The Lions Zone 2 finals of the Youth of the Year 2021, hosted by the Tewantin Noosa Lions, was hotly contested on Saturday 13 March. Four young women demonstrated poise, intelligence and passion delivering well researched and logically argued speeches.
In the words of one of the judges, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton: “Each one of you spoke with conviction, I certainly was challenged but I learned a great deal listening to you today. And actually, you four girls rocked”.
The overall winner, Chloe Robinson of Immanuel Lutheran College at Buderim, will now progress to the District level of the competition. Ella Wilkinson of Noosa District State High School won the Public Speaking Award.
The competition required contestants to respond to two impromptu topics selected by the three judges. Each girl then gave a prepared speech on a topic of their choice. In their responses, each girl showed awareness and gratitude for their upbringing, combined with a remarkable grasp of global issues.
Prepared speeches covered the need for and value of learning languages other than English, the necessity of female role models across a range of positions, the precarious position of our native bees and how we might assist them, and the vital importance of valuing and nurturing a sense of community.
The speeches showed strong analytical skills, passion and commitment to each speakers’ values. Demonstrating a broad range of interests, these young women showed us a glimpse of the positive future we can anticipate when the youth of today step forward.
The Youth of the Year contest, a Queensland innovation, is now in its sixth decade. It aims to foster, encourage and develop leadership qualities among our young people.
