Tungamah Leos and Lions hosted the District Final of Leo of the Year at Tungamah on Sunday.
Leos represent the younger section of Lions and gives the youth the chance to demonstrate their skills and celebrate their contribution to not only Leos, but to their communities.
Public speaking forms a large part of the quest, something which scares even older people.
An interview also forms part of the challenge. Judges were John Tyrrell, Tungamah’s Citizen of the Year representing the community, Victor Smith, president of the Lions Club and Robyn Harrison, secretary. Ron Simon from Cobram did time keeping duties.
This year there were two contestants, Fifi White from Cohuna and Lliam Hall from Cobram on the Murray.
Lliam is 18 and attends the Cobram and District Specialist School. He has had 11 years in the scouting movement and is currently in Venturers.
He is heavily involved in environmental matters and is studying horticulture. He leads the recycling challenge at the Specialist School and is an inspirational to others.
Fifi attends Cohuna Secondary College and is in year 12. She is 17 and is very involved in her Leo Club.
She was one of a group who went to Walwa after the bushfires to help those affected. She has helped start a Leo Club program in Cohuna.
She is devoted to community service and organizes catering at markets and Little Athletics. Fifi is currently president of her club, having previously filled the roles of secretary and treasurer.
Lliam gave an outstanding address on the pop group, Queen. He was able to give everybody an in-depth insight into the history and ups and downs of this group.
Fifi spoke on the problem of homelessness and had some strong ideas of how this could be addressed. She obviously has a deep understanding of the trials people go through.
At the end of the session, the judges had a most difficult decision to make. Robyn Harrison made the announcement that Fifi had won the overall award, plus the Public Speaking Award.
Lliam finished a close runner up. Both contestants can be proud of their achievements and showed great courage and poise to take part.
Fifi goes on to the state final at Forest Hill on February 27.
The running of the day was a huge team effort, with a lavish spread being supplied by some of the Leos’ families, as well as hot food prepared by Lions.
Thanks to those wonderful people. Also, Cohuna brough slices across for variety. Importantly, Tony Figgins from Diamond Valley Sound donated the use of his PA equipment to make the day a success.
This was vital so the contestants could be heard.
All up, it was a great day with District Leo Coordinator, Les Harrison being very proud of his district.