Matilda previously won the club-level competition in 2025 before progressing to the district final on April 18, hosted by the Wangaratta Lions Club, where she competed against three other students from Rushworth, Corowa and Numurkah.
Youth of the Year is a public speaking competition for young people. Entrants are required to present a prepared speech followed by a formal interview and two impromptu questions.
Matilda said she was “very happy” when she found out she was going to the state finals.
“I didn't quite expect it because the people that I was competing with also spoke really, really well,” she said.
Matilda said her speech was about the emergency services and volunteers fund that was introduced into Victoria last year.
“I talked about how it negatively impacts farmers and a lot of people in our community,” she said.
“I come from an agricultural background, I live on a farm with my family, so I can see first-hand how that can impact farmers, especially my parents.”
In preparation for the competition, Matilda has been practising her speech to “basically anyone who will listen”.
“I've also been watching last year's nationals on YouTube so I can get more prepared and practising doing the impromptu questions as I find them a bit difficult,” she said.
Matilda isn’t sure if public speaking will be part of her future career, but plans to study science at university and will see where that path takes her.
“I think I'd always like to advocate for the things that I believe in,” she said.
Cobram Lions Youth of the Year co-ordinator Janet Austin said it was an “amazing achievement” and Matilda’s speech was “absolutely magnificent”.
“She should be really proud of herself both personally and academically of what she has achieved,” Ms Austin said.
“The support of the local schools is wonderful, they all get involved each year, and it’s so great to see so many Cobram students excelling.”
If Matilda wins the Victorian state final on May 2, she will travel to the nationals, held in Adelaide later this year.
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