Picking winners of the 2022 Benalla Lions junior public speaking competition was not an easy task.
With youngsters in years 3 to 6, from schools across the district, showing confidence and skills way beyond their years, judges had difficult choices to make.
Benalla Lion Peter Poels said the competition was held at the Benalla RSL Club in Nunn St, and was well supported by teachers, parents and family members.
“The schools that competed were the Currawa College Dookie, Peranbin Primary College, Benalla P-12 College Waller St and Avon St campuses and St Joseph’s Primary School,” Mr Poels said.
In the year 3/4 section, six students competed with the topic ‘A place that you would like to visit other than in your home state’.
Each student was given three minutes to present their speech.
The winner in this section was Lola Crook, representing St Joseph’s Primary School.
“She spoke about visiting Paris,” Mr Poels said.
“The runner-up was Matea King representing Violet Town campus of Peranbin Primary College. She spoke about visiting Armenia.”
In the year 5/6 section, four students competed with a slightly more difficult topic: ‘Introduce a famous person that lived in the 19th century’.
They were given four minutes to present their speech.
“The winner in this section was Ruby Crook, who was representing St Joseph’s Primary School. She spoke about Queen Victoria,” Mr Poels said.
“The runner-up was Carter King representing the Violet Town campus of Peranbin Primary College. He spoke about Mark Twain.”
On completion of their speeches students were given 10 minutes to prepare a one-minute speech from an impromptu question, which was, ‘What is the one thing you could change or build in your town to make it better?’.
After completing speeches students were presented with certificates to mark their achievements.
“A fantastic afternoon tea was provided by the RSL Women’s Auxiliary, for which we thank them,” Mr Poels said.
“And we would also like to thank our judges, Carole Bolitho, Punarji Hewa Gunaratne and Ted Polkinghorne.”
Both age group winners, Lola and Ruby, will advance to the next level of the competition, which is the regional final.
“This will be held in the Rutherglen Senior Citizens rooms on Sunday, August 7,” Mr Poels said.