Gift of the gab

Contestants, Lily (11), Anna (11), Selina (11), Emma (12), Jacinta (11) and Aimee (11), behind from left, Jay (11), Perrin (11), Connor (12), Sam (11) and Aidan (12), ready to take the stage on Wednesday. 141605 Photo: ROB CAREW

By JESSE GRAHAM

STUDENTS from four Yarra Valley primary schools will battle it out in a speech competition, enlisting their best linguistic skills to take out the gold medal.
Students from Woori Yallock, Badger Creek, Dixons Creek and Healesville Primary Schools will take the stage at Healesville High School’s Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday (5 August) for the third annual Rotary Primary School Speech Contest.
Each school will have three representatives – 12 in total – making a three-minute speech on one of 20 topics, conveying a point, telling a story or providing a unique perspective on an idea.
Toastmasters representatives will judge the students’ speeches through the evening, with medals to be handed out to the top three orators.
The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Healesville, and Rotarian David Lau said the schools have shown strong support for the event.
“All the schools are keen to participate,” he said.
“We have great, great support from the primary schools.”
This year is the third year running for the contest, and the last two have each seen turnouts of nearly 100 residents, family members and school representatives.
Woori Yallock Primary School took out first place last year, with Dixons Creek winning in 2013, and each winning school will have its name etched onto a perpetual trophy.
The Rotary Primary Schools Speech Contest will begin at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 5 August at Healesville High School’s Performing Arts Centre, on Camerons Road in Healesville.
Refreshments and food will be served once the contest finishes, at about 8.15pm.