The Diocesan Grand Final was again excellently organized by Anne Vans Colina who despite having retired generously returned to run it this year. Held at St Patrick’s Catholic School at Asquith students presented a three-minute prepared speech and were then given ten minutes to compose a one-minute speech. Topics included a Good Friend, With Just One Click and Lowering The Voting Age From 18 to 11.
Adjudicators on the night were Jane Sulis who teaches at Santa Sabina College where she is responsible for the social justice outreach program, John McCosker, teacher and adjudicator over the last 22 years for the Catholic Schools Debating Association and Matt Kean, State Member for Hornsby.
In what was described as a close result, Olivia Macoustra from Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School at Waitara won the competition with Scarlett Wadham from St Cecilia’s Catholic School at Balgowlah receiving second place and Edward Carmody from Holy Family Catholic School at Lindfield came third.