Teachers and students alike have responded enthusiastically to Bayspeak, a Rotary public speaking competition for Melbourne Bayside high schools, now in its third year. Teachers have praised the organisation of the competition and the very high standard of the speakers, qualities, they say, that have made Bayspeak the premier public speaking event for Bayside secondary schools.
Bayspeak’s 2023 season launched on Tuesday May 9th with the first heat held at Firbank Grammar School in Brighton. Students from Firbank Grammar, Kilvington Grammar and Caulfield Grammar took part. 
The successful students from this first heat were, from the Junior Section: Grace McLean (Firbank,) and Cecilia Carvalho (Firbank); from the Senior Section: Zara Bainger (Kilvington), and Loren Petitpierre (Caulfield). They will go on to compete in the final of the competition, to be held on June 7th. Before then, two more heats will be held, challenging students from other Bayside schools to test their public speaking skills.
The aim of Bayspeak is to encourage and enhance the public speaking skills of secondary students at all levels. Experience in public speaking develops many skills of lifelong value: research and preparation, personal confidence, eloquence, and the ability to engage an audience.
The competition is adjudicated by Bayside Toastmasters Club.
Bayspeak 2023 is organised by the Rotary Clubs of Brighton, Brighton North, Cheltenham and Bentleigh Moorabbin Central, and is sponsored by McDonald, Slater & Lay-Barristers & Solicitors.