Molly talks her way to the top

The national competition which took place in Canberra on Saturday, April 27, named 17-year-old Molly, who attends Lumen Christi Catholic College, as the winner after she competed against the other state finalists. Molly is very active in both her community and at school.

Molly’s achievement puts her in a very select group of those who have won both the Lions Youth of the Year and Lions Public Speaking crowns. She reached state level in 2012, but went all the way this time.

She joins a list of previous winners who have progressed to become notable people, Kevin Rudd being one of them.

The Pambula Merimbula Lions Club members have watched with delight as Molly progressed to become the regional public speaking and overall winner in February at an event hosted by the Bega Lions Club, the district finalist in March and the state winner at Epping, Sydney in April before going on to compete in the national final against the other state winners in Canberra, at the Lions Convention, last weekend.

Molly’s winning speech was on Australian agriculture and the monopoly that large companies hold over the industry. 

Last year’s public speaking winner, Nathan Barnden, of Bega, was one of the judges.

As a winner, Molly will host this year’s state finalists for a week in the region.

Her prize for the Youth of the Year quest is a $4000 overseas trip with $1000 spending money, and for the public speaking award, a $2000 overseas trip with $500 spending money.

On Monday, April 29, Molly and her supporters from Lumen Christi Catholic College and Eden Marine High School, met with member for Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly, in his electorate office where Dr Kelly congratulated Molly on her achievement.

Molly’s parents, Keith and Sophie Campbell (Longdon) are very proud of their daughter as are Lumen Christi Catholic College and the Pambula Merimbula Lions Club.

After she completes her HSC this year, Molly hopes to go to ANU to study music and law.