At its regular dinner meeting last night, Port Macquarie Lions Club chose its entrant for the state’s Youth of the Year Quest.

Michael Stewart was chosen after six high school students had taken part in the public speaking section of the quest.

Mr Phil Lucock, MHR, last night judged the students on their public speaking ability.

The six students were Michael Stewart, Robert Rosenbaum, Doug Hyde, Petina Alexander, Colleen Fowler and Sherrey Thurling.

Last week they appeared before a panel of judges – Mrs Donovan, Bill Green, Peter Merrotsy and Charlie Uptin – who assessed their capabilities at school, in leadership, participation in sport, arts and citizenship affairs, and general knowledge of Australian subjects.

The points awarded by Mr Lucock for public speaking were added to those gained before the panel, and the winner was announced at last night’s dinner.

President Reg Swalwell congratulated all the students on their participation in the quest, and wished Michael success in the zone eliminations. 

Michael did not quite gain the highest marks in the public speaking section of the adjudication but managed to hold the place he had won in other sections. 

He gained 74 marks out of 100; Miss Thurling was second with 71 and Miss Alexander third with 70.

Proposal to re-name Short Street

A proposal from the RSL to re-name Short Street came before Tuesday night’s meeting of the municipal council.

Anzac Parade and Victory Parade were suggested as alternatives to Short Street.

After some discussion it was resolved the matter should be considered further by the RSL and the council.

Whether Short Street has any historical significance is to be investigated, and there was some reaction among the aldermen to the suggestion of Victory Parade.

No parking space

The secretary of the NSW Country Press Association, Mr Harold Roots, found it difficult to park in Horton Street on shopping days.

He mentioned this in a letter to Mrs B. Gibson, receptionist at the Tourist Information Centre.

Mr Roots was among the country newspaper editors who visited Port Macquarie in June, as guests of the Tourist Promotion Committee and Motel Proprietors’ Association.

Mrs Gibson wrote to all the visiting editors, asking for their views of the town. 

The letter read: “I acknowledge the sincerity of your request for critical remarks as well as praise for the town and its facilities”.

“I can perhaps make two comments - one was that despite the fact we were in Port Macquarie in mid-winter it was still difficult to find parking space after about 9.30am on any shopping day.

“If the tradesmen and managers in the main shopping area use available parking space for their own cars, they are obviously making it difficult for shoppers nearest their own premises.

“The only other point that occurs to me is that we felt the main centre could do with one or two more restaurants to offer wider choice and quicker service … but in general I don’t think any of us found very much to criticise in Port Macquarie.”