tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312369052011-10-03T09:09:26.408+11:00To foster free and fair debate with a focus on helping<br>the under-privileged, the under-represented and the under-prepared<br><br><b><a href="http://free-debate.blogspot.com/2000/08/free-debate-resources.html">Resources</a> | <a href="http://free-debate.blogspot.com/2000/08/free-debate-services.html">Services</a> | <a href="http://free-debate.blogspot.com/2000/08/about-free-debate.html">About</a> | <a href="mailto:freedebate@gmail.com">Contact Us</a></b>RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comBlogger441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-17411106473559568242011-09-17T19:23:00.022+10:002011-10-03T09:09:26.480+11:00

Free Debate's annual Enabling Day aims to build skills, enthusiasm and capacity in our membership and partner organisations. This year's Enabling Day was attended by teachers from interested organisations, FD members and new recruits to the FD cause.  Melodie Potts Rosevear, CEO of Teach For Australia was this year's guest speaker and we'd like to thank TFA for generously letting us their

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-42999929002189161462011-08-15T22:08:00.004+10:002011-09-16T06:41:26.249+10:00

11.00am to 3.15 pm Saturday, 17th September 2011 Level 1, 103 Flinders Lane, Melbourne (next to ACDC Lane) Free Debate is a group of current and former debaters who use their debating powers for good, helping foster free and fair debate with a focus on helping the under-priveleged, under-represented, and under-prepared. Free Debate’s work ranges from assisting new migrants with public speaking

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-14586204090498823242010-12-20T09:33:00.002+11:002011-05-30T18:35:58.699+10:00

Free Debate conducted a workshop for up-and-coming teachers in the inaugural Teach For Australia intake. Teach For Australia aims to improve student outcomes in areas of educational disadvantage by attracting, supporting and training graduates to teach in disadvantaged schools. Students were identified and hand-picked as top performers from a range of university disciplines by Teach for

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-2267507611060398272010-07-12T11:04:00.025+10:002010-12-18T11:16:41.457+11:00

Run in conjunction with the Auckland University Debating Society, the Fourth Free Debate Pre-Australs Competition was held in Auckland in July.  Pre-Australs is a small, friendly tournament for debaters with limited opportunities to practice in English to warm up before the Australasian Championships. This year, Free Debate trainers Seamus Coleman, Phil Barker and Amit Golder participated in

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-14282749350284670152010-05-22T11:00:00.001+10:002011-08-15T22:07:58.007+10:00

Free Debate's annual Enabling Day aims to build skills and enthusiasm in our membership. This year's highlight was guest speaker Lisa from VASS.  Lisa spoke about the work Free Debate does with VASS and gave us some valuable advice on how to approach the projects. President Elizabeth Sheargold welcomed new members then Tim, Lucia and Kim gave a seminar on the 3C's (Confidence, Content and

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-45268430144237341772010-05-13T22:59:00.001+10:002010-05-13T23:03:07.189+10:00

Free Debate and the Monash Association of Debaters worked with the Monash University International Students Service to present an introductory public speaking and presentation skills workshop. The course was targeted at international students for whom English is a second language, and was held over three Monday lunchtimes.  Over 20 students participated. In the first two sessions, we worked on

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-35104773129588217712010-03-31T10:22:00.000+11:002010-05-13T22:55:10.767+10:00

Free Debate volunteers participated in another excellent youth leadership program developed by Victorian Arabic Social Services (VASS), in conjunction with the Drummond Street Relationship Centre. We worked with 10 young women and 10 young men on developing a confident speaking style. Each of the participants wrote and delivered a short speech on a topic that they felt passionate about. The

Free Debatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03003069980470637122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-16575325237411498432009-08-31T23:37:00.000+10:002010-05-13T23:38:49.077+10:00

Free Debate trainer Anthony Kung conducted 4 sessions of debating training for 16 Year 10 students at Melton Secondary College. The students who participated were reserved at first but seemed to revel in the opportunity to express and discuss opinions. The practice debate about the ethics of animal testing showcased a range of views and honed their ability to refine an argument, while the forum

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-12664787132645978612009-07-01T18:28:00.005+10:002010-05-13T22:55:53.347+10:00

From 29 June to 1 July 2009, Free Debate, in conjunction with Monash Australs, welcomed 56 debaters and 12 trainers from 6 countries across Asia to the third Free Debate Pre-Australs Tournament! The tournament involved 5 rounds, semi and grand finals, a fun-filled championship dinner as well as two training forums - focusing on debating skills, strategies, tips and tactics. Congratulations to

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-71914207818791148852009-06-17T12:53:00.005+10:002009-06-18T13:11:34.883+10:00

Free Debate was once again pleased to help out with the annual Great Refugee Week Debate.This year's debate was held on 17 June at Whitten Oval and coincided with the launch of Maribrynong Council's Building Bridges - Cultural Games booklet. The booklet contains lots of fun games from different cultures and is part of a programme designed to bring people together through playing games.This year's

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-12107017855770787012009-06-14T12:44:00.002+10:002009-06-18T12:52:29.804+10:00

Free Debate's Liz Sheargold and Rob Koh were invited to help out with the Debaters Association of Victoria's 2009 Development Squad. Each year the DAV selects a Development Squad, a group of specially selected promising debaters from various secondary schools throughout Victoria, and provides intensive debating training.Rob presented an interactive lecture on economics and Liz facilitated a

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-43391690703680024092009-04-30T23:37:00.000+10:002010-05-13T23:37:15.936+10:00

Free Debate trainer Anthony Kung conducted debating training for some year 8 and 9 students at St Albans Secondary College. After outlining the fundamentals of argument, persuasion and presentation the students put their skills to excellent use in the DAV Schools Debating Competition. They displayed improved argument formulation, greater confidence and a real enthusiasm for debating! Free

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-81201389462876298082009-02-28T23:34:00.000+11:002010-05-13T23:34:36.487+10:00

Free Debate trainers Kim Little, Ajay Kevat, Lucia Pietropaoli, Amit Golder and Lynne Featonby conducted a lengthy session as part of the Western Chances Young Western Leaders Summit. After an introduction to the basics of persuasion and public speaking the students were split into small groups and asked to prepare and present a speech on a topic of their choice. The diversity of topics was

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-55654056085078798472009-01-05T23:28:00.009+11:002010-05-13T23:32:18.377+10:00

Over 2 days at the beginning of the year, Free Debate trainer Lynne Featonby attended the English Language Summer School of the Australian Karen Foundation in Werribee. A class of 15 youths and adults, originally from Burma, added to their English language skills through several sessions of public speaking and argument training. The students prepared and presented speeches to the group, engaged

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-91855506553459234172008-11-30T18:33:00.002+11:002009-02-06T16:20:44.079+11:00

In line with Free Debate's commitment to assisting the under-privileged, Free Debate ran a training course for asylum seekers. The purpose of the course was to assist asylum seekers to develop confidence and clear public speaking skills.The course ran on Wednesay nights for four weeks at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Free Debate trained 12 newly-arrived asylum seekers from countries such as

Alex Burtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-52806027430994176952008-10-17T17:57:00.000+11:002008-10-21T18:03:59.063+11:00

Free Debate's Lucia Pietropaoli and Rob Koh took part in an interview on Radio Monash's "The Dirt" as a follow up to our help with the Refugee Week Exhibition Debate back in July.We were also lucky enough to be joined by participants Cuc and Meseret and organiser Kiemi Lai from the Western Bulldogs' Engaged Communities.Click here for the interview (for a short time only!)

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-66164142100616506912008-09-30T23:23:00.005+10:002010-05-13T23:27:20.481+10:00

Free Debate trainers Lynne Featonby and Kim Little assisted teams representing the Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre and the Victorian Arabic Social Services to prepare for the sitting of Youth Parliament. The Spectrum Team of 6 participants proposed a bill to increase and tailor the provision of English language services to children and young people who have recently arrived in Australia. The

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-74747000800447480722008-08-15T17:41:00.001+10:002008-10-21T17:57:02.750+11:00

Building on the success of the recent Spring Seminar2008, and with the generous support of the Australia-Japan Foundation, Free Debate sent coach Rob Koh to Hiroshima and Tokyo.Rob assisted delivering a one-day introductory seminar to local and exchange school students in Hiroshima, debating the very serious topic That This House Would Abolish the Death Penalty.Following attendance at the

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-55535802272466871652008-07-21T10:42:00.006+10:002009-02-06T16:24:09.471+11:00

On Friday 20th of June, in celebration of Refugee Week, the Braybrook Community Centre hosted a debate on the topic, "That it is harder for young refugees to make Australia their home than adults"All of the speakers had come to Australia as refugees, and the audience was given an insight into both the refugee experience and generational difference. Free Debate provided coaches to both teams to

Orlandonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-60087465431816345142008-07-09T18:32:00.000+10:002008-07-09T18:34:11.882+10:00

Free Debate is a not-for-profit organization.Free Debate will employ high standards of prudence, probity and record-keeping in all financial dealings. Free Debate will administer any tied gifts, donations or grants fairly and transparently, including clear communication with both donors and recipients;Free Debate will ensure that we receive value for money and minimise costs (e.g. obtaining

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-7053401891015326482008-05-30T12:30:00.001+10:002008-05-30T12:44:36.536+10:00

Free Debate Inc, is seeking an Australian debating coach to attend the 2008 Hiroshima-Tokyo Debate Seminars, from 4-14 August 2008.Free Debate Incorporated, in cooperation with our Japanese partners, will send an Australian debating coach to Hiroshima and Tokyo in August 2008 to deliver a number of debating and communication skills seminars. The Seminars are supported by the Australian

Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630667148499481571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-87835770261890838102008-05-24T13:28:00.006+10:002010-05-24T09:52:20.139+10:00

 Free Debate's second annual Enabling Day built on the success of last year's membership and training day. This year's highlights were guest speakers Melanie Tedja (new member) and Tim Sonnreich (Committee consultant). President Kim Little welcomed new members with an introduction to Free Debate's history, aims and objectives, and then Rob Koh delivered a short presentation on the preparation,

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-6223393707084572002008-03-03T19:04:00.002+11:002008-05-27T13:27:57.186+10:00

The 2008 Spring Seminar, hosted by the Japanese Parliamentary Debating Union (JPDU) from 29 February until 2 March 2008, was an excellent and highly successful programme.Four Australian coaches were funded by the Australia-Japan Foundation to attend the Spring Seminar. Nicole Lynch, Fiona Prowse, Jacob Clifton and Ivan Ah Sam, travelled to Tokyo and ran classes during the three days for over 150

Nhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630667148499481571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-76599462298169966552008-01-22T14:09:00.000+11:002008-01-22T14:39:11.294+11:00

JPDU, in cooperation with Free Debate Inc., is seeking Australian debating coaches to attend the 2008 Spring Seminar in Tokyo, from 29 February – 2 March 2008.Japan Parliamentary Debate Union (JPDU) is a student-run organization that coordinates events for the advancement of Japanese debaters. It represents debating clubs from 40 universities. For the past five years JPDU has been inviting

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-92020486493645634592007-08-17T15:15:00.000+10:002007-11-05T11:19:50.418+11:00

"I really don't want to speak in front of the group. I wanted to do public speaking training, but I didn't realise it would involve actual public speaking"Free Debate and Western Chances have been working together since 2006 to deliver high quality communications training to youth in Victoria's western suburbs. And yes the person quoted above did have to talk in front of the group. And yes, she

Orlandonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-29501920784684450862007-06-17T17:48:00.000+10:002007-06-19T21:01:56.448+10:00

We did our second practice debate today, after running a prep session last Sunday. The topic for Round 2 was "That the US Should Leave Iraq Immediately", and the debates were vigorous and enjoyable.It's gratifying to see that the participants have made substantial improvement in such a short time. In the first round speakers were taking up a lot of time without saying much, and so the focus of

Sonnreichnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-77618213475787068032007-05-27T20:21:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:35:55.204+10:00

Just a quick update on Week 3 of Free Debate's programme with the Bahr El Ghazal Community Development Association.We have now divided the group into four teams with a dedicated coach for each team. (The teams are all fiercely competitive and I look forward to seeing my boys wipe the floor with Duncan's team in the first round!)Next week is Round One of the competition and the topic (selected in

Sonnreichnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-42899204702840151632007-05-23T17:57:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:33:51.111+10:00

Free Debate is running a debating programme with the Bahr El Ghazal Community Development Association.So far it's been a phenomenally fun and successful project. We're working with a group of about twenty lively and enthusiastic Sudanese men who are chomping at the bit to debate competitively.The first week was an information session. Last Sunday was the second of our weekly sessions where we

Sonnreichnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-39334632206292379882007-04-16T14:00:00.001+10:002008-05-27T13:33:35.932+10:00

Free Debate's inaugural Enabling day (held on March 3rd) was all about providing our members with the know-how to put together and deliver Free Debate programs.Kim kicked off proceedings with 'How to Present';Tim followed up with 'How to Debate';Bek facilitated a discussion on 'How to Organise' (put together by Bek and Kylie); andRob rounded off the day with the innovative and informative 'How to

BekHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-13354616570893185662007-02-14T10:16:00.001+11:002010-05-13T23:45:06.878+10:00

Free Debate conducted a presentation class for the Centre for Multi-Cultural Youth Issues (CMYI), as part of the as part of the Building Bridges project. CMYI is a community-based organisation that advocates for the needs of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Building Bridges is an initiative of Vic Health seeking to promote intercultural understanding as a mechanism to reduce

Orlandonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1163126984209925272006-09-30T13:49:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:10:49.114+10:00

Victorian Arabic Social Services (VASS) ran its “Public Speaking and Leadership Course” for young adults with support from Free Debate.Free Debate provided four days of public speaking training to a group of about 15 young people at the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE’s campus in Preston.VASS is a state-wide service provider with specialist expertise and knowledge in working with communities

humphreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913337868121773475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155539090107698052006-08-08T00:00:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:11:21.489+10:00

We're pleased to announce that Keio University (Masako, Keiko and Rie) were the winners of the 2006 Pre-Australs ESL Invitational. The winning team was assisted by Tim Sonnreich.Equal best speakers were Melanie (University of Indonesia) and Masako (Keio University).

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155109956530682122006-07-31T17:30:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:12:18.561+10:00

With support from Western Chances, Free Debate has started a pilot debating programme at Bayside Secondary School. Western Chances is a not-for-profit organisation who provide assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Western suburbs of Melbourne and we look forward to working more closely with Western Chances in the future.The first phase of the programme was completed in July

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155109477158714612006-05-30T17:30:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:10:05.644+10:00

Free Debate conducted a second series of debating seminars for the Adult Migrant Education Service (AMES) evening classes in Footscray. Nicole Lynch, Cassie McGannon and Rob Koh led the 90 minute sessions covering speaking skills and argument formulation.The AMES students debated a range of topics including drugs, gambling and the role of government.Free Debate also conducted a one-off class for

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155109004773176282006-02-16T17:30:00.000+11:002007-05-29T22:12:42.132+10:00

Free Debate is helping to organise a warm-up tournament for ESL teams on Saturday and Sunday 1-2 July 2006, just ahead of the Australiasian Intervarsity Debating Championships ("Australs"). Australs is being hosted by Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand and Free Debate member Kylie Lane will be the tournament's Chief Adjudicator.The Pre-Australs ESL Invitational is a dedicated ESL

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155108876656616122005-11-11T17:30:00.000+11:002007-05-29T22:13:03.009+10:00

Free Debate held a function to welcome over 15 new members. Our new members will help us provide more and a greater range of Services.

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155108743864522062005-09-20T17:30:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:13:23.873+10:00

The Monash Association of Debaters (MAD) honoured Free Debate member Tim Sonnreich with Life Membership at their 2005 AGM reflecting his long and distinguished service to the Association.You can find out more about Tim's debating career with MAD here.

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155108500837144482005-09-05T17:30:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:13:36.129+10:00

Free Debate conducted four debating seminars for the Adult Multicultural Education Service (AMES) in Footscray. Kim Little, Kylie Lane and Rob Koh led the 90 minute sessions covering basic speaking skills, constructing arguments, choosing relevant examples and rebuttal. The AMES students debated a range of topics and particularly enjoyed rebutting each other.

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155108397846384552005-08-31T17:00:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:11:51.823+10:00

Free Debate conducted three seminars for the Sudanese Australian Integrated Learning (SAIL). SAIL is a not-for-profit organisation that provides tutors to refugees of all ages, to help them with everything from basic language skills to academic tutoring for school-aged children. Kim Little and Tim Sonnreich ran a three-day adult’s introductory course on public speaking and communication skills

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155108300318303522005-05-05T17:00:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:13:53.186+10:00

Three of our members took part in Melbourne University Debating Society (MUDS) 2005 public debate. Kim Little, Liz Sheargold and Rob Koh joined several expert speakers and MUDS debaters in a friendly exhibition debate on the topic That Medicare Should Not Fund Abortions.

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155108186282721082005-04-18T17:00:00.000+10:002007-05-29T22:14:14.892+10:00

Free Debate is a non-profit apolitical organisation incorporated in Victoria, Australia. Founded by a group of experienced debaters, we seek to provide debate-related services and resources to the under-privileged, the under-represented and the under-prepared.Please see About for more information about Free Debate.

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155105235156818552000-08-08T08:28:00.002+10:002011-05-30T18:37:08.355+10:00

Free Debate Teacher's Guide (December 2010)

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1155098526944870772000-08-08T08:18:00.001+10:002011-04-11T20:15:25.052+10:00

Please see About for more information on Free Debate. Free Consulting Free Debate will help with all aspects of your debating. If you’re involved in a community programme and would like to include a public debate, a debating programme or even a debating competition, we can help you. We can help organise your event or programme by providing contacts and resources to ensure your event or programme

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31236905.post-1154674603120369612000-08-08T08:08:00.034+10:002011-04-11T20:17:07.774+10:00

Our Statement of Purposes To foster free and fair debate in society with a focus on helping the under-privileged, the under-represented and the under-prepared. To operate on an apolitical, non-religious and non-profit basis. To provide debate-related consulting, coaching and facilitation services to needy individuals and organisations, including schools, charities, non-government organisations,

RKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544296423614280007noreply@blogger.com