02 May 2024
An expressive and passionate classroom speech has sparked an unforgettable experience for Perth boy and die-hard Tigers fan Max Andrew.
The Beldon Primary School Year 2 student was crowned 2023 champion in the Beldon Speaks competition for his speech about his idol, Richmond football player Dustin Martin.
Richmond fan Max meets his idol Dusty.
His presentation was shared on social media, prompting Dusty and the Richmond Football Club to see it and invite Max to present his speech to the team.
Max attended a team training session where he did a Q&A with the players, presented his speech, and met his idol, Dusty. He and his family also scored tickets to the Richmond and West Coast Eagles game at Optus Stadium.
Max said although he was a bit nervous, meeting Dusty was a dream come true.
“Speaking in front of other people can be hard, but don’t be nervous, try as hard as you can and don’t give up on your dreams,” he said.
The Beldon Speaks competition allows students from Years 1 to 6 to develop their speech writing, presentation, and public speaking skills. In Max’s case, the speech competition also led to the opportunity of a lifetime.
The judges were impressed by Max’s expression, pride, and passion in his speech.
Beldon Primary School deputy principal Christine Brown said students chose to persuade, inform, or entertain with their speech. She said the annual initiative was always a highlight of the school calendar.
“Through their participation in Beldon Speaks our students develop confidence with their public speaking skills,” she said.
“Finalists are chosen from each year level, and after presenting to their year level peers and judges a winner is chosen.
“In 2023 Max Andrew was the Year 1 winner in his first ever Beldon Speaks competition.
“At Beldon Primary School we are incredibly proud of Beldon Speaks and the confidence our students display when speaking publicly.”