The annual BWF Great Debate returns! Watch the temperature gauge soar as Team Australia takes on the world with this satirical discussion on ideas and politics. Two teams including funnymen Alexei Sayle and Dave O’Neil, as well as Yassmin Abdel-Magied and debate moderator David Astle will bring this heated debate to the stage.
David Astle is a full-time word nerd. Many know him as the dictionary man on Letters and Numbers. Or just as DA, the devious crossword-setter in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Between puzzles, he’s written half a dozen wordy-nerdy books, including Riddledom, Cluetopia and Puzzled.
Dave O’Neil has been in the business of comedy for over 20 years and is one of Australia’s most recognisable stand-up comics. As well as his stand up and television career, Dave is a skilled radio broadcaster, and has been a part of successful teams on Nova 100, Vega 91.5/Classic Rock FM, and 774 ABC Radio in Melbourne. He has written several books, including Everything Tastes Better Crumbed … and other Big Statements and, most recently, The Summer of ’82.
A. C. Grayling is the Professor of Philosophy at the New College of the Humanities, London. He is the author of over thirty books of philosophy, biography and essays including, most recently, The Age of Genius. He is a columnist for Prospect magazine, and a regular contributor to leading newspapers in the UK, the US and Australia. He is a Vice President of the British Humanist Association, and in 2015 served as the Chair of the judging panel for the Booker Prize.
2015 Queensland Young Australian of the Year, Yassmin Abdel-Magied is a mechanical engineer, social advocate, writer and petrol head. Her first book, Yassmin’s Story, was published this year and is a memoir sharing a different perspective about growing up in Australia.
