Young local performer excels in competitions

Over the past six months it seems Joshua is not slowing down.

First he took gold at the Sydney and Wollongong Eisteddfod, and now he is taking top prizes in his hometown.

It seems this talented, driven young man has a huge future ahead of him. 

For the 52^nd Goulburn Eisteddfod, which is running throughout September, he took out : Public Speaking (1st place), Verse Speaking (1st place), Bible Reading (1st place), Impromptu Reading (2nd Place), Prepared Reading (1st Place), Characterisation in Costume (1st place) and Speech & Drama (1st place).

The St Joseph’s Primary School student also represented the school at the Rostrum Primary Public Speaking Competition. Competitors from Goulburn and the surrounding districts also participated.

“It was the toughest Public Speaking Competition I have ever been involved in.” he said after the first week of the Eisteddfod. 

“It demonstrated the great diversity and talent of the young people in our community.”

These titles have allowed him to go to Trinity Primary School in Harden last Friday to represent the Northern Region along with Layla Kendrick from year four and William Barker from year six.

In Harden, Joshua himself returned with 1st place in the year five division against another large group of dedicated competitors. 

“I am very proud of Joshua’s achievements,” his mother, Natalie Arnold said. 

“He has had a very big week speaking in Goulburn Eisteddfod and in Harden. He puts a lot of effort and hard work into his public speaking and he always strives to do better, he loves it.”

The young performer is set to go to Canberra Eisteddfod where he will be competing in similar speech and drama competitions. 

Rostrum is the longest running Public Speaking organisation in the world as it was founded in July 1923 in Manchester, U.K.