Robert Menzies Institute Speech Competition

Robert Menzies Institute Speech Competition

The Robert Menzies Institute Speech Competition is a program for secondary students in Australia to practice oratorical skills in a speech relating to the legacy of Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies. Robert Menzies was well-known for his powerful speeches, including the Jefferson Oration, delivered on US Independence Day at Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia in 1963. Sir Robert Menzies spoke often of the importance of a good speech: “Aim at simple, clear speech, and if you aim at that and achieve it, you will find that this will make a very great difference right through your lives.”

This competition is open to students in years 7–12, studying in Australia.

Theme

“It is a great thing for us to have such allies as these Americans.” After 75 years, is the Australia-US alliance still in our national interest?

Prepare, practice, record and upload a speech addressing the 2026 theme. You must refer to Robert Menzies’s role in the alliance as well as the broader historical context in which it was formed.

• Year 7/8 Category: 3-5 minutes
• Year 9/10 Category: 4-6 minutes
• Year 11/12 Category: 5-7 minutes

Closing date: Sunday 12 July 2026

Grading and Judging

Speeches will be judged on:

• Preparation
• Subject matter
• Structure
• Delivery

Students must provide a transcript of their speech including supporting notes to show their research and a list of references.

The speech must engage directly with the theme and demonstrate strong argumentation with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Students will be judged on their use of confident and appropriate language that is clear and audible to the listener.

Prizes

• Year 7/8 Category: $500 cash prize
• Year 9/10 Category: $1,000 cash prize
• Year 11/12 Category: $1,500 cash prize

Eaach category winner will also receive an invitation to deliver their speech at the Robert Menzies Institute Annual Conference in November 2026.

The Year 11/12 category winner (and one parent/guardian) will receive a complimentary trip to the United States Studies Centre to present at their Sydney International Strategy Forum 2026.

All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

For more details, click here.