SHANNON Mhasho representing Monivae College, who spoke on ‘Why voluntary service is beneficial to our world’ just pipped runner up Daisy Bayona from Portland Secondary College, whose prepared speech was ‘Where do memories go’. 

The honorary mention went to Portland Secondary College’s Ajay Sonti, who’s speech was titled ‘The Ingenuity of Mateship’.

It was pleasing to see such a great response from the teachers and students of our local schools.

This year, fourteen students representing Portland Secondary College, Monivae College, Baimbridge College, Good Shepherd College, and Hamilton & Alexandra College, participated in the challenge to stand in front of an audience, and try their hand at public speaking.

The audience was enthralled at the quality, and endeavour of the students, with speeches being entertaining, informative and motivational.

This annual competition provides students between 12 and 14 years of age the opportunity to develop their speech-writing and public speaking skills.

The event, now in its 34th year, encourages students to share their views on voluntary and personal effort and sacrifice, care and compassion, and the importance of remembrance.

The students presented a five-minute prepared speech, on a topic of their choice, and a two-minute impromptu speech, where they were presented with the topic and given five just minutes to prepare.

The challenge, ‘In what situation is lying a good idea” was the impromptu topic chosen by the three judges.

This year, a winner and runner up were chosen to go on to represent their respective schools for the Victorian final to be held by Ballarat Legacy in September.

An honourable mention was given to the next student in line case one of the first students is unable to make the final.

All students received certificates of participation.

The judges, Heather Ward, Jack Waldron and Peter Cook, were certainly presented with a challenge to choose the winners, as the standard of the speeches this year was outstanding.

Last year, Daisy Bayona, also this year’s runner up from Portland Secondary School, won the Victorian State final and went on to represent her school in the National final in Launceston.

She was also chosen to speak and represent Legacy, and students in the 91st Anzac Day Student Commemoration Ceremony, together with the Victorian Governor, at the shrine this year.

Her speech there was outstanding. We wish this year’s winners all the very best in the next phase of this competition, with the state final in Ballarat on September 7.

The National final this year will be held in Adelaide on November 13.