Ainger Peck Public Speaking Award

On Tuesday, May 10th, I participated in my first ever public speaking competition, the Ainger Peck Award, at Melbourne Girl's College. Run by the Rotary Club and drawing in many schools from all across Melbourne, the Ainger Peck Award aims to promote public speaking skills in youth and increase confidence and discussion in our chosen topics.

Beyond just being a public speaking competition, this event was a time to mingle and get to know people from different schools. Sienna College, St Kevin's, Loreto, and Xavier College; these were just a few of the participating schools with whom I enjoyed chatting with and learning from during the course of the evening.

My speech presented the idea of feminism, especially white feminism, and how it doesn't cater to the standards of diversity that the movement requires today. And despite the award placing a focus on manner rather than the matter of the speech, it was truly amazing to discuss the significance of combating white privilege in feminism with the adjudicator afterwards.

Everyone's speeches were amazing, so it was a true honour to receive first place in my heat and be invited to compete in the finals next week. The Ainger Peck Award has really bolstered my confidence in public speaking and activism, and I cannot wait to compete in the finals for the chance to win a ludicrous amount of prize money and our school's name emblazoned on the perpetual trophy!

Harshitha M, Year 10