Yesterday marked the 29th year of the competition, which CWA Central Western Group public speaking committee secretary Margaret Brown said was still a relevant, important part of the year for school students in the region.

“The idea is confidence and competency, and the whole objective is to give kids the skills to defend articulately their point of view,” she said.

“Anybody who says the youth of today are useless or write-offs should come to one of these days and listen. These kids are extraordinary.”

A total of 278 entries were received from schools across the Central West, including those in Bathurst, Orange, Blayney, Cowra, Carcoar and Meadow Flat. 

Ms Brown said that even schools with only a small number of enrolments still send children to take part.

The competition caters to students from Years 3 to 12. Those in primary school are expected to speak for two minutes and those in high school are expected to speak for four. 

Topics at the competition are given to students at the start of the school year.

“We have three judges in each room – a man, a CWA person and another person, which can be anybody – so there is plenty of scope in the judging,” Ms Brown said. 

The quality of the speaking at the competition is always to the highest standard, but only the best students will proceed to the Inter Group Public Speaking Competition later this month.

“The winners from here will go to Trundle on June 21, where they will compete against the Oxley Group and the Far Western Group,” Ms Brown said. 

Students who attended yesterday’s competition enjoyed the chance to improve their speaking skills and meet different people.