Student speakers to leave a Legacy

LEGACY House will host students from secondary schools across the city when the 2022 Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition is staged this July.

Chair of Legacy Ballarat’s education committee and the competition’s coordinator Allan Mckinnon said 12 to 15-year-old students are invited to present as part of the over three-decade old contest.

“The aim of the competition is to enhance the oral communication and public speaking skills of students and to help young people appreciate the ideals of Legacy,” he said.

Entrants must present a prepared five-minute speech on any topic linked to the ideals of voluntary service, care, comradeship or remembrance, and a two-minute impromptu speech on a topic chosen by the competition’s chief judge.

Judges are looking for an impactful opening and conclusion, entertaining subject matter that stays on topic, originality, plain English, a steady, clear, and strong presenting voice, good posture and body language, eye contact, and some appropriate humour.

The Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition will run from 9.30am on Wednesday, 27 July at 5 Raglan Street South, Ballarat Central.

Following the event, successful speakers will advance to the preliminary finals, and could contend for a trophy at the Victorian final later in the year with nationals to follow.

All participants receive a certificate, and the winning student from the local round will also be awarded a book voucher.

Some schools will conduct their own public speaking contests to select members of a Legacy Junior Public Speaking Competition team to compete at the local final.

Schools can register a maximum of four competitors before Friday, 1 July. For more information, or to express interest, contact Mr Mckinnon via 0477806662 or [email protected].