By Kath Gannaway
THE future is in good hands judging by the quality of young people taking part in the Primary Schools’ Speech Contest, according to Healesville Rotary and Toastmaster members officiating at the annual contest last week.
The contest was held at the Healesville High School Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday 10 August.
Students from Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen, Healesville, Badger Creek and Dixons Creek schools spoke on topics as diverse as why we should all watch The Simpsons, to how they would change the world, the academic benefits of daydreaming (in class), just being happy, and on people they admire.
Each student spoke for three minutes on their chosen topic, delivering not only their views, but with the challenge of presenting their speeches in a way that informed and entertained the audience.
Master of Ceremonies, Toastmaster Marlene Sinclair, said the judges had a hard time choosing just three winners. First place was awarded to Sukey Russell from Woori Yallock, second to Chloe Bronstring, also from Woori Yallock, and third to Healesville Primary School’s Heidi Graupner, all three speaking on how they would change the world, but from very different perspectives.
Healesville Toastmaster chief judge, Linda House, said among the attributes that stood out were the structure and flow of the speeches and the confidence, enthusiasm and excellent use of language.
Contest co-ordinator, Healesville Rotarian Michelle Shafran, congratulated all the students and their teachers on presenting an excellent night of speeches.
Ms Shafran said while she always loved to see some humour in a speech, one of the things that stood out across all the speeches was the knowledge of world issues and the passion shown on subjects that covered animal rights to world poverty, gun control and gender equality.
“Rotary is very proud to host an event that consistently delivers a very high standard of public speaking from our local Grade 5 and 6 students,” she said.
