We are very grateful for the work of the Rochester Lions Club in particular Mr. John Prigg in organising the Lions Youth of the Year competition.

Lions Youth of the Year is designed to encourage, foster and develop leadership in conjunction with other citizenship qualities in our youth, at the age when they are about to enter the fields of employment or higher education, and provides students with the incentive to pay greater attention to the general qualities, so vital in developing our youths into first class citizens. The qualities sought, apart from academic attainments are those of leadership, personality, sportsmanship, public speaking and good citizenship. The students meet in fellowship and have the opportunity of open discussion, exchange of ideas and meet professional people of a community service Club organisation.

Youth of the Year is designed to encourage student interest in leadership and the qualities required to take an active and constructive role in the community. A high level of academic, leadership, sporting, public speaking and citizenship achievement is sought in its potential winners. By emphasising these qualities it hopes to provide outstanding role models for the youth of Australia and an overall increase in the confidence of young men and women.

Lions Youth of the Year is an excellent means of assisting Australia’s youth and promoting the essential role of leadership development and community service organisations in maintaining Australia’s high standard of living.

Rochester Secondary College had five outstanding representatives;

Ella Kerlin - spoke about the importance of an active lifestyle and the importance of sport and activity.

Isabella Foley - spoke about the need to learn life skills such as cooking, budgeting, changing a flat tyre, and first aid.

Elle Palmer - spoke about her family and how important they are to her.

Hamish Wallace - spoke about travel and how it has impacted his personal and academic growth.

Jayvier Horkings - spoke about introversion and extroversion and how the world need both types of personalities and how they complement each other.

The personality of each student shone through in their speeches and each of the students should be incredibly proud of themselves. The judges and audience were blown away by the quality of the speeches and the contestants.

Congratulations to Jayvier Horkings on being awarded the Public Speaking certificate and to Elle Palmer who was awarded the overall Lions Youth of the Year. Jayvier will be representing the Rochester Lions Club at the next stage in Echuca on the weekend.

Thanks to Mr. George Dimovski for supporting and coaching the students and Miss Wendy McLeod for supporting out students at the event.

WARTs class visits St Joseph's Primary School, Rochester