Moving on from the disappointment of the collapse of the Face of the Globe competition and the loss of pageant dreams earlier this year has been easy for young Taree go-getter, Marylyn Sendah.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
All of the hard work she did in preparation for the failed competition instilled her with greater confidence and taught her many life skills that she says she will treasure forever.
This boost to Marylyn’s confidence helped her enter the Plain English Speaking Award. The Award is a competition run by the Arts Unit of the NSW Department of Education and is open to all NSW government and non-government secondary schools.
Marylyn attended the district rounds at Coffs Harbour where she came first. She progressed to the second round at the Department of Education building in Sydney, where she ranked in the top 22 public speakers in the state and made it to the semi-finals round.
I love public speaking because it feels empowering to be a young person talking in front of an attentive audience about something that matters to me.
- Marylyn Sendah
“I love public speaking because it feels empowering to be a young person talking in front of an attentive audience about something that matters to me,” Marylyn said.
“I am able to express myself and address issues that I feel need addressing, from politics, to climate change, to just about every other topic on the planet.
“I like feeling like I have a voice and I also like entertaining people and hopefully provoking thought and a new and fresh perspective and on ‘old’ topic,” Marylyn said.
The 17-year-old Chatham high School student has a busy schedule. She has become a familiar face in the Manning community with contributions to Taree parkrun, the Manning Youth Action Team (MYAT) and cheerleading at the PCYC.
She is also the 2017-2018 Rotary Club Of Taree Youth Ambassador.
“The Youth Ambassador role has proved itself to be fun, interesting and important. I have learnt all about the moving parts working to make our community better,” Marylyn said.
Related reading: Still dreaming big after pageant hopes crushed
“I have volunteered on community projects, helped fundraise and learnt to always be looking for something in my community that I can change for the better.
“In my term, I will be planning and executing a youth project of my choice. At the moment, I currently have my ears on the ground and am listening and watching the youth of our community so I can ensure that my chosen project caters to their needs.
“My combination of being on the Manning Youth Action Team and being a Youth Ambassador makes me confident that I can accurately represent and help the youth in my community.
“A few months ago, I received government funding to go to a conference in Sydney for National Youth Week that focused on homeless youth, so naturally I seem to be gravitating towards that for my youth project,” Marylyn said.
Marylyn recognises her progress is not a solo effort, and is grateful for the support that Chatham High School has provided along the way.
“From journey to journey, my school has always been very supportive of me. They offer me every resource possible to accomplish my endeavours and have proved to be an amazing support system. I would just like to thank them. I would also like to thank Chatham High for my nomination for the Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award,” Marylyn said.
Julia Driscoll
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
