Alex Hawke announces opening of 'My First Speech' Competition

 Friday, 10 May 2013

Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell, today announced the opening of the ‘My First Speech’ competition as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Australian Parliament House.

The competition is open to year 10 to 12 students across Australia.

"This competition will provide the opportunity for two lucky students to come to Canberra in its centenary year and deliver a speech at Parliament House during our 25th anniversary Open   Day being held on 24 August," Alex Hawke said.

"It is a great way for schools around the country to connect with our federal parliament and our national capital during an important year for both."

The competition asks year 10 to 12 students to consider what they would say if they were a newly elected Member of the House of Representatives and record themselves presenting a 3 minute speech on video. From the entries received, two students will be selected to come to Canberra and deliver their speeches at Parliament House Open Day on Saturday, 24 August 2013.

"This is a great opportunity for talented individuals and groups from across Mitchell to get involved with our parliamentary processes and speak on issues that they are passionate about." Alex Hawke said.

Alongside the trip to Canberra, the winning students and their schools will also receive a cash prize. 

A website has been established for the competition at: www.aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech

To enter the competition, submit your video on CD or DVD along with a written transcript of your speech and completed competition forms to:

My First Speech competition
International and Community Relations Office
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Entries close　Friday,　26 July 2013.

Details of the competition will be sent to schools across Australia. When the competition was first held in 2011 it attracted 176 entries from 68 schools across Australia, and the winners were applauded by MPs during Question Time in the House,

"What better way to celebrate our anniversary than to give our next generation of community leaders the opportunity to have a say right here in the people's House," Alex Hawke concluded.

Alex Hawke's first speech to parliament.