Organisation

President's Report on the Auckland Debating Association for 1985

It is my pleasure to present the President's Report on the activities of the Auckland Debating Association for 1985.

This has been an extremely busy year, with a large number of entries in all contests. The year behan, as is customary, with the Presidents' Trophy for Impromptu Debating. This was won by Paul Beachman and Kerry Greer.

We are grateful to our Patron, Mr Michael Horton and to Wilson & Horton Ltd for their continued support of the 'Herald' Oratory and Public Speaking contests. Under the very able chairmanship of Jim Denby, the standard of these contests has risen considerably. The winners of these contests were:

Herald Oratory: Arthur Stubbs

Herald Public Speaking: Michael Green

Dick Champion Cup for Impromptu Speaking: Cliff Owler

A new trophy, for Impromptu Debating in secondard schools was donated by Miss Evelyn Harrison, and was won by Waitakere College.

The secondary schools debating contest was won by Kelston Boys High School.

The winners of our debating contest trophies were:

Athenaeum Trophy: Athena

The irvine Cup for the Best Speaker in Athenaeum Final: Elizabeth Grierson

Robinson Cup: Auckland University

Sir John Allum Cup for Best Speaker: Michael Strevens

Town Hall Debate

Conscious of the need to raise funds to supplement fees the executive obtained $4,000 sponsorship from Winstone Limited to stage a Celebrity Debate in the Town Hall. Although a small profit resulted, we were disappointed in the level of support, both from the public, in spite of extensive advertising, and from our own affiliate members, who stood to gain most from the profits made. It appeared that the three Great Comedy Debates, as professional entertainment, had reduced the audience support we expected to receive, and any future events will have to be very cautiously approached.

Venue for 1986

The Auckland Debating Association has been indebted to the University for the use of their venue over the past two years, however, this venue was never intended to be more than an interim measure, until a new, permanent home was found. This, we believe, has been achieved, with an agreement to hire St David's Presbyterian church hall. This is a central venue, easily accessible to motorways and public transport, with ample parking. With our own venue giving a sense of identity, the executive hopes to encourage members to drop-in on Monday nights, and to attract members of the public as audiences.

Nenette Meikle

Nenette Meikle retires as Athenaeum Vice-President after thirteen years on this executive. At the Athenaeum final, Nenette was presented with an engraved tray, in recognition of her long association with debating in Auckland.

Finances

These will be reported on more fully by the Treasurer. Affiliate and Associate membership fees have been held at last year's level, even though they do no cover day to day expenses. Entry fees have been increased this year, adopting the 'user pays' principle, although, once again they will not cover costs. While on the subject of finances, it seems appropriate to announces that Wally Parkes, our Treasurer, has resigned. Wally has kept our accounts faithfully for the past two years, and has kept us fully informed on the state of our finances. Wally, you shall be missed and we thank you.

Publicity

This year it has been superb. By producing a monthly newsletter, informative and sometimes controversial, Helen Guthrie has done much to foster a feeling of identity with our Association.

National Contests

A full contingent represented Auckland at this event.
Athena - Elizabeth Grierson, Helen Guthrie and Wendy Brindle - represented us in the Norwood Trophy.
Michael Green was our Oratory contestant.
Elizabeth Grierson entered the Impromptu Speaking Contest.
Diane Small and Dick Forbes were the Impromptu Debate representatives.
Auckland was proud to have one of its members, Claire Ryan, in the Norwood Trophy finals representing NZ Universities.

Adjudicators

An adjudication seminar was run in May, organised by Paul Beachman, to give adjudicators, both current and prospective an opportunity to discuss adjudicator guideliness. We thank our adjudicators who have helped us this year. It is often a thankless task, yet without you, there would be no contests.

Executive

Robyn Williams as our secretary, has faithfully recorded our meetings, and dealt with correspondence. Robyn retires from the Executive this year, and I thank her for all her work and support.

A new position of Immediate Past President was created at the Special General Meeting, and in this position Dick Forbes has been a clam mentor and an unobtrusive guide. Dick now retires from the executive, and thanks are due to him for his years of service.

It is an honour to be elected to office, and your executive members this year have been conscious of that honour, and have worked diligently to serve the Auckland Debating Association. As outgoing President, I remind the membership at large that these people are working for you, and deserve your support.

To all those people, both on and off the Executive, who have given so much help this year I say thank you. My best wishes go to the incoming officers you will elect tonight.

Diane Small
President

ADA, PO Box 3233, Auckland Central, New Zealand Ph +64-9-6252847 Fax +64-9-6252851 Mobile +64-21-962783 Email to president@ada.org.nz

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