Stephanie Bennett's Speech

Language Analysis

At a prodigious awards ceremony conducted by a financial institution known as bigsplash, Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Bennett presents a speech before a large audience addressing the contribution of volunteers, directing her message towards altruists in attendance as well as public citizens viewing the event on television. Bennett examines the substantial impact volunteers generate within society which often goes "overlooked", therefore positing that their selfless involvement is both "undervalued" and "under-recognised" and the populace must make an exceptional effort to "address this lack of acknowledgement". She ardently endeavours to inspire a tremendous degree of pride and value towards the benevolent organisations

while also evoking shame amongst Australian residents for their disregard, positioning them to both realise and appreciate the time and efforts sacrificed by those who generously strive to aid others in need. In relation to her pivotal focus of giving back to those who compassionately provide assistance to the community, Bennett employs a banner which exhibits outstretched hands grasping one another, which affiliates with both the company's culture and their aspiration for solidarity with volunteers.

As Bennett opens her speech, she strives to formally and with dignity, set a professional and genuine atmosphere for the award to take place. By establishing a connected environment, it allows comfort and warmth to radiate to not only bigsplash, but also towards the achievement of the individuals in which they wish to celebrate. Although the speaker presents herself as "truly inspired" , Bennett is careful in linking the goodwill and kindness of others to the "ethos" of the institution. This not only illuminates the generosity of volunteers, but also deliberately lifts the profile of bigsplash, in turn enabling the audience to trust in Bennett's conviction. Bennett further reinforces this notion by emphasising that the work of volunteers "compliments our vision for a better future", which idyllically portrays a utopia. These words paint a visual image of ambition, but ambition that reflects leadership and wholeheartedness. This intends to evoke respect and admiration for the person who is representing the institution. Bennett links bigsplash's "ethos" to "extending a helping hand", linking to a chosen banner which depicts two hands holding one another. The emphasis is placed on "volunteers", which highlights bigsplash's central focus. This intends to establish a reinforced connection between the two parties and evoke a sense of importance from attending volunteers. However, although the depicted are united, the banner implies that the institution is the entity that is giving, rather than it being a more equal and levelled partnership. Although the purpose may not be to alienate her audience, Bennett appears to want to extend bigsplash's image of prestige in order for volunteers to trust in Bennett's vision.

By implementing a logical approach, Bennett further addresses the lack of recognition towards volunteers as she establishes a sense of credibility through presenting herself as a trustworthy figure, uplifting the reputation of both the magnanimous individuals within her audience as well as the institution she represents.

As her speech highlights the genuine sacrifices made by economically outlining the "billions of dollars" worth of unremunerative "voluntary work", Bennett accentuates the deficiency of gratitude and acknowledgement volunteers receive after their extensive munificent efforts to enhance the welfare of Australia. This intends to elicit approbation and praise for their achievements, while also inducing a sense of guilt and disgrace among the public for their neglect to cherish the unsalaried labour undertaken for the benefit of their society. Bennett alters from her logical theme as she warmly defines the sheer generosity of volunteers as "the kindness of strangers", depicting an atmosphere of rarity as it illustrates a paradisal image of unfamiliar figures with a lack of acquaintance uniting to operate together harmoniously as a community, aiming for viewers to perceive volunteers as benevolent and humanitarian. This idyllic notion is further reinforced as the speaker employs "humbling" imagery of both the "young and old" giving their time "without payment", conveying a sense of honour that accompanies cohesion and a utopian nation where all are involved in the

succour of others without the desire to be materialistically compensated. This manifests a supportive sense of security and goodwill in the commitment between bigsplash and volunteer organisations, whilst striving to evoke admiration amongst all towards the individuals she wishes to commend.

Bennett progresses her central focus of glorifying the accomplishments of philanthropic organisations as she outlines the fundamental roles they perform within society. An encouraging and inspirited atmosphere is initiated as Bennett admiringly renders volunteers as "Australian heroes", delineating them as valiant and gallant while also establishing a sense of patriotism, appealing to national honour. This intends to stimulate immense pride amongst the public as they are enabled to fully grasp the valour of these individuals and their impact on Australia, as well as invigorate volunteers to persist with their efforts as their stature is heightened. The pace of the speech accelerates as Bennett considers the "scope of their contributions" through enforcing emotional imagery, such as "children lost in the bush" and the concept of citizens being "stranded" in the absence of volunteers. This conveys a bleak illustration of the vulnerable suffering in isolation and abandonment, deserted in a helpless state with little to no chance of assistance or rescue. By emphasising the desperation and hopelessness that will arise without the kind aid of altruistic beings, the speaker seeks to evoke great gratitude and respect amongst viewers as they are positioned to recognise how impactful volunteers are towards the functioning of their country as they provide a sense of security and beneficent support, while also empowering the organisations to acknowledge the extent of their contribution while feeling appreciated and commemorated. As Bennett accentuates the dire importance of volunteers to the structure of the Australian population by allowing audiences to picture what life would be without them, she reinforces how valuable they truly are to the composition of society.

As she closes her argument, Bennett shifts to an impassioned note as she expresses utter disappointment in relation to the neglect of recognition towards the hospitable actions and sacrifices of volunteers, whose efforts she continues to praise.

By asserting that the society of Australia is "blessed" to have citizens who have given their own time to undertake work "without the thought of reward", the speaker illuminates volunteers as sacred bestowed gifts of charity and goodwill whom operate for the purpose of pure kindness without any expectation of returns. This aims to encourage viewers to treasure these individuals for their thoughtful and considerate qualities, while also escalating the image and esteem of these organisations. Bennett converts to a regretful theme as she declares that "to our great shame" the contributions of volunteers is frequently overlooked, as demonstrated when she attests that the long nights voluntarily spent working in "torrential rain" and the time given up to "coach junior sporting teams" are taken for granted. This underscores the selflessness of these groups as she highlights their devotion to persevere even in relentless and disastrous conditions as well as the sacrifices made for the community to help society flourish and prosper, intending to elicit feelings of remorse and dishonour amongst the populace for not accordingly appreciating and valuing the assistance benevolently provided for their sake. As this positions her audience to have

faith and trust in her outlook, she finalises her case by emphasising that the involvement of volunteers "stitches together the fabric of our nation", amplifying that their contribution forms an integral part of Australia's anatomy as she links back to her concept of unity. By retracting back to this image of solidarity, Bennett reinforces the commitment between bigsplash and volunteers as demonstrated in her chosen banner as well as the notion of "giving back to the volunteers of Australia", showcasing their objective to celebrate and reward their accomplishments.