Speaker Workshop Series

Speaker Workshop Series at BRMC

We would love to invite you to a free public speaking workshop series at Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council.

These workshops are specifically designed for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in the Ballarat region who want to develop their storytelling and public speaking skills. At the conclusion of the workshops, participants can apply for a paid casual position with our new Speakers Bureau.

Key Dates

This is a 4-week workshop series. Workshops will run each Thursday from 5:00pm to 7:30pm on the following dates:

• Thursday 8 May

• Thursday 15 May

• Thursday 22 May

• Thursday 29 May

Refreshments will be available from 5:00pm–5:30pm. Workshops will begin promptly at 5:30pm.

Location

Barkly Square – BGT Training Room 1 (ground floor)
25–39 Barkly Street, Ballarat
(next door to the Ballarat Welcome Centre, in the main BGT building)

Attendance

We ask that registrants please attend all four workshops, as the sessions are designed to build on each other.

About the Workshops

The workshops include a range of activities designed to help you share your lived experience with an audience. You will learn how to:

• Shape Your Story – Learn the fundamentals of effective storytelling and how stories can inspire change. Reflect on your personal journey and shape it into a powerful narrative that resonates with audiences.

• Connect and Make Impact – Explore how to honour your story and use it to create meaningful learning experiences for diverse audiences, such as in cultural competency and anti-racism training.

• Find Your Voice – Build confidence and develop public speaking techniques for different formats, including formal presentations, panels, and Q&A sessions.

• Set Boundaries – Learn strategies to protect your emotional wellbeing while sharing personal experiences, including how to set boundaries and handle challenging situations.

By the end of the workshops, participants will have:

• Gained an understanding of the importance of storytelling in formal settings

• Developed a suite of lived experience stories adaptable to different contexts

• Practised story delivery and gained confidence in creating learning experiences for others

• The opportunity to apply for a casual paid position in the BRMC Speakers Bureau

About the Speakers Bureau

The BRMC Speakers Bureau is a new initiative that gives people from migrant and refugee backgrounds the opportunity to share their lived experiences at community events, training sessions, and public forums.

Participants who complete all four workshops will be eligible to apply for a paid casual position as a Speakers Bureau member. Selected speakers will be supported to deliver impactful, personal stories that build understanding, challenge racism, and strengthen inclusion in our region.