Debating SA celebrated 35 years of encouraging young South Australians to think critically, speak confidently and engage with ideas, bringing together some of Adelaide’s best-known personalities for a memorable afternoon of humour, lively argument and community celebration.
On Sunday 18 October 2026, the historic Adelaide Town Hall played host to the Gr-8-9-1 Debate, a special anniversary event presented in partnership with ABC Radio Adelaide, with the support of the City of Adelaide.
The celebration marked an important milestone for Debating SA, which has spent more than three decades providing opportunities for young people to develop their confidence, reasoning and public speaking skills through debating.
A Celebration of Wit, Humour and Lively Debate
The afternoon brought together six well-known South Australian personalities, divided into two teams representing familiar voices from ABC Radio Adelaide.
Team Sonya, led by ABC Radio Adelaide presenter Sonya Feldhoff, featured comedian Matt Gilbertson, better known as Hans, and celebrated country music performer Beccy Cole.
Opposing them was Team Jules, featuring ABC Radio Adelaide presenter Jules Schiller, veteran broadcaster Peter Goers and the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Dr Jane Lomax-Smith.
With such a colourful collection of personalities, the audience was treated to an afternoon that demonstrated just how entertaining debating can be.
The event was expertly guided by Masters of Ceremonies Jason Chong and Jo Laverty, with Nikolai Beilharz keeping time and Bobby Macumber adding to the festivities in his roving role.
While the occasion was filled with laughter, it also celebrated something at the heart of Debating SA’s philosophy: the ability to explore different perspectives, construct arguments and engage with others through the spoken word.
35 Years of Debating for Life
Established in 1991, Debating SA has grown into a longstanding part of South Australia’s educational community, providing generations of students with opportunities to develop skills that extend well beyond the debating room.
For 35 years, our commitment has remained consistent: to encourage young people to think independently, reason carefully, communicate clearly and engage respectfully with different points of view.
These are skills that students carry with them into further education, their careers and their lives as active members of the community.
Our anniversary celebration was therefore about much more than looking back at the organisation’s history. It was an opportunity to recognise the enduring value of debating and the many people who have contributed to its success.
From the teachers and debating coordinators who encourage students to participate, to the adjudicators, volunteers, schools and families who support them, Debating SA’s achievements have always been the result of a shared commitment to education.
A Special Thank You
Debating SA extends its sincere appreciation to ABC Radio Adelaide for partnering with us to bring this special celebration to life, and to the City of Adelaide for its support.
We are especially grateful to our six celebrity debaters, who generously contributed their time and talents to make the afternoon such an entertaining occasion.
Our thanks also go to Jason Chong, Jo Laverty, Nikolai Beilharz and Bobby Macumber for their contributions to the event.
We acknowledge the many volunteers, organisers and supporters whose work behind the scenes made the celebration possible.
Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us at Adelaide Town Hall. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate the organisation and the role debating continues to play in South Australian education.
Looking Ahead to the Next 35 Years
As Debating SA looks towards the future, our commitment to developing thoughtful, confident and articulate young people remains as strong as ever.
In an increasingly complex world, the ability to evaluate evidence, question assumptions, construct reasoned arguments and disagree respectfully is more important than ever.
These are the principles that have guided Debating SA since 1991, and they will continue to shape our work with future generations of students.
Thank you for being part of our first 35 years. We look forward to what comes next.
Debating SA – Debating for Life.
More Highlights to Come
We’re delighted to share photographs from our 35th anniversary celebration and look forward to bringing you more video highlights from this memorable afternoon.
Stay connected with Debating SA through our website and social media channels as we continue to share moments from the celebrations.