Debating SA

16/10/2026

Tomorrow, our Grand Finalists will speak in South Australia’s House of Assembly at Parliament House.

It is a fitting setting for students to engage seriously with ideas: a chamber where arguments are put forward, different perspectives are heard and decisions affecting our community are made.

Throughout the season, these students have researched topics, developed arguments, listened carefully and learned to disagree respectfully. Tomorrow is an opportunity to bring those skills together on a memorable stage.

To every finalist: take pride in the work that has brought you here.

Think deeply. Speak confidently. Engage with ideas.

14/10/2026

With this year’s Grand Finals approaching, we’re looking back at last year’s occasion at Parliament House.

These photographs capture a special milestone in our students’ debating journeys. Behind each speech are hours of research, preparation and practice; and teammates who have helped one another develop their ideas.

Reaching a Grand Final is an achievement worth celebrating. So too is the confidence to stand up, make an argument and respond thoughtfully to another perspective.

This Saturday, a new group of finalists will take their place in the House of Assembly. We look forward to seeing what they bring to the occasion.

08/10/2026

🎉 Don't Miss Out - Second Release Tickets Now Available 🎉

The response to our 35th Anniversary celebration with ABC Radio Adelaide has been incredible!

First release tickets for the Sonya & Jules Gr8-9-1 Debate have sold out with a limited number of second release tickets now available! 🎙️

Don’t miss out. Secure your *FREE tickets* and join us at the Adelaide Town Hall on Sunday 18 October.

🎟️ Reserve your tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/sonya-and-jules-gr8-9-1-debate

This exclusive event will bring together a variety of local artists for an entertaining afternoon of lively debate and conversation.

06/10/2026

🎙️What topic should be debated at The Gre8-9-1 Debate?🤔

If you could put one issue, question, or hot topic up for debate, what would it be?

For one special show only, 891 ABC Adelaide's favourite Breakfast duo, Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller, are returning live on stage on Sunday 18 October to host The Gre8-9-1 Debate.

Find out more: https://www.abc.net.au/adelaide/891-radio-favourites-and-adelaide-celebs-set-to-clash-in-great-d/107196108

Presented in conjunction with Debating SA at Adelaide Town Hall, the event celebrates 35 years of debating in South Australia and will bring together a range of local personalities and artists for an entertaining afternoon of lively debate and conversation. ❤️

05/10/2026

🎉 We’re celebrating 35 years of Debating SA!

To mark the occasion, we’re joining forces with ABC Radio Adelaide for a special afternoon of debating at the Adelaide Town Hall.

Sonya Feldhoff and Jules Schiller will lead two teams of familiar South Australian personalities in the Gr8-9-1 Debate, with plenty of argument, persuasion and good humour along the way.

For 35 years, Debating SA has been giving young South Australians opportunities to think deeply, speak confidently and engage with ideas.

We’d love our debating community - students, teachers, adjudicators, volunteers, alumni and friends, past and present - to join us for the celebration.

📅 Sunday 18 October
🕑 2:00pm to 3:30pm
📍 Adelaide Town Hall
🎟️ Book your tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/sonya-and-jules-gr8-9-1-debate

📰 Read more from ABC Adelaide:
https://www.abc.net.au/adelaide/891-radio-favourites-and-adelaide-celebs-set-to-clash-in-great-d/107196108

Come and celebrate 35 years of Debating SA.

This exclusive event will bring together a variety of local artists for an entertaining afternoon of lively debate and conversation.

04/10/2026

As Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC concludes her term as Governor of South Australia, Debating SA extends its sincere thanks for her service as our Patron.

We have been enormously proud to have Her Excellency as our Patron and are grateful for her support of the opportunities we provide for young South Australians to think critically, communicate confidently and engage with different perspectives.

As Debating SA celebrates its 35th year, we are particularly grateful that Her Excellency has been part of our story.

We thank Her Excellency for her patronage and distinguished service to South Australia, and wish her every success for the future.

Thank you, Your Excellency.

17/09/2026

🏆 YEAR 6 & 7 SEMI FINALS

Our 2026 Debating SA Semi Finals continued last night with our Year 6 and Year 7 teams taking to the floor!

👏 Congratulations to Belair Primary School and Emmaus Christian College, who have earned their places in the Year 6 Grand Final.

🎉 Congratulations also to St Aloysius College and Emmaus Christian College, who will meet in the Year 7 Grand Final.

Reaching the Semi Finals after a full season of debating is a terrific achievement. Congratulations to every team that competed tonight, and to all of the students, coaches and coordinators who have contributed throughout the season.

🏛️ For our Grand Finalists, there is now one debate remaining: Parliament House on Saturday 17 October.

17/09/2026

🏆 YEAR 10 & SENIOR SEMI FINALS

Last night was another exciting night in the 2026 Debating SA Finals Series, with our Year 10 and Senior teams competing for their places in the Grand Finals!

👏 Congratulations to Concordia College and St Columba College, whose Year 10 teams have earned their places in the Grand Final.

🎉 In our Senior division, congratulations to Endeavour College and Pedare Christian College, who have also secured their places at Parliament House.

Congratulations to all of our semi-finalists on an outstanding season and on reaching this stage of the competition. Making a Semi Final is an achievement in itself, and we hope every team is proud of how far they have come.

🏛️ Our Grand Finalists will face off at Parliament House on Saturday 17 October.

16/09/2026

🏆 **YEAR 8 & 9 SEMI FINALS**

On Tuesday, our Year 8 and Year 9 teams took another big step in the 2026 Debating SA Finals Series, competing for a place in the Grand Finals!

👏 Congratulations to Mercedes College and Glenunga International High School, whose Year 8 teams have earned their places in the Grand Final.

They will face off at Parliament House on Saturday 17 October for the Year 8 championship.

🎉 In Year 9, congratulations to Emmaus Christian College and St Michael's College, who have also secured their places in the Grand Final after the Semi Finals.

Congratulations to all of the semi-finalists on reaching this stage of the competition. The standard of debating throughout the season has been fantastic, and every team should be proud of what they have achieved.

🏛️ Next stop: Parliament House!

16/09/2026

🏆 **Quarter Finals | Years 6 & 7 - Post 2 of 2**

Our final night of Quarter Finals belonged to Years 6 and 7!

After five preliminary rounds, these teams earned their places in the finals and returned last week for another night of thoughtful arguments, confident speeches and plenty of rebuttal.

For students at this age, reaching a Quarter Final is a terrific achievement and an opportunity to put everything they have learned throughout the season into practice.

Congratulations to all of our Year 6 and Year 7 Quarter Finalists, and good luck to the teams continuing their journey into the Semi Finals!

📸 A few moments from a fantastic final night of Quarter Finals.