Welcome to the DAV Website
The DAV is a non-profit association which exists to promote debate. It
is the peak debating body in Victoria and runs large competitions for
adults and for schools across Victoria. It provides training and
resources for debaters, teachers and adjudicators.
Partnerships
Monash Asian Studies Debating Competition 2024
A debating competition open to students from Years 10-12, run by the DAV in conjunction with the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics at Monash University. The topics will focus on contemporary issues relevant to Asia.
On-campus debating day (at Monash's Clayton campus) on Sunday 12th May (from 10am-3pm on Sunday 12 May at Monash's Clayton campus) or in online debates (conducted through Zoom) on Saturday 18th May.
Register via this form. Registration is due by 4pm, Monday 29 April.
Please contact the competition coordinator (Jonathan Benney, jonathan.benney@monash.edu) if you have questions!
National Schools Debating Championships
This year the National Schools Debating Championship is being held in Victoria. This annual tournament comprises the best high school debaters from each state and territory debating against each other over the course of a week from Sunday 21 May - Sunday 28 May.
Deakin Law Debates
A debating competition open to students from Years 11-12, run by the DAV in conjunction with Deakin Law School. The topics will focus on legal theory and criminal justice related issues. Sunday 30 June, 9:30am-4:30pm at Deakin University Law School, Burwood Campus
External programs
NOTE: These programs are not affiliated with or endorsed by the DAV but may be of interest to students who enjoy debating and/or public speaking.
Harvard Model UN Australia Conference
Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) are excited to invite you to join us for the Harvard Model UN Australia Conference, taking place over 4 days from June 6 to June 9, 2024 in Sydney Australia . We are excited to announce that we will be hosting this year's conference at the University of Technology (UTS), Sydney, which is located in downtown Sydney.
At HMUN Australia, delegates will gain insight into the workings of the United Nations and the dynamics of international relations by assuming the roles of world leaders and international decision-makers. HMUN is an exciting opportunity for young leaders to debate the most pressing issues of the day and to draft innovative, creative solutions. Delegates will develop several skills throughout this process, including public speaking, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, and policy crafting.
We've had a lot of interest and are expecting 500 students to participate in this year's conference. We hope you will consider joining us for this unforgettable experience that will shape your students' future. Further information is available at https://www.hmunaustralia.org/.
We recently conducted a webinar about the conference with an explanation on how to register here.
You can register here. The Early Bird Registration 2 deadline is April 1st, 2024.
Debating4all
Debating4all is a volunteer initiative, run entirely by high school students, that offers schools without access to coaching resources the opportunity to receive volunteer coaching. This will be completely free, and our coaches are either state debaters, or part of the top teams at their respective schools. Debating4all wants to improve the quality of debating across Victoria, and combat the often high costs of debating coaching.
Specifically, they can offer is up to 2 hours of coaching before the debate, either done in person or online to schools in the areas below. The times will be decided between the coach and the team themselves.There may also be an opportunity for teams to be observed by their coach, who will then provide specific constructive feedback after the debate.
Alternatively, if your school/area isn't mentioned in the list below, please contact Debating4all to organise a volunteer coach for your school's teams.
Further information can be found at the Debating4all website.
Australian Schools Open
The Australian Schools Open is an online competition run via Zoom.
The competition will run from 5.45-8.15pm each Sunday (younger age groups will finish earlier). Individual sign-ups will have to pay $250 AUD + GST for the full 9 weeks. School signups will be $500 AUD + GST per team. The Chief Adjudicator will be Ellie Stephenson, who is a former World University Debating Championship semi-finalist and coach of the NSW schools team. The Convenor will be Conna Leslie-Keefe, who has been consistently performed among the best debaters in Australia and has run major international high school competitions before.
You can find out more information here. and register here.
Inquiries can be directed to speakerscorneraustralia@gmail.com
If you would like the DAV to include details of a debating or public speaking program, please read the Promotion and Publicity policy for information about our approach to advertising external events.