Information

Soroptimist International 

Soroptimist International is a global network of 65,000 volunteers working to transform the lives of women and girls in approximately 116 countries throughout the world. Soroptimist International’s Vision is for women and girls to achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.

Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific 

Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific (SISEAP), operates in 13 countries across the Asia Pacific Region.  Soroptimist members are a diverse group of women, yet we all share the same single purpose - advancing gender equality.  Soroptimists Advocate and Act at their club level, through projects which address needs in their community. 

Aims of the competition

The purpose of this competition is to :

• To encourage girls to play a more prominent part in public life.

• To improve the art of communication.

• To develop research techniques.

• To encourage girls to develop the skill to speak effectively and to articulate with clarity.

• To develop self-confidence and personality.

At some point in our lives, many of us will have to give a speech in public, whether it be at a public ceremony, special family, or community occasion, or in a class, business presentation or job interview. Each of these activities has a different purpose but we can still identify three aims of public speaking – to inform; to convince and to persuade.

Entry

• The competition is open to girls who are aged 12 to 19, and schools may send a maximum of two competitors per category to the Soroptimist Qld Heat. Nominations and age group category is to be received by the deadline of 10th of October 2025.

• Entrants will need to give permission to have their speech videoed.  Permission to use the video and images of the girls on social media and the SISEAP website will also need to be provided.  

Speeches/Categories

Girls must nominate for either of the following two categories (dependent on age), the topic is based on the category.

• Category 1 - 12 years -15 years. [Three (3) minute talk]. 

Topic: Small Actions, Big Difference: How I can make the world a better place?

• Category 2 - 16 years - 19 years. [Four (4) minute talk]. 

Topic: How can young people shape cities that are inclusive, green and resilient?

Competition arrangements

Should schools have more than two girls per category wishing to enter the competition, then schools will be expected to arrange their own internal heats.  Soroptimists Beenleigh/Logan can work with the school event,  (i.e arranging judges etc). 

Entrants from participating schools (two for each category) and or individual entrants will compete at the Soroptimist International Beenleigh / Logan (Qld) heat, following this , the two selected winning entrants from each category will proceed to the Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific final.

The Soroptimist Beenleigh / Logan (Queensland) heat finalists will receive a monetary prize and all entrants will receive a certificate.  Winners of the South East Asia Pacific Final will also receive a monetary prize. (more information at https://www.siseap.org/projects/public-speaking-competition.html)

The Soroptimist Beenleigh / Logan (Queensland) heat will be held on the 21st of October at Club Beenleigh function room, Alamein St, Beenleigh at 5.30-7.30pm.  Invitations will be sent out to entrants and guests. Entrants who can not attend the finals event face to face will be required to submit a video as per video guidelines.

To assist the girls in preparing their speeches, a panel of 3 Adjudicators will assess each candidate against the following criteria.  

Competition Marking Guide. 

Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific Final. 

Finalists from each of the heats will proceed to the SISEAP final.   The judging of the finalists will be via a video recording of their speech. Winners will be notified.  All submitted videos will be considered to be showcased in the planned Federation Education Day campaign on the 24th January 2026. 

How to take part

If you would like to take part and your school to be represented, then please return the attached nomination  form by the 10th October via email, or complete the online entry form (via this link) for each student. Permission form for use of images and videos is also required for each entrant. The return of completed forms by this date is essential to reserve a place for your students in the competition heat. 

We do hope that you will join us. In the meantime, if you have any queries, please contact the Competition Convenor, Cesarina Gigante  on  0417070923 or email silogan@siseap.org,  or Christine Johnstone on 0417750311 or email sibeenleigh@siseap.org