The 95th North Queensland Eisteddfod was hosted by the Cairns Choral Society recently. It also coincided with the Society's 100th Anniversary. Besides Choirs, Pop, Jazz, Folk, Cabaret, Sacred, Australian, Instrumental, Musical Theatre and Drama there was the prestigious public speaking section.

It was a real talkfest with the overall winner being from Port Douglas. Rita Merrick, part time Radio Announcer and almost full-time Medical Secretary talked her way to the first prize.

A cheque for forty dollars and a certificate for the wall doesn’t seem much in prize terms, but in the world of public speaking, it’s bragging rights that win the day, and Rita has certainly earned those.

Rita told Newsport she was over the moon.

“It was just wonderful to have the support of Port Douglas people who were in the audience and cheering me on” she said.

Rita had three subjects in the public speaking section to choose from.

“I chose the ‘the day in the life of a pen’ because it gave me a chance to have some fun and use my imagination” Rita said.

A clean sweep for the Shire

Also cleaning up at the Eisteddfod was team Altouise from the Clink Theatre in Port Douglas. Singing teacher Altouise DeVaughn and her choir ‘Voices of the North’ received a lot of attention.

They placed 1st in the sacred and 1st, in chief small choirs.

Her student Cathy Knight won 1st, in the 1st grade solo. 1st, solo from oratorio and 3rd, operatic aria. 16-year-old Diva, Holly Dowell won 1st, second-grade Soprano, 1st pop, solo and 1st, Sacred, solo. Plus lots of other placings.

Below is a transcript of Rita Merricks winning entry in the public speaking section. Take the time to read it. It’s brilliant.

A day in the life of Fifi the fountain pen

I had a call this morning from my friend Fifi the fountain pen, she’s such fun and has a wonderful life with her owner, the ravishing Rupert, an international businessman and author. Fifi has a body just like mine, very sleek, and when you take off the top of the pen, she proudly shows off her gold nib. She’s in London with Rupert at the moment and lives in the inside pocket of whatever stylish jacket he’s wearing.

His suits are all hand made in Saville Row lined with the finest of silk which adds to the comfort of Fifi as she relaxes amidst the luxury of that pocket. Out she came for the first time yesterday morning as Rupert wanted to write a thank you note to friends for entertaining him so lavishly the previous evening. Fifi loves these sorts of notes and makes sure Rupert displays his best handwriting.

They’re staying at the Ritz in London, very posh indeed and Rupert has a personal butler as part of staying in one of the finest rooms. Yet another note for Rupert to write, leaving Fifi quite breathless with all this work.

He wanted to let the butler know which wines to bring to the room this evening as he was doing a bit of entertaining with a certain actress. Phew! Fifi said, quite a morning and it wasn’t yet 9 o’clock. Down to breakfast they went but not before Rupert stopped off at reception to take delivery of a parcel which of course Fifi the fountain pen had to sign for.

The chauffeur was summoned as Rupert had an important business meeting in Mayfair and off Fifi went with him, still snuggly sitting in his jacket pocket. Once they were at the offices the meeting began and Fifi was working overtime as she had loads of documents to sign to do with Ruperts business.

Then they had to stop off at a florist in Chelsea so Rupert could write a card for the gorgeous flowers he’d ordered earlier. Oh, he’s one for the ladies is ravishing Rupert. Fifi did her best flowing handwriting, all sweeps, and curls to impress the lady in question.

Fifi was pleased it was lunchtime, that meant a bit of a snooze in the pocket as Rupert wined and dined some business associates. Oh, wait a minute! There was the signing of the bill to go against his account but only a quick signature that was all.

Rupert is a published author, and his specialty is thrillers, all blood and gore. Yesterday afternoon Rupert and Fifi went to a book signing at a bookshop in Holborn, so it was all action for Fifi. In fact, Rupert had to fill her up. Out came the black ink he was so fond of. A couple of squeezes and Fifi was ready to rock.

Fifi said her nib glided beautifully over the paper as customers queued up to have a personal signing of Ruperts latest book. You know what it’s like, love to Aunty that, best wishes to Mrs this, all good wishes to Jack and Lucy, loads of different people all wanting Rupert's signature. Fifi was well and truly exhausted.

More writing in the evening though. Rupert wanted to pen a note to one of his many girlfriends who he was meeting the following evening. Once again Fifi really let rip with the nib, making sweeping gestures and lots of kisses.

The day ended with a little shopping list for Harrods, of course. Fifi loved being used for this as sometimes there’s a new bottle of ink on the list or some of her favourite blotting paper. Tired but happy, Fifi retired to bed still in Rupert’s jacket pocket thrown over the back of a huge soft sofa, so it was a relaxing night for Fifi.

Before she went to sleep, she was thinking about a rather common looking biro she’d seen at the book signing. Billy Biro was his name, but there was something about him that Fifi rather liked. Even though she considered him rather common she thought she might write him a note.

(Applause)

The End