Aberdeen’s Phillip Tickle, Muswellbrook’s Jamie Watts and Caitlan Connolley and Scone’s Patrick Flanagan competed for a spot in the regional finals.

The winners were Phillip and Jamie, who was also the winner of the public speaking section.

The pair will now contest the regional finals on Sunday, at the Muswellbrook Workers Club.

All of the contestants were interviewed via a judging panel and then tested on their public speaking skills at the dinner on Saturday night.

The judging panel was made up of Hunter Valley News and Muswellbrook Chronicle editor Amy Slessor, Muswellbrook Lions Club honorary auditor Janelle Risby and National Australia Bank Muswellbrook business banking manager Geoff Cunningham.

At the dinner, the contestants presented a five-minute speech and needed to answer two impromptu questions in front of the guests and judges.

Judge chairperson Geoff Cunningham said the judges had a difficult choice.

“The calibre and uniqueness of all the contestants made it an extremely difficult task,” Mr Cunningham said.

“All of the four contestants had their own talents and all showed they have excellent public speaking and interviewing skills, as well as showing community initiative and leadership in their everyday lives.”

Phillip and Jamie will face a new judging panel and new impromptu speeches at the regional finals.

The Youth of the Year Quest is an annual competition held by Lions across the country.

Only one winner from the regional finals will go through to the district competition, which is held at the Newcastle Lions Club on March 28.