Meet Our District Contest Coordinator – Driving Contest Brilliance in 2025/2026

By Jo Parker | August 16, 2025 |

Our District is fortunate this year to have a Contest Coordinator who combines exceptional organisation with a genuine passion for developing the skills and confidence of members and leaders at every level. Meet Cherie Wallace, DTM. Her mission is clear: to ensure every Club, Area, and Division delivers contests that are fair, enjoyable, and inspiring.

On Sunday August 17, Cherie led a club-focused session designed to give members the best contest experience possible. Participants learnt about the latest rule changes, explored often-overlooked sections of the Speech Contest Rulebook, and had the opportunity to ask questions in a practical, interactive format.

Coming up on September 6, a dedicated workshop for Area and Division Directors will equip leaders with proven strategies to take contests from the first planning meeting to final standing ovation.

Looking ahead, Cherie has designed a series of educational workshops for 2025/2026. Participation will build confident, well-informed contest teams to run and officiate contests at all levels.

These sessions will be offered again in the new year, ensuring every member has the opportunity to benefit.

2025/2026 Contest Workshops

Rules, Roles and Rock-Solid Contests

The Club guide to Contest Brilliance!

Inside the Contest Machine

Good practice from start to standing ovation – a workshop for Area and Division Directors

First Impressions, Lasting Impact

How to set the tone for the whole contest as Contest Chair

Command, Clarity and Calm

Three keys to being a successful Chief Judge

Judging Without Fear or Favour

Mastering fairness and confidence as a Voting Judge

Behind the Trophies

The backstage heroes of great contests – Timers, Tally Counters and Sergeants-At-Arms

Cherie will also be collating all the details from every Contest from Club to Division, ie: Order of Contestant results, names of Contest Officials and their roles, Evaluation Contest Test Speakers, Table Topics questions; to create one big database by the time we’re ready for District Contests.