Reception in celebration of the English Speaking Union 2023 Writing and Speaking Competition Winners

Councillor for Central Ward, Councillor Vicki Howard; President of the English-Speaking Union, Emeritus Professor Caroline Hatcher and members of the Board; Former President, Emeritus Professor Roland Sussex OAM; award winners; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here this evening.

I am very pleased to welcome you to Government House for this celebration of language in both its spoken and written forms, and to present the worthy winners of the 2023 Speaking and Writing Competitions with their awards. Congratulations to you all.  

Like you, I understand the power that words can wield. Both in my current and my previous role, words and their responsible and clear use, have proved so important.

With the original intent to ‘build bridges through words and understanding’, Sir Evelyn Wrench certainly knew that words possessed a strength that could unite people. It is obvious that this strength has not dissipated since those early days of the establishment of the English Speaking Union in London in 1918.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell those here with us today what words can do – both positively and negatively. But what I can tell you is that the mission of the Public Speaking Union to ‘promote understanding and communication in English’ is exemplified through the written and spoken efforts for which you are being recognised at this reception.

It is wonderful to see the two competitions – the Roly Sussex Short Story Competition, and the Public Speaking Competition for school students - enjoying such an uptake of interest from participants. To hone one’s skills in either, or both, of these areas of endeavour is a valuable and engaging journey. I imagine it is also a difficult one.

In looking at the topics set for the 2023 public speaking competition, they are certainly salient in these times of news making and disseminating, and in the acute examination of those who lead our world communities.

The ability to critically analyse information, presented to us in all its current forms, is at the basis of making well-informed decisions.

With the Roly Sussex Short Story Competition coming on board in 2014, (founded by then President Ann Garms) – the English Speaking Union has been able to celebrate and reward a different, but equally purposeful and joyful use of words in the art of storytelling.

Emeritus Professor Sussex, himself a lover of words and an expert in their origin and uses, knows intimately the informative and creative purposes of language. It’s wonderful to have you with us today.

To our award winners, many speakers and writers have come before you, some of whom enjoyed great fame, but still the purpose remains the same: the exploration and illumination of the experience of being human.

Words can truly raise us up, so we thank you for not only your interest in the power of words, but also your courage to share your words with others.

To the English Speaking Union and all those who work to ensure its ongoing relevance to the lives of writers and speakers not just in Queensland but across Australia, thank you for highlighting the energy and power of words to shape our collective experiences.