Debating this week is on Thursday at 6pm.  Meet at Clocktower 032.  We will be hosting another round of AUDO, before heading out for a drink afterwards.

For those attending Thropy:
- Check that the team lists and transport lists from the spreadsheet that was sent last week are correct.  If not, email in with corrections.
- We will let you know where opening drinks are being held when this information becomes available.  We will congregate as a squad at the accommodation at 7, and then head out together.
- Please don’t crash, we will not pay for any associated costs.  Also drive safely and responsibly there is no rush and definitely no need to pick up speeding fines!
- Please deposit your accommodation money into the account listed in the email ($90) by 5pm Wednesday 16th May.  If you don’t pay, you cannot attend.

Readers and Writers debate to be held today at 12.45 in the OGGB Foyer on Level One.  Moot is that Western intervention is justified in war.  Come along, should be an interesting debate!

This week in debating, we have the following events taking place:

1.) AUSA Womensfest Debate:
As part of the AUSA Women’s week festivities, Debsoc will be hosting a public debate in conjunction with AUSA.  This is to be held on Monday 30 April at 6pm in Library Basement 10, and the moot is THB that the National government welfare reforms are bad for women.  Both internal and external speakers will be included.

2.) Teach First NZ Public Debate:
This Thursday, the Teach First NZ public debate will be taking place.  Focusing on issues relevant to education, this debate will see some of Debsocs finest alongside guest speakers such as Carol Hirschfeld and solicitors at Chapman Tripp.  Following the debate, drinks and nibbles will be provided by the firm.  The debate will begin at 6pm, and is to be held on Level 35 of the ANZ Tower (at the Chapman Tripp offices).

3.) Australs Trials:
Australs Trials are to be held on Sunday 6th May at Law School, beginning promptly at 10am.  Australs are to be held in Wellington from 8th – 15th of July, and registration costs are $750 (this includes accommodation).  Debsoc will provide funding of $445 per person, subject to meeting the practice and participation requirements included in this document (http://www.debating.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Trial-Rules-Funding-of-Tournaments-Practice-Requirements.pdf).

Other points to note:
- Positive and negative referencing is allowed, send these to the email address included in the weekly email.
- If you have any relevant past performances that you want to make available to selectors, then email them to the exec account, along with your preferred speaking position.
- Please email by Thursday 3rd May if you intend to trial.

Welcome back from the break, a few things to note about debating this week:

This week will be another round of AUDO, our internal tournament.  To reiterate, this is suitable for people of all levels of experience, and there is certainly no requirement to have debated before.  If you wish to debate, meet at clock tower 032 at 6pm this Thursday 26 April.

Thropy is a novice tournament specifically designed for younger debaters.  It is to be held on the 19th and 20th of May in Hamilton, so keep this weekend free!  Thropy promises to be a lot of fun, but is also competitive at the top end.  If you wish to be considered for A1-A5, then you will need to attend trials this Saturday 28th April at 10.30am at Law School.  If you intend on come to Thropy, but do not want to trial for one of the top teams, please let us know by Friday 11th May.  Email the exec account, and include the following:
- Whether you want to enter as a team, or whether you want us to place you in a team.
- Whether you are able to drive down, and if so, how many passengers you can take with you.
- Whether you want to be booked into squad accommodation and whether you have rooming preferences, or if you prefer to find your own accommodation.
- Whether you have any special dietary requirements.

The cost of accommodation will be approximately $90 if you choose to stay with the squad, as well as additional costs of food and transport.  You are eligible to attend Thropy unless you have already debated at Thropy twice before, or have attended one of Easters/Australs/Joynt/Worlds and are not in your first year at university.

Next week we are putting on two exciting Public Debates:
1.) A Women’s debate as part of AUSA Women’s Fest, which is to be held on Monday 30th April.
2.) We are hosting a debate alongside Teach First NZ and the law firm Chapman Tripp on Thursday 3rd of May.

Also a reminder that trials for Australs are to be held on Sunday 6th May.

Please note that the trial date for Australs has been moved.  Trials will now be held on Sunday 6th May.  Trials are likely to take all day due to the large number of triallists expected, and we will be selecting teams from A1 to A6, as well as a reserve team.  Speeches are 8 minutes in length, with 4 minute leaders replies and 30 minutes prep (no points of information allowed).  If you wish to trial, email the exec account by Thursday 3rd May.