Vicki Dunne MLA

Speaker for the Legislative Assembly for the ACT

MEDIA RELEASE

6 August 2015

Plain Speaking in the Assembly

The national finals of the Plain English Speaking Association competition will take place at the ACT Legislative Assembly on Monday 10 August.

“Throughout the heats the standard has been high, putting some of the association’s best plain English speakers through their paces”, said Mrs Dunne, Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly and joint chair of the national finals. “I wish all the finalists good luck with their presentations on the day.”

The annual award aims to encourage the use of clear and effective spoken English. It’s a public-speaking competition for students aged 15-18 years, providing an opportunity for students to build self-confidence and extend their oral communication, speech writing and research skills.

This annual competition encourages students to speak to their peers from other schools on topics they are passionate about.

Participants will present an eight minute speech on a topic of their choice, a three minute interview related to their speech, and an impromptu three minute speech.

Initial competitions are held at school, regional and state levels. State winners go to the national final, held around Australia on a rotational basis.  “I am delighted that the ACT Legislative Assembly is the host of this year’s national final”, Mrs Dunne said.  “It’s great the Assembly can support such talented young people from around Australia in this way.”

The winner will represent Australia at the international finals in the United Kingdom next year.

The event will be chaired jointly by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mrs Vicki Dunne MLA, and the Deputy Speaker, Ms Mary Porter AM MLA.

Local school students have been invited to watch the event from the public gallery, in support of the ACT finalists.

The Plain English Speaking Association (PESA) was established in Australia in 1978, and has branches all around Australia.

ENDS