[Offtopic] AussieSpeak’07 – the national public speaking challenge for young Australians.

[Stephen Loosley]

Hi all,

<http://www.aussiespeak.com.au>

AussieSpeak’07 is a search for Australia’s best student communicators. No doubt you see talented students everyday.

We would like to show Australia that young people can speak passionately and care deeply about  Australia’s future.

Topic - “Australia, in 2020, should be recognised as...”

Prizes for students and their schools

Entries close 28 September 2007   Winners announced on 18 November 2007

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Launch of AussieSpeak’07 - search for Australia’s best young public speakers

<http://www.aussiespeak.com.au/news.html>

The search for Australia’s best student communicators has commenced. The Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon. Julie Bishop, today launched AussieSpeak’07 – the national public speaking challenge for young Australians.

Speaking at today’s launch at Parliament House Canberra, the Minister said: “This is an opportunity to showcase outstanding young public speakers and to acknowledge the teachers, parents and others who foster this important life-long skill in students.”

“The Australian Government recognises the importance of supporting young Australians to develop essential life skills like public speaking. That’s why we are helping fund AussieSpeak’07. Initiatives like this help young people achieve their potential and make a valuable contribution to society,” said the Minister.

Open to students in Years 5 to 12, participants are required to prepare and deliver 
a 4-minute presentation on the aspirational topic of: “Australia, in 2020, should be recognised as...”

According to AussieSpeak founder, Greg Crowther, “this year’s challenge aims to show Australia that young people can speak passionately and do care deeply about the country’s future.”

“We aim to find Australia’s best young public speakers as well as tomorrow’s leaders,” said Greg Crowther. 

Winning students will each receive a communications and technology pack from Samsung valued at $4,500 and the schools of winning students will receive a prize pack valued at $7,000.

There are three entrant categories for AussieSpeak’07

Junior – Years 5 & 6
Middle – Years 7 to 9
Senior – Years 10 to 12

To enter, students should visit the AussieSpeak’07 website at www.yahoo7.com/aussiespeak and download an entry form. In addition to completing the entry form, participants must submit a two-minute video extract of 
their presentation. 

Entries close on Friday 28 September 2007. The first round of judging will result in 
10 students in each category being selected to attend a second round of judging in Sydney on 16-17 November 2007. Accor Hotels and Qantas will cover travel and accommodation needs of students selected to travel to Sydney. Finalists will be expected to deliver their set four minute presentation and an impromptu presentation. The winners of AussieSpeak’07 will be announced on 18 November 2007.

AussieSpeak’07 is proudly supported by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training (Quality Outcomes Programme), Samsung Accor Hotels, Qantas, Channel 7, Clayton Utz, and McMillan Print Group.