As the only Victorian Year 12 student to be named a finalist, a Lilydale student went on to win the national My First Speech competition.
Lilydale High School student Olivia Bradshaw won the competition for her speech on the Australian education system.
“It was an honour to win this competition and have my name mentioned in the House of Representatives,” Olivia said.
“I want to encourage all local students to engage with and enter competitions like these, putting our voices and ideas out there.”
The My First Speech competition is a national competition asking students in Years 10 to 12 to write a 90-second speech on a topic they are passionate about as if they are making their first speech in the House of Representatives.
Olivia’s speech making talents also saw her selected as one of four students to read the story of a Kokoda soldier at the Battle for Australia commemoration at the Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday 7 September in 2022.
Winning students of the competition were invited to visit Parliament House in Canberra to meet with members of parliament and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Olivia visited Parliament House on 27 November where she met with Federal Member for Casey Aaron Violi and House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick.
“My visit to Parliament was an absolutely extraordinary experience and one I will cherish. I’m very grateful to Mr Violi for making me feel welcome and giving me so much of his time,” Olivia said.
“I could not be more grateful for this amazing opportunity.”
Mr Violi congratulated Olivia on winning the competition, not just as a local student, but as the only Victorian student in the running to be crowned Year 12 National Champion.
“It is wonderful to see Olivia as a Casey local win the competition. It was great to welcome her to Parliament House and congratulate her on her winning entry,” Mr Violi said.
“Having been a judge for the My First Speech Competition in my first year of parliament, I know the quality of the submissions is incredibly high. Olivia should be proud of her achievements and her exceptional speech delivery.”
