Manly Students Take Over Parliament

On the 22 September, Member for Manly, James Griffin MP hosted the 16^th annual ‘Bear Pit’ public speaking competition in the NSW Legislative Assembly Chamber. Students from thirteen Manly Electorate schools travelled to Australia’s oldest Parliament to speak on topics including, ‘which planet would you like to visit and why?’, ‘what should the school of the future be like?’, and ‘what are the characteristics that make a person a hero?

“The Bear Pit is the colloquial term used for the NSW Legislative Assembly Chamber, reflecting the verbal mayhem that often unfolds during question time,” said Mr Griffin.

“One of the highlights of this job is getting the opportunity to host the best speakers from Manly Electorate Public and Catholic Schools in NSW Parliament and seeing them pit their skills against each other in the very same forum that passes our NSW laws.

“This competition provides students with a unique and memorable experience and aims to promote their public speaking skills and instil greater confidence in their ability to speak in front of an audience.”

Returning for another year of adjudicating, this year’s judges included the Hon Ben Franklin MLC, President of the Legislative Council, former Principal of Balgowlah North Public School and co-creator of Bear Pit, Vicki Treble, former toastmaster Pauline Gilchrist and former Manly Daily editor Louise Roberts.

After the speeches, parents and students enjoyed a Q&A session where they got the opportunity to throw their own questions to Mr Griffin, before hearing a lively address from Mr Franklin on the importance of public speaking.

“The judges had their work cut out for them this year, and all the students who competed should be immensely proud of their efforts,” said Mr Griffin.

“A big congratulations to Elsie Sciascia from Manly Vale Public School who took the top prize in Stage 2, and Leo Hindes from Manly West Public School who was crowned the Stage 3 winner after delivering a powerful speech on the future of education in NSW.

“Well done also to runners up Arabella Kavanagh from St Mary’s Catholic School and Lachie de Bree from Balgowlah North Public School in Stage 2, and Camden Smith from Manly Village Public School and Blake Livingstone-Mulqueeny from Balgowlah North Public School in stage 3.

“Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the teachers and parents from each school, along with the judges and the Parliament of NSW for making this event possible and for giving the participating students a taste of public speaking in Australia’s oldest Parliament,” said Mr Griffin.

Photo: Manly Electorate Bear Pit Finalists at NSW Parliament with James Griffin MP and Judges

WORDS: James Griffin MP Member for Manly Shadow Minister for Energy, Climate Change & the Environment Shadow Minister for Customer Service & Digital Government

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