A COHUNA student has called for a better understanding on the plight of the “once-ugly secret” of domestic violence during her Lions Club of Cohuna Youth of the Year triumphant speech.
Year 12 Cohuna Secondary College student, Ashlee Mason, 18, said the scourge on society, domestic violence, was brought into poll position within communities last year as part of the country’s political agenda.
“Politicians, police, domestic violence organisations and many researchers often speak with one voice on the issue, that the root cause of domestic violence can be put down to the social norms and practices of gender inequality, but are there more factors that can be attributed to this use?” Miss Mason said.
Miss Mason was satisfied that gender plays a role, but questioned the role of alcohol and mental illness.
“And, how can the government work towards stopping current abuse and put in place preventative schemes?,” she posed to an audience of about 30, including Lions members, parents and community leaders, at the annual Youth of the Year competition last week.
Miss Mason’s “maturity beyond her years” was put to the test by opponent and Cohuna year 11 student, Stacey Barbagallo, 17.
In her five-minute prepared speech, Miss Barbagallo “failed to see past how we are not learning all of the essential skills we need for every-day life as adults at school”.
“Just some of the essential skills that are being missed in the current education system are financial literacy, community engagement and time engagement skills,” she said.
“Lots of people refer to youth as the leaders of the future, but if we approach education differently, youth can have a real input into the society around them today, particularly those who are in the latter years of secondary school.”
Each contestant was awarded 30 points for public speaking, with a further 80 possible points awarded for a private interview, which tests them on leadership, sporting, citizenship and community involvement, academic, general knowledge and personality
During the public speaking component of the program, both students were asked the same two impromptu questions, with two minutes allocated and penalties incurred if contestants speak beyond the 120 seconds.
The questions were:
1. If you were given $1 million, how would you spend it for the benefit of the local community?
2. What are the arguments for and against euthanasia?
Despite obvious nerves and sounds of silence to gather thoughts, both students provided “thought-provoking” ideas, according to the program’s chairman, Keith Cummins.
Miss Mason was declared the winner, progressing to the regional final on Sunday at Pyramid Hill College, commencing at 1pm.
“Youth need a voice and if they don’t take opportunities, they will never know just how much of an influence and positive change they can have on small communities,” Mr Cummins said.
Miss Mason, who was the 2010 junior public speaker of the year, encouraged her peers to be involved in the program, a brainchild of City of Brisbane Lions Club member, Jamie Jamieson.
