Three of Australia's most brilliant young spellers were treated to a special audience with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra this week. The champions, who triumphed in a national competition involving over 82,500 students, shared laughs and stories with the nation's leader.
A Memorable Meeting in the Prime Minister's Office
The atmosphere was a mix of nervous excitement and pride as Aditya Paul from NSW, Elsie Chittleborough from South Australia, and Echo Feng from the ACT entered the Prime Minister's office with their families. The students, winners of the 2025 Prime Minister's Spelling Bee, presented their glass trophies and discussed the challenging words that defined their competition journey.
Elsie confessed that the word "cache" had been her stumbling block, while Echo revealed she had a moment of doubt with "album." For Aditya, a three-time finalist and defending champion, the difficult word was fittingly political: "psephology," which is the scientific study of elections and voting patterns.
The Word That United the Room in Laughter
When Aditya explained that he had faltered by missing a single letter in "psephology," Prime Minister Albanese was quick with a witty retort. "See, I would've gotten it," he quipped, causing the entire room to erupt in good-natured laughter. The moment provided a light-hearted connection between the world of competitive spelling and the heart of Australian politics.
Following their chat with the PM, the champions were given a private tour of Parliament House, an experience they described as thrilling. Elsie, South Australia's first-ever national champion, called the meeting "really good." Echo, the ACT's defending champion, admitted to feeling both nervous and excited. For Aditya, who had met Mr Albanese once before, the occasion was no less momentous. "It's not every day that it happens, obviously, and to be able to meet him once, let alone twice, is honestly just one of the biggest privileges I've ever had," he said.
A Growing Legacy of Literacy and Learning
The winners were accompanied by News Corp Australia community ambassador Penny Fowler, who praised the students' exceptional abilities. "Our champions are extraordinary and I have no doubt their talent, resilience and persistence will continue to grow and positively impact throughout their lives," she stated.
She emphasised that the Spelling Bee, now in its fifth year, is a cornerstone of the company's commitment to boosting childhood literacy. This year, the program broke all previous records, with 3397 teachers registering more than 82,500 students—a massive increase of over 12,000 participants from the previous year.
Kids News Editor Diana Jenkins celebrated this milestone, noting the program's importance. "Foundation literacy is the bedrock of a sound education," she said. "There is no greater priority for Kids News than delivering reliable news and literacy tools like the Bee, both essential for all young Australians navigating the challenges of the future." The News in the Community program ensures these vital resources remain free, providing equal access to educational opportunities for children across the country.
