Video transcript
NSW Premier's Spelling Bee 2018 - Senior state final

[whoosh]

ANDREW LASAITIS: Well, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and our finalists. I have great pleasure in welcoming you to the Eugene Goossens Hall for this year's Senior State Final of the Premier Spelling Bee. Let me begin by acknowledging we are on the traditional land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to elders past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to Aboriginals here today.

I welcome the 50 senior state finalists, who have each one their Regional Final to be here today. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the principals, teachers, fellow students, and families of the finalists, many of whom who have travelled from all over the state to attend this afternoon's final. It's a real achievement to have progressed this far. And best of luck to you all.

I extend our appreciation to the sponsors of this year's spelling bee and welcome representatives from our principal partner, Modern Teaching Aids, Matthew Maher, Ms Xenica Ailing, marketing coordinator from our media partner ABC Radio Sydney. Thanks also to Macquarie Dictionary, our official word list supplier. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of our sponsor, Scrabble, who have provided Australian edition games for host schools of the Regional Finals.

Our student officials chairing the final are from Panania North Public School. They are accompanied by their teacher, Mr. Tim Wotherspoon. Mr. John Benson, the Arts Programs and Initiatives coordinator at The Arts Unit of the New South Wales Department of Education, will now officially open the Senior State Final of the 2018 Spelling Bee. And then we will hear directly from our chairpersons Marissa Pambris, Maeghan McGrath, Joanne Dao, and Jenna Shaw Please welcome Mr. John Benson.

[applause]

JOHN BENSON: Thank you, Andrew. Before I start, I'd like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, pay respects to elders both past and present, and to any Aboriginals present today. I'd like to talk to you, students, as those 50 students out of 167,000, who started this competition, who have made it here to the State Final this afternoon. This morning, we had an amazing final for 50 Junior students.

And I'd also like to point out that I think some of you have been in that final before, including River, who this is your third final, I think, from Yamba Public School. So welcome back. And next year might be the farewell tour for River.

Of those 167,000 students, you represented almost 1,000 schools. So across our state, we have about 2,300 schools. So almost half of them have been represented in this competition along the way.

Nine schools-- and I'll let you look at those in your Programmes-- nine schools have a finalist this afternoon, as well as this morning. And four of you are representing for the second time, including River. So well done to all of you.

I encourage you to have a great time today. Just make the most of the opportunity. When I was at school, the biggest reward for doing the spelling lists properly was an early mark before recess.

So you've got to here in the Eugene Goossens Hall. You've got the media. And you've got a fantastic supporting audience, who I'd like to thank all of you for coming along today to support these students. And I'd also like to declare this competition open. Thank you.

[applause]

SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Benson. I'd like to now introduce you to the three judges for today's event. They are Victoria Morgan, Dionissia Tsirigos, and Marianne Powles.

Victoria Morgan has worked for Macquarie Dictionary since 2004. She is now senior editor and works with a small team on the extensive Macquarie range. As language is continuously changing, it is a never-ending job trying to keep up to date with new terms. As well as shifting language and style of Australian English, she also manages the creation and content for state and national spelling bees.

SPEAKER: Dionissia Tsirigos is acting in her current role as English advisor Year 7 to 12, Secondary Education Directorate, learning and teaching at the New South Wales Department of Education. Previous to this role, she was head teacher of English at a South Western Sydney School.

She is a HSC marker. Her favourite word to spell is [anthropomorphism]. Marianne Powles is the Arts Programme and Partnership Coordinator and the Arts Sports Initiatives Director of the New South Wales Department of Education. Prior to moving to The Arts Unit, she was the principal of Marulan Public School in the Southern Tablelands. She holds a Master's in literacy education, with a focus on language. And she has great admiration for anyone who can accurately spell aloud.

SPEAKER: It is now my pleasure to introduce our announcer for the competition, Miss Chris Bath. Chris Bath has been a journalist, news reporter, and anchor on radio and TV for 30 years. She grew up in South Wentworthville in Sydney's West and actually wanted to be a ballet dancer. Sadly, the mind was willing, but the body was not.

So she found herself starting a journalism career at Radio [inaudible] in 1988, after completing a communications degree in Bathurst. She then worked in regional television in Albury and Newcastle before arriving at Channel 7 in Sydney in 1996.

SPEAKER: She spent 20 years at 7, working on all manner of very serious news programmes that took her around the world. But her career highlight at 7 was doing the tango to AC/DC under a mirror ball on 'Dancing With the Stars.' Chris has been a freelance journalist for the past three years and is currently working at the ABC, hosting ABC Radio's evenings Programme and last week rather enjoyed anchoring ABC TV's 'Invictus Games' show.

Her son Darcy has turned her into a birdwatcher. And in her spare time, she likes to annoy him by asking for the 100th time, Darce, what's that bird again? She still fancies being a ballet dancer. Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Bath.

[applause]

CHRIS BATH: Good afternoon, everybody over here in these chairs.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Scarlett Seres from Kiama Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Corella. My grandmother's pet corella used to sit on her shoulder. Corella.

STUDENT: Corella. C-O-R-E-L-L-A. Corella.

CHRIS BATH: Correct. Thank you, Scarlett.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Zahia Aili from Brookevale Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Ricotta. My father likes to eat ricotta with slices of pear and apple. Ricotta.

STUDENT: Ricotta. R-I-C-O-T-T-A. Ricotta.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome River Robinson from Yamba Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Discreet. You can tell her anything because she is very discreet. Discreet.

RIVER ROBINSON: Discreet. D-I-S-C-R-E-E-T. Discreet.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Mustafa Hussain from Sturt Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Assortment. She had an assortment of odd socks. Assortment.

STUDENT: Assortment. A-S-S-O-R-T-M-E-N-T. Assortment.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Niki Rahimian from Wyong Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Utensil. This grater is a very useful kitchen utensil. Utensil.

STUDENT: Utensil. U-T-E-N-S-I-L. Utensil.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Darcy Longhurst from Parkview Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Lyrics. Can you remember the lyrics of that song we heard last night? Lyrics.

STUDENT: Lyrics. L-Y-R-I-C-S. Lyrics.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Joe Roper from Newtown North Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Infinite. Once we lost sight of the shore, the ocean seemed infinite. Infinite.

STUDENT: Infinite. N-- Wait, start again. I-N-F-I-N-I-T-E. Infinite.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Maya Lam-Watson from Toukley Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Escarpment. We could see the rugged mountain escarpment from the airplane. Escarpment.

STUDENT: Escarpment. E-S-C-A-R-P-M-E-N-T. Escarpment.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Jude Carey from Stockton Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Everest. Mount Everest is famous for being the highest mountain in the world. Everest.

JUDE CAREY: Everest. E-V-E-R-E-S-T. Everest.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Rieley Cameron from Turrella Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Quoll. The quoll is endangered, like a lot of other Australian species. Quoll.

STUDENT: Quoll. Q-U-O double L. Quoll.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Joshua Carter from Valentine Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Capacity. The fuel tank has a capacity of 50 litres. Capacity.

STUDENT: Capacity. C-A-P-A-C-I-T-Y. Capacity.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Alexandria Noonan from Jerrabomberra Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Invertebrate. A worm is an invertebrate animal. Invertebrate.

STUDENT: Invertebrate. I-N-V-E-R-T-E-B-R-A-T-E. Invertebrate.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Priyasha Prasad from Caddies Creek Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Veteran. My grandfather is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Veteran.

STUDENT: Veteran. V-E-T-E-R-A-N. Veteran.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Chelsea Nguyen from Georges Hall Public School.

CHRIS BATH: commentary. or commentary. The commentary. accompanying the swimming finals made it even more exciting to watch. Or the commentary accompanying the swimming finals made it even more exciting to watch. commentary. or commentary.

STUDENT: Commentary. C-O-M-M-E-N-T-A-R-Y. Commentary.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Tom Fisher from Cammeray Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Component. A microchip is just one component of a motherboard. Component.

STUDENT: Component. C-O-M-P-O-N-E-N-T. Component.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sierra Truong from Peakhurst South Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Marmalade. There were lots of jars of marmalade for sale at the fete. Marmalade.

STUDENT: Marmalade. M-A-R-M-A-L-A-D-E. Marmalade.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Christian Rodrigues from Hornsby South Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Obsession. Accumulating more and more cats is my aunt's obsession. Obsession.

STUDENT: Obsession. O-B-S-E-S-S-I-O-N. Obsession.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Tanishkaa Ramesh from Matthew Pearce Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Persuasion. It took a lot of persuasion to get Sam to leave his computer and come with us to the beach. Persuasion.

STUDENT: Persuasion. P-E-R-S-U-A-S-I-O-N. Persuasion.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Luke Sarty from Mittagong Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Impartial. The principal was an impartial judge. Impartial.

STUDENT: Impartial. I-M-P-A-R-T-I-A-L. Impartial.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Harvey Kirkby from Banora Point Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Disquiet. I had a feeling of disquiet when all the lights in the house went out. Disquiet.

STUDENT: Disquiet. D-I-S-Q-U-I-E-T. Disquiet.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sam Russell from Armidale City Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Replica. Egyptian authorities have unveiled a replica of Tutankhamen's tomb in an effort to preserve the original. Replica.

STUDENT: Replica. R-E-P-L-I-C-A. Replica.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Brock Holliday from North Haven Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Plaque. A plaque on the gate post commemorated the soldiers who had died in the war. Plaque.

BROCK HOLLIDAY: Plaque. P-L-A-Q-U-E. Plaque.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Blake Gray from Hay Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Breathtaking. The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely breathtaking. Breathtaking.

STUDENT: Breathtaking. B-R-E-A-T-H-T-A-K-I-N-G. Breathtaking.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Jessica O'Connor from Orange Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Cellular. Using a microscope, we could see the cellular structure of the leaf. Cellular.

STUDENT: Cellular. C-E-L-L-U-L-A-R. Cellular.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Jenny Neyman from Bellevue Hill Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Corrosion. The mechanic advised we keep our car in the garage to help protect against corrosion. Corrosion.

STUDENT: Corrosion. C-O-R-R-O-S-I-O-N.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

STUDENT: Corrosion.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Poppy Brown from Sawtell Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Beethoven. One of the most admired works of Beethoven were composed when he was nearly deaf. Beethoven.

STUDENT: Beethoven. B-E-E-T-H-O-V-E-N. Beethoven.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Deveash Devadas from Westmead Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Theatrical. My uncle loves the stage and often works in theatrical productions. Theatrical.

STUDENT: Theatrical. T-H-E-A-T-R-I-C-A-L.

CHRIS BATH: Correct. Oh, actually, sorry, Deveash, come back. Just a reminder, you've got to close with the word. That was my fault. I jumped in there.

STUDENT: Theatrical.

CHRIS BATH: Excellent work.

[chuckling]

See, they're more pro than I am at this. Bit tense, this spelling bee thing.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Kaara Stevens-Smith , from Nimbin Central School.

CHRIS BATH: Novice. Returning to work after so many years, he felt like a complete novice again.

STUDENT: Novice. N-O-V-I-C-E. Novice.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Felicity Cook from Mendooran Central School.

CHRIS BATH: Paramedic. We were lucky that there was a paramedic having coffee near the scene of the accident, so help was immediately at hand. Paramedic.

STUDENT: Paramedic. P-A-R-A-M-E-D-I-C. Paramedic.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Angelo De Leon from Flinders Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Autograph. I was thrilled to get Justin Bieber's autograph. Autograph.

STUDENT: Autograph. A-U-T-O-G-R-A-P-H. Autograph.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Lolita Cronin from Abbotsford Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Adversity. The drought is a time of great adversity for farmers. Adversity.

STUDENT: Adversity. A-D-V-E-R-S-I-T-Y. Adversity.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Tanay Kulkarni from Wollongong West Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Pandemic. Doctors were worried that the current strain of influenza could become a pandemic. Pandemic.

STUDENT: Pandemic. P-A-N-D-E-M-I-C. Pandemic.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Dylan Lugstein from Chipping Norton Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Banksia. The banksia outside my window attracts beautiful parrots. Banksia.

STUDENT: Banksia. B-A-N-K-S-I-A. Banksia.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Harrison Methven from Albury Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Nurture. It was fascinating to watch the parent birds nurture the babies. Nurture.

STUDENT: Nurture. N-U-R-T-U-R-E. Nurture.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Najah Mohamad Ajwath from Blaxcell Street Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Deity. The tribe worships the moon as a deity. Deity.

STUDENT: Deity. D-E-I-T-Y. Deity.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Fatima Abid from Glenmore Park Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Astronaut. The astronaut tried to repair the space shuttle's damaged landing gear. Astronaut.

STUDENT: Astronaut. A-S-T-R-O-N-A-U-T. Astronaut.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sophie Yu from Baldface Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Destitute. The theft of his wallet and belongings left the traveller destitute. Destitute.

STUDENT: Destitute. D-E-S-T-I-T-U-T-E. Destitute.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Warren Kusuma from Hambledon Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Bachelor. The hero of the novel was a bachelor who had many admirers. Bachelor.

STUDENT: Bachelor. B-A-C-H-E-L-O-R. Bachelor.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Chloe McKinnon from Tamworth Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Naughty. The puppy wasn't allowed inside because he had been very naughty. Naughty.

STUDENT: Naughty. N-A-U-G-H-T-Y. Naughty.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Shreyash Karajagar from Rutherford Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Herbicide. As an organic farmer, he was determined not to use any herbicide. Herbicide.

STUDENT: Herbicide. H-E-R-B-I-C-I-D-E. Herbicide.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sydney Tran-Pham from Sutherland Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Protective. I put a protective coating on my shoes so they wouldn't be damaged by the rain. Protective.

STUDENT: Protective. P-R-O-T-E-C-T-I-V-E. Protective.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Vyvy Nguyen from St. John's Park Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Calamari. I ordered some calamari to go with my fish and chips. Calamari.

STUDENT: Calamari. C-A-L-A-M-A-R-I. Calamari.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Angus Mills from Perthville Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Occasion. My teacher said that on this occasion she would give us extra time to get our homework done. occasion.

STUDENT: Occasion. O-C-C-A-S-I-O-N. Occasion.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Joshua Windsor from Ellison Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Confession. We were not surprised by her confession of guilt. Confession.

STUDENT: Confession. C-O-N-F-E double S I-O-N. Confession.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Aaron Chacko from Holsworthy Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Arrogant. His arrogant behaviour turned everyone against him. Arrogant.

STUDENT: Arrogant. A-R-R-O-G-A-N-T. Arrogant.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcomes Soleil Page from Gosford Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Microclimate. A building can have its own microclimate, especially if it has air-conditioning. Microclimate.

STUDENT: Microclimate. M-I-C-R-O-C-L-I-M-A-T-E. Microclimate.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome McCallum Kho from Ryde Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Innumerable. There were innumerable reasons why she didn't want to see the movie. Innumerable.

STUDENT: Innumerable. I-N-N-U-M-E-R-A-B-L-E. Innumerable.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Alex Zeng from Narwee Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Mythology. According to Aboriginal mythology, the Draining is the time when all the landforms and waterways on the Earth were created. Mythology.

STUDENT: Mythology. M-Y-T-H-O-L-O-G-Y. Mythology.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Jonathan Adji from Pennant Hills Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Hostility. The bears showed hostility towards the zookeepers, so their enclosures could only be entered when they were asleep. Hostility.

STUDENT: Hostility. H-O-S-T-I-L-I-T-Y. Hostility.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Elizabeth Lee from New Lambton South Public School.

CHRIS BATH: Quarterly. I checked my quarterly bank statement to see how much money I'd been spending. Quarterly.

STUDENT: Quarterly. Q-U-A-R-T-E-R-L-Y. Quarterly.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: That concludes round one. Please give a round of applause to all the students leaving the stage.

[applause]

SPEAKER: Please welcome Scarlett Seres.

CHRIS BATH: Just so everyone knows, we're moving on to the unseen words now. So these are the unseen words that we're doing. Extradition. Russia requested the extradition of the man from Finland. Extradition.

STUDENT: Could you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Extradition.

STUDENT: Extradition. A-- sorry. Could I please start again?

CHRIS BATH: Sure.

STUDENT: E-X-T-R-A-D-I-T-I-O-N. Extradition.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome River Robinson.

CHRIS BATH: Succulent. A succulent mango is hard to eat without getting covered in juice.

RIVER ROBINSON: Succulent. S-U-C-C-U-L-E-N-T. Succulent.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Mustafa Hussain.

CHRIS BATH: Illicit. The police questioned the suspect over receiving illicit goods. Illicit.

STUDENT: Sorry, can you repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Illicit.

STUDENT: Can you repeat it again?

CHRIS BATH: Illicit.

STUDENT: Illicit. I-L-L-E-C-I-T-E. Illicit.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. I-L-L-I-C-I-T.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Joe Roper

CHRIS BATH: Abbreviation. ATM is the abbreviation for Automatic Teller Machine. Abbreviation.

STUDENT: Abbreviation. A-B-R-E-V-A-T-I-O-N. Abbreviation.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. A double B R-E-V-I-A-T-I-O-N.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Maya Lam-Watson.

CHRIS BATH: Insolvency. In the face of insolvency, the company could only pay half of its creditors. Insolvency.

STUDENT: Can you repeat the word, please?

CHRIS BATH: Insolvency.

STUDENT: I-N-S-O-- can you repeat the word again, please?

CHRIS BATH: Insolvency.

STUDENT: I-N-S-O-L-V-E-N-C-Y. Insolvency.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Reiley Cameron.

CHRIS BATH: Oceanography. He was undecided as to whether he wanted to study oceanography or marine biology. Oceanography.

STUDENT: Oceanography. O-C-E-A-N-O-G-R-A-P-H-Y. Oceanography.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Joshua Carter.

CHRIS BATH: Incessant. It was hard to hear over the incessant chatter in the cafe. Incessant.

STUDENT: Incessant. I-N-C-E-S-E-N-T. Incessant.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. I-N-C-E double S A-N-T.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Alexandria Noonan.

CHRIS BATH: Aquiline. His aquiline features gave him a dignified air. Aquiline.

STUDENT: Could you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Aquiline.

STUDENT: And the sentence, please.

CHRIS BATH: His aquiline features gave him a dignified air. Aquiline.

STUDENT: Could you say the word again?

CHRIS BATH: Yeah. Aquiline.

STUDENT: A-C-- could you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Aquiline.

STUDENT: Aquiline. A-Q-U-I-L-I-N-E. Aquiline.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Priyasha Prasad

CHRIS BATH: Dressage. Laura and her horse Arnie won first prize in the dressage event. Dressage.

STUDENT: Could you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Dressage.

STUDENT: Dressage. D-R-E-S-S-A-G-E. Dressage.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Chelsea Nguyen.

CHRIS BATH: Precursory. The system send out an alert when it detected the precursory indications of the tsunami. Precursory.

STUDENT: Precursory. P-R-E-C-U-R-S-O-R-Y. Precursory.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome to Sierra Truong.

CHRIS BATH: Fulcrum. To make a seesaw, we put a plank of wood on a stool, which acted as the fulcrum. Fulcrum.

STUDENT: Fulcrum. F-U-L-C-R-U-M. Fulcrum.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Christian Rodrigues.

CHRIS BATH: fragmentary. or fragmentary. Fragmentary remains were all that was left of the ancient civilization. fragmentary. or fragmentary.

STUDENT: Fragmentary. F-R-A-G-M-E-N-T-A-R-Y. Fragmentary.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Tanishkaa Ramesh.

CHRIS BATH: Stupendous. Everyone agreed that it was a stupendous party. Stupendous.

STUDENT: Stupendous. S-T-U-P-E-N-D-O-U-S. Stupendous.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Brock Holliday.

CHRIS BATH: Procrastinate. It's best not to procrastinate. Just get it over with. Procrastinate.

STUDENT: Procrastinate. P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-E. Procrastinate.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Jessica O'Connor.

CHRIS BATH: Prohibitive. I don't know how anyone could afford the prohibitive price for that new mobile phone. Prohibitive.

STUDENT: Prohibitive. P-R-O-H-I-B-I-T-I-V-E. Prohibitive.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Deveash Devadas.

CHRIS BATH: Upheaval. After having to default on its debt, the entire country was in upheaval. Upheaval.

STUDENT: Upheaval. U-P-H-E-A-V-E-L. Upheaval.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. U-P-H-E-A-V-A-L.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Angelo De Leon.

CHRIS BATH: Translucent. The curtain was made of translucent material, which let the sunlight filter through. Translucent.

STUDENT: Translucent. T-R-A-N-S-L-U-C-E-N-T. Translucent.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Dylan Lugstein.

CHRIS BATH: Impertinence. The teacher threatened to punish any impertinence. Impertinence.

STUDENT: Impertinence. I-M-P-E-R-T-I-N-A-N-C-E. Impertinence.

CHRIS BATH: So close but incorrect. I-M-P-E-R-T-I-N-E-N-C-E.

STUDENT: Thank you.

CHRIS BATH: Thank you. Well done.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Fatimah Abid.

CHRIS BATH: Telecommute. Because of computers and the internet, many workers are able to telecommute. Telecommute.

STUDENT: Telecommute. T-E-L-E-C-O-M-M-U-T-E. Telecommute.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sophie Yu.

CHRIS BATH: Magisterial. The headmaster's Grey hair, deep voice, and fondness for cloaks made him seem very magisterial. Magisterial.

STUDENT: Magisterial. M-A-J-E-S-T-E-R-I-A-L.

CHRIS BATH: Again, very close but incorrect. M-A-G-I-S-T-E-R-I-A-L.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sydney Tran-Pham

CHRIS BATH: Scapula. He couldn't play tennis for six months after he broke his scapula. Scapula.

STUDENT: Scapula. S-C-A-P-U-L-A. Scapula.

CHRIS BATH: P-U-- What? Sorry, can use repeat the spelling for me?

STUDENT: P-U-L-A?

CHRIS BATH: Maybe go from the start again for me.

STUDENT: S-C-A-- wait, can you repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Scapula.

STUDENT: S-C-A-P-U-L-A. Scapula.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Vyvy Nguyen.

CHRIS BATH: Dispersion or Dispersion. The dispersion of seeds is important for the growth of new plants. Dispersion.

STUDENT: Dispersion. D-I-S-P-E-R-S-I-O-N. Dispersion.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Aaron Chacko.

CHRIS BATH: Harmonium. Helena could play the piano but was eager to learn how to play the harmonium. Harmonium.

STUDENT: Harmonium. H-A-R-M-O-N-I-U-M. Harmonium.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome McCallum Kho.

CHRIS BATH: Responsibility. It is my responsibility to look after the dog and the goldfish. Responsibility.

STUDENT: Responsibility. R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y. Responsibility.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Jonathan Adji.

CHRIS BATH: Encapsulate or encap-shulate. She managed to encapsulate all the theories about the cause of the war in a one-hour lecture. Encap-shulate or encapsulate.

STUDENT: Encapsulate. I-N-C-A-P-S-U-L-A-T-E. Encapsulate.

CHRIS BATH: Very close but incorrect. It's E-N-C-A-P-S-U-L-A-T-E.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Elizabeth Lee.

CHRIS BATH: Sergeant. In the Australian Army, a sergeant has three chevrons on each shoulder of his uniform. Sergeant.

STUDENT: Sergeant. S-E-A-- wait. Can I start again?

CHRIS BATH: Sure.

STUDENT: S-E-R-G-E-A-N-T. Sergeant.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: That concludes round five. Please give a round of applause to all students leaving the stage at the end of this round.

[applause]

SPEAKER: Please welcome Scarlett Seres.

CHRIS BATH: Physiology. An important part of sports medicine is a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Physiology.

STUDENT: Physiology. P-H-- can I start again, please?

CHRIS BATH: Sure.

STUDENT: P-H-Y-S-I-O-L-O-G-Y. physiology.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome River Robinson.

CHRIS BATH: Simultaneous. It is hard to scratch your head and rub your tummy as simultaneous movements, particularly if you're a man. Simultaneous.

[chuckling]

STUDENT: Simultaneous. S-I-M-U-L-T-A-N-E-O-U-S. Simultaneous.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Maya Lam-Watson.

CHRIS BATH: Mezzanine. The women's clothing department is located on the mezzanine. Mezzanine.

STUDENT: Can you please spell the word again?

CHRIS BATH: Mezzanine.

STUDENT: M-- mezzanine, sorry. M-E-S-S-A-N-E-A-N. Mezzanine.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. M-E double Z A-N-I-N-E.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Riley Cameron.

CHRIS BATH: Contemptuous. His sister was always contemptuous of his untidy appearance and poor manners. Contemptuous.

RILEY CAMERON: Contemptuous. C-O-N-T-E-M-P-T-U-O-U-S. Contemptuous.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Alexandria Noonan.

CHRIS BATH: Contem-play-tive or contemplative, depending on how you like to say this word. She stared out the window in a contemplative mood. Contemplative or contemplative.

STUDENT: Contemplative. C-O-N-T-E-M-P-L-A-T-I-V-E. Contemplative.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Priyasha Prasad

CHRIS BATH: Cha-ffon or chiffon, depending on how you want to pronounce this word. Kelly wore a dress made of white chiffon to the dance. Chiffon.

STUDENT: Chiffon. C-H-I-F-F-O-N. Chiffon.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Chelsea Nguyen.

CHRIS BATH: Consensus. After hours of discussion, the committee reached a consensus on which design would be adopted for the new building. Consensus.

STUDENT: Consensus. C-O-N-C-E-N-S-U-S. Consensus.

CHRIS BATH: Very close but incorrect.

STUDENT: Aw.

CHRIS BATH: C-O-N-S-E-N-S-U-S.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sierra Truong.

CHRIS BATH: Malodorous. The furniture we threw out from the flooded basement was all stained and malodorous. Malodorous.

STUDENT: Can you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Malodorous.

STUDENT: Malodorous. M-A-L-A-D-O-R-U-S. Malodorous.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. M-A-L-O-D-O-R-O-U-S.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Christian Rodrigues

CHRIS BATH: Cornucopia. The cornucopia of new ideas resulted from the conference. Cornucopia.

STUDENT: Cornucopia. C-O-R-N-U-C-O-P-I-A. Cornucopia.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Tanishkaa Ramesh.

CHRIS BATH: Inveigle. The music teacher was able to inveigle his reluctant pupils to play an extra piece by promising them a second slice of cake. Inveigle.

STUDENT: Can you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Inveigle.

STUDENT: Inveigle. I-N-V-A-G-L-E. May I please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Inveigle.

STUDENT: May I please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: You may.

STUDENT: I-N-V-A-I-G-E-L.

CHRIS BATH: Very close.

STUDENT: G-L-E. Oh, may I please repeat the word again? I-N-V-A-I-G-L-E. Inveigle.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. I-N-V-E-I-G-L-E.

STUDENT: OK.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Brock Holliday.

CHRIS BATH: Imperceptible. The grey cat was almost imperceptible in the dark corner. Imperceptible.

STUDENT: Imperceptible. I-M-P-E-R-C-E-P-T-A-B-L-E. Impe... (WHISPERING) No, no, no, no. Can I restart?

CHRIS BATH: Do you want to start again? Sure.

STUDENT: Imperceptible. I-M-P-E-R-C-E-P-T-A-B-L-E. Imperceptible.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. I-M-P-E-R-C-E-P-T-I-B-L-E.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Jessica O'Connor.

CHRIS BATH: Maintenance. The maintenance of his motorbike took up much of his time. Maintenance.

STUDENT: Maintenance. M-A-I-N-T-E-N-A-N-C-E. Maintenance.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Angelo De Leon.

CHRIS BATH: Fulsome. He could tell by her fulsome praise of his performance that she hadn't really liked it. Fulsome.

STUDENT: Can you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Fulsome.

STUDENT: Fulsome. F-O-U-L-S-O-M-E. Fulsome.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. F-U-L-S-O-M-E.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Fatimah Abid

CHRIS BATH: Vitreous. The oven has a coating of vitreous enamel, making it resistant to heat and damage. Vitreous.

STUDENT: Vitreous. V-I-T-R-I-O-U-S. Vitreous.

CHRIS BATH: Very close but incorrect. V-I-T-R-E-O-U-S.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sidney Tran-Pham

CHRIS BATH: Besmirch. Although he won the award, his recent bad behaviour did besmirch his reputation. Besmirch.

STUDENT: Besmirch. B-E-S-M-I-R-C-H. Besmirch.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Vyiy Nguyen.

CHRIS BATH: Chenille. I love the soft tufts of my grandmother's chenille bedspread. Chenille.

STUDENT: Chenille. S-C-H-O-N-E-I-L. Chenille.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. C-H-E-N-I double L E.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Aaron Chacko.

CHRIS BATH: Demurral. They thought the suggestion was a good one and were surprised at his demurral. Demurral.

STUDENT: Demurral. D-E-M-U-R-A-L.

CHRIS BATH: Very close but incorrect. D-E-M-U double R A-L.

SPEAKER: Please welcome McCallum Kho.

CHRIS BATH: Occurrence. The occurrence of rain after a drought is cause for great celebration for all the farmers. Occurrence.

STUDENT: Occurrence. O-C-C-U-R-R-E-N-C-E. Occurrence.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Elizabeth Lee.

CHRIS BATH: Gingivitis. Gingivitis can make your gums red and sore. Gingivitis.

STUDENT: Gingivitis. G-I-N-G-I-V-I-T-I-S. Gingivitis.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: That concludes round six. Please give a round of applause for all the students leaving the stage at the end of this round.

[applause]

SPEAKER: Please welcome Scarlett Seres.

CHRIS BATH: Pomegranate. My grandmother makes delicious pomegranate jelly. Pomegranate.

STUDENT: Pomegranate. P-O-M-E-G-R-A-N-A-T-E. Could I please start again?

CHRIS BATH: Sure.

STUDENT: P-O-M-M-E-G-R--

[bell]

--A-N-A-T-E. Pomegranate.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. You actually had it right the first time with one M. P-O-M-E-G-R-A-N-A-T-E.

STUDENT: Thank you.

SPEAKER: Please welcome River Robinson.

CHRIS BATH: Stipendiary or Stipendiary. A stipendiary magistrate was in charge of the court. Stipendiary or Stipendiary.

RIVER ROBINSON: Stipendiary. S-T-I-P-E-N-D-U-R-Y. Stipendiary.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. S-T-I-P-E-N-D-I-A-R-Y.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Reiley Cameron.

CHRIS BATH: Spinneret. The spinneret of the spider is usually on the underside of its abdomen. Spinneret.

STUDENT: Spinneret. S-P-I double N E-R-E double T E. Could you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Spinneret.

STUDENT: Spinneret. That was the final word.

CHRIS BATH: So you've finished?

STUDENT: Mm-hm.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. S-P-I double N E-R-E-T.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Alexandria Noonan.

CHRIS BATH: Delicatessen. We dropped in at the delicatessen to buy some ham. Delicatessen.

STUDENT: Delicatessen. D-E-L-I-C-A-T-E-S-S-E-N. Delicatessen.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Priyasha Prasad.

CHRIS BATH: Espionage. James Bond is always embroiled in espionage and intrigue. Espionage.

STUDENT: Espionage. E-S-P-I-O-N-A-G-E. Espionage.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Christian Rodrigues.

CHRIS BATH: Elocution. Newsreaders have to have very clear elocution. Elocution.

STUDENT: Elocution. E-L-L-E-C-U-T-I-O-N. Elocution.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. E-L-O-C-U-T-I-O-N.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Jessica O'Connor.

CHRIS BATH: Microcosm. My snow dome is a microcosm of the city of Berlin in winter. Microcosm.

STUDENT: Microcosm. M-I-C-R-O-C-H-O-S-M. Microcosm.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. M-I-C-R-O-C-O-S-M.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Sydney Tran-Pham

CHRIS BATH: Adjunct. She thought that a massage in an adjunct to her physiotherapy might speed up her recovery. Adjunct.

STUDENT: Adjunct. A-D-J-A-N-T.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. A-D-J-U-N-C-T. Adjunct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome McCallum Kho.

CHRIS BATH: Annuity. My grandparents live on an annuity from their retirement fund. Annuity.

MCCALLUM KHO: Annuity. A-N-N-U-I-T-Y. Annuity.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Elizabeth Lee

CHRIS BATH: Flaccid. After years of no exercise, her muscles had become flaccid. Flaccid.

STUDENT: Flaccid. F-L-A-C-I-D. Flaccid.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. F-L-A-C-C-I-D. There's a double C.

SPEAKER: That concludes round seven. Please give a round of applause to all the students leaving

at the end of this round.

[applause]

CHRIS BATH: Well done. Great round. Well done. Thank you.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Alexandria Noonan.

CHRIS BATH: Appellant. The appellant submitted an appeal for her case to be heard in the Supreme Court. Appellant.

STUDENT: Could you please repeat the word?

CHRIS BATH: Appellant.

STUDENT: Was it appellants or appellant?

CHRIS BATH: Appellant.

STUDENT: Appellant. A-P-E-L-L-A-N-T. Appellant.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. A double P E double L A-N-T.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Priyasha Prasad.

CHRIS BATH: Albeit or Albeit, depending on how you want to pronounce it. Corinne and Carla organised all the stalls at the school fete, albeit with a little help from their parents. Albeit or albeit.

STUDENT: Albeit. A-L-L-B-E-E-I-T. Albeit.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. A-L-B-E-I-T.

SPEAKER: Please welcome McCallum Kho.

CHRIS BATH: Egotistical. The star came across as egotistical in the interview. But I didn't think much of his acting skills. Egotistical.

STUDENT: Egotistical. E-G-O-T-I-S-T-I-C-A-L Egotistical.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

[applause]

[Wiiner McCallum Kho]

So we're going to continue to find out who is the runner-up in the competition.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Alexandria Noonan.

CHRIS BATH: Differential. Opposition to differential pay rates was one of the important platforms of feminism. Differential.

STUDENT: Differential. D-I-F-F-E-R-E-N-T-I-A-L. Differential.

CHRIS BATH: Correct.

SPEAKER: Please welcome Priyesha Prasad.

CHRIS BATH: Instantaneous. There was instantaneous cheering when the winner was announced. Instantaneous.

STUDENT: Instantaneous. I-N-S-T-A-N-T-E-O-U-S. Instantaneous.

CHRIS BATH: Incorrect. I-N-S-T-A-N-T-A-N-E-O-U-S. Instantaneous.

[applause]

STUDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, that means that we declare McCallum Kho from Ryde Public School the Senior State Champion of the 2018 Premier Spelling Bees. And then since they're sitting there, while they're waiting-- and then we're going to call the other students back to the stage in a moment-- let's give a big round of applause to our runner-up, Alexandria Noonan from Jerrabomberra.

[applause]

All State Finalists will receive a medallion and a certificate of congratulations. They also receive encyclopaedic dictionaries and a novel from Macquarie Dictionary, as well as a set of Labyrinth from Modern Teaching Aids. The winner and then the runner-up will also both receive a one-year school-wide subscription to Macquarie Dictionary Online and a Macquarie Student App download, as well as a bonus novel from Macquarie.

I would now like to call upon Mr. Matthew Mayer from Modern Teaching Aids to present the winner and the runner-up with their prizes. Ladies and gentlemen, again, today's runner up, Alexandria Noonan.

[applause]

And today's winner again, Senior State Champion of the 2018 Spelling Bee from Ryde Public School, McCallum Kho.

[applause]