Community News

Ethan Davis winner of the public speaking section with Harry Pye, Maclean’s Youth of the Year 2018 / 2019 and Macleans new Youth of the Year Taylor Johnson. Image: contributed

Maclean Lions ‘Youth of the Year’

Taylor Johnson is this years Lions Youth of the Year for Maclean.

On Saturday October 26 outgoing Youth of the Year, Harry Pye presented Taylor Johnson with the title and her winner certificate. Taylor is a vice captain at Maclean High School and she has just begun his year 12 studies. Upon completing her HSC Taylor looks forward to studying medicine before volunteering for overseas aid work. She is a member of the MHS open girls football team who in 2017 won as state finalists. She is also a debating champion and a “Shrek – the musical” cast member, 2019.

Each year Maclean Lions searches to find a local youth to be an ambassador for our town. Three local judges interview the candidates to gain an insight to their all round abilities. They look for community involvement, academic and cultural achievements. Leadership is taken into account as well as personal traits to present as a local representative.

The final judging was at dinner in front of an audience of Lions and community members. At dinner the candidates are assessed on a prepared speech. To gauge their ability to think on their feet while expessing themselves in a public situation they are asked to speak for two minutes about two impromptu questions.

There is an award for the public speaking section and it was won by Ethan Davis. Ethan spoke very passionately about the drought. He is also a vice captain at Maclean High School, also having just begun his year 12 studies. For Maclean High School, Ethan represented in the Surf Ski 100 and has been active at ANZAC Day functions. Another of Ethan’s passions is training working dogs.

This is a Lions Australia national event. Next is the regional final that is expected in Coffs Harbour on the 2nd weekend in March. District and State finals follow and this year the national final will be in Adelaide as part of Lions Australia’s National Convention in May.