The English-Speaking Union (Queensland Branch) 2020 Public Speaking competition will be held in 2020.
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 2020 Heat nominated topic for each level is below. Students in the Grand Finals will speak to new nominated topics for the required Prepared and Impromptu speaking section. Each student will receive valuable oral feedback on the night of speech presentation.
Senior competition( Years 11&12)
Heats:
The Covid-19 restrictions has caused the cancellation of our Senior Public Speaking competition event.
With COVID19 restrictions in place and a maximum of 20 attendees at venues, only one parent or one school representative per student is able to attend the competition. This will ensure the safety of our students and organisers. Heat times to be allocated once submission numbers are clear.
The English-Speaking Union (Queensland Branch)
Secondary Schools Public Speaking Competition
Intermediate Division
The 2020 Intermediate Public Speaking finals were held Thursday 29 October with 5 students competing.
In 2020, COVID restrictions affected numbers in our competitions.
The topic of the Prepared speech was: Each of us has to do their little bit to transform the spirit of the times. Albert Einstein
The Impromptu topic was: Learning Online.
For the first time in 2020, Zoom captured the speeches of Intermediate Finalists so that this could be shared with ESU members and supporters watching from home.
Congratulations to our ESU Public Speaking Intermediate Winners 2020
Winner: Seth Marinduque ($250)
Second Prize: Ebony Niethe ($100)
Third Prize: Annalisa Choy ($50)
Adjudicators Emeritus Prof Caroline Hatcher and Dr Lesley Irvine (QUT) commented that they were impressed with the quality of student speeches and the ways in which students demonstrated their openness to learning from the extensive feedback offered by adjudicators on the night.
![]() Watching-the-winners-presentation-over-Zoom |
![]() Zoom viewing of Emeritus Prof Caroline Hatcher and Dr Lesley Irvine (QUT) giving feedback |
![]() L to R: Annalisa Choy (Third), Seth Marinduque (First), Ebony Niethe (Second) |
![]() Adjudicators giving student feedback on the presentations. |
The English-Speaking Union (Queensland Branch)
Secondary Schools Public Speaking Competition
Junior Division
The 2020 Junior Public Speaking finals were held on Thursday 22 October with 5 students competing. The topic of the Prepared speech was: Friendship is born when one person says to another, “What! You too! I thought I was the only one”. C.S. Lewis.
Adjudicators Emeritus Prof Caroline Hatcher and Dr Lesley Irvine (QUT) commented that the standard was very high, both in terms of the ideas offered by the students and in their delivery style. Students had researched the topic well, with their speeches giving numerous insights into the topic.
![]() 2020 Winners From left Eli Gearing (Second) Lachlan Goodhew (First) and Lucy Williams (Third) |
![]() Adjudicators with student competitors Left Emeritus Prof Caroline Hatcher Right Dr Lesley Irvine (QUT) |