Past Events

The 2024 Grand Finals were held in The House of Assembly Chamber, Parliament House on Saturday 21 September 2024. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7 Division Grand Final Belair Primary School Blue 6/7 Coach: Mrs Ali …

On Thursday 2 November 2023 we were delighted to be hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia and Debating SA Patron, and Mr Rob Bunten, at Government House, to celebrate the achievements of the 2023 Schools' Competition winning and runner up teams, as well …

The 2023 Grand Finals were held in The House of Assembly Chamber, Parliament House on Saturday 23 September 2023. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7 Division Grand Final Winner: Pembroke School 6/7 Coach: Mr Tim Wetherell …

On Thursday 3 November 2022 we were delighted to be hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia and Debating SA Patron, and Mr Rob Bunten, at Government House, to celebrate the achievements of the 2022 Schools' Competition winning and runner up teams, as well …

The 2022 Grand Finals were held in The House of Assembly Chamber, Parliament House on Saturday 24 September 2022. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7 Division Grand Final Winner: Belair Primary School Green 6 Coaches: Mrs …

The 2022 Grand Finals were held in The House of Assembly Chamber, Parliament House on Saturday 24 September 2022. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7Year 8Year 9Year 10SeniorYear 6/7Year 6/7 Grand FinalYear 8Year 8 Grand FinalYear …

On Friday 29 October 2021 we were delighted to celebrate the achievements of the 2021 Schools' Competition winning and runner up teams, as well as the Debater of the Year Winners for 2021. Special thanks to Nazareth Catholic Community's Jazz Combo band for the outstanding entertainment as well as our …

The 2021 Grand Finals were held in The House of Assembly Chamber, Parliament House on Saturday 25 September 2021. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7 Division Grand Final Winner: Unley Primary School Red 6/7 Coach: Mrs …

The 2021 Grand Finals were held in The House of Assembly Chamber, Parliament House on Saturday 25 September 2021. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7Year 8Year 9Year 10SeniorYear 6/7Year 6/7 Grand FinalYear 8Year 8 Grand FinalYear …

We were delighted to have His Excellency The Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia present awards to the winning and runner up teams, as well as the Debater of the Year Winners for 2020. Congratulations to all! Our sincere thanks to Sacred Heart College for their generous …

The 2020 Grand Finals were held at Nazareth Catholic College on Saturday 26 September 2020. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating team Year 6/7Year 8Year 9Year 10SeniorYear 6/7Year 6/7 Grand FinalYear 8Year 8 Grand FinalYear 9Year 9 Grand FinalYear …

The 2020 Grand Finals were held at Nazareth Catholic College on Saturday 26 September 2020. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7 Division Grand Final Winner: Parkside Primary School Black 6/7 Coach: Mr Reece Freak Madison Mitchell-Smith, …

We were delighted to have His Excellency The Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia present awards to the winning and runner up teams, as well as the Debater of the Year Winners for 2019. The awards recognised the state's best debaters from what has been the largest …

The 2019 Grand Finals were held at Parliament House on Saturday 21 September 2019. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7 Division Grand Final Winner: Burnside Primary School Green 6/7 Coach: Mrs Sarah Walters Angelina Hii, Emily …

The 2019 Grand Finals were held at Parliament House on Saturday 21 September 2019. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7Year 8Year 9Year 10SeniorYear 6/7Year 6/7 Grand FinalYear 8Year 8 Grand FinalYear 9Year 9 Grand FinalYear 10Year …

We were delighted to have His Excellency The Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia present awards to the winning and runner up teams, as well as the Debater of the Year Winners for 2018. The awards recognised the state's best debaters from what has been the largest …

The 2018 Grand Finals were held at Parliament House on Saturday 22 September 2018. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 6/7Year 8Year 9Year 10SeniorYear 6/7Year 6/7 Grand FinalYear 8Year 8 Grand FinalYear 9Year 9 Grand FinalYear 10Year …

Year 6/7 Division Grand Final Winner: Mercedes College Yellow 6/7 Coach: Ms N Lucero Sannawar Sandhu, Paris Young, Annabelle Moran, Juliana Lanzilli Runner Up: Parkside Primary School Yellow 6/7 Coach: Mr R Freak Isha Jain, Heidi Buchtmann, Isobel McKenzie-Hill and Caia Cuggy Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Glenunga International High School Blue 8 Coach: …

The 2017 Awards Presentations were an excellent celebration of the outstanding achievements of the best debaters in South Australia. We congratulate them on their wonderful achievements. Our sincere thanks to Mr Stephen Patterson, Mayor of the City of Holdfast Bay and Sacred Heart College for their generosity in supporting this …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Emmaus Christian College Blue 8 Coaches: Mr J Coggins and Miss S Burrow Matthew Sutton, Ryan Milne, Cameron Coggins and Daniel Forder Runner Up: Pembroke School Blue 8 Coach: Mrs G Walldorf-Davis Thomas Tam, Ella Lee, Truc-Mai Nguyen, Jasper Dew, Emil Smith and Dylan Worswick Year 9 Division Grand Final Winner: Pembroke School …

The 2017 Grand Finals were held at Parliament House on Saturday 23 September 2017. This was a wonderful event that showcased and celebrated the talents of the top South Australian debating teams. Year 8Year 9Year 10SeniorOpenYear 8Year 8 Grand FinalYear 9Year 9 Grand FinalYear 10Year 10 Grand FinalSeniorSenior Grand FinalOpenOpen …

Before the DebateThe Great DebateBefore the DebateThe Great Debate

On Saturday 24th September 2016, the Grand Finals of the 2016 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. Each debate began with a welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Debating SA, Mr Tony Houey.

Award Presentations Speech from Nathalie Johnstone, Senior Debater of the Year Good afternoon Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen and my fellow debaters. My name is Nathalie Johnstone and it is my pleasure to be addressing you this afternoon as we celebrate yet another great year for Debating SA and the …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Pembroke School Purple Annika Turon-Semmens, Emma Tam, Charlie Abbott, Andy Xing, Caitlin Leng, Andrew Thomas and Luka I’Dell. Coach: Mrs J Rowe. Year 8 winning team from Pembroke School. Runner Up: Prince Alfred College Green Sparsh Tiwari, Seran Perera, Yash Giri and Elias Raptis. …

On Saturday 19th September 2015, the Grand Finals of the 2015 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. Each debate began with a welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Debating SA, Mr Tony Houey.

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Glenunga International High School Blue Vi-Seth Bak, Yihao Chen, Jonathan Parsalidis and Jock Plastow Coach: Mr A. Patterson. Year 8 winning team from Glenunga International High School. Runner Up: Rostrevor College Patrick Moller, Luke Valente and Cyril Saji Coach: Mr T. Hodkinson Year 8 …

On Saturday 20th September 2014, the Grand Finals of the 2014 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. Each debate began with a welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Debating SA, Mr Tony Houey.

Debating SA was invited to be involved in a Heritage Week debate on the topic “Does Heritage Really Matter?” featuring a range of prominent Adelaide figures. Below is a description of the event Marty Fields One of Australia’s most talented comedians, actors, singers, writers and musician will MC, entertain and …

On Saturday 21st September 2013, the Grand Finals of the 2013 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. Each debate began with a welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Debating SA, Mr Tony Houey. Year 8 The day began with the Year …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Marryatville High School Blue Alec Santucci, Joseph Salcedo-Storer, James Coates, Jerome Oosting and Hugh Milchem. Coach: Mr C. Eldridge. Runner Up: Pulteney Grammar School Blue Neha Athreya, Kate Barnett, Alexia Daminato, Cerys Evans, Millie Hanlon, Claire Noack and Sathyajith Sukumaran . Coaches: Mr J. …

The afternoon of Thursday 22 November 2012 saw the second intercollegiate debate between Nazareth Catholic College and St Michael’s College which Sonja Lowen from Debating SA was invited to adjudicate. Students argued the challenging and controversial topic “That having a university degree is overrated.” Nazareth Catholic College argued the affirmative …

His Excellency and Mrs Scarce were hosts to the winning and runner up teams of the 2012 Schools’ Debating Competition at Government House on Thursday 15 November 2012. Winners and Runners Up as well as the Debater of the Year recipients in each division were presented with gold and silver …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Prince Alfred College Blue Henry Lock, Aedan Towie, Christopher O’Leary and Eddie Han Coach: Ms S. Caudal Runner Up: Glenunga International High School Yellow Halima Nalaye, Bella Connell, Lotte Sweeney, Elizabeth Webb and Elizabeth Allen Coach: Miss J. Walker Year 9 Division Grand Final …

On Saturday 15th September 2012, the Grand Finals of the 2012 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. Each debate began with a welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Debating SA, Mr Tony Houey. Year 8 The day began with the Year …

Having a university degree is grossly overrated The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is partnering with St James Ethics Centre to bring the popular live debate Intelligence Squared Australia (IQ²) to Adelaide for the first time on Wednesday, 11 July 2012. This landmark event will see nationally and …

As part of the Tasting Australia Selector Word of Mouth Food Festival Debating SA was invited to provide a team for a public debate on the topic “That we should eat, drink and be wary”. The Affirmative Team was a trio of renowned chefs and food writers made up of restaurant reviewer …

On Friday 4 November 2011 His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, Governor of South Australia (pictured at right with an Mercedes College debater) as Patron of Debating SA hosted a reception at Government House for the presentation of awards for the winning and runner up teams as well as …

As part of the 6th Australian Wine Industry Environment Conference and Exhibition Debating SA was invited to present a public debate on the topic “That organic wine is more sustainable”. The Affirmative Team consisted of Jakub Jankowski, Malwinka Wyra and Joshua Gascoigne, who were the champions of the 2011 Open Division. The Negative Team consisted of …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Westminster School Green Ashleigh Chappell, Tess Fuller, Sophie Jones and Olivia Roberts Coach: Ms H Quinn Runner Up: Glenunga International High School Green Samantha Sharplin, Lilian Fellner, Hero Cook, Nehal Jain, Alexander Pham and Benedick Djumadi Coach: Ms L Basuki Year 9 Division Grand …

On Saturday 24th September 2011, the Grand Finals of the 2011 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. Each debate began with a welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Debating SA, Mr Tony Houey. Year 8 The day began with the Year …

Emily Hendrikx, debater at Glenunga International High School was interviewed by Warren Tredrea (Tredders), one of Triple M The Hot Breakfast’s hosts for advice on the upcoming Triple M Great Mate Debate held on Tuesday 26 July 2011 at AAMI stadium. Listen to the segment below. Well done Emily for representing your school and …

The 2010 Awards Ceremony was held at Nazareth Catholic College for the presentation of awards for the winning and runner up teams as well as the Debater of the Year award recipients of the 2010 Schools’ Competition. We were honoured to host our patron His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Glenunga International High School Red Naish Gawen, Joshua Loh, Michael Sadler, Minh-Luan Tran and Lesley Jayasuriya Coach: Ms J Parsons Runner Up: Glenunga International High School Yellow Ridmi Diaz, Alexandra Knopoff, Sherrilyn Wong, Vy Tran and Jasmine Walker Coach: Ms E Basuki Year 9 …

On Saturday 18th September 2010, the Grand Finals of the 2010 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. Each debate began with a welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Debating SA, Mr Tony Houey. Year 8 The day began with the Year …

As part of the Tasting Australia Word of Mouth Food Festival Debating SA was invited to provide a team for a public debate on the topic “That the kitchen is the centre of the universe”. The Affirmative Team was a trio of renowned chefs and food writers made up of broadcaster and …

On Friday 6 November 2009 His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, Governor of South Australia (pictured at right with an Aberfoyle Park High School debater) as Patron of Debating SA and Mrs Scarce hosted a reception at Government House for the presentation of awards for the winning and runner …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: St John’s Grammar School Blue James Biddle, Rhys Harrison, Angela Eagles and Liam McGeagh Coach: Mrs A Isherwood Runner Up: Glenunga International High School Yellow Alisha Skipper, Scott Stevens, Josh Francis, Jonathan Zhang, Max Wachtel and Cookie Nguyen Coach: Ms M Edwards Year 9 …

On Saturday 19th September 2009, the Grand Finals of the 2009 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. Each debate began with a welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Debating SA, Mr Tony Houey. The day began with the Year 8 division …

On Friday 31 October 2008 His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, Governor of South Australia (pictured right with a Pembroke School debater) as Patron of Debating SA and Mrs Scarce hosted a reception at Government House for the presentation of awards for the winning and runner up teams of …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Pembroke School Blue Emily Filmer, Niamh Lavender, Alistair McCann, Olivia Sallis, Alex Savory, Lachlan Tamlin and Karyn Tee Coaches: Mrs J Rowe and Mr J McCann Runner Up: Immanuel College Green Sarah McDonald, Antonia Kolovos and Maadhu Guruprasad Coach: Ms C Calaby Year 9 …

On Wednesday 17th September 2008, the Year 10 and Senior division Grand Finals of the 2008 Schools’ Competition were held in The House of Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. The evening began with a welcome from Miss Chloe Fox MP, Member for Bright. This was then followed by a welcome …

As part of Cleland Wildlife Park’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations, Debating SA was invited to adjudicate a debate convened by the Department for Environment and Heritage. The debate was part of the Department’s Stirring the Possum series of forums aimed at stimulating interest and discussion about the environment The debate was on the …

The Global Issues Tournament aims to provide a forum for students in Year 8 and Year 9 to discuss and debate issues of international relevance. The 2007 tournament saw thirty-four participants from seven schools. The fourth annual Global Issues Tournament was held at Adelaide High School on Thursday 22nd November …

As part of the James Squire Food, Beer and Wine Writers’ Festival which is part of the larger Tasting Australia festival we were invited to provide a team for a public debate on the topic “That cooking and writing about it will be irrelevant to the next generation”. Representing Debating SA and Pembroke School …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: St John’s Grammar School Red Elliot Nunn, Paul Bowen, Thomas Hagias and Megan Franzon Coach: Ms W Edwards Runner Up: Aberfoyle Park High School Green Bhuwan Tandon, Steven Masters, Matthew Klinck and Holly Braidwood Coach: Mr G Trobbiani Year 9 Division Grand Final Winner: …

On Wednesday 19th September 2007, the Year 10 and Senior division Grand Finals of the 2007 Schools’ Competition were held in the Assembly Chamber of Parliament House. The evening began with a welcome from Miss Chloe Fox MP, Member for Bright. This was then followed by a welcome from Debating …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Marymount College Green J. Kittel, M. Banister, E. Mitchell, M. McGowan and J. Fox. Coach: Mr G. Martin. Runner Up: Pembroke School Blue K. Selvanderan, W. Shimmield, and K. Connor. Coach: Mr D. McCann. Year 9 Division Grand Final Winner: Immanuel College Yellow C. …

At Debating SA we aim to make our finals’ series a special event. We were again privileged to hold our Year 10A and Senior A Grand Finals in the magnificent venue of Parliament House. On Wednesday 6th September 2006 the Year 10A and Senior A grand finals of the schools’ …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Immanuel College Green C. Allpress, B. Goss, C. McDonald, S. Iliescu and M. Schubert. Coach: Ms C. Calaby. Runner Up: Adelaide High School Orange S. Arnold, B. Colmer and D. Conway. Coach: Ms L. Fenwick. Year 9 Division Grand Final Winner: St John’s Grammar …

At Debating SA we aim to make our finals’ series a special event. We were privileged to hold our Year 10A and Senior A Grand Finals in Parliament House. Following is an article written by one of the Year 10A Grand Finalists. In 2005, the Debating SA Year 10A and …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Pembroke School Purple D. Barnett, S. de Cure and D. Skene. Runner Up: Pembroke School Yellow D. Skene, J. McCann and J. Metz. Year 9 Division Grand Final Winner: Marryatville High School Red F. Karmel, J. Stamatakis and J. Roder. Runner Up: Adelaide High …

The idea behind the Global Issues Tournament was to hold an international style tournament over one day which included a significant workshop component to allow for topics that students may not easily be able to debate in normal circumstances. The topic for this year was "That Bob Brown had the …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: St. George College Purple Anastasi Kosmadopoulos, Georgette Toyias, Maria Dalas, Marie Kyriacou, Peter Mylidonis, Tina Zissis and Zoe Kosmadopoulos Runner Up: Marryatville High School Blue Amanda Pirone, Ella Waters, John Stamatakis and Katherine Schell Year 9 Division Grand Final Winner: Pembroke School Purple Alice Footer, …

Year 8 Division Grand Final Winner: Mitcham Girls' High School Yellow Nikky Button, Kim Turner, Zoe Keys, and Janelle Adamczyk Coach: Mr Alistair Nimmo Runner Up: Pembroke School Orange Alice Footer, Bree Bennett, Heather Bruer Coach: Ms Barbara Reid Year 9 Division Grand Final Winner: King's Baptist Grammar School Green …

Year 8 Winner: Walford Anglican School for Girls Runner Up: Glenunga International High School Year 9 Winner: Glenunga International High School Runner Up: Seaview High School Year 10 Winner: Unley High School Runner Up: Pembroke School Senior B Winner: Unley High School Senior A Winner: Pembroke School Runner Up: Adelaide …

Year 9 Winner: Trinity College Coach: Mrs Vanessa Sharrod Team Members: Jarrod Parker, Tom Brookman, Richard Arnold and Katherine Anderson Runner Up: Walford Anglican School for Girls Coach: Marlene Jarema Team Members: Amy Schirmer, Serena Khoo, Sonja Saar-Kalleske, Laura Alam and Sarah Crawley Semi Finalists: Seaview High School Coach: Mrs …

Year 9 Winner: Pembroke School Team Members: Dayna Fisher, Catherine Gabriel and Alexandra Fong Runner Up: Seymour College Team Members: Adrienne Taylor, Dani Fornarino, Rachel Sprod and Anna Scammell Year 10 Winner: Unley High School Team Members: Dayna Griffin, Victoria McKinnon and Karmen Kokkinn Runner Up: Annesley College Team Members: …

Year 9 Winner: Pulteney Grammar School Runner up: Woodlands Grammar School Year 10 Winner: Pembroke School Runner Up: Pembroke School Senior Winner: Pembroke School Runner Up: Adelaide High School Open Winner: St Peter’s Girls’ School Runner Up: Marryatville High School

Unfortunately the results for this year are incomplete. Year 9 Runners Up St Aloysius College Team members: Anna Braithwaite, Marie Constantine, Angie Bate and Emily Johnston Year 10 Runners Up Unley High School Team Members: Kelly Brown, Drew Proffitt and Mark Jackson Year 11 Runners Up Pembroke School Team Members: …