Elsie Bennett to proceed to regional public speaking competition finals

Namoi Valley Christian School student Elsie Bennett will proceed to the zone finals of the Rotary Public Speaking Competition.

Elsie was one of three local students to take part in the local competition conducted in a partnership between Narrabri’s Rotary and Rotaract clubs.

Held as part of Rotary’s regular dinner meeting at the Tourist Hotel, Elsie was joined by fellow NVCS student Elly-May Johns and Wee Waa High School student Lily-May Hunter.

Each student presented a speech on the subject of their choice, but had to link it to at least one component of Rotary’s four-way test.

Elsie confidently delivered her speech about the benefits of being part of a choir or vocal ensemble.

Lily-May’s topic of choice was music and what it means for her while Elly-May titled her speech as ‘behind the screen’.

She addressed how people can be judged online, especially through social media.

Rotaract Club president Sam Howley, Narrabri Shire mayor and Rotarian Darrell Tiemens and Margaret Slack-Smith served as adjudicators for the evening.

Mrs Slack-Smith congratulated the three students for their wonderful presentations.

“It takes a lot of energy and guts to stand up in front of an audience and speak,” she said.

“You all did so well.”

Mrs Slack-Smith, an adjudicator for several years, also offered tips to the students about clarity of voice, body language and maintaining eye contact with the audience.

Ms Howley said the judging had been close, but it was Elsie’s speech that was the winner on the night.

Elsie will now proceed to the zone finals to be held in October.