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Audience enjoys annual Library comedy debate
Some of the sharpest minds at the University of the Sunshine Coast traded intellectual volleys and some painful puns at the recent Power of Ten comedy debate at the University Library.
Information Services director Sandra Jeffries had her hands full as moderator and kept the rowdy speakers in check as they debated the topic of "Celebrities make great role models" on Friday 17 November.
On the affirmative were Dr Leonie Williams and Dr Juhani Tuovinen of the Faculty of Science, Health and Education and Hot 91 FM radio host and University journalism tutor Samille Muirhead.
Dr Monte Wynder of the Faculty of Business teamed up with Bron Stevens and Victoria Palmer of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences to present the negative argument and were judged the victors by an audience of about 100 University students and staff.
Among the audience were some surprise celebrity guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Elton John, former US President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Oprah and even Miss Piggy.
Library resources and technologies manager Catherine Brown said a debate was held annually to commemorate the official opening of the library in 1997.
"The objective of the debate is to involve the main clients of the library – academics and students – to help us celebrate,’’ she said.
"It helps to highlight and to focus the library as a major part of the University without it being too serious . . . so we usually have a frivolous topic.’’