She will now go on to compete in the state finals in Tamworth on 5 April, 2025.

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Shania McNamee was awarded the Public Speaker prize.

Hosted by the Lions Club of Macksville, Saturday evening’s event featured six young female finalists from nearby regions testing their abilities to deliver to an audience both impromptu and prepared speeches.

Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee and Lions Club District Governor Yvie Kearns presented the awards to winners and participants.

Tiana Donoghue from Maclean’s Pacific Valley Christian School, Eva Smith from Toormina High, Breea Minett of Chatham High, Camilla Coupland of The Armidale School, Ella Scott of Tamworth High and Shania McNamee of Quirindi High were each given two impromptu discussion ideas and required to immediately deliver two-minute speeches on the topics.

After this the finalists delivered a five-minute prepared speech, with chosen subjects varying widely ranging from Christian volunteering, social media and gendered violence to the overall winner’s topic of the importance of freedom of speech.

“Tonight was an outstanding example of the quality of young people in our community,” Judge Chairperson Lissa Argue said in praise of the contestants.

“It has not been an easy decision.

“This was the hardest impromptu competition you can ever face,” she told the girls.

“The skills you practice here will provide a firm standing for job interviews and public speaking later in life,” she said.

Ms Argue complimented the Lions of Australia for the work they do in encouraging youth excellence through competitions such as this.

Compère of the evening Victor Moore, a member of the Macksville Lions, acknowledged how difficult many find public speaking.

“It’s confronting to stand in front of an audience but this experience will be of benefit to you (in the future) whether in finding a job or expressing your opinions,” he said.

Overall winner Camilla Coupland told NOTA the best thing about the competition was “getting to know the other contestants”.

“We didn’t agree on everything but they are all amazing like-minded people,” she said.

By Ned COWIE