Community & Business
12 August, 2026
Brightest youth on show at comp
THREE St Stephen’s Catholic College students finished in the top three across their respective age groups at the recent Mario Calanna Public Speaking Competition.
Rachel Montgomery (Year 7/8), Zebedee Knighton (Year 9/10) and Cara Hall-Matthews (Year 11/12) all finished within the top three at the competition, with exact placings set to be revealed at the Aspire Awards in Cairns in September.
The event, organised annually by the Business Liaison Association, was this year hosted by St Stephen’s and saw 23 students participate, with contestants coming from St Mary’s Catholic College (Cairns), St Andrew’s Catholic College (Cairns), St Augustine’s College (Cairns), and BUSY Schools (Cairns).
Mario Calanna established the competition in 1978 to help students strengthen their capacity in 21st century skills – communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and confidence – and since then, thousands have participated.
Students were divided into three age groups, with each group assigned a set of topics to discuss. Students were then able to choose the topic for their speech.
“This year’s competition gave students a genuine springboard to share their voice on issues that matter – from women’s rights in Afghanistan to gun violence to the dangers of indifference,” event organiser and St Stephen’s teacher Laura Gilbert said.
“It was a valuable opportunity for young people to hear from one another, and to learn from our experienced adjudication panel about the power of public speaking for their future.
“Young people are too often painted as having little to say about the issues that matter most, yet our competitors proved that notion wrong, speaking with real depth of insight, reflection, wisdom and challenge.”
A panel of judges, including Matthew Calanna (son of Mario), assessed the speeches, selected placegetters, and provided valuable feedback and encouragement to participating students.
“I was honoured to attend and help adjudicate the competition,” Mr Calanna said.
“I thank Laura and the team at St Stephens for their efforts hosting and coordinating this wonderful event in honour of my late father.
“It was wonderful to see the calibre of speeches that were presented, and the original ideas and thoughts put together by an amazing group of young people. It is so encouraging to see that we have some wonderful young people developing in our region.
“Dad was an avid public speaker and debater and believed in young people being exposed to, and given opportunities to, compete in public speaking.
“The confidence and self-esteem that public speaking gives to people was the reason that he was so passionate about this event and involving our young people from the region. It’s a privilege that the competition continues to run and his memory is honoured as a result.”
PLACEGETTERS:
Year 7/8:
Rachel Montgomery - St Stephen’s Catholic College
Aryian Singh - St Augustine’s College
Kiera Clarke - St Mary’s Catholic College
Year 9/10:
Zebedee Knighton - St Stephen’s Catholic College
Paxton Cordwell - St Augustine’s College
Kiara Williams - St Andrew’s Catholic College
Year 11/12:
Cara Hall-Matthews - St Stephen’s Catholic College
Jamal Goncalves - St Augustine’s College
Shania Godinho - St Andrew’s Catholic College
