Competition set to heat up next year

Victoria’s Debating Society will be looking to reclaim the coveted Joynt Scroll next year, after ending an outstanding winning streak which lasted eight years.

This year, two of Victoria’s teams reached the semi-final stage of the prestigious competition which bought together 18 teams from universities across New Zealand.

Victoria 1 were defeated in the semi-finals by Otago University 1, which won the Joynt Scroll for the first time since 2004. Victoria 2 was also knocked out in the semi-final round by Auckland 1. 

With over half of the current Victoria team made up of first year students, Victoria Debating Society President Jodie O’Neill is looking forward to bringing the Joynt Scroll “home” again next year. 

“Our newer speakers and trainees showed huge amounts of promise and improvement over the weekend the competition was held.”

A number of talented Victoria student were recognised at the competition, with Nick Cross being named in the New Zealand Debating team, Nick Gavey becoming a Highly Commended speaker, Maddy Nash winning the Promising Speaker award and Wilbur Townsend being accredited as a judge for the competition.