PDG and District Zone Chair Person, Barbara Andrews, PDG John Skelton and Incoming District Governor of 201N4, Anthony Smith were in attendance for this most prestigious event on the Lions calendar.

The Youth of the Year judging took place whilst members from Cowra, Young, Boorowa and Grenfell attended a Zone meeting in the courtyard. Apologies were received from Eugowra and Canowindra Lions Clubs who had other commitments on the day.

Three very worthy students, Kate Kelly from The Henry Lawson High School, 

Maddison Johnson - Cowra High School and Lauren Jenkins - Hennessey College Young participated in the final. 

Maddison is the daughter of former locals Damien and Bronwyn Johnson and granddaughter of Brian and Wendy.

Lauren was a candidate from Young last year, but unfortunately was not available on the day due to illness. Lauren is the daughter of Peta Jenkins from Boorowa and Kate is the daughter of Stephen and Jenny Kelly from Quandialla.

The three entrants displayed their talents and knowledge before a distinguished panel of judges, Maurice Simpson, Judy Mitton and Trish Stephens.

Following the Zone meeting and the private interviews thirty three people enjoyed a beautiful lunch prior to 2 X 2 minute impromptu questions and the candidates’ 5 minute prepared speeches. 

The two minute impromptu questions were;

1. Intelligence is not enough.

2. Do you consider that customers are provided with accurate information on food handling?

The contestants answered these questions with enthusiasm and some very interesting and different aspects to the questions were presented.

The students delivered their 5 minute prepared speeches.

Kate Kelly’s topic was “Not taking life for granted”; Lauren Jenkins delivered her speech “Achieving Justice” whilst Maddison Johnson speech was “The Road Not Taken”.

Spokesperson for the judging panel, Trish Stephens said that she was astounded by the calibre of all three students and said that it was a very difficult decision. She emphasised to the audience that the public speaking segment which the general public witnessed only accounts for 30% of the marks with the other 80% of marks being allocated from their performance at the private interview and information supplied on their entry forms.

Lauren Jenkins was announced overall winner of the Lions Youth of the Year Zone Final and was also successful being a joint winner with Kate Kelly in Public Speaking segment of the Quest.

Lauren will participate in the District finals at Wagga on Sunday March 15 with the winner going on to the State Final at the Multiple District Convention in May 2015 in Newcastle where one young finalist will be announced Lions Australia Youth of the Year 2015.

Sponsored by the National Australia Bank, the Quest is a community project that aims to assist secondary students in developing leadership and other citizenship qualities.

Lion Terry Carroll (Chairman of the Youth of the Year Committee) called on Incoming District Governor Lion Anthony Smith from Cowra to address the audience. 

Lion Tony thanked the Grenfell Lions Club for hosting the Quest and said that it is a great platform for which thoughts, passions and opinions can be expressed and for the students to gain confidence and that he was very proud of them all and congratulated them on their achievements.

Each student was presented with a participation certificate and a as well as a gift from the Grenfell Club. Each student suitably responded. 

Following the presentations to the students, President Barry Franklin thanked the judges and presented them with certificates of appreciation and a small gift.

Lions Terry Carroll thanked the timekeepers Lain Thiel and Deidre Carroll and announced that the judging was very close with only 1½ points separating the three students.