University of Queensland Debating Society

University of Queensland Debating Society

File:University of Queensland Debating Society coat of arms.jpg
Abbreviation	UQDS or Queensland
Motto	Terram Reginae Agita (Keep Queensland Moving)
Formation	MCMLX (1960)
Type	University Debating
Headquarters	Room E215 (Rod Laver Arena), Forgan Smith Building, University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus
Membership	250 approx.
Official language	English
Affiliations	University of Queensland Union
Website	Official Website Official Facebook Group

The University of Queensland Debating Society (UQDS) is one of the oldest and most active student societies at the University of Queensland and one of the most active and successful university debating societies in the world.

History

The University of Queensland Debating Society was officially established in 1960; however debating has been present at the University of Queensland since its formation in 1909.

Membership

UQDS is made up of approximately 200 members and is open to all students and staff of the University of Queensland. This membership is drawn primarily from undergraduate students at the University of Queensland St Lucia campus, across the academic faculties from biomedical science to anthropology and from commerce to engineering, although the common degrees of the membership tend to be in law, economics, and politics. Graduate students are also members and staff members have been known to participate in the internal debating competition.

There is also a base of frequent attendants in the internal competition from Griffith University and the Queensland University of Technology. On occasion, senior Brisbane high school teams have been invited to participate too.

Affiliation

UQDS is affiliated with the University of Queensland Union and receives support from the University of Queensland Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. The UQDS also has strong ties with the Queensland Debating Union and also the University of Queensland Law Society.

The UQDS is a constituent and voting member of the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Association and the World Universities Debating Council.

Ranking

As of August 2012 UQDS is ranked 14th best in the World and 5th best in Australia, on 17008 points.

As of 2011 UQDS was ranked 6th best in the World, with equal points with Monash University which was 5th, and behind the University of Sydney at first, the University of Oxford, Yale University and University of Cambridge respectively, at the World Universities Debating Championship.

The University of Queensland Debating Society is a strong society in Australia–Asia debating circuit.

Recent Achievements

In 2012 Patrick Begley, Kristen Price and Lauren Humphrey ranked 2nd after preliminary rounds at the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships (Australs). Anthony Smith, Sarida McLeod and Alexander O'Hara ranked 6th. Lauren Humphrey was 5th best speaker with Anthony Smith and Kristen Price tied for 6th best speaker.

In 2012 Thomas Ashby, Alexander O'Hara, James Rigby were the runners up of the National Intervarsity Debating Championships (Easters). The team also broke first into the octo-finals without losing a debate. Thomas Ashby was also the Best Speaker.

In 2012 Kristen Price was a judge of the Grand Final of the World Universities Debating Championship (Worlds).

In 2011 Anthony Smith and David Stephens were runners up in the Grand Final of the Australian British Parliamentary Debating Championships (Sydney Mini).

In 2011 Kristen Price and Emily Chalk were the champions of the Australian Women's Parliamentary Debating Championships (Women's).

In 2011 a UQDS team came tenth at the World Universities Peace Invitational Debate (WUPID).

In 2010 Emily Chalk, Lucy Wark and Rebecca Conrick were runners up in the Grand Final of the National Intervarsity Debating Championships (Easters).

In 2008 a UQDS team were the runners up in the Grand Final of the National Intervarsity Debating Championships (Easters).

In 2007 a UQDS team were the runners up in the Grand Final of the World Universities Debating Championship (Worlds)

In 2007 a UQDS team were the champions in the Grand Final of the National Intervarsity Debating Championships (Easters).

In 2007 a UQDS team were the champions in the Grand Final of the Australian Women's Parliamentary Debating Championships (Women's).

In 2007 a UQDS team were the champions in the Grand Final of the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships (Australs).

Activities and Traditions

First Semester

In first semester, UQDS runs a weekly internal competition at the St Lucia Campus in the Australasian Style. This is largely for preparation for the Queensland Universities Debating Championships (Queensland Cup), the National Intervarsity Debating Championships (Easters) and the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships (Australs).

Second Semester

In second semester, the weekly internal competition is in the British Parliamentary Style which is in preparation for World Universities Debating Championship (Worlds).

Orientation Week

During Market Day UQDS maintains a stall, has a Show Debate and has an introductory barbecue and an O-Week party.

Training

UQDS also organises regular training sessions, normally before internal competitions and tournaments. Such training consists of matter seminars conducted by members with specialist knowledge, as well as basic and advanced sessions on debating strategy by experienced members.

Adjudication Services

UQDS provides adjudication for debating competitions of the University of Queensland Intercollege Council and University of Queensland Interfaculty Competitions. Also, the UQDS membership provides a significant amount of adjudicators to the adjudication corps of the Queensland Debating Union, the Queensland Greater Public Schools Debating, and the BGDA (Brisbane Girls Debating Association Incorporated).

Social Events

There are also social events, such as the Annual Dinner Ball, tournament send off parties, an annual casual dinner at Sizzler at Toowong Village, competition socials, and weekly dinners at the Pizza Caffe at the Schonell Theatre.

The Pineapple Express

UQDS publishes The Pineapple Express (formerly The Pig's Head), the debating review and satirical periodical.

Schools Day

UQDS also run an annual high schools debating competition called the UQDS Schools Day.

Show Debates

The UQDS performs a number of show debates for different occasions. It regularly often performs show debates for the UQ Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, normally during the start of each semester, as well as for high schools in Queensland.

In August 2012 members performed a show debate for the National Science Week at the Queensland Museum. In October 2012 members performed a show debate for Open Access Week at the Queensland Brain Institute.

Organisation

Constitution

The UQDS is governed by the Constitution of the University of Queensland Debating Society as well as the Constitution for clubs and societies of the University of Queensland Union. In the UQDS Constitution are the substantive and procedural rules of the Society. Administrative arrangements, such as voting quorum and executive committee portfolios, are also listed.

Executive

The UQDS is coordinated by an executive committee elected each year at the Annual General Meeting for a term of one year.

2015 Executive

• President – James Rigby
• Secretary – Leo Rees-Murphy
• Treasurer – Alistair Roe
• Vice-President (External Competitions) – Sam Leigh
• Vice-President (Internal Competitions) – Josh Taylor
• Vice-Presidents (Training) – Nick Salmon and Keily Anderson
• Vice-President (Sponsorship) – Martika Palmer
• Tournaments Officer – Catherine Bugler
• Socials Officer – Eliza Parer
• Publications Officer – Phil Gracen
• Public Debates Officer – Catalina Birch
• Novice Officers – Georgie Bills and Katie Cockburn

2014 Executive

• President – Hugo Clark-Ryan
• Secretary – James Rigby
• Treasurer – Ben Gibbons
• Vice-President (Internal Competitions) – Alistair Roe
• Vice-Presidents (External Competitions) – Nick Salmon and Samuel Leigh
• Vice-Presidents (Training) – Dan Gibbons and Leo Rees-Murphy
• Vice-President (Sponsorship) – Michael Maynard
• Socials Officer – Eliza Parer
• Publications Officer – Jessica Bahr
• Public Debates Officer – Tasman Bain
• Novice Officers – Keilin Anderson and Catherine Bugler

2013 Executive

• President – Shyaam Raivadera
• Secretary – James Rigby
• Treasurer – Dan Mouat
• Vice President (Administration) – Tasman Bain
• Vice President (Internal Competitions) – Dan Gibbons
• Vice President (External Competitions) – Sam Leigh
• Vice Presidents (Sponsorship) – Michael Maynard and Alexander O'Hara
• Socials Officer – Emily Chalk
• Novice Officers – Tim Swanston and Bella Vecchio
• Training Officers – Hugo Clark-Ryan and Alistair Roe
• Publications Officer – Kelsy Luengen, Harry Smith, Leo Rees-Murphy, and Kane Bennett

2012 Executive

• President – Jessica Rusten
• Secretary – Nick Derrington
• Treasurer – Dan Mouat
• Vice President (Administration) – Anthony Smith
• Vice President (External Competitions) – David Stephens
• Vice President (Internal Competitions) – Thomas Ashby
• Vice Presidents (Sponsorship) – Nicholas Britz and Luke Moloney
• Training Officers – Emily Chalk and Patrick Begley
• Novice Officers – Helena Obermair and Sam Leigh
• Socials Officers – Felicity Dunstone and Eloise Clare
• Publications Officers – Sadi Zahir, Tasman Bain, Michael Maynard and Tom Duhig

See also

• University of Queensland
• University of Queensland Union (UQU)
• BGDA (Brisbane Girls Debating Association)

External links

• The University of Queensland
• The University of Queensland Union
• BGDA (Brisbane Girls Debating Association)