2023 Junior Winner:
Ksenia Kurenysheva
(Click photo for video)
2023 Senior Winner:
Oliver Pond
(Click photo for video)
2023 Short Notice Senior Winner:
Ian Hadsan Llusala
(Click photo for video)
2022 Junior Winner:
Seychelle Camomot
(Click photo for video)
2022 Senior Winner:
Ian Hadsan-Llusala
(Click photo for video)
2023 Short Notice Junior Winner: Eden Carruthers
(click photo for video)
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About Wynspeak
2026 Wynspeak Finals
The WynSpeak Final 2026 was held this week at Thomas Carr College in Tarneit.
A total of 19 students from 15 secondary colleges in the Western Suburbs displayed their public speaking skills in front of an audience of parents, family members, teachers, friends and WynSpeak organisers.
Winners were:
Senior – Michael Apps from Heathdale Christian College – Melton Campus
Junior – Alexander Torio, Tarneit P9 College
To reach the final students had to compete and win at one of the eight heats held over 4 weeks at Bacchus Marsh, Caroline Springs, Altona and five heats in the Wyndham area.
The WynSpeak Committee is made up of members from four Rotary Clubs, Hoppers Crossing, Bacchus Marsh, Altona City and Caroline Springs with great support from past competitors, past Apexians and Toastmasters.
The competition has been running for the past 21 years and has grown from an 8 student competition from 2 schools to 128 competitors from 46 schools this year.
 
Wynspeak Competition Winners
YearSenior WinnerCollegeJunior WinnerCollege
2026  Michael AppsHeathdale Christian CollegeAlexander TorioTarneit P9 College
2025Gracy SinghGood News Lutheran CollegeEkamjeet SinghAlamanda K9 College
2024Ashwile PanikulamThomas Carr CollegeSurya SureshkumarBacchus Marsh Grammar
2023Oliver PondThomas Carr CollegeKsenia KurenyshevaMackillop Cath. Reg. Coll.
2022Ian Hadsan LlusalaBacchus Marsh GrammarSeychelles CamometVic University Sec. College
2021Alfi HudaLakeview Senior CollegeSam BrookerAltona P12 College
2020No winner-Covid 19-No winner- Covid 19-
2019Mason HoseFootscray City CollegeJake PartonBacchus Marsh Grammar
2018Conor BarnesWestbourne GrammarJackson BrownBacchus Marsh Grammar
2017Maria Irene MagousisGood News Lutheran CollegeAlejandra CamachoBacchus Marsh Grammar
2016Tayla BullerHeathdale Christian CollegeConor BarnesWestbourne Grammar
2015Crystal ZhouWestbourne GrammarIsabella RossWestbourne Grammar
2014Kieran McKenzieBacchus Marsh GrammarLindia LombarderoPoint Cook P9 College
2013Joshua FergusonHoppers Crossing Sec.Sonika PrakashMarian College
2012Matthew LagambaSuzzanne Cory High SchoolTarryn MumbersonCarranballac P9 Boardwalk
2011Michael HoweWestbourne GrammarBradley BennettThomas Carr College
2010Dayle GrixtiLara Secondary CollegeKeely RossWestbourne Grammar
2009Claire FindlayClonard CollegeSarah MudaliarBaden Powell P9 College
2008Mitchell RobinsonHoppers Crossing Sec. Tessa MarshallWestbourne Grammar
2007Thomas BarkerHeathdale Christian CollegeNo junior competition-
2006Adelata SalkavicAl Taqua CollegeNo junior competition-
2005Kate CalhounWestbourne GrammarNo junior competition-
2003Kate CalhounPilot Program  
 
Introduction
 
WYNSPEAK, a youth public speaking competition for secondary school students in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, was established to provide students with an opportunity to practice and test their public speaking skills in front of a live audience. Through this comprehensive program students develop a skill for life. Since the inauguration of Wynspeak, over 1000 students have participated.
 
The competition is designed for secondary students who:
  • Want to improve their public speaking skills.
  • Want to test their public speaking ability against students from other schools.
  • Want to compete for cash prizes and trophies for the best speakers.
 
As a joint project between Hoppers Crossing Apex and the Rotary Club of Hoppers Crossing, WYNSPEAK has also partnered with the Rotary Clubs of Altona City, Caroline Springs and Melton. Local Toastmasters Clubs provide support with adjudication.
Why is Public Speaking Important?
 
Everyone encounters situations where public speaking skills are necessary whether it be at school, at work, or just being a good conversationalist in your personal life. 
Public speaking is often feared, but by speaking publicly on a regular basis, the skill can be mastered.
Exciting News- A New Championship Coming...
Rotary's four major Youth Public Speaking Competitions have agreed to hold a District-wide Championship in 2024. These competitions include:
  • Wynspeak
  • Bayspeak
  • Ainger Peck
  • Balwyn Rotary Club's four-way test competition.
More details to come...
Key Dates for 2026 Program
  • Student Nominations Due:  28 March 2026
  • Round 1: Thur April 30, Westbourne Grammar School, 300 Sayers Road, Truganina VIC 3029
  • Round 2: Tue May 5, Good News Lutheran College, 580 Tarneit Road, Tarneit
  • Round 3: Thur May 7, Tarneit Senior College 861 Leakes Road Tarneit (Entrance Crossway Ave)
  • Round 4: Tue May 12, Hoppers Crossing Secondary College, 2 Fraser Street, Hoppers Crossing
  • Round 5: Thur May 14, Bacchus Marsh Grammar, 37 S Maddingley Rd, Bacchus Marsh
  • Round 6: Tue May 19, Mackillop Catholic Regional College, Russell Street, Werribee
  • Round 7: Thur May 21 Lakeview Senior College- Caroline Springs, College Road, Caroline Springs
  • Round 8: Tue May 26, Altona Civic Centre, Civic Parade, Altona
  • WYNSPEAK Final: Wed. June 3, Thomas Carr College Performing Arts Centre, 35 Thomas Carr Drive, Tarneit
2016 Senior Winner: 
Tayla Buller 
2021 Senior Winner: 
Alfi Huda
(Click photo for video)
2021 Junior Winner: 
Sam Brooker
(Click photo for video)
Home Page News
Wynspeak 2023- Evolution
From initiation in 2003, by the Rotary and Apex clubs of Hoppers Crossing, "Wynspeak" has expanded to involve over forty Western Region colleges annually. 
"Wynspeak":
  • Provides a vehicle to assist young people to develop effective public speaking skills and self-confidence. Presentation skills are important in senior college, tertiary education, and in the workplace.
  • Involves both junior and senior students presenting prepared five-minute speeches on topics of their choice. 
  • Also includes presenting a two-minute speech on mystery topics drawn out of a hat with minimal preparation time.
  • Has proven to be very popular with both students and colleges. 
  • Commences on April 27, 2023 with entry free to all attendees.
  • Schedule and venues are listed above.
For enquiries, contact Des O'Shanassy via this website ("Contact Us" or email: desoshanassy@hotmail.com).
SPEAKING of ACTING FAST
 
Schools have yoyo'd in and out of the classroom since the COVID19 pandemic struck. Most of the preliminary rounds were completed when Victoria's lockdown number six was announced. Remarkable agility was required to hold Round 8 and the finals on Zoom. A new set of preparations were key to its success.
  • The Wynspeak Committee held several practice sessions to work out factors such as timekeeping and the logistics of breakout meetings, and how to introduce and spotlight speakers. Also, contingency planning was vital in case of disrupted internet connections.
  • A student rehearsal was held two days before the final where Toastmaster Greg Bowlen provided student coaching on setting up and presenting to a camera, instead of a live audience.
  • Breakout rooms were used for briefing students beforehand, and afterwards for the adjudicators to discuss scoring. The chief adjudicator's son, Paul Ryan, provided the "waiting music" and entertained on acoustic guitar.
  • The Senior category winner, Alfi Huda from Lakeview Senior College, spoke passionately about arranged child marriages (her grandmother was engaged at only 8 months old). Junior category winner, Sam Brooker from Altona College, highlighted environmental problems with plastics. The linked videos above cover their speeches.
The Wynspeak Committee greatly appreciates the efforts by the students, their supporters, the audience, the adjudicators, MC Taylor Morris and Zoom host Sandi Fulcher.  They addressed the many challenges and changes required to make the 2021 Wynspeak Final such a success on Zoom.
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Links
Past Participants