“if truth is to emerge and in the long run be triumphant, the process of free debate, the untrammelled clash of opinion must go on”

– Robert Menzies

Outline

The Robert Menzies Institute Speech Competition is a program for secondary students in Australia to practice oratorical skills in a speech relating to the legacy of Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies. Robert Menzies was well-known for his powerful speeches, including the Jefferson Oration, delivered on US Independence Day at Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia in 1963. Sir Robert Menzies spoke often of the importance of a good speech: “Aim at simple, clear speech, and if you aim at that and achieve it, you will find that this will make a very great difference right through your lives.”

Theme: “if truth is to emerge and in the long run be triumphant, the process of free debate, the untrammelled clash of opinion must go on”   – Robert Menzies

 

How important is respectful debate to the health of a democracy?

Record a speech of between 5 – 7 minutes addressing the theme.  You must refer to Robert Menzies’s involvement in advancing debate through his actions and policy.

Finalists will be selected and will be invited to deliver their speeches at a live event in August 2025.

The winning entrant will be invited to deliver their speech at our annual academic conference at The University of Melbourne on the 23rd of November 2025.