Since 2006, Andrew Moran has been a baritone with Opera Australia in Sydney. When he visited Melbourne as part of a touring production of Puccini's Tosca, Tony spoke to him about a lovely eulogy he delivered for his father, Lawrie Moran, the man who inspired him to sing, in Surrey Hills, Melbourne, on 9 November 2023. 

You can read and listen to the eulogy on Speakola. 

To support the podcast and the one person operation that is Speakola
Become a paid subscriber on Substack - I send one or two newsletters per week. The last few have been about D-Day speeches.
Become a member on Patreon 
Make a straight credit card donation

Other ways to help the podcast are to leave positive reviews on Apple Podcasts, share episodes with friends, and find me a guest! (email is tony@speakola.com)

Since 2006, Andrew Moran has been a baritone with Opera Australia in Sydney. When he visited Melbourne as part of a touring production of Puccini's Tosca, Tony spoke to him about a lovely eulogy he delivered for his father, Lawrie Moran, the man who inspired him to sing, in Surrey Hills, Melbourne, on 9 November 2023. 
You can read and listen to the eulogy <a href="https://speakola.com/eulogy/for-lawrence-moran-by-son-andrew-moran-2023">on Speakola</a>. 
To support the podcast and the one person operation that is Speakola
<ul>
<li><a href="https://news.speakola.com/">Become a paid subscriber on Substack</a> - I send one or two newsletters per week. The last few have been about <a href="https://news.speakola.com/p/this-great-and-noble-undertaking">D-Day speeches</a>.</li>
<li>Become a member on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/speakola">Patreon </a></li>
<li>Make a <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=uaeNIVogwOiXXIPaSDBNtNeNpIZmOaydCHrvTUHvg-03IktiQZwsbb62AMTTLoa52Nsibjq9EgGDaeWp">straight credit card donation</a></li>
</ul>
Other ways to help the podcast are to leave positive reviews on Apple Podcasts, share episodes with friends, and find me a guest! (email is <a href="mailto:tony@speakola">tony@speakola.com)</a>

Speakola is the home for great speeches on the web. 

Tony Wilson is the founder and curator of Speakola, which now hosts more than 2000 speeches, some famous – think Churchill, Obama, Gandhi - some not so well known. 

In each episode, Tony interviews someone who has written, delivered or studied a great speech to reveal the stories behind the scenes, to provide context to the historical moment, or in the case of eulogies, birthdays and other common events, to inspire people to hit new creative highs.

Tony will also play a ‘speech of the week’ to honour great words by great orators. Released fortnightly.

Speakola, for all speeches great and small.

Speakola is the home for great speeches on the web. 
Tony Wilson is the founder and curator of Speakola, which now hosts more than 2000 speeches, some famous &ndash; think Churchill, Obama, Gandhi - some not so well known.&nbsp;
In each episode, Tony interviews someone who has written, delivered or studied a great speech to reveal the stories behind the scenes, to provide context to the historical moment, or in the case of eulogies, birthdays and other common events, to inspire people to hit new creative highs.
Tony will also play a &lsquo;speech of the week&rsquo; to honour great words by great orators. Released fortnightly.
<a href="http://www.speakola.com">Speakola</a>, for all speeches great and small.

Speakola, for all speeches great and small.

Speakola

<a href="http://www.speakola.com">Speakola</a> is the home for great speeches on the web. 
Tony Wilson is the founder and curator of Speakola, which now hosts more than 2000 speeches, some famous &ndash; think Churchill, Obama, Gandhi - some not so well known.&nbsp;
In each episode, Tony interviews someone who has written, delivered or studied a great speech to reveal the stories behind the scenes, to provide context to the historical moment, or in the case of eulogies, birthdays and other common events, to inspire people to hit new creative highs.
Tony will also play a &lsquo;speech of the week&rsquo; to honour great words by great orators. Released fortnightly.
<a href="http://www.speakola.com">Speakola</a>, for all speeches great and small.

Opera Australia baritone Andrew Moran talks about a eulogy he delivered for his father, Lawrie, and a bit about the art of singing too!

'The greatest man I ever knew'  — Andrew Moran's eulogy for father Lawrence Moran, Melbourne 2023

In 2010, The Church were reluctant inductees to the ARIA Rock Hall of Fame, and reluctant speakers too. Steve Kilbey says in this interview that they hadn't planned to speak, but felt the pressure to say something as every other inductee spoke beautifully before them. What he eventually delivered was an after dinner classic, a funny, virtually off the cuff speech about Australian music, the other four inductees and tales from the road. In this Speakola episode Steve gives an account of that night, but also a wonderful biographical summary of his life in music, including his first gig in Canberra, his mum and dad, receiving his first bass, playing school shows, forming The Church, and much more. 

Steve Kilbey's speech transcript is up on Speakola library. 

The Church's The Singles Tour has announced some new dates in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in February. 

You can help Speakola library, podcast and newsletter survive by joining Substack, the Patreon, or straight donation. 

Tony's 'How To Get on Race Around the World' articles are up at Good one, Wilson. 

Tony has signed picture books for sale, as well as middle grade and sports books for adults. Grab a signed copy for Christmas! 

 

In 2010, The Church were reluctant inductees to the ARIA Rock Hall of Fame, and reluctant speakers too. Steve Kilbey says in this interview that they hadn't planned to speak, but felt the pressure to say something as every other inductee spoke beautifully before them. What he eventually delivered was an after dinner classic, a funny, virtually off the cuff speech about Australian music, the other four inductees and tales from the road. In this Speakola episode Steve gives an account of that night, but also a wonderful biographical summary of his life in music, including his first gig in Canberra, his mum and dad, receiving his first bass, playing school shows, forming The Church, and much more.&nbsp;
Steve Kilbey's speech transcript is up on <a href="https://speakola.com/arts/steve-kilbey-aria-hall-of-fame-2010">Speakola library</a>.&nbsp;
The Church's The Singles Tour <a href="https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=CHURCH25">has announced some new dates</a> in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in February.&nbsp;
You can help Speakola library, podcast and newsletter survive by joining <a href="https://news.speakola.com/">Substack</a>, <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/speakola/home">the Patreon</a>, or <a href="https://speakola.com/donate">straight donation</a>.&nbsp;
Tony's 'How To Get on Race Around the World' articles are up at <a href="https://goodonewilson.substack.com/p/racey-tips-1-i-actually-turn-25-today">Good one, Wilson</a>.&nbsp;
Tony has <a href="https://www.tonywilsonauthor.com/">signed picture books for sale</a>, as well as middle grade and <a href="https://www.tonywilsonauthor.com/">sports books for adults</a>. Grab a signed copy for Christmas!&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Steve Kilbey of the The Church talks about his ARIA Hall of Fame induction speech and key moments of his music loving life

Steve Kilbey: 'We've been kicked off the best record companies in Australia!' — The Church's ARIA Hall of Fame induction,  7 November 2010, Sydney

In March, I chatted to speech collector Dana Rubin for Women's History Month (there have been delays releasing the episode - my apologies, Dana). It's a great chat with a kindred spirit. Dana has created the Speaking While Female speech bank that showcases speeches by women across history and around the world. 

She also edited the book Speaking While Female: 75 Extraordinary Speeches By American Women

The episode is topped and tailed by two speeches in Dana's collection. 

Emma Watson's HeForShe launch speech at United Nations, 2014

Oprah Winfrey's 'Times Up' speech at the Golden Globes, 2018

To support Speakola, make a straight donation at Speakola website, or become a paid subscriber to newsletter

In March, I chatted to speech collector Dana Rubin for Women's History Month (there have been delays releasing the episode - my apologies, Dana). It's a great chat with a kindred spirit. Dana has created the <a href="https://speakingwhilefemale.co/">Speaking While Female speech bank</a> that showcases speeches by women across history and around the world.&nbsp;
She also edited the book <a href="https://speakingwhilefemale.co/book/">Speaking While Female: 75 Extraordinary Speeches By American Women</a>
The episode is topped and tailed by two speeches in Dana's collection.&nbsp;
<a href="https://speakola.com/ideas/emma-watson-gender-equality-un-2015">Emma Watson's HeForShe launch speech at United Nations, 2014</a>
<a href="https://speakola.com/arts/oprah-winfrey-cecil-b-demille-award-golden-globes-2018">Oprah Winfrey's 'Times Up' speech at the Golden Globes, 2018</a>
To support Speakola, <a href="https://speakola.com/donate">make a straight donation</a> at Speakola website, or become a <a href="https://news.speakola.com/">paid subscriber to newsletter</a>

Founder of Speaking While Female Dana Rubin talks about her collection of speeches by women

Dana Rubin: 'Throughout history, women have been changing the world with their voices',  curator and author of Speaking While Female

My mother, Margaret Joan Wilson died on the 20th of April 2025 while I was away in Budapest. It was a big shock and a terrible day. We had a private family ceremony on 7th May and a more public celebration of life on the 8th. This speech was delivered at the second event. The text and video of the eulogy is up at Speakola newsletter and in the Speakola library. My brother Ned did the MCing and was brilliant. 

My Mum truly was 'Margaret Wilson, Mother of Readers'  I'll miss her always. 

Support Speakola by going paid

Make a donation

Read about Mum winning Miss Footy 1969. 

My mother, Margaret Joan Wilson died on the 20th of April 2025 while I was away in Budapest. It was a big shock and a terrible day. We had a private family ceremony on 7th May and a more public celebration of life on the 8th. This speech was delivered at the second event. The text and video of the eulogy is up at&nbsp;<a href="https://news.speakola.com/p/have-a-great-trip-a-eulogy-for-my">Speakola newsletter</a> and in the Speakola library. My brother Ned did the MCing and was brilliant.&nbsp;
My Mum truly was 'Margaret Wilson, Mother of Readers'&nbsp; I'll miss her always.&nbsp;
<a href="https://news.speakola.com/">Support Speakola by going paid</a>
Make a <a href="https://speakola.com/donate">donation</a>
<a href="https://goodonewilson.substack.com/p/world-of-sport-on-both-sides-of-my">Read about Mum winning Miss Footy 1969.</a>&nbsp;

A eulogy for Margaret Wilson by son Tony Wilson at Leonda Hawthorn on 8th May 2025. 

'The greatest man I ever knew' — Andrew Moran's eulogy for father Lawrence Moran, Melbourne 2023

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