Nhill College students Mikayla Farmers, 15, and Zara Clark, 14, were joint winners for the region’s best public speakers. Ouyen P-12 College student Milla Searle, 12, was named runner-up. 

Students spoke in front of three judges, other competitors and an audience and were judged on tone, length, fluidity and confidence. 

Mikayla said the topic of her speech focused on how social media could negatively affect the current generation of youth. 

“It’s important to have real friendships,” she said. 

Zara Clark said the topic of her speech pinpointed how social media could produce false idolisation. 

“It was about how social media makes us think people are amazing who aren’t really that amazing,” she said. 

Milla said the topic of her speech focused on why bystanders in a bullying situation were as much at fault as the bully themselves. 

Mikayla and Zara will compete at Bendigo in the next stage of the speaking competition.