On Sunday 14th September, four students from Braybrook College participated in the Club Final of the Lions Youth of the Year hosted by the Sunshine Lions Club.

The candidates were selected and interviewed based on their contributions and performances in academics, sport and culture, leadership and community service. They then participated in the public speaking component of the event, delivering a prepared speech on a topic of their choice and responding to impromptu questions.

A well-earned congratulations goes to Atet Garang for winning both the Public Speaking Award and the overall Youth of the Year. She responded effectively to the questions of what she would do if she won the lottery, and highlighted the intergenerational trauma that forms a barrier with recognising challenges in mental health. Her prepared speech on perspectives of racism in Australia presented harsh realities faced by victims.

Well done to the other candidates for challenging themselves in this event: Tran Quynh Anh Nguyen, Isabella Thomas and Christopher Tonna.

Atet will represent Braybrook College and the Sunshine Lions Club at the regional final in February 2026.