National Final 2010

The National Finals of Rostrum Voice of Youth were held in Brisbane over the weekend 30th July until 1st August.  Seven Junior and Seven Senior speakers representing all the states of Australia (S.A. includes N.T.!) battled it out for the titles of Junior and Senior Grand Champions.

Our Sophie Quinn (Junior) and Chelsea Dickins (Senior) acquitted themselves well, but both titles went to Queenslanders.  To even things up a bit, the Brisbane Lions were well beaten!  The standard of speaking was high, as expected, and it is notable that both winners gave humorous speeches, which was the opposite of the 2009 final.

The weekend ran well with plenty of activities for the speakers, including an adrenalin pumping adventure climb of the Story Bridge.  We were made most welcome by our Queensland hosts and celebrated the 80th anniversary of Rostrum by an Angophora Tree followed by a picnic in the park.

Speaking with other co-ordinators, I came to realise what wonderful support Rostrum members in South Australia give the competition.  My heartfelt thanks to all those who help in the competition, without you it would be almost impossible.

Robin Genders

State Final 2010:

Sophie and Chelsea won the right to represent South Australia after winning the South Australian Final, which was held in Parliament House on 26 June 2010. 

Rostrum thanks the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Hon Lyn Breuer MP, for permission to hold the Final in the House, and the Premier and Leader of the Opposition for their representation through the Hon. Bernard Finnigan MLC and Ms Rachel Sanderson MP, Member for Adelaide.

Contestants in the 2010 Final were:

The competition

From a selection of five titles, contestants present a prepared speech for six minutes (juniors) and eight minutes (seniors), together with a short-notice speech for three minutes.  Speech topics were the same in all states (this is a national competition).

As well as providing students with the opportunity to gain experience and confidence in expressing their views and communicating their message, their are some worthwhile prizes on offer. In 2010 winners of the Heats win $35, while the prize for winning the Semi-Final was $125. Winners of the State Final win  $200 plus a trophy and an all expenses paid weekend in Queensland at the Rostrum Voice of Youth National Final.

Support:

In South Australia, Rostrum Voice of Youth is supported by major State sponsor Anderson Planners (see "About our Sponsor), and by Flinders University, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, and the English Speaking Union.

Continuing significant support is also received from National sponsors Ansvar Insurance and The Defence Science and Technology Organisation.  

Entry Conditions

SA Rostrum Voice of Youth is open to full-time Secondary School Students throughout South Australia. For 2010 the following applied:

• Junior Division entrants must have been 11 years of age and under 15 on 1 January 2010
• Senior Division entrants must have been 15 years of age and under 18 on 1 January 2010

See the Rules page for full details.

Further Information:

If you have any questions regarding SA Rostrum Voice of Youth please contact the organisers:

• Phone: (08) 8431-4964
• E-mail: sarostrum.voy@gmail.com