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.
The Debaters Association of Victoria runs Regional Debating Competitions in a number of regional centres around Victoria.
Format:
Each team will debate in three rounds. In both divisions, two of the topics will be prepared topic
(released with the draw several weeks before the day). The Year 7 and 8 division will include an
advised topic, where the subject area of the topic will be released with the draw, but the exact
wording of the topic will not be released until an hour before the debate. The Year 9 and 10 division
will include a secret topic.
The winner of the competition will be awarded in each division based on number of wins and overall team scores. A "best speaker" award will also be given, based on speaker scores. Winners will be given awards, and all speakers will receive certificates.
Style:
Australian 3 on 3 style (See the Australasian Debating Guide - DAV website) - three speakers
debate for each team.
Cost:
$30 DAV membership fee (if the school has not yet participated in any other DAV activities this year), and $80 per team.
N.B. Due to Commonwealth Government funding, the Mallee Regional Debating Competition is free to schools, and the Border Regional Debating Competition is discounted to $30 per team.
Why Debate:
Debating is an invaluable skill for students:
- it promotes confidence and effective public presentation
- it encourages logical and critical thinking, social awareness and an interest in current affairs
- it is multi-disciplinary: debating techniques can be used in all subject areas.
- its benefits extend through all aspects of the school curriculum
- It is well directed to the "Communication" and "Thinking" domains of VELS. More specifically, it addresses the "Speaking and Listening", "Listening, Viewing and Responding", "Presenting", "Reasoning, Process and Inquiry" dimensions of VELS and VCE English
Dates and Regions:
Wimmera
Horsham College, Horsham
Training day: August 31st
Debating day: September 7th
Gippsland
Gippsland Grammar School, Sale
Training day: September 4th
Debating day: September 11th
Murray
Echuca College, Echuca
Training day: October 16th
Debating day: October 23rd
Goulburn
Goulburn Valley Grammar School, Shepparton
Training day: October 19th
Debating day: October 26th
Western District
Training day: October 30th (The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Hamilton)
Debating day: November 13th (Brauer College, Warrnambool)
Border
Wodonga TAFE, West Wodonga
Training day: November 13th
Debating day: November 27th
Mallee
Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, Mildura
Training day: November 19th
Debating day: November 20th