Photograph, Speaking Contest, 1994

Historical information

From 1988 to 2021, Legacy held a public speaking contest for young secondary school students. It was initially called the Junior Plain English Speaking Award (JPESA) and later called Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award (LJPSA). Schools were eligible to send along up to 4 representatives to compete in a preliminary round.
This is a state final being held at the Melbourne Water Theatrette in 1994. One label with these photos says : 1994 winner Simon Raffin of St Joseph's College, Echuca. The runner up was Trudi-Ann Eckersley of St Paul's College, Warragul. The two finalists are seen with President George Woodward in the first photo.
The following was taken from a programme in 1996: "The Award aim is to promote enhanced oral communication skills for 12-14 year old students and to help young people appreciate the ideals of Legacy - voluntary service, caring and comradeship - and the need for remembrance. It began in 1988 in the Melbourne area with the support of the Ministry of Education and The Plain English Foundation.
Entries have grown from 24 in the 1988 competition to over 300 in schools across the Stat, plus greater numbers participating in the process of selecting four contestants from each school. In 1995, a successful Interstate Championship was held with contestants from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. On 11 November 1996 the first National final was held with contestants from six states."
These photos from 1994 show President George Woodward and with the finalists and also Kevan Gosper at the podium.

Significance

A record of a Junior Plain Speaking contest that was run by Legacy from 1988 to the 1990s.

Physical description

Black and white photo x 4 and colour photo x 2 of Junior Plain Speaking contest in 1994

Inscriptions & markings

White paper labels with black type explains the guest speaker in 1994 was Kevan Gosper.

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