Rostrum has been running a Primary Schools Speaking Competition for 50 years for schools in the ACT and surrounding areas of New South Wales. Each school is invited to enter one competitor into the competition after running a selection process in their own school.
School Finals are held at each participating school at a time and date of their choosing. School Finals shall select a Winner and Reserve. (The Reserve is needed in case the Winner is unable to attend the Quarter Final).
The Quarter and Semi Finals are held in the evening at a host school. Topics for the Quarter and Semi Finals are provided by Rostrum. Each student speaks for 3 minutes with a warning bell at 2 minutes. Rostrum adjudicators will assess each speech and determine the Winner and Runner Up, both of whom will proceed to the next round.
The Grand Final is held at a prestigious local venue, usually 3 to 4 weeks after the last semi-final. Topics for the Grand Final are different to the earlier rounds, and each finalist speaks for 4 minutes. The Warren Hine trophy is awarded to the winning speaker as determined by the Rostrum adjudicators, whilst in recent years a People's Choice trophy has been also awarded and is decided by vote of the audience.
All competitors at the Quarter Final, Semi-Final, and Grand Final receive a certificate. The Grand Final winner and runner up receive medallions and trophies, and the winning school will receive the Perpetual Shield to hold for the next year.
For further details please contact the competition coordinator by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Speech Topics
Speech topics for the 2022 competition are as follows:
Being organised
Drones
Every little bit helps
My least favourite thing
Paying it forward
The right note
Teamwork
What next?
Further Details
Need more information?
Guidelines for Teachers and Parents
Guidelines for hosting Rostrum quarter finals and semi-finals
Grand Final 2021
The picture below shows from left to right Leo, 2021 winner of Warren Hine Winner Trophy and the Ken Fry Trophy for his school; Dorothy Hine co-founder of the competition; Amelie, winner of the 2021 People’s Choice Award and Mia, 2021 Runner up for Warren Hine Trophy.
Videos of Rostrum Speeches from previous years available via You Tube
From the 2017 Grand Final
Enjoy the speeches from the 2017 Grand Final by clicking on the YouTube link for each speaker -
Competition Speeches
"A Winning Formula" by Heli L., Mt Rogers Primary School, Melba - https://youtu.be/FbjoCpayXvM
"Adapting to Change" by Marama H., Campbell Primary School - https://youtu.be/e0pWGgMwS7g
"Adapting to Change" by Luca H., Holy Family Primary School, Gowrie - https://youtu.be/txVT8U1oAWQ
"Citizenship" by Clancy P., Marist College Junior School, Pearce - https://youtu.be/FgxfLDfiBJk
"Making A Difference" by Akira B., Lyneham Primary School - https://youtu.be/4akPyGv_HXE
"Making A Difference" by Katie P., Torrens Primary School - https://youtu.be/hpftrqgFI1M
"Adapting to Change" by Oliver S.-H., Rosary Primary School, Watson - https://youtu.be/itE1hWPvI2M
"Making a Difference" by Kabir B. of Neville Bonner Primary School, Bonner - https://youtu.be/LKleXHRG8ms
Guest Speakers
"Endangered Species" by Tristan P. of Yass Public School - https://youtu.be/bUpE8NmNfDM
"Australia Day" by Aysha C. of Gold Creek Primary School - https://youtu.be/iUxwzO_5-uU
"A Quiet Achiever" by Audry K. of Canberra Girls Grammar School, Deakin - https://youtu.be/z88_AnzUXRk
From the 2016 Grand Final
Winners and Losers by Alex M. of St Matthew's Primary School, Page (Winner)
Facing Your Fears by Kien L. of Palmerston District Primary School (Runner-Up)
Facing Your Fears by Amal P. of Gold Creek Schoo
Risky Business by Amy S. of Jerrabomberra Public School
Facing Your Fears by Mia B. of Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School
Making a Movie by Annika M. of Majura Primary School
Go Wild! by Matthew P. of Fraser Primary School
From the 2016 Semi-finals
Keeping up with Technology by Laura C. of Yarralumla Primary School
Oceans by William B. of Theodore Primary School
Going to Rio by Mariah D. of Arawang Primary School
Oceans by Letitia M. of Jindabyne Central School
I need more time! by Olivia K. of St Jude's Primary School, Holder
Oceans by Bella C. of Gordon Primary School
The Year of the Monkey by Lily O. of Garran Primary School (guest speaker)
From the 2015 Grand Final
Canberra by by Noah G. of Canberra Grammar (Junior) School (Winner)
Pluto by Annie N. of Saints Peter and Paul Primary School (Runner Up
Pluto by Brooke C. of Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School
My Grandparent’s School by Amy S. of Jerrabomberra Public School
Pets are Important by Zoe W. of Yass Public School
Household Chores by Ella B. of Monash Primary School
When I Grow Up by Louise G. of Radford College Junior School
The ANZACs by William B. of Theodore Primary School (Guest Speaker)
From the 2015 Semi-finals
The best things about my home are . . ., by Geordan T. of Garran Primary School
Sheep, Matthew C., Hawker Primary School
The ANZACs, Marty M., St Josephs, Boorowa.
If I could fix . . . by Mila B of Rosary Primary Schoo
The ANZACs by Pryor H. of Florey Primary School
Light, by Callan C. of Giralang Primary School
The ANZACs by Anouk S - M. of Turner Primary School
The ANZACs by Rahul K. of Amaroo Primary School
The best things about my home are . . . by Zoe W. of Yass Public School
If I could fix . . . by Emily G. of Radford College Junior School
If I could fix . . . by Rosie B. of St Joseph’s Primary School, O’Conner
from the 2014 Grand Final
Imagination is valuable because . . ., Noah G., Canberra Grammar (Junior) School (Winner)
The Horse, Molly R, Jindabyne Central School, (runner up)
Imagination is valuable because, Tanatswa S, Gold Creek Primary School
The Wilderness, Thomas L., Majura Primary School
Imagination is valuable because, Ira Cruz, Harrison Primary School
from the 2014 Semi-finals
Why being happy is important, by Luke R., St Francis of Assisi Primary School
If you knew what I knew about Unicorns, by Vince P., Mawson Primary School
If you knew what I knew. . ., Brenna C., of North Cooma Public School
My Hero, Maheen R., Farrer Primary School
If you knew what I know about Santa Clause, Toby M., Chapman Primary School
All the world needs is ice cream, Ella H., Holy Family Primary School
My Hero, Annie N., Sts Peter and Paul Primary School
If you knew what I knew, Molly R., Jindabyne Central School
This is living, Tom M., St Joseph’s Primary School, Boorowa
This is living, Shannon G., St Monica’s Primary School, Evatt (sorry we did not record the first words)
All the World needs is . . ., Joseph B., St Vincent de Paul Primary School
If you knew what I knew. . ., Ira C., Harrison Primary School
This is living, Cian B., Weetangera Primary School
This is living, Thomas L., Majura Primary
All the world needs, Nick W., Macquarie Primary School.
My Hero, Tanatswa D. Gold Creek School
All the World needs is No Rostrum, Robin F. Miles Franklin Primary School
My Hero, Ben J., Hawker Primary School
