Should it be compulsory for Australian primary school children to learn to swim? This question was posed to year 5 and 6 students of St Patrick's Parish School and the Alpine School Cooma in the final of the Cooma Rotary Club's Dugald Mitchell memorial primary school debating competition.

The competition is named after the late Cooma Rotarian, Dugald Mitchell OAM, in recognition of his service to the community and passion for public speaking and debating.

St Patrick's Parish School was awarded victory after a close and engaging debate. St Pat's students spoke as the affirmative, arguing primary school aged children must learn to swim as its good for their health, opens career opportunities and could be life saving.

The Alpine School was the negative side and delivered strong arguments on why swimming should not be compulsory. Their arguments centred on possible social anxiety if children are forced to into the water, cost of lessons, and placing unrealistic expectations on children.

Following the close debate, the adjudicators Han Worsley, Imogen McGrath and Joelle Azzopardi praised the teams for their efforts.

Han said the students debated at a high level and congratulated both sides for their well thought arguments.

St Patrick's Parish School student, Ellie Reed, was awarded the competition's best debater. The competition saw schools in Cooma compete for the inaugural Dugald Mitchell trophy.

Before students started debating, Rotarian and close friend of Mr Mitchell, Kevin Dunne, shared Dugald's love for public speaking, politics and community service.

The debating final was held at the Snowy Mountains Christian School.