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IWD: The Top Five Speeches of the Past Year

By Rachael Imam

Blog • 5th March, 2025

This International Women’s Day, we’re counting down the top five speeches of the past year as part of our inaugural Madam Speaker Awards.

Each year, we’ll be bringing you the top speeches made by women and gender-diverse people of the previous twelve months. Some of them you may know, others you may be hearing of for the first time. But all of them will be available and ready to devour on our digital archive of women’s speeches, Madam Speaker.

We could all use some inspiration right now. Let’s jump in.

Number 5: Hon Linda Burney MP

Valedictory Speech
Parliament House, Canberra
24 August 2024

“Healing in Australia is a profound, long-term, incremental thing. It’s about people. It’s a tough road, but I think we will get there.” – Hon Linda Burney MP

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Number 4: Anna Krien

Challenges and Opportunities of the Digital Era
RWO Yackandandah
15 September 2024

“Connection is sacred. It isn’t media, and trust shouldn’t be a tech bros play thing. The future isn’t digital. The future is you and me.” – Anna Krien

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Number 3: Caroline Bowditch

The Art of Landing in Your Skin
TEDx Castlemaine
5 November 2024

“I was exploring my edges. And I was discovering how they could connect with other people’s. And I was hooked.” – Caroline Bowditch

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Number 2: Anasina Gray-Barberio

Maiden Speech
Victorian Parliament
28 November 2024

“A values based leader is someone who listens with humility, speaks last to hear others, and balances the power of peace and decisive action.” – Anasina Gray-Barberio

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Number 1: Jelena Dokic

Unbreakable
National Press Club of Australia
12 December 2024

“Sharing my story, telling the truth, not being silent,and speaking up saved my life. No shame, no judgement, no stigma, but also no silence.” – Jelena Dokic

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Honourable Mention: Jane Fonda

Life Achievement Award Acceptance Speech
The 31st Annual SAG Awards
23 February 2025

“And make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke. By the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people.” – Jane Fonda

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Madam Speaker is a digital speech archive born from a collaboration between the Victorian Women’s Trust and Your Creative. We will correct the public record by platforming women’s vital contributions throughout Australian history.

Help us grow the archive — nominate a speech today.