Speaking up with confidence

Students in the Lions Youth of the Year Mount Gambier club final spoke on subjects as varied as compulsory voting, sustainability and ‘age is no barrier.’

Anna Anbu, Callum McIntyre and Alisha Cram were interviewed by judges earlier in the day and then gave impromptu and prepared speeches at a dinner attended by more than 40 people.

Anna was named overall winner while Callum won the public speaking section.

Lion Haydn McPherson, who compered the evening, said this exceptional program has been supporting and promoting young Australians for more than 50 years.

“This is the first stage of that journey,” Lion McPherson said. “There are Lions clubs all over Australia conducting club judging at the present time.”

Interviews account for 70 per cent of scores in Lions Youth of the Year, which aims to encourage leadership skills in students approaching the end of high school.

The program focuses on qualities such as contribution to the community and school, public speaking, academic skills, sporting and cultural involvement.

The club final was hosted by the Lions Club of Mount Gambier, which sponsored Callum.

Alisha was sponsored by the Lions Club of Blue Lake City Lioness and Anna by the Lions Club of Gambier City.

All three students are from Mount Gambier High School.

The judges were Erin Jones, Tracey Wanganeen and Barry Stafford.

Anna, Callum and Alisha went on to compete in the March 6 zone final in Mount Gambier, which will also involve Rochelle Crawford sponsored by the Lions Club of Penola.