Youth triumphed over age in the annual Wollongong Lord Mayor's Great Debate of the Ages on Wednesday.
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Wollongong lord mayor Bradbery named a team of high school students the victors against the "Golden Oldies", a team made up of Illawarra professionals.
Justice-Noah Negro-Malfitano from Edmund Rice College, Hugh McClure from Smith's Hill High and Emily I'Ons from The Illawarra Grammar School took the opposing position on Edmund Burke's famous quote: "The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth."
Cr Bradbery awarded them the debate on the basis of their articulate arguments and engaging presentation.
"You should all consider a career in law," he said in his adjudication.
The Golden Oldies consisted of Top Blokes founder Melissa Abu-Gazelah, Blake Preston from Thomas and Coffey, and youth worker Ann Burbrook who filled in at the last minute after Wollongong MP Noreen Hay cancelled her appearance.
According to Wollongong Youth Centre co-ordinator Toby Schaefer-Darling, the calibre of youth debaters in the event made it difficult to find adult challengers.
"It was harder this year than previous years because people have become aware of the skilled and articulate debaters and it can be a bit daunting for adults."
The event kicked off the council's program for National Youth Week.