THE 2025 PRIMARY SCHOOL SPEECH CONTEST FINAL
The Rotary Club of Emerald & District 9th Annual Primary School Speech Contest was held on Tuesday the 28th of October. Our host school this year was the Menzies Creek PS.
The Planning Team, Lyn, Vicki, Kerith, Sue and Gloria were very grateful to Principal Nadja Wood and the members of staff who contributed to the success of the evening by generously giving us ready access to all their facilities and helping us to prepare for the event during set-up.
The local primary schools that participated were Cockatoo, Emerald, Gembrook, Macclesfield, Menzies Creek and Selby.
This worthwhile Rotary Program is aimed at helping the development of public speaking skills in the upper Primary years.
The 12 students won their public speaking heats within their own school thereby earning a place in the Contest. The children had 3 minutes to present their speeches on a topic that was chosen from a list sent by District Coordinator and Toastmaster, Marlene Sinclair.
All did a wonderful job in both the research and presentation of their speeches.
The Judges Judith, Bernie, Samnang (from Toastmasters) and our own Lorna must have found it very difficult to award the three place getters.
The winners were:
1st – Jayden Sambell from Macclesfield PS, who received a framed Certificate, a $75 book voucher and a personally engraved trophy. (Macclesfield as the winning school also receives an engraved trophy)
2nd – Evita Williams from Gembrook PS, who received a framed Certificate and a $50 book voucher.
3rd – Sonny Lamendola also from Gembrook PS, who received a framed Certificate and a $30 book voucher.
Both Jayden and Evita will now go on to the next level and compete with other winning finalists in District 9815, on November 26th at Doncaster Secondary College Performance Centre, 123 Church Rd, Doncaster.
We were delighted to welcome our special guests.
From: Cardinia Shire Council – Mayor Jack Kowarzik and Cr David Nickell.
Rotary District 9815 – DG Peter Behm, DGE Emma Clark, and our President Peter Brock.
Emerald Secondary College – Assistant Principal Melissa Findlay and Yr7 Coordinator Samantha McLean
The great success of the Speech Contest on Tuesday was due to the efforts of many.
Lyn, Kerith, Vicki, Sue and Gloria would like to specially mention:
Marcus as MC who shared this role with Marlene Sinclair who was the MC from Toastmasters, DG Peter Behm, who spoke of Rotary’s Youth Programs, our timekeepers Andrew and Ian, and Lorna who was a member of the judging panel.
We would also like to sincerely thank Kris our photographer, John Shaw, Rowan and John Henderson, for being our parking officials and Emma for providing the cups and saucers from the Emerald Primary School.
Very special thanks also go to all the other Rotarians present who not only provided supper but also willingly assisted with the numerous jobs required on the night.
Kerith, Lyn, Vicki, Sue and Gloria
