Australs, or the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships, is held every year in the Vice Chancellors Common Week during the holidays (or basically the first week of July!)Australs, or the Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships, is held every year in the Vice Chancellors Common Week during the holidays (or basically the first week of July!)
It is probably the most prestigious 3 on 3 tournament in the World, with between 70 and 100 teams participating from all over Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The tournament is held in 3 on 3 style with replies (called 'Australs style'!). There are usually 7 rounds of debates and 4 rounds of finals as well as an ESL finals series. And there are some serious social events each night!
This year, the tournament is being hosted by Ateneo de Manila, in Manila, Philipines and is running from 3rd to 11th July. The weather is great, food and drinks cost next to nothing, and the Filipinos really know how to throw a party!
For more information, visit the tournament website at: http://www.ateneoaustrals.com/.
In order to determine teams, we hold 'trials'. Two external selectors will watch each interested debater in one debate (hence, everyone debating twice) and determine a ranking for all the speakers.
Teams are then preliminarily formed on the basis of the rankings (speakers 1-3 form Melbourne 1, speakers 4-6 form Melbourne 2 etc). We will send as many teams (n) as:
If one third of the top three teams is not female, then female debaters will be pulled up into the top three teams in order to meet our Affirmative Action requirements. The same applies with regard to males.
Approximately one week after trials, a 'team formation' meeting is held. This is when the contingent is finalised. You must decide by this date:
Register for trials by email (mudsonline@gmail.com) by Tuesday 29th April. We encourage people to trial, even if they are not yet sure whether they can attend the tournament!
Adjudicators of all levels of experience are welcome to come to Australs. All adjudicators sit an 'adjudication test' at the start of the tournament (this is where all the adjudicators watch and adjudicate the same debate!) and you can nominate to be a 'Trainee adjudicator' if you have never adjudicated before. The number of adjudicators we have also determines how many people can debate, so adjudicators are highly sought after! We would also encourage people interested in debating in also applying to adjudicate in case they miss out on a team.
To apply to adjudicate, you must email the MUDS account (mudsonline@gmail.com) by Monday 7th May:
(These are each an outline of the relevant experience and/or achievements you have in the area.)
In order to determine sponsorship, Selectors will rank the adjudicators on the basis of these CVs.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Binding Expressions of Interest to attend Australs trials and Applications due for Adjudicators | Tuesday 29th April |
| Australs Trials: 10:30am – 5pm Law School | Sunday 4th May |
| Team Formation Meeting: 1pm Level 10 Foyer Redmond Barry | Monday 12th May |
| Deadline for Registration Payment to MUDS Account | Friday 16th May |
| AUSTRALS!!! | 3rd to 11th July 2008 |
In 2008, MUDS will be providing the following sponsorship to attend the tournament (subject to AA):
Debaters
1st – 3rd ranked eligible debaters - $250 (each)
4th – 6th ranked eligible debaters - $125 (each)
Adjudicator
1st ranked eligible adjudicator - $250
2nd ranked eligible adjudicator - $125
To be eligible for sponsorship you must:
For further details, see the sponsorship eligibility requirements.
Registration for Australs costs $480 AUD.
The details of the MUDS bank account are:
Bank: National Australia Bank
Name: Melbourne University Debating Society
BSB: 083-457 Account No: 517574963
(Please include your name in the description of the deposit so we can identify it.)
Note that transfers may need a day or two to clear so please make sure that the money reaches the account by the date outlined above so that we can pay full registration for our contingent without incurring any late fines.