This competition requires students to speak on a subject of their choice inspired by a broad ESU nominated topic connected to ESU’s philosophy. The specific 2019 Heat nominated topic for each level is below.
Senior (Yrs 11-12) Competition Winners
The 2019 Senior Public Speaking competition was held Monday 5 August 2019.
The candidates presented a prepared speech based on Abraham Lincoln’s saying:
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
They then presented an impromptu speech, with Churchill’s dictum as a topic:
“Those who never change their minds never change anything.”
The judges were two experts in public speaking, Associate Professor Patsy McCarthy and Lesley Irvine (QUT). They highlighted the competitors’ presence, confidence, fluency and maturity of speech.
First Prize: David Dau, Centenary High School
Second Prize: Khyja Miller, All Saints Anglican College
Third Prize: Zeyang Wang, Balmoral State High School
Runners-up: Deema Al Shahwani, Runcorn State High School
Jude Forrest, Brisbane Grammar School
Judges Patsy McCarthy and Leslie Irving
First Prize: David Dau, Centenary High School
Second Prize: Khyja Miller, All Saints Anglican College
Third Prize: Zeyang Wang, Balmoral State High School
Intermediate (Years 9-10) Competition Winners
The 2019 Intermediate Public Speaking competition was held Monday 28 October 2019.
The students presented a 4 minute prepared speech based on a statement by Bill Gates:
“Technology is of course, a double-edged sword. Fire can cook our food but also burn us.”
The students then had 5 minutes to prepare a two minute impromptu speech.
The judges were two former QUT staff who are experts in public speaking, Caroline Hatcher and Patsy McCarthy. Judges commented on the thoughtful way the students approached the topic and how much the judges and audience learned from the student presentations. Several parents and teachers present in the audience commented on the value of feedback to foster the development of student speakers.
First Prize: Suki Wallace, Indooroopilly State High School
Second Prize: Ryan Nguyen, Centenary State High School
Third Prize: Angus Duncan, Brisbane Boys Grammar
Finalists with Judges: Left to right; Judge Caroline Hatcher, Angus Duncan, Suki Wallace, Ryan Nguyen, and Judge Patsy McCarthy
Junior (Yrs 7-8) Competition Winners
The 2019 Junior Public Speaking competition was held Monday 4 November 2019.
The students presented a prepared speech based on Arthur Schelsinger’s statement:
“Science and technology revolutionise our lives but memory, tradition and myth frame our response”
The students then had 5 minutes to prepare a one minute impromptu speech.
The judges were two experts in public speaking, Lesley Irvine (QUT) and Annette Stoddart. Judges highlighted the students’ descriptive language and the sophisticated messages from student of that age. Their impromptu presentations were very good. The Parents commented on the very positive experience of the competition.
First Prize Jasper Vinen, Iona College
Second Prize: Eli Gearing, Centenary State High School
Third Prize: Jack Douglas, Balmoral State High School.
Finalists with Judges and ESU President Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex.: Left to right; Annette Stoddart (Judge),Jack Douglas, Lachlan Goodhew, Eli Gearing, Lesley Irving (Judge) , Holly Lightbody, Jasper Vinen and Tianna Hudson, Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex.