NEWS AND VIEWS

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• April 2008
• February 2008 [197KB]

ROSTRUM EVENTS - 2008

• Calendar of Events

Check out the Calendar of Events for 2008, which will be updated as changes occur.

Adjudication Seminar

The Adjudication Seminar, held on 12 April, allowed Rostrum members to review the requirements for adjudication of speeches in preparation for the upcoming Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition. Fm Eddie fee and Fm Tom McKeon were the presenters of an excellent review of the adjudication technique. Speeches from the 1996 Queensland Final of RVOY were the basis for the review.

Those who attended were Paul Halliday (3), Fm Doug Fergusson (15), Fm Bill Smith (3), Genny Smith (3), Sabrina Li (10), Keith Long (3), Jutta Marqardt (17), Marama Heggie (15), Lance Anderson (3), Hui Jiang (17), Micheal Axelsen (17), Kay Lyons (17), Fm David Thorpe (27), Fm Eddie Fee (17) and Fm Tom McEwan.

ROSTRUM EVENTS - 2007

• Annual Convention and Competition Finals

The Queensland Rostrum Annual Convention was held on Saturday 3rd November 2007 at Surfers Paradise Golf Club

Highlights of the Convention were:

• The final of the Arch Williams Competition was won by Paul Giardina (Club 13) with Joanne Keune Club 4 (2nd) and Freeman Eddie Fee Club 17 (3rd)
• The Tall Story Competition was won by Freeman Brian Korner
• Freeman John Brown was awarded the George Shaw Impromptu speaking Trophy
• Trevor Wilder of Club 47 won the Vivienne Shortell Open short notice speaking competition
• The Alan Crook Award was won by Club 3; the trophy was received by the Club President, Farnell Hobman
• Club 3 won the convention attendance prize
• Bill Smith and Brian Korner were presented with Bronze medallions
• Carmel Remphrey was presented with the Freeman George Sorbello Memorial Award
• Doug Fergusson (Club 15) was granted the title of "Freeman of Rostrum"

Photographs of some of the highlights may be viewed here.

Donna Mansfield and Dr David Thorpe congratulate Bob Freer

• Freeman Frank Smith Novice Speaking Competition

This competition, for members with under 2 years' experience in Rostrum, was held at the Public Library at Garden City Shopping Centre in Brisbane, on 13th October, and was a great success. It became a "speak off" between members of clubs in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, with a Gold Coast representative, Bob Freer, taking home the trophy.

Bob, of Club 27, spoke on the topic "Large enough to make a difference" and dealt with some of the issues surrounding the huge bulk carriers which now ply the oceans of the world delivering petroleum.

The photograph shows Dr David Thorpe, President of Queensland Rostrum (centre), and Donna Mansfield, Chairperson of the event, congratulating Bob on his win.

• Eddie Fee After Dinner Speaking Competition

The final of the Eddie Fee After Dinner Speaking Competition was held at Mercy Place, Bardon, on 16th June. Those attending enjoyed an excellent dinner of soup, roast pork and apple pie with wines, juice and soft drink.

Competitors in the Eddie Fee After Dinner Speaking Competition

An innovative approach to the adjudication of the competition on this occasion was that the audience, less contestants, was the judging panel. Adjudication papers were provided to the audience and all participated. Placings were added in the usual way to determine the winner, with the proviso that if one contestant achieved first place from 50% or more of the papers there was no further counting. This did not eventuate. There was also a proviso that in the event of a tie, the chairman's adjudication form, not previously included, would act as the tie-breaker.

The six contestants in the competition final presented a diverse selection of after-dinner speeches. Contestants chose the following scenarios for their speeches:

• Don Mansfield was the party candidate, Justin Credible, for the Federal seat of Your Pants.
• Bernie Ketter, as one of the top Tupperware salespeople in Queensland, shared some tips on how to deal with difficult customers and get others motivated.
• Bob Murray was a member of the Brisbane branch of the martial art Shorinji Kempo.
• Eddie Fee was Professor Albert Fee, Professor Of Clicheology of the English Department of the University of Stradbroke Island.
• Paul Grieve, as Mr Thomas P Crapper, highlighted the options and importance of his Company's product - toilet paper.
• Olivia Power was a member of the Australian Flat Earth Society.

The 2007 winner was Freeman Eddie Fee from Club 17.

Fmn Tom McEwan, 2007 competition Organiser

ADJUDICATION SHEET

Members may download an Adjudication Sheet [25KB]. This is the standard for all Rostrum competitions.