The state’s most eloquent young speakers were celebrated this week as the 2025 Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition marked its 30th anniversary.
Maaliya Dey from Northbridge Public School took top honours in the Years 3–4 division, while Lotus from Deniliquin North Public School was named champion in the Years 5–6 category. The competition, run by The Arts Unit NSW, has grown into one of the state’s most inclusive student programs since its launch in 1995.
Over three decades, 53,435 students have stepped up to the microphone to share their ideas on culture, community, and belonging. The program gives primary school students across New South Wales an opportunity to explore multicultural themes and practise the art of public speaking in a supportive environment.
The 2025 event was proudly supported by the Department of Education’s Multicultural Education Team, with ACCO Brands Australia as Prize Partner and the NSW Teachers Federation as Venue Partner.
Through its long history, the competition has encouraged young people to speak confidently about who they are and how they see the world—values that continue to shape classrooms and communities across the state.
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