Public speaking skills put to the test for Moree's Jazmine Robinson and Maddison Dahlstrom

Moree Secondary College students Jazmine Robinson and Maddison Dahlstrom prepared speeches for judges Robert Matthews and Deirdre Foreman.

Public speaking coordinator Malou Deakin said, as one of the biggest events for Moree-on-Gwydir Rotary, the competition encourages students to demonstrate and develop their public speaking skills.

“Both Jazmine and Maddison were very good speakers. Both girls had support from their family, friends and career adviser Sheree Cayirylys; it makes a huge difference when they have familiar support in the audience,” Mrs Deakin said. 

Maddison’s speech was about marriage equality and Jazmine’s was titled ‘Hero’ and the judges had a hard time scoring and choosing a winner.

“Both of the scores were extremely close, they were both amazing,” she said.

Mrs Deakin said Maddison was a little shy until she started speaking, and it was then she opened up and delivered a great speech.

Although it was Jazmine who won on the night and was invited to represent the club in Warialda.

“Jazmine was very engaging, sincere and passionate. Everyone in the audience could relate to her speech and her vocal variety was excellent,” she said.

Jazmine travelled with Moree-on-Gwydir Rotary representatives at the weekend to Warialda for the next level of the public speaking competition.

As the first speaker of five, Mrs Deakin said spoke with conviction, used hand gestures and captivated the audience.

“She was the only one who had worked hard enough to remember her speech without palm cards and in my opinion I thought Jazmine was the best on the night,” she said.

However Jazmine did not place on the night.

Mrs Deakin thanked the Relaxing Cafe and MaMa Chim Restaurant at the Moree Golf Club for donating vouchers for this year’s contestants.