Tocumwal’s Junior Public Speaking Competition regional finals entrants have been decided, after the local competition was held on Sunday.
Hosted by the Tocumwal Lions, more than 40 people attended to hear the Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 students present their speeches.
These students attend Tocumwal's Public and Sacred Heart Schools and the Southern Riverina Homeschoolers.
Lenny Cardillo and Elyana Ring were announced as the 3/4 and 5/6 winners, respectively.
Both will now go onto represent Tocumwal and their schools at the regional final in August.
The Year 3/4 entrants were required to speak for three minutes on the topic of ‘Creative Invention: if you could invent something new, what would it be? Tell us about it, e.g. what is it made of, who is it for, and how could it be used?’.
Speakers were: Macy Saraikin - Best Friend 4000; Jack Edwards - Bird Responder; Lenny Cardillo - Robot 3.0 9000; Des Harber - Smart Flying Car; Henry Garner O'Neill - Super Fast Device Charger.
The Year 5/6 entrants had to speak for four minutes. Their topic was ‘Technology: The impact of fast-moving technology on our lives and the environment is often overlooked, and yet it can be far reaching. Is technology moving too fast for humans to keep up? Discuss.’.
Speakers were: Elayna Ring - Yes it is moving too fast; Theo Harber - Tech in automotive mechanics is great, but we need to keep some old stuff too; Mila Saraikin - Nobody young or old can keep up.
The Year 5/6 students also had 10 minutes to prepare a one minute speech to answer the question ‘If animals could talk, who would I be?’.
Animals included turtles, kangaroos, and chipmunks.
Tocumwal Lions Club also held its changeover dinner last week, with District Governor Julie Ballard installing the executive for the coming year.
The executive comprises: President Keith Kennedy, secretary Carol Kennedy, assistant secretary Coral Weggman, treasurer Oli Flury, and membership chairman Geoff Edwards.
Also attending the changeover were the Railway Heritage Museum volunteers.
The museum is a project of the Lions Club and is open each Saturday with the help of the volunteers.