Five contestants from Goulburn’s three high schools spoke up last week for the annual Lions Club of Goulburn City Youth of the Year public speaking competition.
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Prior to the night on February 20, Fergus McKenzie and Thomas Bell from Trinity Catholic College, Cody Naismith from Goulburn High School, and Mereki Leten and Blessy Fernandez from Mulwaree High School met individually with three judges for an in-depth interview about their experiences, interests and aspirations. The interview process was judged out of 80.
The public speaking section – which included two two-minute impromptu speeches and a five-minute prepared speech – was worth up to 30 points.
In front of an audience of the three judges – retired school teacher Jean Lloyd, NAB agribusiness manager Montagu Hicks and journalist-author Frank Cassidy – along with Lions members, their parents and school representatives, the students were asked to speak firstly on two predetermined impromptu topics; then, following dinner, deliver their prepared speeches.
The first topic was a hypothetical: that, if asked to develop a website or computer application, what would it be about and why. The second topic was: should public figures have private lives, and why or why not?
In contrast to last year’s contestants, where a couple got stuck and had great difficulty speaking to the impromptu topics, the questions this year drew quickly considered answers from all contestants.
Some were able to formulate their reasoning better than others. Those who seemed to do better related the topics to their own experiences or passions.
Fergus McKenzie took the audience on a journey with him, from a small boy to now, in his adjective-rich description of how he came to be passionate about helping others and charity work.
Cody Naismith spoke on widespread gender wages, or salary inequity, that needed to be addressed out of fairness.
She also engaged with the audience about the disparity between city and country services and access to education and health care as examples.
Mereki Leten engaged the audience in the drive for success despite huge setbacks, and the contribution to society people from ordinary backgrounds who went on to show supreme determination and courage.
Thomas Bell spoke about lifting other people’s spirits through simple acts of kindness and that a friendly smile could help break the barriers of isolation people often felt.
Blessy Fernandez was able to draw on research from her chosen topic of equity and improving the position of young people, particularly women.
She grappled with the problem of public figures being able to separate private from public life.
Her prepared speech on gender inequity was powerful, such that by its end, most people in the room would have been wondering if they were listening to a future prime minister or perhaps human rights lawyer.
Her presentation was a winner for the public speaking prize. Goulburn City Lions president Lee Kol also presented Blessy with the overall winner’s certificate.
The prepared speeches of all the students showed their outward thinking, and each presented their thoughts as a potential community leader.
Judge Montagu Hicks praised the attributes of all the contestants and how it was an enlightening and positive experience engaging with the young candidates.