The Lions club and community got to see firsthand how driven, intelligent and willing our young people can be to contribute to the world at the Lions Youth of the Year district final.
6 outstanding finalists gathered with 60 guests at the Boyne Smelters Training and Conference Centre, Kalori to participate in the district Final. Dinner by Savour the Flavour was a hit and guests enjoyed an evening of wonderful public speaking. Judges were Liz Cunningham, Craig Murrell, Helen Mitchell, Toni Somerville & Nadine Sleeman from NAB.
The Public Speaking winner was Emma Zillmann from the Biloela State High School and sponsored by Callide Valley Lions Club. The Overall winner was Matthew Craigie from the Noosa District State High School and sponsored by the Cooroy Pomona Lions Club.
Matthew will now proceed to the State Final which will this year be held in Bundaberg on 23rd April and hosted by the Hinkler Lions Club. If successful there, he will then proceed to the National Final to be held in Echuca in May.
6 finalists: Eliza Parker – James Nash State High School (Gympie), Ellie Kendall – St Ursula’s College (Yeppoon), Ryan Dodd – Aldridge State High School (Maryborough), Matthew Craigie – Noosa District State High School, Rachel Wallen – Emerald Christian College and Emma Zillmann – Biloela State High School.