Rostrum WA

Change My Mind speaking competition

On 23 July, Rostrum members attended the Change My Mind speaking competition at Lavan Legal in the city.

Kerri Ransfield from Club 34 won the 5-minute prepared speech

Krish Chikkaveerappa from Club 50 was the runner-up.

Charles Maxwell from Lavan Club 50 won the 2-minute impromptu.

South Perth Speaking Club | Rostrum Club 15 celebrated a milestone night with Roy Dowsett OAM, marking 45 years with Rostrum WA.

What struck fellow club members most wasn't just the number of years, it was hearing how much Roy is still getting from public speaking and mentoring others. He shared stories of visiting the famed Yew Tree in Manchester, the birthplace of Rostrum over 100 years ago, the early years of Club 48 when it was just beginning, becoming treasurer and taking on club committee roles and simply being a speaker and highlighting just what Rostrum has meant the whole way along.

Roy's track record speaks for itself: Rostrum Australia Bronze Medallion, Senior Speaker Award, Personal Development Program, Intermediate Development Program, and Life Membership earned across Clubs 39 and 48 before he found his way to Club 15 where he's a regular every Tuesday in South Perth.

Roy reminds us it's not about how long you've been a member, it's about training and practising those speaking skills every step of the way.

What an incredible night of entertainment, laughs, wit, and fierce competition at the Rostrum Club 15 Tall Story and Comedy Debate! 🎤✨

Last night the Claremont Hotel was filled with energy as our talented storytellers and debaters took to the stage. From Golf courses to thrones, death to Crossing the Nullarbor, being a Ten Pound Pom, a town that stole a Pub or WA Royalty, the tall stories had it all. The debate was then non-stop entertainment as both sides clowned around with plenty of banter or points of information thrown in for good measure.

A massive congratulations to all of our speakers who had a go and a big thank you to those who came along to support and cast their ballots to decide the winners. 🎉

Congratulations to Club 22's Jeff Lane who took home the Tall Story win and to Club 34 who won and convinced us that Clowns are not just fundamentally for adults only.

Come along for a great night of entertainment and to see who wins the comedy debate. See contestants battle it out to be the crowd favourite and enjoy food and drinks. Who's tall story will win your vote and which club reigns supreme?

When: Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Where: The Claremont Hotel - 1 Bay View Terrace, Claremont WA 6010

Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Cost: $40 includes food, drinks available for purchase at the bar

Don't forget to purchase your tickets and secure the spots by Monday 11 May. No further extension will be made!

Want to improve faster as a speaker? Start here! Our Coaches Training Workshop is coming soon! 🧑‍🏫

Whether you've been a Rostrum member for six months or six years, there's one thing we all have in common — we never stop growing as speakers.

That's why we're excited to invite you to a FREE Rostrum Coaches Workshop across two Saturdays in May — and before you say, "but I don't want to be a coach," read on, because this one is for everyone.

Here's the insight that experienced speakers already know: understanding the principles of coaching is one of the most powerful ways to accelerate your own public speaking development. When you understand what great speaking looks like from the coach's perspective, you see your own performance through a completely different lens.

✍️Day 1 - For trainee & existing coaches, Presidents & Program Directors
This workshop is designed for:
-Members who want to become accredited Rostrum coaches
-Existing coaches keen to refresh and deepen their skills
-Speakers at any stage who want a serious boost to their development

✍️Day 2 - For trainee & existing coaches
This workshop is about how to Coach - Advanced techniques

Where: Stirling Business Centre, 45 Delawney St, Balcatta.
(Plenty of parking available. Morning tea and lunch provided.)
Cost: FREE for financial Rostrum members only
Register: Use the link https://rostrumclubsofwa.wildapricot.org/event-6618214 or email your name, club number and your contact details to [email protected] with "Register Me" in the subject line.
Enquiries: David Price 0418 888 018

The teacher learns more than the student. We'd love to see you there!