Otago University Debating Society
Encyclopedia
The Otago University Debating Society (OUDS) was established in June 1878 and is the oldest society of the University of Otago
, the first university to be founded in New Zealand
. Echoing trends in Australia and the United States (the University of Sydney Union
was founded in 1874 and Harvard's debating union in 1880), in the latter decades of the nineteenth century debating was seen as an important talent for New Zealand's thought leaders, and was one of the three sports in the New Zealand University Games
from 1902.
Prominent members of OUDS during its early years included Alfred Richard Barclay
(one of its first vice-presidents), William Downie Stewart, Jr. (1898–1900), Harry Bedford
(1900–1901) who as a 25-year-old policial novice entered Parliament in 1902 with the highest individual vote that had ever been recorded in New Zealand, John Callan
(who won the Joynt Challenge Scroll in 1905) and Oswald Chettle Mazengarb
(c.1910).
OUDS is one of the five societies in the New Zealand Universities Debating Council, through which members compete in domestic, national and international tournaments. In conjunction with members from the Otago University Rugby Club, OUDS members formed the Otago University Students' Association
(OUSA) in 1890 because it felt that university students needed strong representation. OUSA has become a strong advocate for student rights.
(also known as "Easters") is the first national debating tournament of the year, competing for the Officer's Cup. OUDS has been a regular competitor at the tournament (usually sending the maximum of five teams) ever since the first event in 1902. The tournament is held in the first mid-semester break. Teams of two speakers are given 5 minutes preparation time. University Games 2010 was held in Invercargil.
The 2006 competition, hosted by OUDS was in Waimate, South Canterbury. The tournament was won by a team from Canterbury. Two OUDS members, Tristan Egarr and Lucy Johnson were selected in the tournament team for speaking very well at the tournament. The 2007 tournament, held in Christchurch, was won by Otago.
In more recent history Otago won the 2011 tournament hosted by Christchurch in Waimate with a team including Kieran James Bunn, Nancy Elizabeth Smith and Nathan Thomas. The next tournament is planned for 2012 and will be hosted by OUDS
is a week long competition held in the break between university semesters. Debates are held over a range of international topics. Australs follows a traditional debating format: 3 team members with 8 preliminary rounds. Topics are impromptu with half an hour of preparation time allowed.
The 2010 Australs was hosted by the University of Auckland Debating Society. OUDS sent 7 teams and 6 adjudicators. William Chisholm was a grand final adjudicator.
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
, the first university to be founded in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Echoing trends in Australia and the United States (the University of Sydney Union
University of Sydney Union
The University of Sydney Union is the student-run services and amenities provider at the University of Sydney. The Union's key services include the provision of food and beverages, live music and other entertainment, the Verge Arts Festival and other cultural activities, Orientation week and...
was founded in 1874 and Harvard's debating union in 1880), in the latter decades of the nineteenth century debating was seen as an important talent for New Zealand's thought leaders, and was one of the three sports in the New Zealand University Games
New Zealand University Games
The New Zealand University Games is a multi-sport competition held annually in each March / April between teams fielded from a large number of New Zealand Universities and tertiary institutions. It was formerly known as the Easter Tournament....
from 1902.
Prominent members of OUDS during its early years included Alfred Richard Barclay
Alfred Richard Barclay
Alfred Richard Barclay was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for two Dunedin electorates.-Member of Parliament:Barclay represented one of the City of Dunedin seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives between 1899 and 1902...
(one of its first vice-presidents), William Downie Stewart, Jr. (1898–1900), Harry Bedford
Harry Bedford (politician)
Harry Dodgshun Bedford was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for the City of Dunedin.-Member of Parliament:Harry Bedford represented one of the multi-member City of Dunedin seats in the New Zealand Parliament from 1902 to 1905....
(1900–1901) who as a 25-year-old policial novice entered Parliament in 1902 with the highest individual vote that had ever been recorded in New Zealand, John Callan
John Callan (judge)
John Bartholomew Callan KC was a New Zealand judge. He was a Justice of the Supreme Court .-Early life:...
(who won the Joynt Challenge Scroll in 1905) and Oswald Chettle Mazengarb
Oswald Chettle Mazengarb
Oswald Chettle Mazengarb was a New Zealand barrister. His other well-known public appointment was in 1954, by the National government of the time, to chair the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents, otherwise better known as the Mazengarb Report.Oswald Mazengarb also...
(c.1910).
OUDS is one of the five societies in the New Zealand Universities Debating Council, through which members compete in domestic, national and international tournaments. In conjunction with members from the Otago University Rugby Club, OUDS members formed the Otago University Students' Association
Otago University Students' Association
The Otago University Students' Association is the Students' Association of the University of Otago, New Zealand.OUSA provides "representation, welfare, advocacy, recreation, fun events and media" for its members...
(OUSA) in 1890 because it felt that university students needed strong representation. OUSA has become a strong advocate for student rights.
Bluff Cup
Bluff Cup is the name given to the debates held between members of OUDS each week, and aims to strengthen speakers. Each team name is based on a South Island locality. The Bluff Cup itself was donated in 1988 by the team the won the OUDS championship - Team Bluff.University Games
University GamesNew Zealand University Games
The New Zealand University Games is a multi-sport competition held annually in each March / April between teams fielded from a large number of New Zealand Universities and tertiary institutions. It was formerly known as the Easter Tournament....
(also known as "Easters") is the first national debating tournament of the year, competing for the Officer's Cup. OUDS has been a regular competitor at the tournament (usually sending the maximum of five teams) ever since the first event in 1902. The tournament is held in the first mid-semester break. Teams of two speakers are given 5 minutes preparation time. University Games 2010 was held in Invercargil.
Claytons
Claytons is a casual tournament for debaters who have not been to more than two national tournaments. It is held annually between OUDS and the University of Canterbury Debating Society, who alternate as the host. Teams of three speakers are given 30 minutes preparation time before each debate.The 2006 competition, hosted by OUDS was in Waimate, South Canterbury. The tournament was won by a team from Canterbury. Two OUDS members, Tristan Egarr and Lucy Johnson were selected in the tournament team for speaking very well at the tournament. The 2007 tournament, held in Christchurch, was won by Otago.
In more recent history Otago won the 2011 tournament hosted by Christchurch in Waimate with a team including Kieran James Bunn, Nancy Elizabeth Smith and Nathan Thomas. The next tournament is planned for 2012 and will be hosted by OUDS
Australs
"Australs" or the Australasian Intervarsity Debating ChampionshipsAustralasian Intervarsity Debating Championships
The Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships is an annual debating tournament for teams from universities in the Australasian region. It is one of the world's largest debating tournaments, second only in size to the World Universities Debating Championship , and one of the largest annual...
is a week long competition held in the break between university semesters. Debates are held over a range of international topics. Australs follows a traditional debating format: 3 team members with 8 preliminary rounds. Topics are impromptu with half an hour of preparation time allowed.
The 2010 Australs was hosted by the University of Auckland Debating Society. OUDS sent 7 teams and 6 adjudicators. William Chisholm was a grand final adjudicator.
Joynt Scroll
Joynt Scroll (otherwise known as New Zealand University Prepared Debating Championships or "Winters") is a 3 team member fully prepared debating competition. Joynt Scroll is New Zealand’s oldest and most respected national university debating tournament, and is New Zealand’s second oldest sporting competition.Victoria University BP Tournament
The Victoria University BP (British Parliamentary) tournament is held at the end of the academic year after exams. It is a relatively new tournament and debates are run in British Parliamentary style (as is done at the World Universities Debating Championship). It was established in 2004 by the Victoria University Debating Society.OUDS Alumni
- Michael LawsMichael LawsMichael Laws is a New Zealand politician, broadcaster and writer/columnist. He served two terms as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament, representing the National Party and New Zealand First . He was elected as Mayor of Wanganui in 2004, was re-elected in 2007 but announced his retirement from...
(writer/broadcaster and former Mayor of WhanganuiWhanganuiVarious places in New Zealand are called Whanganui:*Whanganui, a city at the mouth of the Whanganui River, also often spelled "Wanganui", Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui District, Manawatu-Wanganui Region*Whanganui Island, Waikato Region...
; former MP for National and NZ First) - Chris CarterChris Carter (politician)Christopher Joseph Carter was an independent Member of Parliament in New Zealand, and a former member of the New Zealand Labour Party until his expulsion. Carter was a senior Cabinet Minister in the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand, serving lastly as Minister of Education, Minister...
, former cabinet minister and gay equality campaigner - David Pine ('Sneaky Feelings' pop singer and current NZ ambassador to Malaysia)
- Hon. David CunliffeDavid CunliffeDavid Richard Cunliffe is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the Labour Party, and the sitting member of parliament for New Lynn, West Auckland. He served as the Minister of Health and Minister for Communications and Information Technology for the Fifth Labour Government of New Zealand...
(Labour MP and former Minister of Health) - Holly WalkerHolly WalkerHolly Walker is a New Zealand politician and a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives. She is a member of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.-Early life:...
(Green Party MP)