By JESSE GRAHAM
WOORI Yallock Primary School’s Connor Templeton wowed judges and an audience of almost 100, taking out the top prize at the recent Primary Schools’ Speech Contest.
Connor received the first-place medal for his speech, If I Could Change the World, at the contest held in Healesville High School’s Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, 5 August.
The contest saw 12 primary school students from schools across the valley deliver speeches on topics from life-changing experiences, to people they admired and how they would change the world.
Students from Dixons Creek, Woori Yallock, Healesville and Badger Creek Primary School all took part in the event.
The students’ speeches were judged by Toastmasters members, Linda House, Joy Harte and Walter Skilton, with Toastmasters’ Marlene Sinclair the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Organiser of the event, Rotary Club of Healesville member, David Lau, told the Mail that the evening was a success.
“It was very good – there were quite a lot of people in the audience, a lot of parents and teachers and friends,” Mr Lau said.
He said that teachers and principals joined family members and friends to support the speakers, whom he gave “high quality” speeches.
“They spoke very well, very confidently,” Mr Lau said.
Healesville Primary School’s Aimee McMaster received second place for her speech, It’s Always the Right Time to … , while Badger Creek Primary School student Aidan Ratcliff came third for his speech, Kids Have Fun When …
Each of the participants also received feedback on their speeches by Ms Sinclair, to point out the positives from their public speaking and help to resolve any faults.
Mr Lau said the event, which is in its third year, would “definitely” go ahead next year.
“I think three teachers came up to me and said I should organise it again next year,” he said.
“It may not be me, but it’ll be someone – we’ll have it next year for certain.”
