Teen's spine-tingling Anzac speech leaves Tararua District mayor near tears

Judges at the inaugural Dannevirke and Districts RSA/Tararua District Council sponsored speech contest for high school students, held last Friday night. Paddy Driver, left, president of the Dannevirke and Districts RSA, Tracey Collis, Tararua District mayor and Phillipa Ellis

Joel Dean Charlton's inspiring speech on what Armistice Day means to him has won his school $500, while he collected a signed copy of the Phil Lamason book I Would Not Step Back . . .

Winning the inaugural Dannevirke and Districts RSA/Tararua District Council-sponsored event also means Joel will deliver his speech at the Dannevirke Anzac Day civic service.

The speech competition is one of the ways the local RSA is encouraging more participation by young people in Anzac Day events.

Joel Dean Charlton, head boy at Totara College, presents his winning speech on what Armistice Day means to him in Dannevirke on Friday night. Joel was the first to use the Tararua District Council's new lectern, handmade by David Hurrell

The judges, RSA president Paddy Driver, district mayor Tracey Collis and Phillipa Ellis, all agreed Joel's presentation was "spine-tingling".

"I had goosebumps and was close to tears," Mrs Collis said.

Mr Driver said Joel's speech was high calibre.

But the 17-year-old head boy from Totara College admitted he had nerves before stepping up to the lectern.

"Like an artist, I'm always worried about content and like an artist, I always think I can do better," he said.

But judge Phillipa Ellis said Joel's delivery and content were wonderful.

"Joel has a great persona and including te reo in his speech was a great touch," she said.

Joel's speech was a reminder to remember the men who fought and died for our freedom and his speech focused on what Armistice Day meant to him personally.

"On the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an artillery battery fired its last barrage, a German soldier fired a shot, bowed and walked away," he said.

Armistice Day is commemorated every year on November 11 to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France.

The public will get the chance to appreciate Joel's speech at our Anzac Day civic service, which will be especially important for the 17-year-old who plans to join the Army when he leaves college.

As well as his Totara College curriculum, Joel is studying sport, exercise and health at UCOL in Palmerston North.

And for the first time, the newly council-commissioned handmade lectern was used for the competition.

"It's been in my office under wraps and I wanted our young people to have the privilege of using it first," Mrs Collis said.

It was crafted by Dannevirke's David Hurrell, working from a photo.

"Bringing a flat piece of wood to life is very fulfilling," Mr Hurrell said.

"The wood I've used holds great historical value for our town. It was sourced from Graeme Thompson who was charged with demolishing our old hospital.

"It's very rewarding to know the old hospital has been put to good use throughout the community in the work I have done."

Mr Hurrell works with wood for kitchens through to all types of furniture, specialising in wooden tops for which there is a big demand.

"Every job creates new challenges."