Scotch College

James Garrick, ‘Best Natural Speaker’, Wins Public Speaking Award

Year 12 student James Garrick wins the Rotary Club of Richmond’s Ern Ainger Public Speaking Award.

Words and photography: Ben Hosking

This Rotary Club of Richmond’s Ern Ainger Public Speaking Award, now in its 18th year, is open to secondary school students in the metropolitan area, and focuses on effective delivery of the spoken word, with lesser emphasis on the argument presented or the subject matter.

Seventy students from 30 schools contested the four heats. In addition to James Garrick, Will Robertson (Year 11) and Hugh McKenzie (Year 10) were entered from Scotch.

The final of the award was on May 14 at the Amora Riverwalk Hotel before an audience of just over 100 Rotarians, partners, parents and guests. The 10 finalists came from nine schools, and the audience was treated to 10 presentations of excellent quality by a group of really talented young people.

James Garrick gave a very moving presentation about his trip to Africa with Scotch’s Kapumfi project. Adjudicator Don Kinsey commented that James won the competition because he came across as the best natural speaker. He received a cheque for $350, a medallion and his name was inscribed on the Ainger Award perpetual trophy.

There is a strong Scotch connection with this award, as the late Ern Ainger (’39) was an Old Boy and a past president of the Rotary Club of Richmond. This public-speaking award in his memory was the initiative of the Richmond club and the Ainger family.

Ern was a second-generation auctioneer, following his father, Ernest John Ainger, into the business of E J Ainger Pty Ltd in Bridge Road, Richmond. He was a colourful figure with a strong voice and great sense of humour. His son John (’69) has succeeded him, and is the third-generation auctioneer at the helm of the firm. Ern Ainger’s other son, David (’71, along with his grandsons Marcus (’00), Simon (’02), Tim (’02) and Andrew (’05) also attended the School.

There was a further Scotch connection when Old Boy and Rotarian Ben Hosking (’57) chairman of the award, came to assembly on 30 May to present the perpetual trophy and medallion to James. Presenting the trophy, Ben congratulated James on being the first winner from Scotch, and thanked the school for its ongoing participation in the award, in particular praising the support of Ms Keiron Jones this year. GS