Representing Goulburn primary schools in public speaking, (from left, back row) Bowen Godfrey, Lyla Tozer, Mackenzie Price, Jessica Storrier, Elsie McClelland, Fanette Leon. Front row: Amelia Gundry, Chelsea-Lee King, Carter Wykes, Zoe Sara, Hunter Harding, Harrison Fuller. Photo: James Webb.
Benchmarked on their literacy and numeracy skills and heavily scrutinised because of their vulnerability to social media and artificial intelligence, primary school children live in daunting times.
Yet 12 of them each delivered hope for the future during a primary school public speaking competition hosted by Goulburn Quota.
Retired teacher and chief adjudicator Steve Chapman applauded the children’s fluency and ability to entertain after hearing them speak.
“The understanding these people brought to these topics was outstanding,” he said.
“I’ve been around the block a few times and I get somewhat dispirited when I look at the debate going on in our country,” he said.
“Yet I come along tonight and hear young people who are articulate, passionate, well researched, have the guts to get up and speak to strangers,” he said.
Fellow adjudicator Caitlin Flint, Deputy Mayor of Goulburn and a dynamic leader of change in the city, recounted winning the same competition when she was in primary school.
Years later, the competition was at risk when Rostrum folded and its long serving leader Brian Keating left town. But Dorothy Keegan could see its value and with her fellow Goulburn Quota members kept the competition going.
Year 6 Goulburn East Public School pupil Mackenzie Price won this year’s competition by turning her topic, ‘What Can Old People Do?’ on its head, and instead asked, ‘What couldn’t old people do?’
“Look at all the old people in this room,” Mackenzie said. “Do we go to them because they can’t do something, or do we go to them because we can’t do something? We go to them because we know they’ll have a solution and if they don’t they’ll help us find one.”
She said her 72-year-old grandmother didn’t allow her age to define her. “She walks eight kilometres every morning before anyone else is awake,” she said.
Her grey-haired pop was as capable, and invaluable at her school. “He isn’t old to me; he can fix just about anything – a car, leaking tap, a broken gate,” she said.
Each speaker was well prepared, defined their topics and followed the rules but their individual personalities shone through as they talked about their home life, classrooms and their research.
Adjudicators at the Goulburn Quota primary schools public speaking competition, Crescent School principal Paula Brien, retired school teacher and author Steve Chapman and Goulburn Deputy Mayor Caitlin Flint. Photo: John Thistleton.
Marulan Public School’s Harrison Fuller’s topic, ‘What my dog thinks about all day’ touched on his family’s six dogs including Peach, Daisy, Mario and Luigi, the grumpiest of them all. The moment they woke up they thought about playing and food and sleeping.
“They especially love to sleep after their lunch,” Harrison said. “The younger pups love the older dogs but the older dogs are not too fond of them,” he said.
On the topic, ‘Team Work makes the Dream Work’ SS Peter and Paul’s Primary School’s Elsie McClelland recounted the courageous and skilful teamwork that rescued Stuart Diver from the Thredbo disaster in July 1997.
On the same topic, Goulburn South Public School’s Chelsea-Lee King said when everyone used their strengths, the whole team became stronger.
“Can artificial intelligence be my friend?” asked Bradfordville Primary School’s Zoe Sara. Yes, it could be the world’s most reliable buddy, she said. “But here’s the catch, AI doesn’t feel anything. It doesn’t get excited when you succeed and it doesn’t worry when you are sad,” she said.
On the same topic Saints Peter and Paul’s Jessica Storrier said even the smartest of AI could not replicate two qualities of a friend: forgiveness and encouragement.
Another AI speaker, Carter Wykes from St Joseph’s Primary School said the risk with this technology was we stopped thinking for ourselves and problem solving, two skills that we needed.
Hunter Harding from Wollondilly Public School answered the question raised in another popular topic: “Are Books Better than Screens?”
He said they were a more reliable, value for money option than screens, and came into their own when the power ran out in devices like an iPad.
Goulburn North Public School’s Lyla Tozer was another supporter of books because they helped people read, learn grammar, expand vocabulary and use their imagination.
On the same topic, Tallong Public School’s Fanette Leon said: “Once you know how to read the whole world is opening up in front of you.”
Goulburn primary schools public speaking winner for 2026, Mackenzie Price, who gave a compelling case for the ageless abilities of old people. Photo: John Thistleton.
The topic ‘Worms’ dug up supporters too.
Tarago Public School’s Amelia Gundry said the 24-hours-a-day workers underground ate half their body weight daily and expelled nutrient-rich goodness.
Bowen Godfrey of Goulburn West Public School said worms didn’t deserve the bad wrap they sometimes received. He described them as the soil’s superheroes.
