The skills acquired in effective public speaking are very important to young people of Secondary school age, particularly if they hold leadership roles within their school. For that matter, these skills are important for all students as they progress through Secondary college, University and into the work place, when they will often be called on for their presentation skills.
In 2020, District 9800’s Vocational Service Committee approved endorsement of Wynspeak – a Youth Public Speaking competition introduced by Rotary Hoppers Crossing back in 2003.
Wynspeak is one of three exceptional public speaking competitions in District 9800; the others being the Ainger Peck Public Speaking Awards, run by Rotary Richmond, and the recently introduced Bayspeak Competition which was held for the first time this year, and was organised by Rotary Brighton with assistance from neighbouring Rotary clubs.
District 9800 leads the way in supporting our schools through the introduction of such public speaking competitions and clubs throughout the District are now being challenged to run similar competitions between schools in their respective areas. The District Vocational Service Committee is particularly keen to initially introduce these competition into the larger regional centres such as Bendigo, which is supported by a number of Rotary clubs and then into smaller towns with perhaps only one or two Secondary colleges.
To assist clubs, we suggest you visit the District 9800 website and click on the Vocational Service tab under Programs. There and you will find a wealth of information about Youth Public Speaking, including the template to get a competition up and running. So please consider running a small event to get things under way and the District Committee will help you grow your event over time.
For further information contact the following District Youth Public Speaking Ambassadors:
