Organised through Toastmasters International, the World Championship of Public Speaking has been contested annually since 1933.

Each year between 10,000 and 25,000 contestants from around the world enter.

Each contestant must prepare an original speech containing a universal message and is given 7 minutes in which to deliver it.

The timing is strictly controlled. Should a contestant speak for less then 4 minutes and 30 seconds or for more than 7 minutes and 30 seconds he or she is disqualified.

Throughout the year-long contest, Brett competed in a number of knock out rounds that he had to win in order to advance to the next round.

At the conclusion of this process Brett became the contestant representing his country and he advanced to a ‘Rest of the World’ Final held at the Toastmasters International Convention in the United States.

At this point Brett had to prepare a new original speech and was not allowed to use any other previously delivered material. Having won the ‘Rest of the World’ Final, Brett advanced to the World Final where he competed 3 days later against 8 other finalists from North America.

Once again, Brett was required to prepare another original speech. On the 22nd of August 1998, in front of an audience of 3000, Brett was crowned the World Champion of Public Speaking by a panel of 20 judges – one of only 5 winners outside North America in the history of the competition.