Reception for the 2025 Winners of the English-Speaking Union’s Writing and Speaking Competitions

Councillor for Central Ward, Councillor Vicki Howard; English-Speaking Union President, Dr Caroline Hatcher, Vice President, Ms Kerry Davies, Secretary, Mr Ray Heffernan, and former President, Emeritus Professor Roland Sussex OAM; supporters; awardees, your family and friends; distinguished guests. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today. 

Graeme and I welcome you all to Government House this afternoon and warmly congratulate the 2025 prize winners of the English-Speaking Union’s Roly Sussex Short Story Competition and Secondary Schools Public Speaking Competition. 

Each year—through written and spoken words—these two events celebrate the power, vitality and flexibility of the English language, and the ability it has to deliver new ideas, fresh perspectives, and to promote greater understanding. 

The writing competition—named in honour of our state’s very own resident word maestro, Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex—is designed to promote challenging, thought-provoking work of outstanding quality, in that most difficult of forms: the short story. 

In 2025, there were an incredible 123 entries in the Open Division and 78 in the Secondary Schools Division1, and each year this lucrative literary contest attracts growing interest from writers of all backgrounds, nationwide. 

This also means that the esteemed members of the judging panel had a mighty job to do, as they carefully created a shortlist of 20, and I sincerely thank them for the efforts they have made to give each story their considered time and attention. 

Likewise, the Public Speaking Competition also involves significant exertion—on the part of both entrants and organisers—as participants in three divisions from high schools in the Greater South-East, North Queensland and Toowoomba and the West, moved through their heats and finals. 

The topics for the 2025 prepared speeches were immensely intriguing, allowing young people to examine aspects of self, society and the greater universe, and to realise how their words—delivered in a cogent and effective manner—can have a compelling influence on others. 

In bringing our students Queensland’s most extensive annual public speaking competition, the English-Speaking Union (together with teachers and educators) is helping to boost confidence, and progress communication skills—which are fundamental to creating leaders of the future who can combine capability with empathy.  

Coordinating, delivering and adjudicating these initiatives are a huge undertaking, over many months, and are only part of a busy and diverse program of broader activities of the ESU Queensland.  

I therefore extend my deepest gratitude to its directors, members, volunteers, and generous supporters, who so passionately believe that the language we share, empowers and unites us. You should be very proud of how the English-Speaking Union in this State is adding to the wider expansion and beneficial impact of the organisation globally. 

I must also add that two of my own speechwriters have close connections with the ESU in our State—one as a former open division short story winner, and one as its current President—demonstrating the value and importance Government House places in this organisation. 

Congratulations once again to the 2025 awardees—as I look forward to presenting your awards—and I hope you all continue to develop your talents.  Please enjoy this opportunity to celebrate your individual achievements, and the unique spirit and potential of the English language.