Wimmera Legacy has a new date and a new venue for this year’s Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award.

Twenty students aged 12 to 14 years from seven schools across the Wimmera and southern Mallee will compete on Friday, June 25 for prize money and the opportunity to speak at a final in Bendigo or Ballarat before a state final in Melbourne in September. 

First place will receive $100, $50 for second and $30 for third, donated by sponsor Latus Jewellers.

Each student will present a five-minute speech of their topic, which echoes Legacy’s ideals. 

They will later complete a two-minute impromptu speech on a topic set by the chief adjudicator.

The students are from schools at Goroke, Ouyen, Kaniva, Nhill, Rainbow, Warracknabeal and St Brigid’s College, Horsham.

Organisers were forced to set a new date when the State Government announced last week that although COVID-19 restrictions would ease, there would still be restricted numbers at gatherings.

Horsham Church of Christ has offered its venue free of charge for the event. 

Organiser Faye Smith said the venue was ideal for the competition because students needed to isolate individually to prepare their impromptu speeches and the church had smaller rooms off a second auditorium.

In past years the competition was in Legacy House in Wilson Street.

Mrs Smith said parents and interested people were welcome to attend, subject to COVID restrictions on the day.

Legatee Philip Nicks will emcee the event, which starts at 9.25am. 

The entire June 9, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!