Close contest for Donald Lions Youth of the Year awards

Natalya Bubb and Sarah-Kate Maddamuge were the two students who participated in the Donald Lions Club Youth of the Year and Public Speaker of the Year, held at the Donald Senior Citizens rooms on Thursday, February 27.

Judges Leigh Hardingham, Rebecca Hughes and Jen Baker conducted interviews in the afternoon surrounding the girls' schooling and community involvement.

They were also asked questions from a local, national, and international viewpoint, covering topics from the cost of the local pool to the relevance of the monarchy to Australia and other countries in the Commonwealth.

The answers were surprising at times and not necessarily what the judges anticipated in the responses, however, both girls presented well in the interview portion of the assessment.

The evening was catered by Lions Ben Bloomfield, Jenny Shilton and Trish Johns with a selection of cold meat and salads, followed later by sweets, and the students were invited to dine first before delivering their prepared speeches.

Prepared Speeches Natalya was then called upon to present her 5 minute prepared speech, a persuasive speech on the controversial topic of asylum seekers in detention centres.

She opened with a basic comparison between what might happen in an Australian's typical day, compared to some of the atrocities that people in certain countries live with every single day.

“I believe that the way refugees are being treated, even after they escape from their terror stricken homelands, is inhumane,” Natalya said.

“The appalling conditions, tight restrictions on their freedom and entirely inadequate access to health care, education, water and sanitation, are all harrowing examples that underline the need for them to be given back their humanity.” Her speech was compelling, informative and wellresearched, pointing out obvious flaws in Australia's refugee policies.

“Former refugee, Behrouz Boochani, who was held on Manus Island recalls that they are tortured by time,” she continued.

“Not ever knowing how many days, weeks, months or years you will be caged for is an unimaginable pain for us to comprehend, but a more than realistic on for all those who have ever been on the inner side of the fence.” Sarah-Kate Maddamuge presented an informative speech about the impact that plastic has on the environment and suggested way that we can reduce pollution in the future.

“According to the World Wildlife Fund, on average Australians use 130kg of plastic per person per year,” she said.

“This must be minimized.” She then listed types of single-use plastics, even bravely mentioning women's sanitary products as a cause for concern.

“We tend not to really talk about it as it does involve women's menstrual cycle, but it needs to be said.

It's not the actual pads and tampons themselves, it what they come in, which is plastic,” she explained.

“Over the last 5 years more people are starting use menstrual cups, the recyclable option.

“I don't want people to get confused and think recycling is the answer–we don't need to recycle more–we need to get rid of single use plastics and other packaging materials that are useless.” She continued with, “All I’m asking is to change our lifestyle, step-by-step, to help the planet.

If we all work together it shouldn't be too hard, but living on an unpolluted planet will be a worthwhile result.” Impromptu The students were required to respond to two impromptu questions asked by MC Mark Connell.

The first question asked was about what impact the Corona Virus might have on the Tokyo Olympics to which the girls responded with concerns of prejudice and racism.

The second impromptu question called upon the girls to discuss any advantage of youth being in community groups such as Donald 2000.

The responses included the insightful input youth can give to such community groups, the inspiration peers can gain by action in such groups and also life experience gained by the individual.

Results Judges had their work cut out for them after such clear, concise speeches and quality responses given by Sarah-Kate and Natalya.

Both were scored individually and the results were very close, with Natalya Bubb chosen as the winner of both Lions Youth of the Year award and Lions Public Speaking award.

Natalya accepted the awards, saying that they had both decided relatively lastminute to participate, but they had both found it to be a valuable experience.