WINGHAM Probus Club has again won the annual debate against students from Wingham High School.
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Held on Wednesday morning at the Wingham Services Club, the debate saw Probus taking the negative stance on the subject 'school days are the best days of our lives.'
"Hogwash," declared Probus member Noreida Fotheringham to the high school's argument that once you leave school it's pretty much downhill all the way.
Noreida argued that the kids of today have become victims of consumerism.
"The best day of your life is today." She concluded.
Alan Hughston argued that education doesn't end as soon as you walk out of the school gates.
"Being old gives us time to stop and smell the roses and the wisdom to spend our time wisely," he said.
It has become a tradition of the two teams to be a little insulting of the other and the lightness of the delivery makes for a witty debate.
"It was really enjoyable and a lot of fun in the tradition," said Wingham High teacher, and adjudicator Gary Dunbier.
"Probus members always take everything in good spirit."
If the high school students were intimidated by the older and self-proclaiming "wiser" members of Probus they weren't showing it.
The most insulting statement of the morning, according to the adjudicator, was that of student Jorj Sumpner-Johnston.
Jorj boldly declared there are many "old people" who are not "mature."
But it was new debater, student Victoria Lee that planted a new seed.
Her statement that suggested freedom is an illusion raised a few eyebrows.
"That certainly got me thinking about the nature of freedom," admits Gary.
"I wasn't prepared for that."
Insults flew thick and fast about the "old" people and their lack of technological knowhow and non-existent social lives.
The Probus members argued back suggesting the very idea of Probus is that of social interaction which is far more appealing than having 140 friends on Facebook you've never actually met.
It is the ninth debate between Wingham Probus Club and Wingham High School and the sixth victory for Probus.