National President Dorothy Ross AM OBE inaugurated a national public speaking competition in 1985 that commenced in 1988. State President Pamela Gedling commenced a Victorian public speaking competition in 1986, to encourage and develop the talent of good communication skills. The family of Myrtle Whitehead MBE approached State Council, desiring to donate a perpetual ‘Speakers Cup’ in memory of their mother. Each year since, Myrtle’s daughter, Life Member Lois Jephcott (Tintaldra), has donated a small replica trophy to be kept by the winner.

Public Speaking Convenor Dorothy Orr (Dromana) introduced the three adjudicators: Denise Ferguson (Rodney), David Humphreys and Gwen Robinson (both from Australian Rostrum, Echuca).

The speakers were:

Lorna Howell (Nykora) A book I would take with me to a desert island A formal invitation to a birthday party

Val Allan (Campaspe) The battle of the sexes … Who’s winning? An invitation to a graduation ceremony for my grandson

Susan Pitman (Sebastopol) A book I would take with me to a desert island An invitation to a dinner with a childhood sweetheart

Heather Davis (Bealiba) The battle of the sexes … Who’s winning? An invitation to be present at the birth of my first grandchild

Jean Black (Glenelg) Unions … Have they outlived their usefulness? An invitation to a back to in my home town

The winner was Heather Davis.