Aussie talkers take to Taupo tipple

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 60, 30 July 1974, Page 3

Aussie talkers take to

Taupo tipple

One of the most "talkative" imports to New Zealand from across the Tasman in many years, visited Taupo for two days last week. It was the one woman. three men Australian debating team who, led by their 'Mother Superior', Mrs Moilie Missen and including Bob Hinkley, Jim Coombs and David Krasnostein, will officially meet, and argue, with seven New Zealand teams during the next two weeks. Mrs Missen, wife of an Australian senator and a self-confessed student of politics, is the captain. Her debating life is

lengthy. She has led the Victorian team 12 times and has been leader of the Australian side since its inception in 1966. Reluctant to be termed a 'housewife', Mrs Missen said the word is "habit forming and altogether very nasty." But, she points out, she is not against motherhood. Bob Hinkley is a former inter-varsity debater who has been a member of four Victoria sides and two Australian teams. Jim Coombs, a member of external relations office of the Atomic Energy Commission, has been in six New South Wales repre-

sentative debating teams. At 19, David Krasnostein is the youngest tourist. He is a law student from Western Australia and has been a member of school and state teams. All four are thoroughly

enjoying their trip. Arguing their way around a foreign country is a "fun experience, and a cheap way to see New Zealand." Taupo, they all agree, is a good place with many things going for it. Along with the lake, Taupo is the only place they have struck, which serves good whisky.