Lions Youth of the Year 2026
The Lions Youth of the Year program (Club Round 2026) has a proud history of encouraging and fostering leadership skills in senior high school students across Australia. Established more than 60 years ago, the program aims to develop key strengths in interview technique, personal interaction, networking, public speaking, and quick thinking.
Emphasising qualities such as community and school contribution, academic achievement, and involvement in sport and culture, the program seeks to highlight and support the next generation of outstanding young Australians.
Participants compete in both an interview and a public speaking component, which includes two impromptu questions and a 4–5-minute prepared speech.
Ko Dejima (Year 12) emerged as the overall champion, earning praise from judges for his poised delivery and thoughtful insights during the social media debate. He excelled in the impromptu section, speaking with composure and depth on the topic Social Media Has Done More Harm Than Good, and delivering a strong response to the question “If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?”
Rose D’Alisa (Year 11) delivered a captivating, prepared speech titled Carpe Diem, skillfully linking her impromptu travel response to the desire to learn through experiences in Europe and the rich history it offers.
Congratulations to both Ko and Rose for their outstanding achievements and for representing the College so well. Ko’s exceptional performance has earned him a place in the regional round on 14 March, and we wish him every success as he continues through the competition.
Matt Stopel
Director of Co-Curricular Activities
A.B. Paterson College acknowledges the Kombumerri People as Traditional Custodians of the land, sea, waterways, and skies in which we learn and play. We also pay our respects to elders, past, present, and emerging, and recognise their continuing connection to country and ways of learning.