Four outstanding entrants contested the Zone Final;

Connor Day (The Henry Lawson High School Grenfell),

Meagan Carroll (Cowra High School),

Katrina Garlick (Hennessey Catholic College Young) and

Jamie Mitton (Red Bend Catholic College Forbes).

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.

Contestants met with judges Helen Pitt, a member of the Forbes Ipomoea Rotary Club, Grace Williams a senior government officer at Forbes Council and James Whalan a teacher and Regional Coordinator of the Lachlan Campus with the Mitchell Conservatorium.

Contestants were asked two X two minute impromptu questions;

1.What are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of living in a rural community? and

2. Fossil fuels have powered Australia for many years.

Where do you see the future heading for Australia with alternative energy sources?

Each student delivered a five minute prepared speech

Meagan Carroll (Cowra) Aboriginality,

Katrina Garlick (Young) Feminism -

What do modern feminist look like? 

Jamie Mitton (Forbes) Social media and its effect on teenagers in the community and

Connor Day (Grenfell) Leadership -

Leadership in all walks of life – growing up, school, work, social and public life.

Connor Day was announced as Public Speaking Zone Winner and the Overall Winner was Jamie Mitton.

Jamie will now represent the Zone at the District Final on March 16 in Griffith.

The winner from there will progress to the State Final on Saturday April 13 in Armidale (N1) and from there the winner will go onto the MD National Final in Geelong - May 3 - 6.

All contestants were presented with a participation certificate and the judges received a small gift and an appreciation certificate.