Lions Youth of the Year

On Sunday 28th February, the 2021 Lions Youth of the Year Competition’s local chapters took place at Marong. We had four Year 12s competing (against BSSC) : Ruby Fletcher (12 Millward), Oneli Wickmarathna (12 Riley), Ingrid Hocking (12 Millward) and Eliza O’Sullivan (12 Jones). Each student (each having have had their Panel Interviews in the morning) produced highly competent responses to the two Impromptu Speech challenges, and then skilfully and convincingly presented their prepared speeches. I’m sure everyone will get to hear these speeches ahead, at House Assemblies and / or Headmaster’s Assemblies, given their engaging and thought-provoking subject matter, and their impressive quality and delivery today. I’m glad I was not judging them all - it must have been an onerous task. 

The final scores, we were told by the judges, were only able to be separated by mere fractions, showing just how close things came.  Amelia Bailey from BSSC won Best Speaker - by a smidgen. Eliza O’Sullivan was finally adjudged the ‘Club and Zone Overall Winner‘ (based on aggregate marks calculated from her Impromptu Performances, her Prepared Speech, and her Interview). 

She will now go on to compete in the District Final in Creswick, on March 28. 

Ms Alisoun Downing

Teacher of English, Literature and English Language