THE PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD (PESA)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA COORDINATOR
Olivia Fuderer
Contact: ofuderer@gmail.com
PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD INFORMATION
The below information has been taken from the 2025 Plain English Speaking Award Information Guide.
What is PESA?
The Plain English Speaking Award (PESA) is a public speaking competition for students in Years 11 and 12. PESA celebrates the power of spoken English as a unifying medium within Australia and an essential tool for global communication. PESA aims to encourage the use of clear and effective spoken English. Since it’s inception in 1977, the competition has provided an invaluable opportunity for secondary school students to improve their confidence and to develop their speech-writing and public speaking skills.
What is the history of PESA?
PESA began in Victoria in 1977 as a public speaking competition for senior school students and expanded to all states and territories in 1978. Today, PESA operates across WA, NSW and VIC. Historically, state winners have represented their school and state at a national final hosted by each state or territory in rotation. As a direct result of COVID-19, in-person national finals have been replaced with online national finals.
Who is eligible to compete?
PESA is open to all secondary school students in Western Australia. Students must be either Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia. Each school can enter a maximum of two students. Students must be between 15 and 18 years of age (inclusive) on 1 January 2025.
How much does entry cost?
The entry fee for the award is $30.00 per student (including GST). Please note that fees are due by 1 April 2025 and cannot be refunded even if students withdraw.
How do schools/students enter the competition?
There are four registration forms towards the end of this document.
- Form A: Student Information
- Form B: Student Profile
- Form C: Consent Form
- Form D: Schools Invoice
Please complete Forms A, B and C and send them to the Western Australian PESA Coordinator by 1 April 2025. Form D can be completed and sent to your school’s Accounts Department for payment.
How does the competition run?
Schools may select up to two students to compete in the competition. They may wish to conduct an internal competition to select these students. These students will participate in the PESA semi-finals. Western Australia’s competition typically consists of two semi-finals, each featuring between five and seven students. The top five students from the semi-finals will progress to the state final. As the semi-finals will be held on different weekends, students will not be notified of their progression on the day of their semi-final, Instead, students will be notified of their progression within 24 hours after the final semi-final. This allows for a fair comparison between all participants, as one weekend may feature stronger competitors than the other. The winner of the state final will represent Western Australia in the national final later this year.
What are the speaking requirements?
At each stage of the competition, students present both a prepared and impromptu speech.
Prepared Speech
- The prepared speech can be on any subject chosen by the student.
- The speaking time for the prepared speech is 8 minutes with a warning bell at 6 minutes, two bells at 8 minutes and a continuous bell at 8 ½ minutes.
Impromptu Speech
- The impromptu speech will be on a subject chosen by the adjudicator. The topic will be subjective in nature. For example, previous topics have included “For the Greater Good” or “It’s Time.” Wise, keen, and intelligent students may opt to study multiple topic areas that can easily be woven into an impromptu speech.
- Students will receive 5 minutes of preparation time to write their impromptu speech. During this time, they will receive a pen and palm cards to help them develop their speech. Students may use these palm cards when speaking.
- The speaking time for the impromptu speech is 3 minutes with a warning bell at 2 minutes, two bells at 3 minutes and a continuous bell at 3 ½ minutes.
At the state and national final, students also partake in a short three-minute interview conducted by an additional adjudicator.
Interview
- The interviewer may ask questions directly related to the student’s speech. Students are, therefore, asked to send a copy of their speech to the Western Australian PESA Coordinator at least two weeks before the competition to allow the interviewer time to prepare relevant questions.
- The interviewer may also ask the student questions about their interests, hobbies, subjects studied at school, major awards and achievements, short-term ambitions and/or long-term ambitions. Questions will be developed based on students’ responses in Form B, ‘Student Profile’.
- The interview is 3 minutes with a warning bell at 2 minutes, two bells at 3 minutes and a continuous bell at 3 ½ minutes. Students are permitted to finish their sentence at the 3-minute mark; however, reaching 3 ½ minutes will be considered poor timing.
What are the rules of the competition?
Other than the eligibility criteria and speaking times detailed above, it should also be noted that students are not allowed to use props or external aids, such as PowerPoint presentations, during their speeches. Students are encouraged to speak from palm cards and must present without a lectern or microphone. Students are also expected to finish at or just beyond the official speaking time. It will be considered poor timing to reach the continuous bell. As students are representing their school they are expected to wear their school uniform.
What are the adjudicators looking for?
The adjudicators will make their decision based on the matter, manner and method the students employ in presenting their speeches. They will expect the students to be confident and engaging. The speeches themselves should be developed logically to a convincing conclusion in the time allowed. The adjudicators will, in particular, be looking for knowledge of the subject matter, skilful development of the theme and the effective use of plain English. Students are also expected to demonstrate a balance between personal opinion and information as well as a balance of humour and sincerity in their speeches. Adjudicators will consider all components (prepared speech, impromptu speech and interview) equally when making their decision.
What are the prizes?
All students involved in the competition will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation. The winner of the state final will receive a cash prize of $200. The second-place student will receive a cash prize of $100. The third-place student will receive a cash prize of $50. The state winner can display the PESA shield at their school for one year. All prizes are donated by the Australia-Britain Society (W.A. Branch) Inc who proudly sponsor the Plain English Speaking Award in Western Australia.
ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
2025 Plain English Speaking Award
The 2025 Plain English Speaking Award State Final was held on Saturday, 23 August, in Floreat, following two exciting first-round heats on 19 and 26 July.
This year’s final brought together six outstanding students, each delivering powerful and thought-provoking speeches.
Congratulations to our winners:
1st Place: Samantha Lee (Iona Presentation College) – 6174. 2nd Place: Jessica Wang (Mount Lawley Senior High School) – Tall Poppy Syndrome. 3rd Place: Clair Trainor (Presbyterian Ladies’ College) – Epistemic Violence and the Importance of Storytelling.
Samantha’s winning speech, 6174, captivated the audience with its unique exploration of Kaprekar’s Constant. She wove a compelling metaphor about learning differences, perseverance, and the importance of tailored support in education. Using both mathematics and personal anecdotes, Samantha highlighted that, just like the process of reaching 6174, every student has the potential to reach their “constant” given the right steps, support, and time. Her speech encouraged listeners to view learning as a process rather than a race and to invest in inclusive education that empowers all students to succeed.
Jessica Wang delivered a powerful speech on Tall Poppy Syndrome, examining its impact on Australian culture and the way it discourages ambition and excellence.
Clair Trainor’s speech, Epistemic Violence and the Importance of Storytelling, explored how silencing voices can harm communities and why sharing diverse stories is essential for understanding and progress.
The adjudicators praised all finalists for their originality, passion, and ability to engage the audience with meaningful ideas.
Each speech demonstrated the value of clear structure, creative expression, and thoughtful argumentation, making the 2025 State Final an inspiring celebration of young voices.
2024 Plain English Speaking Award
The 2024 Plain English Speaking Award state final was held on Saturday, 20 July, at the All Saints Uniting Church Hall, Berkeley Crescent, Floreat. The winner was Ruth Vincent from Corpus Christi College, with her speech titled “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall”. There were nine contestants in the competition, all delivering exceptional speeches.
2023 PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD
The WA Final was held on Saturday 15 July at the All Saints Floreat Uniting Church Hall, Berkeley Crescent, Floreat. The winner was Sophia Marra from Santa Maria College, with her speech titled “The Relevance of Monarchies in Contemporary Society” .
The PESA Shield was presented to Sophia Marra by Richard Douglas KC and Acting President Kevan Barrett.
Following the event, Acting President Kevan Barrett presented the PESA Shield to Santa Maria College Deputy Principal Simone Sawiris before a Senior School assembly.
2022 PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD.
The 2022 Plain English Speaking Award state final was held on Saturday, 11 June, at the Victoria League, Shenton Park. The winner was Subi Thomas from Hale School, with his speech titled “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”.
2021 PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD
The 2021 Plain English Speaking Award was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
2020 PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD
The 2020 Plain English Speaking Award was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
2019 PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD
The 2019 Plain English Speaking Award state final was held on Saturday, 15 June, at the Victoria League, Shenton Park. The winner was Zachary Matthews from Guildford Grammar School.
A Presentation Morning Tea was hosted by the Australia-Britain Society WA Branch Inc. at the Royal Perth Golf Club on Saturday, 27 July 2019. Zachary Matthews received the PESA Shield from Mr. Enzo Sirna AM, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of The National Trust, on behalf of Guildford Grammar School.
2018 PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD
The 2018 Plain English Speaking Award state final was held on Saturday, 21 July, at the Victoria League, Shenton Park. The winner was Jemima Reid from Santa Maria College, with her speech titled “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall”. Jemima went on to achieve Second Place in the National Final, held in Darwin on 12 August 2018, competing against six other state winners.
The final WA event for 2018 was a Presentation Morning Tea held at the Royal Perth Golf Club on Saturday, 4 August. The event was attended by 50 guests, including Australia-Britain Society members, PESA participants, and their supporters. Guest speaker The Very Reverend Dr. John Shepherd, former Dean of Perth, delivered an inspiring address on the values of public speaking. The WA perpetual shield was presented to Jemima to be displayed at Santa Maria College until the 2019 competition.
2017 PLAIN ENGLISH SPEAKING AWARD
The 2017 Plain English Speaking Award state final was held during the semi-finals at the Victoria League, Shenton Park. The winner was Esther Nixon from Ursula Frayne Catholic College.
The semi-finals were graced by Mr. Leon Cohen, the first WA PESA winner from 1978, who visited the competitors and offered insights.
PAST WINNERS
2024 Ruth Vincent, Corpus Christi College
2023 Sophia Marra, Santa Maria College
2022 Subi Thomas, Hale School
2020-21 No competitions due to COVID-19
2019 Zachary Matthews, Guildford Grammar College
2018 Jemima Reid, Santa Maria College
2017 Esther Nixon, Ursula Frayne Catholic College
2016 Natasha Tonga, Shenton College
2015 Sam Coten, Corpus Christi College
2014 Rebekah Craggs, Corpus Christi College
2013 Lachlan Sudlow, Hale School
2012 Xavier Evans, Churchlands Senior High School
2011 Adam Kovalves, Ballajura Community School
2010 Shane Chandra, Hale School
2009 Sam Scaife, Perth Modern School
2008 Michael Honiball, Churchlands Senior High School
2007 Sophie Bowen, Corpus Christi College
2006 Emma Greeny, Iona Presentation College
2005 Izaak Lim, Guildford Grammar School
2004 Jenny Jiang, Presbyterian Ladies College
2003 Thom Smith, Mt Lawley Senior High School
2002 Jessie Giles, Mt Lawley Senior High School
2001 Georgia Henderson, Presbyterian Ladies College
2000 Nastasya Tay, Presbyterian Ladies College
1999 Amy Boggin, Rockingham Senior High School
1998 Shanthi Robertson, Penrhos College
1997 Daniel Underhill, Willeton Senior High School
1996 Julie Taylor, Presbyterian Ladies College
1995 Emma Stopher, St Mark’s Anglican Community College
1994 Bree Shilken, Perth College
1993 Fiona Seaward, Harvey Agricultural High School
1992 Jason Maroudes, Applecross Senior High School
1991 Andrew Horobin, Carine Senior High School
1990 Sarah Jones, St Bridget’s College
1989 Karl Laufmann, Guildford Grammar
1988 Elisabeth Moran, Iona Presentation College
1987 Christie Phillips, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls
1986 Lindy Sardelic, Presbyterian Ladies College
1985 Sandra Crockford, Mt Lawley Senior High School
1984 Richard Douglas, John Curtin Senior High School
1983 Betta Keranati, Willeton Senior High School
1982 Harry Protoolis, Balga Senior High School
1981 Stuart Shepherd, Scotch College
1980 Sean Hawkes, Hale School
1979 Susan Wittenoom, John XX111 College
1978 Leon Cohen, Scotch College