Boys and girls from both public schools and private schools in our region, including Moss Vale High, Karabar High, Frensham and Bomaderry High gathered to take part. Lily was given warm praise by the adjudicator for her speech on protecting the Great Barrier Reef from dredging. 

Haddie won the competition and will now go to Parliament House in Sydney to speak in the State Semi-Finals. In her prepared speech she spoke on the dire consequences of falling immunisation rates, and in her impromptu speech she addressed the humanitarian plight of asylum seekers. 

Both girls were praised for their passionate engagement with their subjects and their natural, conversational approach to public speaking.