Ballarat Grammar School year 11 students Maddy Wang and Alex Kackson qualified for the semi-finals of the competition, which were held on Saturday in Melbourne.

They will compete against 60 students.

St Patrick’s College students James McKinnon, Campbell Milne, Liam O'Shea and David O'Doherty made it though to the state finals of the competition, which will be held on September 9.

The students were selected from more than 700 students who competed in debates across Victoria.

The Evatt Competition is a model United Nations Security Council diplomacy competition for years 9 to 12. 

It aims to educate young people about Australia’s place in the world and empower them as active citizens by developing public speaking, negotiation, teamwork, research, and diplomatic skills.

St Patrick’s College student Liam O’Shea enjoyed public speaking and debating because it allowed him to think on his feet.“Also being able to persuade people and present your point of view rather than in the form of an essay,” Liam said.

St Patrick’s College head of public speaking and debating Michael Murphy said the college also had success at a Debaters Association of Victoria competition and Legacy Junior Public Speaking.