Speeches
Friday, 25 July 2025
Reception to welcome finalists and volunteers of Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition National Final
As Patron of Rostrum SA/NT, I am delighted to welcome the finalists and families to Government House to mark the National Final of the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition.
South Australia is proud to be hosting the final of this important competition in its 50th year. Congratulations to each of you on reaching the final.
You have demonstrated superior skills in public speaking to reach this level of the competition.
These are skills which will be immensely valuable to you as you navigate careers and life.
Words are powerful. They can uplift, they can persuade, they can sway thinking. They can create change.
Public speaking helps us develop many skills for life: confidence, critical thinking, not to mention the ability to think on your feet, which comes in handy in all kinds of situations in work and life.
It helps us to communicate more effectively with others and get our point across in a way that is logical, assertive, and also respectful.
Many Rostrum Voice of Youth participants have developed their skills and gone on to excel in politics, academia, the law, the arts, diplomacy and other fields.
Public speaking has been part of my life, and I know how important it is to constructive communication.
In my experience good leadership is often founded on knowing how to structure a persuasive argument and articulate it well.
I have seen successive Australian Prime Ministers at global summits be able to hold a room or sway a debate by being attentive listeners and having strong people skills.
They were influential because they could speak off the cuff and engage with points made by other speakers, a stark contrast to others who stuck to prepared texts.
Friends
Rostrum has been supporting young Australians to become more effective communicators through public speaking for almost a century.
Founded in the UK more than 100 years ago, Rostrum’s enduring aim has been to foster effective speaking to promote ‘freedom of speech, loyalty to truth, and clarity of thought’ – values which we continue to hold dear.
This year, more than 900 students from schools in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia took part in the competition. Again, well done on reaching this last stage.
I congratulate the Rostrum staff and volunteers on staging this competition – you are investing in our country’s future leaders and citizens who will approach challenges with logic, thoughtfulness and respect for others.
The value of your contribution cannot be overstated.
Competitors, I wish you the very best for tomorrow’s final – be very proud that you have invested time in building your skills.
It will stand you in good stead for the future.
And please remember, young voices can be influential voices.
I know you will use your voices well.