Towards the end of the 1960s Australia found itself embroiled in the unwinnable war in Vietnam, in support of the US Government’s campaign there. A 1968 debate strongly supported withdrawal from the war (by 35 to 5), but the withdrawal didn’t happen until after a change of government in 1972. Of the debates held by [more...]
The mid 1960s was a relatively peaceful time, and the topics discussed by the Mosman Debating Society included only a mixed smattering of international affairs subjects: That Australia should send troops to defend Malaysia against Indonesian aggression (carried) That the United Nations is a lost cause (defeated) That we support Mr Smith on Rhodesia (carried) [more...]
The debates held by the Mosman Debating Society in the first few years of the 1960s were diverse, but as always included international affairs: That darkest Africa should be declared black (defeated) That we approve of Britain’s entry into the Common Market (carried) That Indonesia is justified in her claim to West New Guinea (no [more...]
Johnnie Ray’s music was somewhere between jazz and what was about to become rock’n’roll. He also made metaphorical waves with his “animated stage persona”, so it’s not surprising that a lively debate about Johnnie Ray was one of those held in the late 1950s by the Mosman Debating Society. That we would tear the pants [more...]
The early 1950s saw post-war rationing replaced by mass production, and an increased interest in the discussion of lifestyle and cultural issues at the Mosman Debating Society, including these topics: That the influence of Hollywood is beneficial (tied) That the modern emphasis on soap proves we are dirtier than our ancestors (tied) That the arts [more...]
World War II was over, but there was still fear and uncertainty, and international topics featured strongly on the agenda of the Mosman Debating Society during the second half of the 1940s: That Mr Churchill is the right man to govern the Empire in peace (carried) That it were better for the world if the [more...]
The Mosman Debating Society debates of the early 1940s started with topics related to World War II: That the centre of the British Empire should be transferred to Australia That Britain should bomb Germany That women like war That Australia is capable of defending itself unaided All of those took place in 1940. After that, [more...]
The topics debated by the Mosman Debating Society from 1930 to 1934 offer an insight into those troubled years that were dominated by the Great Depression. Not surprisingly, many of the topics related to the economy, and some questioned the foundations of the economic system: That the system of modern advertising is detrimental to society [more...]
The Mosman Debating Society held regular Thursday evening debates in Sydney. I have access to only a few of the topics debated, but they open an interesting window into what was occupying people’s minds at the time. Here are some of the subjects of the debates of the 1920s. That the system of proportional representation [more...]
The Mosman Debating Society of Sydney, Australia flourished from its inception in 1917 until some time after 1985. Before 1957 (when television commenced in Australia) the Mosman Debating Society was a premier venue for the formation of public opinion and the dissemination of ideas, and its debates were regularly covered by the press. Originally only [more...]