Hunter student takes Parliament stage in state public speaking final

newy.com.au – Maitland Grossmann High School student Gabrielle Eveleigh has represented the Hunter at the Parliament of NSW’s 2025 Regional Public Speaking Competition State Final in Sydney on Friday 5 December 2025.

The Maitland teenager was one of six regional finalists invited to speak in the Legislative Council Chamber, in a program designed to strengthen young people’s connection with democracy and give regional students a voice at Parliament.

The State Final capped off this year’s Regional Public Speaking Competition, part of the NSW Legislative Council’s Regional Roadshow program, which was launched in 2024 to mark the Council’s bicentenary. The roadshows returned in 2025, visiting six new locations – Grafton, Queanbeyan, Tamworth, Griffith, Cessnock and Orange, with hundreds of schools invited to take part.

From those regional rounds, six secondary students were selected to represent their areas at Parliament House. Eveleigh, the Cessnock round winner, travelled from Maitland Grossmann High School in the Hunter to join peers from across the state in the historic chamber.

Alongside Eveleigh, the finalists were Ava Groves from St John The Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra (Queanbeyan round winner), Jonah Grimshaw from Condobolin High School (Orange), Hannah Lennon from St Paul’s College, Walla Walla (Griffith), Ben Reeve from Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School (Grafton) and Ruby Woods from Oxley High School (Tamworth).

Each student delivered a six-minute prepared speech followed by a three-minute impromptu address. Their performances were adjudicated by President of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin, former Lord Mayor of Sydney Lucy Turnbull and journalist and television presenter Jeremy Fernandez.

Ruby Woods of Oxley High School was awarded first place, with Parliament noting her confidence, passion and storytelling. Her prepared speech, titled “When everything changed”, examined the impact when victims of tragedy channel their grief into action, use their voices and inspire others to create lasting change.

Second place went to Condobolin High School student Grimshaw, while Groves, from St John The Evangelist Catholic High School in Nowra, was named in third. All six finalists were recognised by Parliament as outstanding representatives of regional NSW.

President Franklin said the Regional Roadshows and the State Final continued to highlight the insight and potential of young people outside metropolitan areas. “Investing in our regional youth is investing in the future of our democracy,” he said. “These programs give young people the confidence, skills and platforms they need to influence the conversations that shape their communities. The finalists competing this year have shown exceptional talent and give us every confidence in the next generation of leaders for New South Wales.”

With this year’s roadshows completed in six new centres, the Parliament of NSW says the program will continue to provide regional students like Eveleigh with opportunities to step into the Legislative Council Chamber, develop public speaking skills and engage directly with the state’s democratic institutions.