Saturday 20th June
                Wodonga Senior Secondary College 69 Woodland Street, Wodonga

                                                        Entry Form 

Welcome to the very first Youth Voices Speaking Competition of 2026, proudly hosted by Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters, a local public speaking and leadership development club, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Albury, a community service organisation dedicated to supporting youth and local initiatives. This one-day youth speaking event provides young people with the opportunity to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and share ideas for enriching their community.

This year’s theme: Young People Shaping and Enriching Their Community in the Albury Wodonga Region

Give it a go!
No experience needed this is a supportive and friendly competition.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to all young people aged 12 to 18 who reside in the Albury Wodonga region, regardless of schooling pathway.

COST

The Youth Voices Speaking Competition is free for all participating contestants. Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters and the Rotary Club of Albury believe in providing equal opportunities for all young people to participate and share their voices.

TIME

Arrival by 9:30 a.m. (AEDT), for Mandatory Contestant Briefing. Contest starts at 10:00 a.m. (AEDT). 

HOW TO BECOME A CONTESTANT

Contestants should enter by completing this Entry Form.

Application forms must be completed and submitted by the closing date, 6/06/2026 or the contestant will not be permitted to compete. Contestants are encouraged to enrol as early as possible.

Any contestant under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian consent. A teacher may also provide consent where appropriate. If the application form is not signed by a parent, guardian, or teacher, the contestant will not be permitted to compete.

Contestants must compete in the age division corresponding to their age on the date of the competition.

NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS

A maximum of eight contestants will be accepted in each age division.

Participating schools may nominate or select students to represent their school where interest exceeds available places.

Students who are not applying through a school, including home schooled or independently educated students, are equally encouraged to apply and will be considered on the same basis as school nominated contestants.

If more than eight eligible applications are received in a division, selection will be determined by the organising committee. Selection may be based on school nomination, order of application, and/or maintaining a balanced representation across schools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

COMPETITION FORMAT

Each contestant is required to compete in both components of the competition. The first Contest is Impromptu Speaking, and the second contest is Prepared Speeches. Timing lights will be used during speeches, and this will be explained to all contestants during the briefing.  

Part 1 – Impromptu Speaking

Impromptu speaking requires contestants to deliver a short speech on a topic based on the competition theme provided on the day of the competition. This speech is designed to be enjoyable and most importantly give it a go!

The impromptu topic will be provided on the day by Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters.

Speech Times

Junior
Ages 12 to 13 (Years 7 to 8)
1– 2 minutes

Intermediate
Ages 14 to 15 (Years 9 to 10)
1– 2 minutes

Senior
Ages 16 to 18 (Years 11 to 12)
1– 2 minutes

Part 2 – Prepared Speech

Each contestant will deliver a prepared speech on a topic selected from a list of five approved themes.

The approved themes will be provided by Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters.

Providing five approved themes allows contestants a broad range of options to suit their interests and perspectives, while also encouraging variety and diversity of ideas throughout the competition.

Contestants are permitted to use notes or cue cards. No points will be deducted for the use of notes, and contestants will be judged equally regardless of whether notes are used. No additional points will be awarded if a contestant combines more than one topic.

The following is a list of the five topics a contestant may select from:

1) What is the most important issue facing society?

2) What positive change would you make to improve life for youth in the Albury-Wodonga Region?

3) What destiny do you see for the Albury-Wodonga Region, in the next 20 years?

4)What does “service above self” mean for you in this community?

5) Leadership is a core value of Rotary, but what does leadership mean to you?

Speech times

Junior
Ages 12 to 13 (Years 7 to 8) 
2–4 minutes

Intermediate
Ages 14 to 15 (Years 9 to 10)
3–5 minutes

Senior
Ages 16 to 18 (Years 11 to 12)
4–6 minutes

CERTIFICATES

Each contestant will receive a Certificate of Participation in recognition of their involvement in the competition.

Certificates for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each division will be formally awarded and presented by the Rotary Club of Albury following confirmation of the final results.

PRIZE STRUCTURE

Prizes will be awarded in each of the following divisions:

Junior Division: Ages 12–13

Intermediate Division: Ages 14–15

Senior Division: Ages 16–18

Prize money for each division will be awarded as follows:

1st Place: $100

2nd Place: $50

3rd Place: $25

Each division will award a total of $175 in prize money.

The prize money has been generously donated by the Rotary Club of Albury.

The Rotary Club of Albury reserves the right to amend the prize structure, divisions, or competition arrangements if required, and all decisions made by the organisers and judges will be final.

PROTOCOL AND MEDIA CONSENT

To ensure fairness, safety and minimal disruption during the competition, the following protocol will apply:

Speeches will not be applauded during delivery, as this may influence scoring. Applause will take place once all contestants within the division have completed their speeches.

No photography or recording is permitted during speeches, as this may distract contestants and impact fairness. Photography is permitted during the presentation of certificates and at the conclusion of the event.

Contestants are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and in accordance with the directions of event organisers. Any behaviour deemed inappropriate may result in disqualification.

Only authorised event photographers may take photographs during the competition.

By signing the application form, the contestant and parent or guardian consent to photographs and video recordings being taken during the event for official promotional purposes by the Rotary Club of Albury and Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters. If consent is not granted, this must be indicated on the application form.

JUDGING AND SCORING

The competition will be conducted in accordance with established Toastmasters contest principles and standards.

Judging will be conducted by appointed members of Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters using standard Toastmasters judging criteria, ensuring a fair, structured and consistent evaluation process.

Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters will appoint qualified judges who hold current Toastmasters membership and will provide official contest roles including Chief Judge, timers, counters and ballot counters to ensure the integrity and smooth operation of the competition.

Judges’ scores will be collected, verified and totalled under the supervision of the Chief Judge. The contestant with the highest overall combined score will be awarded first place, followed by second and third place based on total points.

All decisions made by the judges and the Chief Judge are final.

Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters and the Rotary Club of Albury reserve the right to refuse entry, disqualify contestants who fail to comply with contest rules or standards of conduct, and to modify, postpone or cancel the competition if required. All judging decisions are final.

WWCC

Members of Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters and the Rotary Club of Albury hold a current Working With Children's Check. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information regarding Toastmasters, please contact the President of Albury Wodonga Toastmasters:

Jason Sunde
0423 482 378
jason.sunde@bigpond.com

Or 

Tracey-Lee, Director of Administration at the Rotary Club of Albury and Vice President Membership at Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters.

youthvoicesaw@outlook.com

 

 

SPEECH PACKAGE LINK

Youth Voices Competition