Toowoomba student in state finals of public speaking comp

TOOWOOMBA’S Grace Malone will face off against the best public speakers in the state on Saturday.

St Joseph's College students ( From left ) Mackenzie Diprose and Grace Malone had success in the Rostrum Voice of the Year. Friday, 8th Jun, 2018. Picture: Nev Madsen

TOOWOOMBA'S Grace Malone will face off against the best public speakers in the state on Saturday, as part of the Queensland finals of the Rostrum Voice of the Youth competition.

The St Joseph's College Toowoomba Year 10 student said she looked forward to the July 7 event in Brisbane, after placing third in her heat at the South Queensland Finals at the end of May.

To make it through to the state finals, Ms Malone took on the topic of myths and misunderstandings, focussing on autism spectrum disorder.

She said her favourite thing about public speaking was sharing her outlook with others.

Fellow St Joseph's student Mackenzie Diprose also placed third in her heat at the South Queensland Finals at the end of May, but was unfortunate not to progress through to the finals.

To reach this point, both girls had to defeat around 20 competitors in the Toowoomba heats in April, and best another six competitors from the Darling Downs, Maranoa, and South Burnett at the Southwest Queensland Finals at Toowoomba Anglican College and Preparatory School in early May, before earning their runners-up places in the South Queensland Finals.

If Ms Malone takes out the state final on Saturday, she will progress to the national final in Perth later this year.

Originally published as Toowoomba student in state finals of public speaking comp