During these unprecedented coronavirus times, Lucy Kirk organiser of the Speak Up! competition, wanted to make sure children had the opportunity to enhance their speech and drama skills.
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Miss Kirk said the competition took place on Zoom on August 1 and 2.
"We had 25 children across the Central West participate in the event and I was worried about running it online but went smoothly with the help of parents," she said.
"We had six entrants from Orange and I was surprised with the quality of work presented."
Miss Kirk also said she was impressed with some of the speeches that was delivered by the children.
"Particularly in the 7 to 12 year category the topic was 'My Biggest Concern for the Future is' and some of the students spoke out climate change and mental health and that really got me thinking about how we can help the children have a better future," she said.
"As eisteddfods and competitions shut down because of COVID-19, I believe the children got real feedback from the adjudicator through this online competition and we will be doing it again next year."
The winning entrants from Orange include: first place in the 5 to 8 years poetry Milla O'Toole; 9 to 12 years in poetry highly commended Keeley O'Toole; 9 to 12 years in the humourous monologue first place Olivia Wilson and highly commended Aurora Everett; 9 to 12 years' dramatic monologue second place Olivia Wilson; 9 to 12 years original speech third place Anabelle Van Wyk; 9 to 12 years encouragement award Olivia Wilson and prize for poetry Milla O'Toole.
Orange's Samuel Martin also won a series of accolades in the competition including first place in the 9 to 12 years' poetry, second place in 9 to 12 years humorous monologue, 9 to 12 years' reserve champ and the Newcrest Mining Cadia Valley Operations' Most Promising scholarship.
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