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Quest Chairman for Australia
Bryan Coggle



md201yoty@bigpond.com

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National Winners Report 2008-2009
National Winner Reports>>   2008-2009 2007-2008

2006-2007

    International Tour
Turkey
United Kingdom
New Zealand
United Kingdom
New Zealand

YOUTH OF THE YEAR

International Tour

by 2007-2008 National winner

Edward Miller

 

As recipient of the 2009 Lions National winner prize, I was extraordinarily fortunate in being able to combine an overseas Lions Club experience with one of my personal dreams, to attend the Worlds University Debating Competition in Antalya, Turkey, at the end of December last year. “Worlds” is the gold standard of debating. Students come from over 200 counties from all continents to compete and adjudicate. My university, Sydney, has had more than its fair share of success over the years and I was thrilled to be able to attend representing the uni as an adjudicator, with the assistance of the Lions Club.

Debating and social justice issues always go hand in hand; debating attracts articulate socially aware young people and I am sure I have met a number of future leaders who will make their mark in so many areas and it was a delight and a privilege. Even better I “broke” through to semi finals as an adjudicator, meaning I scored well enough in the competition to be able to adjudicate at that level. To cap it off - Sydney Uni actually won the grandfinals of the competition again! On so many levels, it was an experience I will never forget. I gained skills I didn’t have before and have met friends from around the world. I am so grateful Lions made it possible.

After “Worlds” finished, my formal Lions experience in Turkey started. I stayed in Istanbul with some truly wonderful Lions families. Istanbul was the most fantastic city and the Lions families were so generous in making it so memorable. I am sure I gained weight from the Turkish delight, the Turkish coffee and amazing food but I did try to walk it off seeing as much as possible of Istanbul. The Lions families discussed their focus and charity efforts in their communities and it is amazing that half way around the world, the multi-cultural nature of Lions does reach into the hearts of so many, caring for others less fortunate, and the drive to want to make a difference.

One of highlights of my trip was undoubtedly visiting Gallipoli. So much has been written about Australians making the pilgrimage there because of the increasing community awareness of the significance of ANZAC day, particularly amongst younger Australians. I had studied World War I extensively at school but listening to a local guide who was just so informative, while looking at these strips of desolate sand where so many lost their lives, it  really was a revelation about the tragedy of war. The big question as to why they landed there at all, not somewhere else, really makes one think about the sometimes random, awfulness of so much conflict in the past. And grateful that the sprit and the story of those brave men is part of what makes modern Australia the country it has become.

I didn’t even know there were prizes when I entered the Lions Competition over 2 years ago; it was a great surprise as I went along.  I certainly never thought I would be visiting Turkey because of it. Adrian Miles and the YOTY team have made this all possible for me and I will always be so thankful to the Lions family. I hope I can find a way to contribute to the community in my own way in the years ahead and make you all proud.