Frankston Susono Friendship Association: 2018 FSFA Japanese Speech Contest

The Frankston Susono Friendship Association held its annual Japanese Speech Contest at Monash Peninsula Campus on Friday 7^th September. The Association is a group of volunteer citizens who administer Frankston’s sister city relationship with Susono, Shizuoka in Japan on behalf of the Frankston Council. FSFA have worked to promote Japanese culture, the study of Japanese language plus student and cultural exchanges since the sister city relationship was established in February 1982.

A table full of trophies!

The Association invited students from local primary and secondary schools for this year’s contest and 79 entries were received. Contestants were required to recite a short self-introduction followed by a set piece based on the story of Kaguya Hime (The Moon Princess) and were judged by a panel of Japanese speakers. Contestants competed in Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Japanese Environment (Primary), Junior Secondary, Intermediate Secondary, Japanese Environment (Secondary) and Senior Secondary divisions.

Our fantastic judges - Jill, Miho, Harumi and Chie

FSFA Chairperson Peter Patterson welcomed all contestants, their parents and teachers before explaining the work undertaken by the Association and the importance of the annual contest in promoting the teaching of Japanese language in our local schools.

The evening’s program started with the primary divisions kicking off proceedings and over 35 nervous and excited contestants presenting before the judging panel. Individual trophies were awarded to the top three students in each division, with the top contestant in each division also awarded a perpetual trophy which is displayed with pride at their school for the next 12 months.

One of our judges Jill Ridgway providing encouragement and feedback at the conclusion of the primary school divisions.

Results:

Lower Primary (Prep to Year 3):

1^st Ella T (Toorak College)

2^nd Mitch J (Derinya Primary School)

3^rd Amber D (Derinya Primary School)

Lower Primary winners with Chairperson Peter Patterson (Ella T, Mitch J and Amber D)

Upper Primary (Years 4 to 6):

1^st Sophia F (Toorak College)

2^nd Ruby S (Derinya Primary School)

3^rd Belle S (Derinya Primary School)

Upper Primary winners (Belle S, Ruby S and Sophia F)

Japanese Environment (Primary):

1^st Nalu B (Balnarring Primary School)

2^nd Joe C (Overport Primary School)

3^rd Mizuki B (Balnarring Primary School)

Primary Division winners with Peter Patterson (Sophia F, Ella T and Nalu B)

The secondary schools followed with students presenting a more detailed self-introduction and set piece in each of the 4 divisions. At the conclusion of these speeches the judges commented on the impressive standard of all contestants and recognized the enormous challenge of memorizing and presenting a speech in the Japanese language, especially given that the senior division students are required to write, memorize and present a 3 to 5 minute speech on a Japanese themed topic.

Results:

Junior (Years 7 & 8):

1^st Anirudh K (Haileybury - Newlands)

2^nd Isabella J (Toorak College)

3^rd Jessica T (Hillcrest Christian College)