ROSTRUM VOICE OF YOUTH

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (16:06): I would just like to briefly inform the house of an event I attended on behalf of the Premier and that is the Rostrum Voice of Youth program and their state competition finals, held on 16 June in Parliament House. Also present was the member for Adelaide who represented the Leader of the Opposition.

Rostrum Incorporated is a not-for-profit organisation which provides a supportive environment in which young people learn and practise public speaking, presentation skills and meeting procedure. It helps young people gain confidence in public speaking. Like most events, this event would not take place if it were not for the support of a number of sponsors, and I would just like to acknowledge the sponsors: Sebel Furniture, the Aurora Group of hotels, Flinders University, Bendigo Community Bank, the English-Speaking Union and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College at Enfield.

The state finalists this year came from a range of schools right across the state. The finalists deliver two speeches, one prepared and one impromptu where they actually have to speak after a few minutes' notice. The finalists were indeed very impressive. The finalists this year were Alexei Economou, from St Peter's College, who spoke on the topic 'Out of control'; Elyse Gambell, from Mary MacKillop College, whose topic was 'Open your mind'; Sophie Quinn, from Hallett Cove School, and Tania Zeissig, from St Martin's Lutheran College, who spoke about 'Escape from reality'; Madeleine Wells, from Loxton High School, in the electorate of the member for Chaffey, who spoke about 'Securing the future'; Tom Matthews, from St John's Grammar School, and Isaac Aitken, from St Peter's College, who spoke about 'The Great Divide'; and, last but not least, Connor Verrall, from Westminster School, whose topic was 'No man is an island'.

The competition provides secondary students with the opportunity to gain experience and confidence in expressing their views and communicating their message in front of a live audience and, in particular, the adjudicators. The winners on the night, having the right to represent South Australia in the national competition in Hobart, were Tom Matthews and Elyse Gambell. While they did not win the national competition held in Hobart in late July, they were very impressive on the night.

Public speaking is a very important tool in the communication of ideas and, just as important, powerful public speakers can also change community attitudes to a range of issues. I am very confident that the young people who competed in the South Australian competition will go on to greater things. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution made by the relevant schools and teachers of the students who provided them with the training and also the support to prepare for the competition.

Last but not least, I would like to congratulate Rostrum for providing the students with the opportunity to learn. The ability to communicate ideas is very important in our society. People generally who are able to communicate ideas get further in life and it is very important for young people to have a voice through public speaking.

We are very fortunate to have organisations like Rostrum and other clubs, like the Lions Club, which provide a number of public speaking and public debating opportunities for our young people. With those few comments, I certainly endorse the program and encourage young people to participate.