DUBBO locals have been converging on Victoria Park once a month to take part in their very own speakers corner.
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The speakers corner - or soapbox specials, were created by Cindy Neilson who started the open-air presentations late last year.
“I had the idea floating around for 12 or 18 months to start a soapbox in Dubbo,” she said.
“It wasn’t until September 2014, that we kicked it off.”
Ms Neilson said a dedicated group of speakers attended each session, and there had even been a few lively debates.
“It’s all about real people interacting in a live environment. I don’t want people to lose that,” she said.
Ms Neilson said the soapbox specials were a great way to express yourself.
“It is a great opportunity to bring people together.”
Ms Neilson said people were welcome to talk about anything they wanted, but there were rules speakers had to stand by.
“No topic is off limits,” she said.
“But they can’t use offensive language or make socially or culturally derogatory remarks.”
Ms Neilson said soapbox specials were a fantastic way to make new connections with people in a real live environment.
“Social media makes people easily accessible, but they’re not necessarily connecting.
“People might think this is a reaction against social media but it’s not, it’s an alternative.”
The soapbox specials are held on the last Sunday of every month from 11am to 1pm and anyone wisas welcome to attend.
“The best thing is they are free to attend, and everyone is welcome to come and even just listen. There’s no pressure or requirement to talk,” Ms Neilson said.
