Building confidence and communication skills for tomorrow’s leaders
Our annual ESU Secondary School Public Speaking Competition builds confidence and communication skills in our potential leaders. Now the most extensive public speaking competition across Queensland, students compete in the regions of South-East Queensland, Toowoomba and West, and North Queensland.
Click here for South-East Queensland competition information.
Click here for North Queensland competition information.
Click here for Toowoomba and West competition information.

2026 Competition Guidelines

  1. Prepare your speech for your division’s heat with the provided topic (see below).
  2. Present your speech at your division’s heat (heats are scheduled for approximately 5.30 pm or 7.30 pm, to be allocated the week before the heat).
  3. Adjudicators will choose finalists to continue to the Grand Final, who will be given a new topic to prepare.
  4. Finalists deliver the new prepared speech and impromptu speech (2 minutes for Junior and Intermediate Divisions, 3 minutes for Senior Division) at the Grand Final in Brisbane.

Each student will receive valuable oral feedback on the speech presentation night. Friends, family and school staff are all welcome as audience members.

Prize money is awarded to the Grand Final winners in each division.

Heat and Grand Final dates

South-East Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)

Venue: Seven Hills Hub, 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills, Brisbane
Junior Division (Grades 7–8)
Heat: 21 May
Grand Final: 11 June

Intermediate Division (Grades 9–10)
Heat: 7 May
Grand Final: 4 June

Senior Division (Grades 11–12)
Heat: 23 July
Grand Final: 13 August

North Queensland (Townsville and surrounds)

Venue: School House, Townsville Grammar School, 45 Paxton Street, North Ward, Townsville
Junior Division (Grades 7–8)
Heat: 6 May
Grand Final: 11 June

Intermediate Division (Grades 9–10)
Heat: 6 May
Grand Final: 4 June

Senior Division (Grades 11–12)
Heat: 22 July
Grand Final: 13 August

Toowoomba and West

Venue: Edmund Rice Cultural Centre, 80 Hill Street, Toowoomba
Junior Division (Grades 7–8)
Heat: 23 April
Grand Final: 11 June

Intermediate Division (Grades 9–10)
Heat: 23 April
Grand Final: 4 June

Senior Division (Grades 11–12)
Heat: 25 June
Grand Final: 13 August

Please read the terms and conditions.

General information

Submissions open: 23 February 2026
Cost of submission: $20 (all divisions, covers both heat and Grand Final participation)
Speakers are expected to be in attendance for the entire heat in which they are allocated. For the Grand Final, attendance is expected for the entire evening.
See links above for further information, including each competition’s heat times.

Junior Division (Grades 7–8)

Topic: “The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.” – Peter Drucker
Prepared speech length: 3 minutes
Impromptu speech length: 2 minutes (Grand Final only)

Intermediate Division (Grades 9–10)

Topic: “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.” – Steve Jobs
Prepared speech length: 4 minutes
Impromptu speech length: 2 minutes (Grand Final only)

Senior Division (Grades 11–12)

Topic: “I raise up my voice – not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard.” – Malala Yousafsai
Prepared speech length: 5 minutes
Impromptu speech length: 3 minutes (Grand Final only)

Accessibility policy

The ESU (Qld) is committed to ensuring our events are accessible and inclusive for competitors and audience members. If adjustments or accessibility support are needed, please phone 0423 295 721 or email publicspeaking@esu.org.au to arrange.

Prize categories

Senior and Intermediate Divisions

Grand Final Winner: $350
Grand Final Second: $250
Grand Final Third: $150

Junior Division

Grand Final Winner: $250
Grand Final Second: $150
Grand Final Third: $100

Specific locations for each region

North Queensland

Heat held at: School House, Townsville Grammar School, 45 Paxton Street, North Ward, Townsville
Grand Final held at: Seven Hills Hub, 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills, Brisbane

The first-place winners of the North Queensland competition receive financial support to compete in the Grand Final in Brisbane.

South-East Queensland

Heat and Grand Final held at: Seven Hills Hub, 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills, Brisbane

Toowoomba and West

Heats held at: Edmund Rice Cultural Centre, 80 Hill Street, Toowoomba
Grand Final held at: Seven Hills Hub, 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills, Brisbane

The first-place winners of the Toowoomba and West competition receive financial support to compete in the Grand Final in Brisbane if required.

Frequently asked questions

How do I approach developing a speech for this competition?
The best approach is to provide a clear and reasonable link to the quote.
Will a lectern and microphone be available for use?
There is no lectern or microphone in use at the heats or for the Grand Final in each division. Students are encouraged to rehearse clear and supported projection.
Can I use palm cards?
The use of palm cards is allowed (we suggest the size of an index card, study card or postcard or smaller). We encourage students to either memorise and internalise their speech or use small palm cards with dot points to avoid reading them or having a large piece of paper interfering with their presentation style. When giving feedback adjudicators will take into consideration the use of palm cards and how the student has used them.
Can I enter if I’m homeschooled?
Absolutely! We recognise all homeschooling programs in the competition and encourage secondary students from all educational institutions to participate.
Do I need to submit my speech to the regional coordinator beforehand?
No, it is not required to submit your speech beforehand.
Can I use a speech I wrote for school or another competition?
All speeches must be inspired by and use a strong thematic link to the provided division quote.
Where can I find public speaking resources?

Great question! We encourage use of the ESU UK website, which has some fantastic resources for classrooms, to develop and deliver your speech: www.esu.org/resources/

Judging criteria

Here is the ESU (Qld) judging criteria:

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Scope of Ideas Below Average
1 – 10
Relevance to Topic
Logical Flow
Presentation
Scope of Ideas
Research
Presentation
STRUCTURE Average
11 – 12
Development of Ideas
Easy to Follow
Cohesion
Timing
USE OF MATERIAL Good
14 – 16
Originality
Imagination
Language Choices
Emphasis
Humour
MANNER Very Good
17 – 18
Vocal Impact
Eye  Contact
Movement
Gesture
Use of Notes
EMPATHY Excellent
19 – 20
Understanding
Audience Appeal
Motivation
Impact

Past competitions

Information about past competitions can be found here.