Manly Electorate Students Take Over NSW Parliament at 17th annual Bear Pit Competition

On 21 September, Member for Manly, James Griffin MP hosted the 17th annual ‘Bear Pit’ public speaking competition in the NSW Legislative Assembly Chamber.

Students from thirteen schools across the Manly Electorate travelled to Australia’s oldest Parliament to deliver speeches on topics including ‘The Life of a Lego Block’, ‘If I Could Invent Anything It Would Be’, ‘The Importance of Gratitude’ and ‘The Most Important Thing We Throw Away’.

“The Bear Pit is the colloquial name for the NSW Legislative Assembly Chamber, reflecting the lively debates that take place here during Parliament,” said Mr Griffin.

“One of the highlights of this job is bringing some of the best young speakers from across the Manly Electorate into Parliament and watching them take on the challenge of speaking in the same chamber where our state’s laws are debated and passed.

“This year’s speeches were both entertaining and genuinely moving. Every student should be immensely proud of their efforts. Speaking in front of an audience takes courage, and the maturity and confidence they showed was fantastic to see.

The judging panel included the Hon Ben Franklin MLC, President of the Legislative Council, Toastmaster Pauline Gilchrist and Sydney Morning Herald State Political Reporter Max Maddison.

Following the speeches, students and parents took part in a Q&A with Mr Griffin before hearing from the judges about the importance of public speaking and effective communication.

“The standard was incredibly high this year, and our judges had a very difficult job choosing the winners,” said Mr Griffin.

“Congratulations to our Stage 2 winner Emmeline Symons from Curl Curl North Public School, and our Stage 3 winner Isla Kelly from Harbord Public School.

“I also congratulate our Stage 2 runners-up Kai Martin from Manly Village Public School and Harvey Laing from Manly West Public School, and our Stage 3 runners-up Darcy Richmond from Manly Vale Public School and Will Godwin from Manly West Public School.

“Thank you to the teachers, parents and judges who helped make the competition possible, and to the Parliament of NSW for giving these students the opportunity to experience public speaking in Australia’s oldest Parliament,” said Mr Griffin.

“Over the past nine years, one of the real highlights has been welcoming students and their parents to Parliament each year for the Bear Pit competition. With this year’s being my last as the Member for Manly, it is a tradition I will miss greatly.”