Benalla Lions Club conducted their Junior Public Speaking final at Benalla’s RSL Hall on Sunday, July 23.
The seven finalists had qualified by winning public speaking competition within their own schools.
The competition is conducted in two sections:
- Grade 3/4 students present a three minute speech.
- Grade 5/6 students present a four minute speech and also tackle an impromptu question with a one minute presentation with only a few minutes preparation.
The judges at the event were local scout leader and Brick By Brick founder Karina Walker; and Benalla Rural City Councillor, and Benalla Migrants Association President Puna Gunaratne.
Both said all participants were very impressive and they had a difficult task in deciding the outcome.
They also provided the students with feedback on their speeches and complemented them on their excellent performances.
Participants were:
- St Joseph’s Primary School Year 3 student Jack Crook;
- Benalla P-12 College, Waller St, Year 4 student Olivia Anderson;
- Benalla P-12 College, Avon St, Year 3 student Estelle Vella;
- Australian Christian College, Year 3 student Isabelle Jones;
- St Jospeh’s Primary School Year 5 student Lola Crook;
- Benalla P-12 College, Clarke St, Year 6 student Marli Mundy; and
- Australian Christian College, Year 5 student Xavier Beriman
Lola Crook was named winner of the Year 5/6 competition with Xavier Beriman runner-up.
Isabelle Jones won the Year 3/4 competition with Olivia Anderson runner-up.
The audience, made up parents, grandparents, friends, teachers and Lions Club members were in awe at the standard of the speeches.
All in attendance enjoyed an afternoon tea provided by the RSL ladies.
Lola and Isabelle will now go on to the district final at Girgarre on August 27.