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.

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THEME

"If truth is to emerge and in the long run be triumphant, the process of free debate, the untrammeled clash of opinion must go on."

How important is respectful debate to the health of democracy?

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Record a speech of between 5–7 minutes addressing the theme. You must refer to Robert Menzies’s involvement in the 1951 ANZUS treaty, what it meant for Australia at the time, and what this relationship continues to mean today.

Closing Date: Sunday 20 July 2025

Grading and Judging

Speeches will be judged on:

• Preparation
• Subject matter
• Structure
• Delivery

Students must provide a hardcopy of the speech and supporting notes to show their research and include 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 + $200 worth of books

Year 9/10 Category: $1,000+ $200 worth of books

Year 11/12 Category: $1,500 + $200 worth of books + invitation to deliver their speech at the Robert Menzies Institute Annual Conference in November 2025.

For more details, click here.