Pearce Prize

The 2008 Pearce Prize final in Geelong attracted a good crowd with 45 members and guests enjoying the speeches and Thai food.

Each of the four Western clubs offered a skilled speaker to compete in the evening's two rounds of competitive speaking.

The first round's format was 7 minute prepared speeches. "Escape" was Laurie Bowman of Warrnambool's emancipating choice of topic. Chris Carlan from Geelong Club 36 darted forward with "Go for Goals". Horsham's June Liddy ran with "Escape". Felicity Rogerson from Geelong Club 14 broke from the blocks with "Ready Set Go".

Round two's designated weapon was 3 minute impromptu speeches. The competitors were given the topics "I can make it happen", "Do it now", "Stop making excuses" and "It takes effort". They made good use of them.

Adjudicators Fmn John McCarthy, George Powell and Liz Cumming were given a lot to consider. Finally, after an evening of well chosen words, Rostrum Victoria President George Schmidt had the honour of delivering the words those present most wanted to hear, the name of the 2008 Pierce Prize winner.

Those words were "Chris Carlan".