It was the first time BCS has entered the competition and all the speakers spoke intelligently and authoritatively on subjects ranging from the dangers of teenage drinking to a discussion of the idea that high fences make good neighbours.

Caitlin Maher speaking on the sexualisation of Tweens (young girls) by the fashion industry won the senior secondary competition with Rachel Farley runner up. Michael Ison won the junior secondary competition and was overall winner with an interesting and amusing speech on the topic, 'human beings: top of the food chain, bottom of the class'. Michael will go on to compete in the next round of the competition in Sydney. The other competitors from the Braidwood team were Alex Royds, Tahnee Smithers, Tim Callan, Shae Sadler and Shannon Bradley.

Elizabeth Etcell, Kristie Kuhn and Sarah O'Brien of year six at St Bedes also participated in the day. Elizabeth Etcell spoke about her hero Arthur Ernest Bowman, her great grandfather who fought in Burma during the second world war. Sarah O'Brien gave an amusing recount of her first ever swimming lesson in West Wyalong. Kristie Kuhn spoke about the importance of preserving the heritage of Braidwood.

Congratulations to them all.