The English-Speaking Union (Queensland Branch) invites all members, their guests and friends to a number of events throughout the year in pursuit of our organisational objective to promote understanding and communication in and about the English language and culture especially in Australia through education, social events and scholarship.
You can find further information about our various competitions (including the Public Speaking and Short Story competitions) via the menu link above.
Come and enjoy good fellowship, discussion and an entertaining social evening with ESU members. This page will be updated regularly as further information is published both here and on our Facebook page.
Scroll down for photos and reviews of our most recent events.
The ESU Christmas Party and AGM at the historic Miegunyah House was a great success. Christmas punch, pavlova and an uninvited storm added to the excitement of the night.
We are all looking forward to another successful year in 2023. If you would like to join us then talk to Caroline on 0423 295 721
PAST EVENTS UPDATE
Friday 7 October 2022
“Does radio still provide a voice – The role of radio in society: past, present and future.”
Saturday 10 September 2022 @ 2:30pm
HIGH TEA
Members enjoyed a delicious High Tea at Miegunyah Historic Home and a glass of wine as the 2022 Public Speaking Competition Winners inspired with their winning public speeches.
PICTURED: Winning and place-getting speakers representing the Senior, Intermediate and Junior heats with ESU QLD Public Speaking Coordinators Talisa Pariss-Proby and Caroline Hatcher
Friday 21 July 2022
Churchill Lecture: “The Final Word”
On Friday 21 July, members and friends of ESU came together for a delightful dinner at the United Service Club for the annual Churchill Lecture for 2022.
Our speakers were popular Brisbane journalists David Fagan and Madonna King. They shared their research from their recent book Modern Governors of Queensland.
As one member commented:
The interactive dialogue between David & Madonna gave the audience great insights into the individual approaches adopted by past Qld governors in their role. Recounting anecdotes from their numerous interviews with a wide representative group of close government house staff was fascinating. The discussion of the Mentor/Constitutional role of the Governor gave attendees a fresh perspective on the Governor’s relationship with numerous Premiers.
A wonderful night.
WIT & WISDOM: THREE OF OUR BEST POETS
66 on Ernest (66 Ernest St, South Brisbane)
Brisbane)
Members enjoyed an evening of fine fare and entertainment as members of the Communication, Speech and Performance Teachers Inc. regaled us with a scintillating performance program of Australian poetry. Featuring live performances of selections of poetry from the body of work of three of our finest poets, the late and celebrated, Les Murray, Bruce Dawe and Clive James.
Friday 25 March 2022
OF TABOOS AND LANGUAGE MINEFIELDS
Miegunyah Historic Home, 34 Jordon Tce, Bowen Hills
ESU QLD President and Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex explored how taboos can differ between societies and the recent example of new taboo-making involving political correctness, which has created many “no-go” areas, and has brought about significant changes in how we use language.
This first event of 2022 was a high-spirited and stimulating cocktail party featuring a presentation by our President Roly Sussex. Set within the walls of the beautiful stateley home of Miegunyah, guests enjoyed drinks and canapes on its spacious verandahs before taking their seats inside for Roly’s lecture within Miegunyah’s elegant dining room.
The lecture certainly flavoured discussion both serious and humorous throughout the evening: meanwhile, a storm raged on outside and Miegunyah’s hosts managed our guests with such aplomb and calmness.
As one guest suggested: “such a wonderful evening in this beautiful home.”