Rostrum Brisbane West Club 17

Overview

Rostrum Brisbane West Club 17 — also known as Rostrum Club 17 Kenmore — is a welcoming public speaking club operating in Brisbane's western suburbs as part of Rostrum Australia, the country's longest-running public speaking organisation. Meeting every Wednesday evening at the Kenmore Library, the club offers a friendly, go-ahead environment where members practise prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, and meeting chairmanship skills. The club prides itself on a relaxed, fun culture that takes skill-building seriously without taking itself too seriously.

Best For

• Professionals seeking to build confidence and communication skills for workplace presentations
• Non-native English speakers wanting to improve spoken English in a supportive setting
• Anyone from complete beginners to experienced speakers looking for regular, structured practice

Meeting Format

• Mode: Offline (in-person only)
• Frequency: Weekly, every Wednesday at 7:30 pm
• Duration: Not publicly specified (typical Rostrum club meetings run approximately 90 minutes)
• Group size: Small, intimate club group (exact numbers not publicly specified)

Typical Session Flow

1. Arrival & check-in — Members and visitors arrive at the Kenmore Library meeting room; a chairperson (rotated among members) opens the meeting and introduces the agenda
2. Prepared speeches & exercises — Members deliver prepared speeches from the Launchpad (and higher Frontiers) graded exercise series, as well as other speaking activities such as reading aloud, situational speeches, or moving a motion
3. Short-notice (impromptu) topics — Members and sometimes visitors take part in brief impromptu speaking rounds on topical questions, typically 2–3 minutes each
4. Evaluations & feedback — Each speaker receives constructive, positive feedback from a trained evaluator; video recording of speeches is available for personal review
5. Networking & wrap-up — The chairperson closes the meeting; members socialise informally

Language And Speaking Level

• Languages used: English (ESL members are actively welcomed)
• Recommended level: All levels welcome — from complete beginners to seasoned speakers
• Beginner friendly: Yes — the club training officer guides new members into the speaking program at their own pace; visitors are not required to speak at their first meeting

Membership And Costs

• Trial policy: Visitors are welcome to attend up to two meetings free of charge before deciding to join
• Membership fee: AUD $75 per half-year (full members); concessions available for students and members aged 65 and over
• Extra costs: A one-time joining fee of AUD $70 covers a name badge and introductory publications; no other extra costs publicly specified

Venue And Accessibility

• Address context: Kenmore Library meeting room, located within Kenmore Village Shopping Centre, 9 Brookfield Road, Kenmore QLD 4069
• Transit/parking: Ample parking is available in the Kenmore Village Shopping Centre car park adjacent to the library
• Accessibility: The library is fully wheelchair accessible, with wheelchair-accessible toilets, a hearing loop in the meeting rooms, and other accessibility features

Joining Steps

1. Contact the club — Reach out via the contact form on the official Rostrum Australia website, or phone the club contact directly using the number listed on the Rostrum Australia Queensland club page
2. Visit as a guest — Attend one or two Wednesday evening meetings for free to get a feel for the club; no preparation is required — just bring enthusiasm (and a notepad if you wish to take notes)
3. Join up — If you decide to become a member, complete a membership application form, pay the joining fee and half-yearly subscription, and you will be enrolled in the Launchpad stage of the Frontiers personal development program

Community Notes

• The club has a notably progressive, ideas-driven culture and actively encourages members to try new approaches to speaking
• Feedback is constructive and positive, delivered by experienced evaluators in a supportive atmosphere — the goal is improvement, not criticism
• The meeting room is equipped with a data projector, enabling members to practise with visual aids such as PowerPoint and Prezi — a feature the club is particularly proud of
• Video recording of speeches is available on request, allowing members to review their own delivery
• Meetings run from early February to late November each year, with a break over the Christmas and New Year period and no meeting on Brisbane Show Day
• Rostrum is a not-for-profit organisation with no political or religious affiliations

Last Verified

• Date: 2026-05-24