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Rising Voices Public Speaking Championship

Be part of a public speaking experience hosted by one of Australia's top public speaking training organisations that will get your child outside their comfort zone!

Registrations for this year have closed. Leave your details below and we'll let you know when next year's championship opens.
Your journey

How it works

Students progress through three stages on the way to the Grand Final.

Rising Voices championship journey: Preliminaries, Semi-Finals, Grand Final
Our philosophy

More than a competition

Public speaking is more than a competition - it's a journey of growth. Our mission is to empower students with the confidence, resilience, and communication skills they need to thrive in life. While winning is a goal, the true reward lies in the experience.

  • Building connections
  • Embracing new challenges
  • Overcoming self-doubt
  • Celebrating personal progress
Who competes

Competition divisions

Students compete within one of five divisions, each with its own speaking times and topics.

Stage #1
Years 1 & 2
1:30-2:00 mins
Stage #2
Years 3 & 4
2:00 - 3:00 mins
Stage #3
Years 5 & 6
3:00 - 4:00 mins
Stage #4
Years 7 & 8
4:00 - 5:00 mins
Stage #5
Years 9 & 10
5:00 - 6:00 mins
2026 Speech Topics
Change

In line with our vision to empower and inspire, the 2026 theme is Change — a concept that invites reflection, bold ideas, and personal growth. Each division is assigned four unique topics. Students choose one to base their prepared speech on.

Stage #1: Years 1 & 2
  1. From "I Can't" to "I Can"
  2. If I could make one rule at home
  3. The surprise that taught me something
  4. When I grow up
Stage #2: Years 3 & 4
  1. The change I didn't know I needed
  2. The power of a second chance
  3. The difference one person can make
  4. Something I was scared of
Stage #3: Years 5 & 6
  1. What would happen if we did nothing?
  2. Changing my mind changed everything
  3. The power of young people
  4. Traditions worth keeping
Stage #4: Years 7 & 8
  1. I was wrong
  2. The voices history almost forgot
  3. The change we fear most
  4. Progress isn't always moving forward
Stage #5: Years 9 & 10
  1. Revolution or evolution?
  2. The cost of inaction
  3. Rebuilding after the storm
  4. When innovation outpaces ethics
Partner with us

Bring Rising Voices to your school

Partner with Speaking Schools Australasia to run Rising Voices on-site for your students. We handle the judging, rubric, and logistics - you get a polished public-speaking event for your year groups.

Get in touch
Reaping the rewards

What students take away

Every participant walks away with something - and Grand Finalists get a little extra.

Every participant gets

  • The opportunity to prepare and present under interschool-competition conditions
  • Personalised feedback from their judge on what they did well and how to improve
  • A digital certificate recognising their participation
  • The chance to be named a finalist in the Rising Voices Championship

Grand Finalists also get

  • A physical certificate recognising their success in reaching the Grand Final
  • Special certificates and trophies for first, second and third place
  • A featured interview for division winners across our newsletter and socials
  • Potential sponsor-backed special prizes
📘

A detailed participant guide for every student

When you register, we'll email you a full participant guide with everything you need - speech format, judge guidelines, schedule, and tips.

Got a question? Get in touch →

Get in touch about next year's championship

Leave your details and we'll let you know when the next Rising Voices Championship opens.

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