English-Speaking Union NSW

Category: Events

  • An Afternoon with David Hunt

    An Afternoon with David Hunt

    Author of Girt: The Unauthorised History of Australia

    Thursday, 20 Nov, 12:30pm – 3:30pm
    Royal Automobile Club of Australia
    Sydney NSW, Australia

    The English-Speaking Union (NSW) invites you to a luncheon with to join us for an engaging and uproariously entertaining lunch event with acclaimed historian, satirist and broadcaster David Hunt, best known as the author of the award-winning Girt trilogy — Girt, True Girt and Girt Nation.

    David’s trademark blend of meticulous research and irreverent humour has redefined how Australians see their own history — uncovering the rogues, rebels and ridiculous events that shaped the nation. His work has won the Indie Award for Non-Fiction, been shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, and spawned a cult following among readers who like their history clever, candid and a little bit cheeky.

    A former lawyer turned writer, David is also a popular speaker, television presenter, and the creator of several podcasts exploring the quirks of Australian identity.

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  • A Triumph of Eloquence: Australia’s 2025 Plain English Speaking Award National Final

    A Triumph of Eloquence: Australia’s 2025 Plain English Speaking Award National Final

    The English language can be complex and beautiful, but the true mark of a great speaker is the ability to communicate with clarity and sincerity. This was on full display this year at the 2025 Plain English Speaking Award (PESA) National Final.

    Held virtually, the competition brought together four of Australia’s most promising young orators: Saxon Miller (QLD), Samantha Lee (WA), Fadzai Bako (VIC), and the eventual champion, Olivia (VIC). It was a testament to their dedication and passion that, even through the digital medium of Zoom, their compelling arguments and personal narratives had such a profound impact. Each prepared speech was a masterful exercise in reasoned thought, tackling subjects of contemporary import with intellectual rigour and genuine passion.

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  • 2022 Finals NSW Plain English Speaking Award

    2022 Finals NSW Plain English Speaking Award

    Please join us for the 2022 Finals NSW Plain English Speaking Award hosted by the NSW Arts Unit.

    There are six 6 speakers that have progressed to the State Final. The final competition will be held on Thursday 23 June at NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre beginning at 9:30 AM.

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  • AUKUS Allies

    AUKUS Allies

    Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott on ‘AUKUS Allies as the Moscow-Beijing-Tehran Axis Emerges

    English-Speaking Union NSW Branch along with the International Churchill Society and the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy present:

    Special Guest Speaker, the Hon Tony Abbott

    Thursday 5 May
    5:00-7:30 PM
    NSW Parliament House Theatrette

    AUKUS is the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States announced in September 2021. Under the pact, the US and the UK will help Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

    The pact also includes cooperation on ‘cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and additional undersea capabilities’. The pact will focus on military capability, separating it from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance that also includes New Zealand and Canada.

    The Hon Tony Abbott AC, 28th Prime Minister of Australia

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  • NSW State Final for The Plain English Speaking Award 2022

    NSW State Final for The Plain English Speaking Award 2022

    The final for this award will be held at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre, 37 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.

    For more information on this competition, see the website for The Arts Unit, NSW Department of Education

  • The Premier’s Debating Challenge 2022

    The Premier’s Debating Challenge 2022

    Open to all NSW public schools for years 5 to 12 with the aim of developing the public speaking and reasoning skills of students.

    The final will be held at The Great Hall, Sydney University

    For more information on the competition, see The Arts Unit, NSW Department of Education