According to Elsie Webber from Quota International of Moss Vale, Belinda's speech was an impressive entry in an already excellent field.

"Belinda was on seventh and she gave a really outstanding speech on the subject of 'chairs'" Ms Webber said.

"It was a deceptively simple topic - at first I thought 'how on earth is she going to make it last four minutes?'

"But she gave a very well-delivered speech which had a message and brought together a wide range of themes and ideas.

"Belinda spoke on everything from the effect chairs have on people, to the ways they were used as symbols of power for Roman generals and teachers."

Ms Webber said Belinda excelled in both the interview and public speaking sections of the competition.

"Belinda was able to think very quickly on her feet for the ad-lib section of the competition and she also showed a great deal of maturity in the interviews," Ms Webber said.

"She gave the speech practically without notes and had good gestures.

"She was a very, very good speaker."

The runner-up in the competition was Samantha Beresford from Oxley College.

"Samantha gave a most impressive speech on China's one-child policy. As outlined in her speech the policy has been hailed as a great success at keeping the population down but has led to widespread distress and even mothers killing their babies," Ms Webber said.

"Samantha gave a very dramatic speech and is obviously very passionate about human rights."

Ms Webber said she was pleased by the skill competitors displayed during their speeches.

"It really was outstanding, the variety of subjects the students chose to talk about and their passion for their subjects," she said.

"They all seemed to have an extensive knowledge of current events and wider social issues.