Ella Worley, Keenan Davis and Molly Owen attended their individual interviews in the morning with the three judges - Annette Wallis, Sarah Pollard and Jason Allen - who asked them questions about their application and their opinions on particular current issues.

At the luncheon attended by Lions Club members, the students family members, the three students were asked two difficult impromptu topics.

Without preparation time, the students responded to the two questions, aiming to speak for two minutes on each question.

The first question was 'as a 16-year-old, who can now say that they have lived through a pandemic, what have you taken and learnt from it?'

The second question was 'what are the advantages and disadvantages of coal seam gas and gas pipelines running through the Liverpool Plains?'

Ella, Molly and Keenan went on to deliver their prepared speech to the audience.

Ella spoke on 'Vaccinations and the Anti-Vaccination Movement', Molly spoke on 'The Importance of Education' and Keenan spoke on 'Men's Mental Health'.

The five-minute speeches from all students were highly engaging and delivered to an exemplary standard.

After a long wait, the judges announced Molly Owen as the overall winner of the Quirindi Lions Youth of the Year Contest as well as the Public Speaking winner.

The judges said that there were less than two points' difference between the students, such was the quality of the applicants and their participation in the day.

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Ella Worley was awarded the runner-up certificate and Keenan Davis was commended for his exceptional efforts.

Mrs Stenner, QHS Head Teacher of English and CAPA, also attended the event.

"I am extremely proud of all three students. It must have been a particularly difficult decision for the judges to decide a winner on the day. These three students have all participated in the ASCA examinations for many years and their speaking and interview skills have benefitted from this program," said Mrs Stenner.

It is hoped that these three students, plus others from QHS will participate in the Lions Youth of the Year Contest again in year 11 and 12.

"It is a great opportunity to develop skills through this national program available to all school students who are 15-18 years of age. Thank you to the organisers and the Quirindi Lions Club, the judges and to the students families for supporting our students. Congratulations to Molly, Ella and Keenan," concluded Mrs Stenner.

Molly Owen now goes on to represent Quirindi Lions Club in the Regional Finals in Tamworth this Saturday, March 6, 2021.