutta for orchestrating another fantastic Monash contingent
Missed Post Worlds? Or keen for more fun times with new Debaters?
Then get two thousand and keen for the 2013 Commencement Dinner! This year, in trendy Fitzroy on Saturday, 23rd March.
To ease into dinner, the afternoon will kick off at 5pm with a mini MAD pool tournament at the Red Triangle on Argyle st. Get to know that guy you sat next to on Monday meeting, your Easters team and beyond over a casual game or crush the opposition with some sweet skills. Alternatively, nothing says Best Friends For Life like letting your new buds win!
At 7pm, we'll trek the 200m to Joe's Garage, Brunswick st, for the finest pizza, pasta, wine and soft drink in town.
Stick around after dinner as we spend whatever was left in the budget on some drinks at The Night Cat to absorb some smooth jazz and Culture.
Feel free to come along to one, two or (my personal favourite) all three venues!
Cost for the night, including pool tournament, food, wine, entry and general funtimes is only $20 for MSA members or $25 for non members. Tickets may be purchased at Monday training (cash only). If you'd rather bank transfer, email Katie our Mistress of Socials
Check out the Facebook event here
Don't forget Easters 'trials' for all novices will be held this weekend. Sign ups for debating and adjudicating spots have now closed. If you had any questions about your registration or other issues please don't hesitate to contact Externals Officer Nisha Dutta
Offers of debating and adjudicating places in the Monash contingent will be sent out at the end of trials this weekend. Details regarding payment and the tournament will be sent out soon after. If you're after further information on the week, Griffith have set up this helpful Facebook page
Offers of debating and adjudicating places in the Monash contingent will be sent out at the end of trials this weekend. Details regarding payment and the tournament will be sent out soon after. If you're after further information on the week, Griffith have set up this helpful Facebook pageDon't forget Easters 'trials' for all novices will be held this weekend. Sign ups for debating and adjudicating spots have now closed. If you had any questions about your registration or other issues please don't hesitate to contact Externals Officer Nisha Dutta
Offers of debating and adjudicating places in the Monash contingent will be sent out at the end of trials this weekend. Details regarding payment and the tournament will be sent out soon after. If you're after further information on the week, Griffith have set up this helpful Facebook page
Making news for all the right(?) reasons again recent World Champions Nita Rao and her partner took time out to chat with the Progress Leader. Prominently featured on page 20 of the weekly publication, next to an advertisement for cataract surgery, the in-depth profile delves into just what it takes to defeat some of the world's top schools. Read the full article here.
MAD will be tearing up O Week this week and can't wait to welcome our new and returning members. Come visit our stall in the Clubs Festival on the Lemon Scented Lawns to learn more about the club, chat with the exectuive and sign up as a member
Once again this year membership is free for MSA card holders and only $5 without, that's cheaper than a sandwich from Campus Centre and statistically less likely to kill you
If you miss us during O Week please still come along to our first Monday evening training session at 5pm (details to the left) featuring an introduction to the club and debating training sessions streamed to a wide range of skill levels. You can sign up for membership on the night.
For the third consecutive year, Monash University has won the World University Debating Championships. Monash B, consisting of James Beavis and Nita Rao, took out the Grand Final after breaking 48th overall at the tournament in Berlin. James was also named the 'Best Speaker in the Grand Final' by the Honorary Judging Panel.
Monash C and A also broke, progressing to the Double-Octo and Quarter Finals respectively. Melissa Matteo, Amit Golder, Kiran Iyer, Victor Finkel and Dominic Guinane were also invited to adjudicate the finals series.
Monash's debaters also achieved considerable success in the individual speaker rankings, with Nita Rao, Madeline Schultz and Chris Bisset ranking 10th, 4th and 1st overall.
The Monash Association of Debaters now stands alone as the only debating society to win Worlds three times in a row, having won 5 out of the last 14 Championships since its first win in 1999.
A big thanks to the entire contingent, especially those unlucky enough not to break, and as well as those debaters not attending the tournament who popped in to celebrate.
Here's to an excellent 2013.
We are happy to present the 2012 Edition of the MDR.
Many thanks,
Editorial Team, MDR 2012