THE 2024 PRIMARY SCHOOL SPEECH CONTEST FINAL - Report by Gloria Hargreaves.
The Rotary Club of Emerald & District 8th Annual Primary School Speech Contest was held on Tuesday the 29thth October. Our host school this year was the Cockatoo PS.
The Planning Team, Lyn, Vicki, Kerith and I were very grateful to Principal Darrelyn Boucher and the members of staff who contributed to the success of the evening by generously giving us ready access to all their facilities and helping us to prepare for the event during set-up.
The local primary schools that participate are Cockatoo, Emerald, Gembrook, Macclesfield, Menzies Creek and Selby.
This worthwhile Rotary Program is aimed at helping the development of public speaking skills in the upper Primary years.
The 12 students won their public speaking heats within their own school thereby earning a place in the Contest. The children had 3 minutes to present their speeches on a predetermined topic. All did a wonderful job in both the research and presentation of their speeches.
The Judges Judith, Andrew, Samnanga (from Toastmasters) and our own Lorna must have found it difficult to award the three place getters. The winners were:
1st – Zanna Neilson from Menzies Creek PS, who received a framed Certificate, a $60 book voucher and a personal engraved trophy. (Menzies Creek as the winning school also receives an engraved trophy).
2nd – Siena Aiello from Cockatoo PS, who received a framed Certificate and a $40 book voucher.
3rd – Marija Bommersheim also from Cockatoo PS, who received a framed Certificate and a $25 book voucher.
Zanna will now go on to the next level and compete with other winning finalists in District 9815, on November 20th at the Manningham Hotel in Bulleen.
The great success of the Speech Contest on Tuesday was due to the efforts of many.
Lyn, Kerith, Vicki and I would like to specially mention:
Marcus as MC and sharing this role with Marlene Sinclair who was the MC from Toastmasters, DG Colin Byron who spoke of Rotary’s Youth Programs, our timekeepers Melinda and Andrew, and Lorna who was a member of the judging panel.
We would also like to sincerely thank Kris our photographer, Peter Brock, John Shaw, Rowan French and John Henderson, for braving the elements as the parking officials and Emma for providing the cups and saucers from the Emerald Primary School.
Special thanks also go to all the other Rotarians present who not only provided supper but also willingly assisted with the numerous jobs required on the night.
Kerith, Lyn, Vicki and Gloria.
President Kelly with all 12 participants.
Gloria and Kelly with the 1st Prize winner, Zanna.
No Committee Reports this week.
Diary dates:
Tuesday 12th November - meeting at the Pinegrove Hotel, Upper Beaconsfield
Tuesday 19th November - no meeting
Thursday 21st November - meeting at Gembrook Railway Station for showbag packing
Tuesday 26th November - Annual General Meeting at the Paradise Valley Hotel.
Another Thank you to Melinda!
Dear Melinda and Rotary,
We would like to extend an enormous thank you for the generosity you have shown Puffing Billy Toy Library with the HUGE donation of craft supplies. We are going to use them as prizes for our upcoming market stall to promote our toy library and as early Christmas gifts to our members who have completed all their volunteer duties this year. When Melinda said she had a trailer load of craft supplies for us I didn’t quite understand that she literally meant a whole trailer load! My children were so excited to be loading my car to the brim with playdoh and modelling clay!
Melinda, what an immense amount of work you took on to organise, collect and distribute these craft supplies. Our community is lucky to have you.
So thank you again on behalf of Puffing Billy Toy Library
Katie Holmes
Other Items of Interest:
The Kids Fun Run was in the Star!
The Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy was featured in a Star Newspaper article on Tuesday 29th October:
Lift the Lid Walk
Recycling Reminder
Remember that you can recycle your bottles and cans at the Vic Depot Emerald operated by SES Emerald container refund point and donate the funds to our very own Emerald Rotary Club.
All you need to do is select THE ROTARY CLUB OF EMERALD AND DISTRICT INC., Member # C2000010957 as your refund destination. Every little bit helps, both the environment and the community!
