Bella Cathcart (SGHS) will re-present her Speech on Tuesday 22nd
The Rotary District 9999 Speech Competition Grand Final was held at The Dunedin Club in Dunedin on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, bringing together the winners from the Southland, Otago and Central Otago regional events.
Queen’s High School student Malak Tamimi, 16, won the competition. Eli Puna, a Year 12 student at St Peter’s College, placed second, while Riley Miller of Mt Aspiring College placed third.
The Grand Final followed the Southland Regional Final, held on 18 August on Level 6 of the Kelvin Hotel.
Eli Puna won the Southland event, with Jasmine Rivera, a Year 13 student at Verdon College, named runner-up.
Zara Bell, a Year 12 student at St Peter’s College, and Bella Cathcart, a Year 13 student at Southland Girls’ High School, were also commended for their excellent speeches and contribution to a high-quality evening of youth leadership.
Students in the Rotary Speech Competition deliver five-to-six-minute speeches on topics of their choice, weaving the principles of the Four-Way Test throughout their messages. The annual event gives young people a valuable platform to share their ideas, strengthen their communication skills and build confidence as emerging leaders in our community.
Travel costs and Prizes for the Grand Final were supported by the District. The Rotary Club of Invercargill proudly covered the costs of hosting the Southland Regional Final and provided cash prizes of $125 for the winner and $70 for the runner-up. Club member Lisa-Maree Fleck coordinated the 2026 regional event.
At Tuesday's (22nd September) meeting, Bella Cathcart from Southland Girls High will be our guest speaker and will re-present her competition speech.
Pictured above with President Helen & Toastmasters Judge Margaret Whittington at the Regional Final, Bella is looking forward to sharing her speech with members.
This is a special opportunity for members to hear one of Southland’s talented young speakers and to experience firsthand the communication skills fostered by the competition.
Please come along, give Bella a warm Rotary welcome and support one of our region’s emerging young leaders.
Looking ahead, Lisa-Maree will be the point of contact for the 2027 Southland Competition. If you know a student who may be interested, or have a speech teaching contact at a local school, please let Lisa-Maree know.