The Lions Club of Winchelsea

Another successful Youth of the Year contest was held by the Winchelsea Lions Club on Wednesday 25th February. Winchelsea's own Abbie Floyd and two students from Geelong Grammar School - Caitlin Matlock and Basil Mackinlay Campbell - made a competition of three.

The Youth of the Year Quest is a community project designed to encourage, foster and develop leadership qualities in young Australians. More than 2,000 people compete in the Quest each year, with winners making their way through zone, region, district, state and national finals.

In the afternoon of the Winchelsea Club final, prior to a meal and fellowship at the Winchelsea Senior Citizens rooms, the contestants were interviewed by three judges ; Mr Daryl Diment, Mrs Jody Fincham, and Mrs Helen Holdsworth. The Public Speaking segment proceeded from 7:30pm with Lions members, relatives & supporters and general public in attendance. Lions Club President Murray Leak welcomed everyone and introduced Region Chairman (and Past District Chairman) Lion Neville Mawson who read the Lions' Objects and then Youth of the Year Chairman Lion Russell Holloway in turn introduced the three judges and three contestants.

Basil was the overall winner to represent Winchelsea Lions Club at the Region judging held at Colac on March 3rd. Abbie Floyd was winner of the Public Speaking segment with a well-prepared and -presented 5 minute speech on the topic of bushfires and rules regarding vegetation near homes.

Caitlin was was presented with a certificate of participation and a Parker pen and pencil set. The experience and memory of the time at Winchelsea will for all three contestants be an enrichment for their future education.

Thanks were extended to parents and teachers, judges and contestants and to all who supported the Lions and made the event possible. Thanks also went to Shirley Leak and Cheryl Mawson and Lynette Henderson for attending to the kitchen and providing the supper. Lion Joe Burhman assisted Lion Neville Mawson as time-keeper and Lion Keith Henderson read the Lions Code of Ethics.