About Rostrum

Rostrum is a non-profit organisation. It is for those who desire to improve themselves in the practice of effective speaking and meeting management. Rostrum was originally founded by Sidney F. Wicks, a journalist, in 1923, near Manchester, England. Today, Rostrum is active in all states of Australia and New Zealand. It was established in the ACT in 1953.

Rostrum is more than just "Public Speaking". Rostrum will cater for your needs and broaden your horizons. Rostrum will develop your self management and leadership skills, either as an officer of your Club or beyond the Club level.

A typical Club program will cover: debates; professional presentations (including formal, electronic, demonstrations, interactive, impromptu); public speaking; interview skills; meeting procedure; chairmanship; and much more.

You can learn effective communication in a friendly supporting atmosphere from people who know what you want.

Rostrum in the ACT

The ACT Zone includes Canberra, Queanbeyan, Cooma and Yass there are currently 7 Rostrum clubs within the ACT zone. A syllabus of club events is published twice yearly and provided to members. The ACT Dais publishes an ACT newsletter called Rostrum Recorder which covers local news events.

The organisation of Rostrum

The basic unit of Rostrum is the club

• Club membership is usually limited to ensure each member is provided frequent opportunities to practise public speaking and chairmanship

• Club officers (President, Secretary, Critics, Dais representatives) are elected regularly (usually 6 monthly or annually)

In each State or Territory, Rostrum is controlled by a committee called a Dais, consisting of elected representatives from each club in the particular zone

• The ACT Dais meets quarterly

• Dais representatives are elected for a term of 2 years.

• Clubs are entitled to a maximum of 2 representatives (depending on the size of the club).

• The Dais Executive Committee (link), is elected annually.

The Presidents of each Dais together constitute the Federal governing body, the Australian Rostrum Council.

ACT Dais for 2009

• President: Spr Leigh Harkness

• Vice President: Spr Ron Hibberson

• Treasurer: Spr Neil Spalding

• Secretary: Doug Gillespie

• Public Officer: Frm Alan McCulloch

• Publications and Primary Schools Speaking competition: Fmn Peter Cudmore

• Voice of Youth Co-ordinator: Fmn Nick Ewbank

• Hon. Legal Officer: Spr Neil Spalding

• Syllabus Editor: Andrew Sellars