The Inverell High School HSC student, who is currently studying for her half-yearly exams, won the district final in Port Macquarie on Saturday night.

Hannah faced the judges in an interview on Saturday afternoon, which takes into account leadership ability, sporting and cultural interests, citizenship and community involvement, general knowledge and academic achievements.

Then the public speaking component was conducted on Saturday night in front of an audience of more than 100 people, including several members of Macintyre Lions Club and Hannah’s father David, who all travelled to Port Macquarie.

Hannah competed against students from Yamba, Nambucca Heads, Taree, Manilla and Tamworth.

“I would not have envied the judges their position at all,” Hannah said after the final. “Everyone was of such a high calibre, and it’s really good to be competing against people like that, it really raises the bar, it’s great.” 

Hannah was named both the overall winner and the public speaking winner. She will travel to Sydney next week for the state final on Saturday, April 11.

The state winner will compete for the national title in Newcastle on Saturday, May 2.

“It’s incredibly exciting,” Hannah said. “It’s a little bit of a feather in the cap, I guess. I’m really excited to be going, it’s going to be great.”

On Saturday night, Hannah and the other contestants were asked two impromptu questions.

In response to the first question – who would you like to meet from history? – Hannah answered Julia Gillard, explaining the questions she would like to ask Australia’s first female prime minister.

Prime ministers have been a popular topic in the competition, with Tony Abbott being mentioned by Hannah and other speakers in the regional final, when asked whose wall they would like to be a fly on.

The second question asked how the recent French Alps plane crash could be prevented from happening.

The contestants later delivered five-minute prepared speeches. Hannah spoke about feminism.

This is the second year Hannah has entered the Lions Youth of the Year Quest, and while she had to withdraw from last year’s competition due to prior commitments, this year she has made it to the state final winning every final and public speaking award along the way.

Hannah attributed her success to hard work and a little bit of luck.

“We’ll see how that holds me for the next level. Fingers crossed it works.”

In the meantime, Hannah is getting back to school work.

“I’m in the middle of half-yearly exams, so I’m working my way, trying to balance a bit of everything I do. 

“But I think balance is really important, so I’m enjoying it.”