Speaking 4 The Planet 2023

Speaking for the Planet (S4P) is a schools’ competition that invites students to submit work in four broad areas: speaking, writing, visual arts and drama. The finalists present their work at a special event on World Environment Day (June 5th). These entries are then judged by a panel of experts, and prizes awarded. 

One of the objectives of the competition is to get students thinking about environmental issues, especially climate change and the role humans are playing in causing it. Another is to “help them see that they are not alone in their concern for the planet and for their future.” 

Each year the competition has a theme. This year’s was ‘One Planet, Our Future: Consume with Care’. 

Participating schools and councils 

Eight schools in our area participated in the competition this year: the Australian International Academy, Domremy College, Homebush Boys High, MLC, PLC, St. Patrick’s College, Strathfield Girls High and Strathfield South High. Homebush Boys acted as host, with students from the school’s Environment Club MCing the event, preparing the audio-visuals and doing much of the catering. Thanks to their efforts and expertise, the day went off without a hitch.

Thanks also go to the three councils in our local area – Burwood, Canada Bay and Strathfield. They jointly sponsored the event and had representatives in the audience and on each of the judging panels. Particular thanks go to the Mayor of Strathfield, Karen Pensabene, for presenting the prizes. 

Thank you also to our corporate sponsors, Paddy Pallin, Westfield, Officeworks, and Bunnings Warehouse.

Special guests

We were particular pleased to have our federal and state parliamentarians at the event: Sally Sitou (federal member for Reid), Jason Yat-Sen Li (state member for Strathfield) and Stephanie di Pasqua (state member for Drummoyne). Each spoke about the importance of climate change as an issue in Australia, and each addressed the importance of young people as part of the solution. 

Prize giving 

This year, three categories were represented at the event – speaking, writing and art – and the standard was very high. There were no entries in the drama category this year.

The five finalists in the Speaking competition were hard to separate, but in the end the winner was Elena Tulloch from MLC. A close second was Hania Raza from Strathfield Girls, with Muhammad Asad Raza from Homebush Boys in third place. Elena performed her speech at our members’ and supporters’ meeting the following night, and we hope to make it available for you on our YouTube in the future.

In the Writing category, first place went to Cathy Chong from Strathfield Girls, with Andreas Blatsos of St Pats second and Serena Farley of MLC third. The People’s Choice award also went to Andreas Blatsos. 

Finally, in the Art category, Madison Ha of Strathfield Girls HS took out first place, with Erfan Yousef Zade of South Strathfield HS second and Yuuki Onuma of MLC third. The People’s Choice award went to Madison Ha.

Well done to all the contestants.

Student workshops 

Before the presentations, the students were divided into groups, to answer a series of questions related to climate change and what they would like to do about it. We are very keen to pursue some of their suggestions.

Special thanks 

CABCB would like to thank all those who helped organise the competition. A special thanks is due to Robin Smith, who took the project from inception to completion without making a single mistake. We could not have done any of it without her.

We would also like to thank Ellen, Steven, Corinne and Margaret from CABCB, as well as Kevin Elgood (principal of Homebush Boys High), Sally Sitou, Jason Yat-Sen Li, Stephanie di Pasqua, Karen Pensabene and the various council representatives who helped us in many ways. If we’ve left anyone out, please pardon the omission.

Speaking for the Planet 2024!

Speaking for the Planet 2023 was a huge success, and those who attended clearly enjoyed the experience. For this reason, we will definitely be running the event next year, and this time we plan to get all 15 high schools in the area participating! Bring it on!

Here’s a slideshow of some of the day’s activity: