The Robert Menzies Institute is delighted to announce the winners of the 2026 Menzies Speech Competition.

The winners for 2026 are:

• Ellie Atkinson, Our Lady Mercy College Parramatta, NSW (Year 7/8)
• Laisa Gordon, Bethany College Hurstville, NSW (Year 9/10)
• Anand Warrier, of Xavier College (Year 11/12)

To mark the 75th anniversary of the signing of the ANZUS Treaty by the Menzies Government, the topic of this year competition was:

“After 75 years, is the Australian-American Alliance still in our national interest?”

We received more than 110 entries this year, with high school students from every Australian state preparing, recording and submitting their speeches. (The program saw a a 69% growth over 2025).

We received entries from public, catholic and independent schools.

The winners receive prize money of $500 (Year 7/8), $1,000 (Year 9/10) and $1,500 (Year 11/12).

Anand Warrier, the Year 11/12 winner, will also present at their Sydney International Strategy Forum 2026 hosted by the United States Studies Centre in September 2026.

We thank Scanlon Foundation, Neville Bertalli, John and Janette Thornton and Brian Hurlock for supporting the Menzies Speech Competition.

We will be announcing the topic of 2027 Menzies Speech Competition. If you would be like to be informed of the topic, please share your details HERE.