Video transcript
Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition 2025 - Years 3 and 4 State Final

[intro music]

TONY DAVEY: Welcome to the Years 3 and 4 state final of the Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition for the 30th time in its history. My name is Tony Davey. I'm the speaking competition's assistant, and I help to run this program along with the Premier's Debating Challenge. So I want to begin by acknowledging that we're meeting here today on the lands of the Gadigal people from the Eora nation. And I want to extend my respect to the Elders of those nations, but also of any other nation present here today. And I'm sure you guys, who represent loads of different lands all around NSW would join me in extending your respect to the traditional owners of all of those lands as well. I'm sure we're going to hear about some of those lands and some of those journeys later today in your speeches.

One final job is to introduce your chairpeople and timekeepers for today. They're from Northbridge Public School. They are Mia Aidil and Hannah Chia. Best of luck to all of the speakers. Thanks to everyone who's come along to watch the final, and let's get the final underway. Please welcome your chairperson from Northbridge Public School.

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: Thank you, Mr Davey. Ladies and gentlemen, in the Years 3 and 4 prepared speech section, each student may speak for 3 minutes. There will be a warning bell at 2 minutes, with 2 bells at 3 minutes to indicate that the speaker's time has expired. A continuous bell will be rung at 4 minutes. After this session, there will be a 20-minute break followed by the impromptu speeches. The first speaker this morning is Maaliya Dey from Northbridge Public School on the North Shore of Sydney. The title of Maaliya's speech is 'Sport brings people together'. Please welcome Maaliya to the stage.

[applause]

MAALIYA DEY: It was on Christmas Eve 1914, deep in the cold, muddy trenches of the First World War, where something truly remarkable happened, The Christmas Truce. Soldiers at war with each other put down their weapons and picked up a ball instead. The battlefield was transformed into a football field. And for just a brief moment, the soldiers put aside their differences and united through the power of sport. This moment of unity is proof of sport's extraordinary ability to bring people together, even through times of darkness.

My great grandfather was born in Zanzibar, Africa, and when he was only a baby, his father passed away. Like in the Disney movies, his stepfather was not kind to him. He wasn't allowed to go to school and had to work long hours every day. But some evenings he would walk to the local oval to play cricket with the other kids in his community, which put him so much joy. There was often conflict between different religions where he lived. But the children, regardless of their background, would put aside their cultural differences and come together to play cricket, united by sport.

When he later immigrated to Australia, not knowing how to speak English and feeling homesick, cricket once again became his lifeline. Watching cricket on TV and on his local grounds, gave me a sense of home and connection to his new world. But when you looked at the Australian cricket team, he saw something missing, diversity. The Australian cricket team lacked representation from the diverse communities that make up this country.

Cricket Australia data shows that out of its nearly 470 male test cricket players in history, only 4 are South Asian heritage and 4 are First Nations people. Without role models, young people from migrant or Indigenous backgrounds may struggle to see themselves succeeding at a high level. Usman Khawaja, the first Pakistani-born player to represent Australia in test cricket, is breaking the barriers he faced and driving towards positive change. We should support and donate to his foundation, which advocates for diversity in Australian sport. From players--

[ding]

--coaches, admin and the board, it supports youth from diverse backgrounds with scholarships, free sport programs, and education support. While progress is being made, Australia still has a long way to go.

A Monash University study showed that 20% of those targeted by racism in Australian sport has reduced or changed their participation. So if we want to continue to bring people together through sport, we must eradicate racism on and off the sporting field. We should all be accepting and understanding of different cultures, be upstanding instead of bystanders, advocate for equal opportunity. Be kind. This can help sport spread happiness like it did for my great grandfather and bring people together, reminding us that we are more alike than we are different no matter our race, religion, or culture.

My great grandfather passed away last year at the age of 96, but he was proud to witness how far the game to come, especially in the T20 cricket format where he saw many players from diverse backgrounds.

[ding, ding]

Even in the days before he passed away, he was still watching cricket, cheering from his armchair, grateful to see that the sport he loved finally start to reflect the country he made his home.

As Nelson Mandela once said, sport has the power to change the world, and it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite us in a way that little else does. Together, we can create a sporting community that truly reflects who we are as a nation, diverse, united, and full of potential. So let's all put down our weapons, like they did on Christmas Eve 1914. Stop the fight and unite because at the end of the day, we are all on the same team.

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: The second speaker is Chelsea Stinson from Dubbo Public School in Western NSW. Chelsea's speech is titled 'What makes a good leader?' Please welcome Chelsea.

[applause]

CHELSEA STINSON: Imagine, you're working on a school project with a group of girls. One of them is Vietnamese, though that shouldn't matter. Yet, one girl chooses to exclude her. Why? Because she has heard her parents speaking negatively about someone from another country. This is a clear example of how children often imitate their parents' behaviour.

So why can't parents start being better role models? They are the leaders that help shape the next generation, and they owe it to society to at least do it right. As Maya Angelou, an American poet and civil rights activist, once quoted, 'It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength'. This means that if adults set poor examples, children will learn those mistakes, and the next generation will struggle just as much to be kind and inclusive towards people from different backgrounds. Parents who speak negatively about anyone in front of their kids need to step up and be better leaders for their children.

It's not just some parents though, it's some adults in general. They are meant to be the leaders of the world, but they fail to demonstrate the most important qualities you have to have to be a great leader. These 3 qualities are embracing multiculturalism, being a good role model, and possessing strong communication skills. Unfortunately, some adults lack these qualities. This leads children to grow up with biases and exclusions, much like the example I shared earlier. This cycle produces future leaders who continue to exclude others. So you must be the one to break this cycle.

[ding, ding]

Speaking of multiculturalism, have you ever heard of Malala Yousafzai? She is a powerful example of leadership. Malala communicates a clear vision while embracing diverse perspectives. She has used her exceptional communication skills to fight for girls' education worldwide. She travelled to listen to girls' stories, understanding the challenges they faced, trying to act-- and incorporated their voices into her speeches and to famous journalists.

Malala made a lasting difference and continues to inspire young people everywhere. Even after surviving an attack on her life, she never gave up. Her resilience and dedication have made her a world renowned leader, showing how females can lead and make a positive impact. She truly makes people listen.

Now I challenge each of you to think about the kind of leader you want to be. Will you choose to embrace diversity--

[ding, ding]

--be a positive role model, and communicate with kindness and respect? You must stand up against exclusion and negativity and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can build a future where everyone feels valued and included. We need more leaders who encourage this. So after listening to this, you must. If you are ever appointed leader of anything, even just a school project, lead with empathy, respect, and listen to everybody no matter what. The next great leader could be sitting here. Let that leader be you.

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: Our fourth speaker is Thomas McInnes, who goes to Mount St Thomas Public School in Wollongong. The subject of Thomas' speech is, 'How far have we come in 30 years?' Please put your hands together for Thomas.

[applause]

THOMAS MCINNES: A few months ago, I found a box of old photos at my grandparents' house. It had all these pictures from the '90s. And let me tell you, it was wild. The colours were so bright, even my highlights would be jealous. There were no smart phones, no internet at home, and my dad had a mullet. For real. Business in the front, party at the back.

At first, I just laughed. But the more we talked about it, the more I realised dad's funny haircuts weren't the only thing that looked different 30 years ago. Australia looked different too. It was different. In the '90s, far fewer Australians were born overseas. Most migrants came from Western countries with similar cultural backgrounds. And many people, like in my hometown Wollongong, felt more comfortable living in areas with others who shared their background. As a result, our classrooms and communities were less diverse. Fewer voices were heard, and not everyone was treated equally or felt like they truly belonged.

[ding]

That realisation hit me hard because belonging matters. Being seen and heard matters. In the past 30 years, Australia has made a lot of real progress. We've become a country that celebrates multiculturalism. We've begun acknowledging and apologising to Indigenous Australians for the wrongs of the past. And we welcome people from all over the world fleeing war, danger, or just hoping for a better life. Today, most of these schools, like mine, you'll find kids with family roots from all over the world, like Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and right here on this land for over 65,000 years.

Even though we have different cultural backgrounds, we still enjoy playing the same games and laughing at the same jokes. So when I look around my classroom every day, I don't just see difference, I see belonging. I see what's possible when we listen, respect, and learn from one another. And that's what I love.

[ding]

We're different, but we're united. And that's a huge step forward. 30 years ago we didn't have things like Harmony Day in schools. Now, every year we celebrate our differences with food, music, stories, and colour. And we regularly embrace multiculturalism in our local communities too, like at our weekly Wollongong markets that bring together food, music, and stalls from cultures from all around the world. It shows how far we've come and reminds us how powerful it is when we come together. And yes, we've even moved on from mullets, well, almost.

But we're not done yet. There's still racism. There's still unfair treatment. There's still people being left out and made to feel like they don't truly belong. And that's not the Australia I want to grow up in because being Australian isn't about the colour of your skin, the language you speak at home, or what's in your lunch box. It's about standing up for each other and giving everyone a fair go. So if you ask me 'How far have we come in 30 years?', I'd say we've come a long way.

[ding, ding]

But we haven't come far enough. That's where we come in. With the next generation, the ones who can choose kindness over fear, hope over hate, and understanding over ignorance. We can be the ones who keep moving forward together. We can make Australia a place where everyone belongs.

So let's be brave enough to speak up when something isn't fair. Let's be curious enough to ask questions and really listen. And let's be proud enough to keep making Australia a country that doesn't just say 'Fair go' but lives it every single day. And maybe, just maybe, create a future even brighter than a photo album full of mullets.

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: The fifth speaker today is Olive Van Riel, representing Baulkham Hills North Public School in North West Sydney. Olive's speech is called 'Learning from the past'. Please welcome Olive out to the front.

[applause]

OLIVE VAN RIEL: When you think of science, do you think of labs, microscopes, and white coats? I would like to tell you about a different kind of science, the science of First Nations people who spent each day exploring nature and learning to survive.

When freezers were invented and people began to experiment with frozen food, there was a problem. Food that was frozen became watery, mushy, and flavourless. At the same time, in the far north of the world, a scientist named Clarence Birdseye was studying the Inuit people who had lived there for thousands of years. Frozen food was part of their Inuit culture. In fact, frozen reindeer meat was often given to the Inuit children to suck on. Mm, reindeer popsicle, delicious, I guess?

Clarence Birdseye learned that the Inuit people would catch fish and allow it to freeze instantly in the cold air. Later, when they thawed and cooked the fish, it still tasted fresh. The key was making sure that the fish froze quickly, not slowly. Birdseye started selling frozen food using the flash freezing technique the Inuits had taught him. And it became popular around the world. Today I can have peas, fish fingers, and even pizza anytime I want. I just open the freezer door.

Why did it take the world so long to recognise that the Inuit people had the answer to the frozen food problem? The truth is that Indigenous science does not always get the attention or recognition it deserves. Last week, when my parents were busy, I decided to water all the plants so they wouldn't have to. Later, my mum came and started watering the plants all over again. She didn't notice or appreciate my hard work. It feels unfair when you do a good job and it gets overlooked.

[ding]

When Europeans came to Australia, they also overlooked the science of Indigenous people. They looked around and said things like, 'Hmm, no castles, no clocks, no trousers? Clearly, these people must be primitive.' For centuries, Aboriginal Australians have set small, safe fires to clear out dry plants and prevent larger wildfires.

When the Europeans saw the fires, they didn't realise it was actually a smart way to care for the land. They said, 'Fires on purpose? That's far too dangerous'. And they put a stop to it without even trying to understand. Since then, Australia's bushfires have been getting bigger and more destructive. Scientists are finally beginning to realise that traditional fire management is actually really effective.

The people who have cared for this land for thousands of years had the wisdom we needed all along.

[ding, ding]

If only we had paid attention, maybe the worst fires could have been prevented. If only the Europeans had been more curious, more humble, and a lot less proud of their trousers and clocks. It's clear that First Nations people have been doing science for thousands of years. Their science is passed down through culture and tradition, not through scientific conferences and PowerPoint slides. It's time to start paying attention to Indigenous science. It might just have the answers we need.

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: Our sixth speaker this morning is Anna Mahy from Fairfax Public School, which is in New England, about half an hour from Narrabri. The subject of Anna's speech is 'Sport brings people together'. Please welcome Anna to the stage.

[applause]

ANNA MAHY: I stand before you today with my pale skin and reddish hair, not all that rich, but not poor either, born right here in Australia, years after, I think, my great, great grandparents landed here from Germany and Scotland.

Picture this. I'm 10. I'm travelling with my parents to a poor African country where they are working for a short period of time. I sit outside a thatched roof hut, hot, bored, and also a little hungry because I honestly don't like the different foods they have on offer. And I don't understand the languages that these African people are speaking.

All of a sudden, out from the bushes, a boy about my age appears wearing what looks like rags sewn together, kicking a soccer ball through the red dust, which hits a rock and lands right at my feet. So I kick it back to the boy. He smiles, showing his big white teeth, and kicks it back to me. In this moment, even though we are from different parts of the world, have different clothing, eat different foods, look very different, and are from very different families that have very different looking schools, where we learn to read and write and speak different languages, we are now friends playing this sport that we both know and love without even having to say a word to each other.

It doesn't matter that I learned the rules of soccer on a well-mown green field with a fancy printed team shirt, while he probably learnt to play on the dusty street of this tiny village. All the things that make up such a big part of who we are, the things that make up our different culture, all blend together in this moment of joy as we go toe to toe playing this sport that we both know and love.

This is just one example of how sport can bring 2 people together--

[ding]

--no matter what culture makes them who they are. It doesn't matter that the example I gave you has me travelling to a different country because right here in Australia we are proud to be a multicultural country where our people have come from all over the world and brought their culture with them. The same thing could happen if I was sitting on a park bench in Melbourne, in a suburb that is mostly made up of Indian people.

On a bigger scale, I see the Olympics as one of the all-time greatest ways people from different parts of the world compete through all types of sports. Uniting people from different cultures at major celebratory events like the Olympics is especially important right now to combat the racism, religious conflict, and unrest going on around the world whenever we turn on the evening news on.

I hope I can go to Brisbane to be a part of the Olympics, to see people compete from all over the world--

[ding, ding]

--but also by mixing in the crowd a little bit. I think it will be like having a quick little trip around the world but without even leaving Brisbane.

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: The seventh speaker today is Jihee Park from Lidcombe Public School in South Western Sydney. Jihee's speech is titled 'Welcome'. Please put your hands together for Jihee.

[applause]

JIHEE PARK: 'IMMI Grant Notification! Your visa has been granted.' This email opened a new chapter for my family, the land of opportunity, Australia. At the airport, signs were everywhere saying, 'G'day! Welcome home'! I secretly hoped a kangaroo or a koala would greet us too. But no one knew us here. With heavy bags in our hands, we wondered, was this the right choice? Would we fit in?

I was excited to be in this new country, especially because I got to watch 'Peppa Pig' episodes every day. But that excitement didn't last forever. At the playground, a boy came up to my sister and me, pulling his eyes back and laughing. We had hoped for new friends, but this incident made us doubt if Australia was truly an exciting new chapter. And it's not just us. An Australian study found that in a class of 30, racist bullying is a monthly reality for 10 students. Sadly, it reflects a system that doesn't truly welcome people from different backgrounds.

This isn't just a kids' problem. In 2023, international luxury brand Dior posted an ad with a model pulling her eyes back. They said it wasn't meant to offend anyone, but that's the real problem. If even a global brand couldn't see the harm, no wonder so many go through this in silence. But people worldwide spoke up saying, 'This is not OK.' And Dior eventually removed the ad. That gives me hope. We're moving forward.

[ding]

But that's not the whole story. Some people really see and understand us just as we are. One time, I had to go to the emergency room with a painful stomach ache. My English was a little shaky, but the nurse understood me without needing many words. Her kindness didn't just heal my pain. It told me I was seen. The next day, my mum brought Korean snacks. The nurses looked unsure at first, but after one bite, 'Wow!' Who knew snacks could be so powerful? They weren't just food, they were a piece of our home saying, 'We care. We want to connect.'

What Dior did wasn't just a mistake. It came from something deeper. The world doesn't always see everyone equally. That's why we need to learn to see with more understanding--

[ding, ding]

--and empathy. Real learning means being brave enough to ask hard questions and being gentle enough to listen. And change begins with small, simple acts. Teachers and parents, you could be role models for the next generation. Fellow students, let's build friendships and connections with everyone, regardless of their background. It could be as simple as sharing a snack, learning someone's name, or standing beside a friend, just like that kind nurse did.

'Welcome' isn't just a word on a sign. It's a promise of kindness, of safety, of belonging. Once, I dreamed of coming to a land of opportunity. Now, I dream of something greater, a land of real welcome. So how will you welcome someone today?

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: Our eighth speaker is Grace Jozwiak, who goes to Narranga Public School in Coffs Harbour on the North Coast. Grace's speech is called 'The same but different'. Please welcome Grace down to the stage.

[applause]

GRACE JOZWIAK: I love netball. Going to training is one of my favourite things. This year my netball club has started a new training, where the whole community comes together and trains for 30 minutes before my team training. I look at my club, we are all the same. We love netball and being with our friends.

But then I look closer at my teammates I am passing the ball with. Delilah, we are so similar. We love handstands, laugh at the same things. And we both even have Polish backgrounds. Although, that is where we're different. Delilah's family practise a lot of Polish traditions and view their Polish background as positive. They do egg painting at Easter, make Polish food together, speak Polish. They even sing 'Happy Birthday' in Polish.

I don't know any Polish words or traditions. This is because when my great grandparents came to Australia after World War II, they didn't want to remember or bring any of their culture with them. Their culture was tied to the painful memories that had happened during the war, and a reminder of what they had lost, their home, their families, and everything they knew of. It also made them stand out as different and a target for racism in their new home.

My whole netball club is paired up for a training drill. Isla, who was born in England, is passing the ball to Bella, who comes from Lebanon. Harveen, whose family comes from Iraq, is passing the ball to Zoe, who is First Nations. My netball club is a reflection of the multicultural diversity of Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, if you were to look around yourself right now and count the 10 closest people to you, 2.9 of those people would have been born overseas. 4.8 of those people would have had a parent born overseas. And 0.38 of those people would be Aboriginal. Although, I don't know how you can have 0.38 of a person. Maybe some legs?

[ding]

Oh. Delilah and I are passing the ball and talking. I ask her to teach me 'Happy Birthday' in Polish. She teaches me 'sto lat, sto lat, niche zyje, zyje nam, which translates to 100 years, 100 years, they live, live among us'. Although my netball club is a very multicultural place, we are not perfect. Two of our clubmates start making fun of Delilah and mimicking her by going 'sto lat, sto lat', and laughing. I can see the tears in her eyes, and she stopped singing immediately. I feel really uncomfortable and sad. I was enjoying learning a bit about my culture.

Australians need to embrace the differences that make us the same. You have a choice in how you treat others and how they feel. If someone shares a part of their culture with you, say food or language, you can ask more questions and show a genuine interest.

[ding, ding]

Don't laugh or make jokes. You could also choose to assume not everyone has a connection to their culture. Just because someone looks a different way or has a certain sounding name doesn't mean they practise that culture.

Australia is one of the most multicultural places in the world, with Australians identifying with over more than 270 different ancestries. But we all need to remember that we are the same. I am. You are. We are Australian.

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: Our second last speaker is Thomas Franklin, who is representing Lapstone Public School at the foot of the Blue Mountains. The title of Thomas's speech is 'Colour matters'. Please welcome Thomas.

[applause]

THOMAS FRANKLIN: When I was in Kindergarten, something happened that I will never forget. Let me set the scene. It was lunchtime, and I was playing tip while working as a team, trying to get others out. I shouted to one of my mates, pointed and said, 'Tip the kid with the brown skin.' And just like that, boom! I was in trouble. A teacher pulled me aside and told me what I said was not OK. I remember thinking, 'Huh? I didn't say anything mean.'

That afternoon, I told mum what happened. I explained that I didn't know his name, and I couldn't distinguish him from anyone else except that he had dark skin. The truth was, he was slower than the others, a perfect target. Why did colour matter? Mum nodded and said she understood but also agreed that the teacher was right to pull me up. She said that using someone's skin colour to describe them, even if I didn't mean it in a bad way, can make that person feel like they're different, like they don't belong.

The truth is, colour matters. Some people say we should be blind to colour, but I wasn't blind to it when I was playing tip. You see? Where I go to school there aren't that many kids will look different to me. It's not a very multicultural area. But this lack of diversity isn't just coincidence either. It's actually got a lot to do with the past.

Years ago, Australia had something called the 'White Australia policy', a law that made it virtually impossible for people who look different to move here. Back then, skin colour really did matter. In 1901, when Australia first became a nation, the government started making plans of how they thought the country should look. They wanted the country to be populated by white people, like the English. They believed that the colour of someone's skin determined their values.

Propaganda posters titled 'The Yellow Peril' were displayed, showing an evil-looking creature with an Asian appearance. Anyone wanting to settle in Australia had to sit a dictation test. The test was pretty much impossible to pass. In fact, prior to 1909, around 1,350 people took the test, and only 56--

[ding]

--people got in. Thankfully, the policy was eventually abolished in 1973.

Today, Australia has people from over 190 different countries calling our island home. We've learned from mistakes of our past and are now an inclusive and colourful country. Recently, I sat the OC test. There were kids with different skin tones, different languages, and probably way better math skills than me. And whilst I saw potential friends and 'Minecraft' teammates, it's really important to note that colour matters.

Back in Kindy, I saw skin colour as a way to distinguish a slow kid. I didn't think it was an issue, but that's probably because I'm white. I've never felt isolated or targeted based on my skin colour. It can be a completely different story for others. Those past policies of restriction have had a lasting impact.

In a recent survey of over 600,000 non-European Australians, more than 3/4 reportedly felt discriminated against based on their skin colour. Some people even mention feeling uncomfortable--

[ding, ding]

--in majority white communities, like the one where I live in. We need to make sure all people feel equal. It's our responsibility to make sure colour never becomes the reason someone feels left out or inferior.

[applause]

MIA AIDIL: The final speaker in this section is Zaeem Farheen from Armidale City Public School in New England. The subject of Zaeem's speech is, 'What makes a good leader?' Please welcome Zaeem down to the front.

[applause]

ZAEEM FARHEEN: My name is Zaeem, and in Arabic Zaeem means 'leader'. When I first learned the meaning of my name, I felt proud but also a little unsure. What does it really mean to be a leader? At first, I thought it meant being the loudest voice, the person in charge, the one with all the ideas. But the more I've learned, the more I've come to understand; a great leader isn't the one who speaks the most. It's the one who listens the best. Let me share a moment from school.

Last year, during a group project, everyone had ideas, and everyone wanted their own way. It quickly became messy. Voices overlapped. No one was listening, and nothing was getting done. Then someone said, 'Let's stop and actually listen to each other.' One by one, we shared our ideas. We worked as a team. And our project turned out to be better than any one person's plan.

That day, I realised when people feel heard, they feel respected. And when they feel respected, they work better together. And this doesn't just happen in classrooms. This happens on the world stage too. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, was one of the most powerful examples of a leader who listened. After 27 years in prison, he had every reason to be angry. But instead of shouting or blaming, he chose to listen, to his people, to his enemies, to those who were hurting. He listened with patience, with empathy, and with purpose. And by listening, he helped heal a divided nation.

Mandela once said, 'A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go ahead, whereupon the others follow'. In today's world, many people listen only to reply. They are already preparing the answer--

[ding]

--before the other person has even finished. But a true leader listens to understand. That means paying attention, asking questions, and trying to see the world through someone else's eyes.

When one listens to understand, not just to answer, we don't gather words. We connect with people. And connection is what builds trust. And trust is what makes leadership possible. As someone named Zaeem, I carry the meaning of leader every day. But I have learned that leadership isn't about having the spotlight. It's about giving others the space to shine.

So if you remember one thing, let it be this, true leadership doesn't start with a command. It starts with a question. It doesn't begin with a voice. It begins with an open ear. And the strongest leaders aren't always the ones--

[ding, ding]

--who speak first. They're the ones who listen. Thank you.

[applause]

HANNAH CHIA: Welcome back to the impromptu section of this Multicultural Perspectives state finals in the Years 3 and 4 impromptu speech section. The students have 5 minutes in which to prepare a speech on a general topic provided by the adjudicators. Each speaker then speaks for one minute with a warning bell that 30 seconds and 2 bells at one minute to indicate that the speaker's time has expired. A continuous bell will be rung at one and a half minutes. The topic for the impromptu speech section is 'Memories'. Please welcome back Maaliya Dey.

[applause]

MAALIYA DEY: I remember I write down my memories of fun holidays in a journal, and I always wish I could actually live that amazing moment. The problem is we are destroying our planet. We are cutting down trees for profit, poisoning oceans for convenience, and ignoring the silent suffering of our Earth. By destroying the world we live in now and soon it will just be a memory. And the future generations won't even be able to picture what our Earth would look like and would only see it in history books.

So what can we do? Because it's not fair that the future generations don't get to see our world being amazing. So how can we help to make it not just a memory?

[ding]

We can change our habits in our everyday lives. We can shop more places like Scoop. Scoop is a shop where nothing is in plastic packaging, and you can scoop out the food into your own reusable containers. This can help to make sure that our world doesn't become a memory and we actually fix it. We can also use dishwashing tablets that are good for the environment and are wrapped in plastic packaging or are filled with bad chemicals that harm our ocean.

[ding, ding]

How about you can do a speech and spread awareness about this big issue? The more people who know, the more change will be done. By changing our habits and striving for change, we can make sure that we fix our Earth so it doesn't just become a memory.

[applause]

HANNAH CHIA: Please welcome back Chelsea Stinson.

[applause]

CHELSEA STINSON: Memories, we all make memories. They might be good memories, like when I got my first champion on my horse pep talk. Or they might be bad memories, like when I was 3, when my sister pulled my hair. But no matter good or bad, memories are always good to capture. Like my mum, she takes a photo of basically everything.

So what I'm trying to say is capture all the memories while you still can with your family.

[ding]

Try and hang out with your Nan and Pop, as they might not be around much longer. Be like my mum. Capture every memory while you still can because let me tell you, that day when I got my first champion ribbon was the best day of my life. I felt like I was on top of the world. And I still have the picture to prove it. So please, capture all your memories while you still can.

[applause]

HANNAH CHIA: Please welcome back Thomas McInnes.

[applause]

THOMAS MCINNES: This year, after the offseason of cricket, mostly everybody had forgotten what to do when they bowl. I used that advantage and used my memories to remember what I was told last season. When I remembered what had happened, it gave me an advantage to be an obvious pick to the team. It was a hard thing to do, but it just shows that your memories can help you for an advantage.

[ding]

I remembered that when you think about something-- after the cricket, I remembered to think about things from my memories to help me to do other things to help as advantages. And it shows that when people don't practise something, they forget and lose all their memories on that thing. So I advise you--

[ding, ding]

--for whatever sport you play or whatever you do to practise in the offseason so that it's easier for you to use your memories and use that for an advantage.

[applause]

HANNAH CHIA: Please welcome back Olive Van Riel.

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OLIVE VAN RIEL: In 'The Hobbit', which was written by J.R.R. Tolkien, the hobbit thinks that when he goes on adventure, he thought that maybe it wouldn't be good and he wouldn't enjoy it. But one of the best things he thought was good when he came back from his adventure was the memories he made.

When I went to the local final, I thought it was just going to be speeches and food. But when I came back, I realised--

[ding]

--that one of the best things that I did at the locals was make memories. Memories are good because when you go, if you don't make memories, then you won't be able to remember what you did, and it won't be fun. So I think making memories is really good when you go and do something because then you can remember all the great things that you did.

[ding, ding]

When you go on adventures, one of the best things you bring back are memories. So remember, the next time you go and do something that might be a little scary, remember that you should always try and bring back some good memories.

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HANNAH CHIA: Please welcome back, Anna Mahy.

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ANNA MAHY: So when have you had a good old memory? Memories are so important because you can cherish them and remember them. So that is why it is so important to remember memories. Cherish them. Don't forget them. Who knows? Maybe when you're older, you might remember memories from way back when you were a baby, a little kid, or even a big kid. So don't forget your memories. They are so important--

[ding]

--to you. Cherish them and remember them.

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HANNAH CHIA: Please welcome back Jihee Park.

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JIHEE PARK: Memories, sweet think and experiences. Once, I was trying to ride a bike for the very first time. On the first attempt, I fell. My knee was grazed. Blood poured out. But I kept on trying again and again. Finally, I succeeded. That moment, that memory, always gives me courage when I think about it.

But it's not just me who has great memories.

[ding]

For a child living in war-torn countries, like Palestine, a good memory is being in a place where gunshots and bombs no longer echo in the streets. For a blind child, a good memory is seeing the sunset for the very first time. For a deaf child, a great memory is hearing their mum say, 'I love you.' For a child battling cancer, a good memory is waking up one morning--

[ding, ding]

--without any pain.

These are just 4 people. Imagine a whole world, billions of people, billions of memories waiting to be uncovered. So let's help someone remember the good memory because we can donate, we can care, and we can help someone see a great memory.

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HANNAH CHIA: Please welcome back Grace Jozwiak.

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GRACE JOZWIAK: I'm at my great granddad's funeral, and a lot of people are crying, but I'm not. And I start to think, what are those people feeling with those memories that they're thinking of him? Why are they crying? Is it happy or sad? Or are they feeling really-- or are they feeling grief?

When people are sad or they are feeling memories--

[ding]

--always remember to support those people because in those times it's really, really hard for them to process things. I remember when they were driving my great granddad out, my mum was crying a lot, and so was her mum. And I needed to support them in that time, and I needed to go and give them a big hug. Supporting people when they have memories is really, really, really important because you could just make--

[ding, ding]

--their day.

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HANNAH CHIA: Please welcome back Thomas Franklin.

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THOMAS FRANKLIN: Do you look back on your memories? I do. It gives me confidence. You know who Anh Do is, right? Well, he has a ginormous life story. He came from a different country and would have felt pretty scared coming to Australia. But he must have looked back on his memories because it must have given him power. Now he is a famous artist and children's authors book. So tiny setbacks can give you confidence to do anything possible. So next time you--

[ding, ding]

--so next time you need confidence, just look back on your memories. And you might realise, wow, I can do anything.

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HANNAH CHIA: Please welcome back Zaeem Farheen.

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ZAEEM FARHEEN: I remember myself standing at the door of my room with my finger near it. Mum comes and shuts the door on my finger. Ow! That was a painful memory. Memories are very memorable because it's a memory. And there's something that is in our brain. We experience events, and then--

[ding]

--that is stored in our brain. That's a memory.

So why are memories so important? Well, if we didn't have a memory, we wouldn't remember our past events. And it would be hard to make sense of what's happening right now because we're doing impromptus right now. A few minutes earlier, we were giving out our prepared speeches.

[ding, ding]

So if you didn't have memories, how would you remember that we did our prepared speeches? You'd be like, what?

[laughter]

OK. Impromptus first, and then you're like, where are the prepared speeches? Oh, wait, I forgot. You don't even remember where you are, who you are, and what you're doing.

[continuous dinging]

So memories are really important. Without it, we're nothing.

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TONY DAVEY: Ladies and gentlemen, time to hear from a representative of the panel, who will be announcing the winner, the 30th winner of the Years 3 and 4 Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking competition. Please welcome to the stage Neva Mikulic.

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NEVA MIKULIC: All right. Hello. I want to start by congratulating all of our speakers today on a really excellent final. What we saw today were a set of really insightful, clever, personal, and I think at times quite moving speeches that we thought as a panel were really strong, both in terms of the ideas and the content that they were exploring, but also in terms of the way that they were presented and delivered. So I want to begin by congratulating all of our speakers.

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In this adjudication, what you'll hear from me is a few pieces of general feedback about both the impromptu and the prepared section that will hopefully be useful for our speakers in their future speeches. Then I'll talk a little bit about what factors we considered most as an adjudication panel when coming to our decision. So I'll talk about what we thought the qualities were of the strongest speeches today. And then finally, I'll announce our winner. I really encourage all of the speakers today to come and get feedback from everyone in the adjudication panel afterwards. This was a really, I think, closer and competitive final. And I'm sure you'll all go on in future to do brilliant things.

All right, let's start with some feedback. As we said, we thought this was an excellent final, but we think there are a few things that could make us stronger. The first piece of feedback is about the impromptu section. And what we want to tell speakers here is we want to encourage them to pick one specific idea or message to explore in their impromptu, and to build their speech around that. So what we wanted to give with the topic, which in this final was about memories, is a lot of room to explore.

Memories can be both positive and negative. These speeches can be about both personal experiences and also about broader political issues. So what we would encourage our speakers to do is to pick one specific key idea or angle or issue or memory that they want to explore and build their speech around that. We thought the strongest speeches in impromptu today were able to avoid just defining memories or talking about what a memory is and were able to give us a more specific and distinct standout message from their impromptu speech.

And that flows into our second piece of feedback about the prepared speeches, which is we thought the strongest speeches today had a lot of clarity and were unique in the message that they were trying to give to their audience. So instead of talking about multiculturalism more generally, they picked one specific area of it or one specific issue and were able to focus on that well. And that can come both in terms of standout examples or stories or a personal connection to the topic. Or it can come in a unique angle or perspective on the issue. That will help your speech to stand out. It will mean that you're able to explore it in enough depth when you have that kind of clarity and specificity.

Our third piece of feedback is to think a little bit more about your personal connection to the topic. That might be a personal memory or a personal story that you have that has to do with what you're speaking about. But it might also be your personal perspective or angle on the issue. This will help your audience to connect with what you're saying about, and it will also help you be more interested and more passionate about your speech.

And our final piece of general feedback for speakers today is just to think a little bit more about that middle part of your speech. So we thought all speeches today started with really interesting and engaging introductions and were able to come back at the conclusion to give their audience a clear takeaway message. But that body part of your speech, where you're exploring your issue, is where we thought we were able to distinguish speeches a little bit more. So we want to avoid being a bit repetitive, and we want to make sure we're developing our idea and our message as our speech progresses. And we thought the strongest speeches today were able to do that really excellently.

So that's our feedback. In terms of what we valued when coming to a decision, the most important thing was a sense of consistency between both the impromptu and the prepared speech. So both of these elements in the competition are weighted equally for us. And I think our winner today was someone who was able to stand out very consistently across both of those areas.

Secondly, we valued speeches that were insightful, speeches that taught us something that we didn't already know or inspired us to see the world in a different way. Thirdly, we really valued speeches that were well structured, that had a clear sense of a beginning, a middle, and an end, whether that was a cyclical structure, so bringing us back to the same message at the start, whether that was leaving us with a clear takeaway message for our audience. We also really valued speeches that had a clear balance of both personal memories and a personal connection to the topic and a broader kind of social and historical research about the world. And we thought that was done excellently in the strongest speeches today.

OK. With that said, our winner today was someone that we thought did all of these things really excellently and really consistently. They delivered a prepared speech that we thought had a really strong link between their personal and familial relationship with sport and the broader historical and cultural context of multiculturalism. And we thought this balance of both the micro and the personal with the broader macro issues that they were engaging with was done in a way that was really well structured and really clever and also very hopeful. This was a speaker who we thought offered us really practical solutions and inspired us to see the world as a place that we could change.

This was also someone who we thought had a very clever interpretation of the impromptu topic. So this was someone who delivered a speech about the fear of not being able to have memories of the Earth moving forward and was able to make a very meaningful speech about a pressing political issue feel very personal. So as a result of all of these beautiful elements of their speech in what was a very competitive final, I'd like to congratulate our winner, Maaliya Dey from Northbridge Public School.

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