Harriet Shines in Inaugural Dame Enid Lyons Oratory Competition

Congratulations to Year 11 student Harriet, who proudly represented MLC School in the inaugural Dame Enid Lyons Oratory Competition for girls— and placed third in the grand final held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

The competition, created to mirror the long-standing Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition for boys, was established to ensure that the voices of young women are equally heard and celebrated.
From an initial pool of 26 students from schools across Sydney, Harriet advanced to the final 10, showcasing her exceptional talent and poise.

In the lead-up to the final, Harriet and the other finalists were invited to Admiralty House in Kirribilli to meet Her Excellency Sam Mostyn, the Governor-General of Australia. The Governor-General generously shared her insights into leadership, public service, and the journey to her current role. Harriet was especially inspired to learn that the Governor-General’s daughter is an MLC School Old Girl – an unexpected and proud connection.

That evening, the excitement continued at the Sydney Opera House. In front of a packed Drama Theatre audience – including coaches, family, friends, fellow students, and Principal Lisa Moloney –Harriet delivered a powerful eight-minute impromptu speech. With just 15 minutes to prepare using only palm cards and a pen, she tackled the topic: “For most of history, anonymous was a woman.” Her speech passionately explored the importance of single-sex education in empowering girls to speak up and be heard.

The judges faced a tough decision, with the top three speeches closely matched. Ultimately, Harriet was awarded third place, a remarkable achievement in such a prestigious and challenging competition.

We thank Harriet for her dedication, the extra hours of training, and for representing MLC School with such grace, intellect, and courage. Her performance was a true embodiment of what it means to “dare to be more.”

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