The top speakers from local primary schools stepped up to the dais on Tuesday morning to flex their rhetoric in the Darling Range finals of the Year 5 and 6 Public Speaking Competition 2024.
Teachers, parents, students and judges gathered with event sponsor and Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones at the Byford Secondary College Performing Arts Centre to hear students talk on the theme: “What will I be doing in 2050?”
The young speechmakers covered topics of all sorts, from being the “thirteenth or fourteenth person on the moon” (Kai – Roleystone Community College), to making broccoli ice cream (Emilia – Woodland Grove Primary) and providing free internet for everybody (Summer – Mundijong Primary).
For some, the future was bright, offering the chance for space travel, flying cars and finding life on other planets, while others worried about climate change and spoke about “nagging… ahem encouraging,” older generations to do the right thing.
Judges Simon Dagnall and Jim Sharp deliberated over the tough decision, with Mr Sharp delivering compliments to each of the 15 speakers.
“I was really pleased with the enthusiasm and how much effort all the kids put into preparing their speeches. They chose some really interesting topics and I enjoyed that some of them added some humour and made it a bit colourful. It’s very easy to avoid public speaking, so for the kids who put their hands up, it’s great,” he said.
But there could only be three winners on the day, and the judges named Sebastian and Jayden from Roleystone Community College and Christian from West Byford Primary as the best speakers.
Their win netted prizes for each student and their school, and assured them a place in next month’s grand final.
“All of us know the courage it takes to stand up and express yourself in front of an audience, and every student showed courage today and should be proud – they will shine in Parliament House,” Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones said.
Now in its second year, zone finals for the competition are also being held in the Armadale and Jandakot electorates and will culminate on June 21 with the grand final at Parliament House, where the top three orators from each zone will compete for the crown.
