Live - The Great Debate - Seymour Centre
To celebrate the 30th birthday of the Mardi Gras this year, ACON challenged the audiences with an age defying question – ‘Is 50 The New 30?’ The Great Debate presented another year of argument and laughter at Sydney’s Seymour Centre.
The debate was led by Australia’s ‘Peter Pan’ of entertainment, Bob Downe, who oversaw proceedings while elegantly frolicking about onstage. Despite Downe’s own ageing demeanour he looked younger then ever, winning over the crowd with his charm and wit. The debate fired off and with a stellar group of debators on a quest to find out if ‘the mutton connects with the inner lamb’.
The affirmative team was led by SBS executive Bruce Meagher alongside journalist and Same Same 25’er David Marr and most loved comedian and author Jean Kitson. The negative team was made up of ABC’s Bernie Hobb, comedian Jackie Loeb and The Chaser’s Craig Reucassel.
The speakers fired up on topics of viagara, botox, baby boomers, beauty and most importantly tackled attitudes and stereotypes associated with ageing. The standout of the lot was the hilarious Jackie Loeb – she was the one that really defined the age differences and why 50 cannot be the new 30. For one thing, 30 year olds are hip and cool with their iPods and mp3 players. To a 50 year old, mp3 is a new motorway connecting to the cross city tunnel. And more than that, by taking the mp3 they’ll avoid the toll. Jackie Loeb had me in stitches and a quick glance around the room confirmed that I wasn’t the only one.
But there was a serious side to the evening as well. Being an ACON event, one issue on the table was the health and well being of Sydney’s gay and lesbian community. ACON’s CEO Stevie Clayton spoke about the damages our lifestyles can inflict as we move into old age. She highlighted the effects of drugs, HIV and even violence. ACON aims to target all these problems to aim for a healthier and safer future for our community. The event may have been entertaining and a celebration, but it was also a very important fundraiser.
The audience laughed, they cheered, they even shed a tear – it was a sold out success. Most importantly, the debate highlighted growing up and getting older does not have to a drab but a celebration of life. It’s about enjoying your 20’s, your 30’s, your 40’s and your 50’s. Ultimately it’s not about dreading what‘s around the corner but enjoying the corner you’re currently standing on.
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jimjazz
said ages ago