Shirine Nehme at Marian Catholic College. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Marian Catholic College year 9 student Shirine Nehme has become the only Riverina representative at the finals of a major Australia-wide public-speaking competition, following a powerful speech on the state of rural health care.
“Why are less women wanting to fulfil the role of motherhood?” Shirine asked in her speech. “… is it as simple as the treatment they receive in hospital?”
Shirine’s critique of the treatment of pregnant women in hospitals earned her a place in the semi-finals of the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award, which take place at Sydney’s NSW Parliament House on Friday, 16 September. The award is a national competition for secondary students aged 12 to 14.
The Marian student gave a five-and-a-half-minute speech, memorised by heart, which drew on the experience of her own Lebanese-born mother and other women who had given birth in Riverina hospitals.
“This issue is so prevalent that one in three women will experience birth trauma … the medical field is still not providing us with adequate treatment,” she said in her speech.
She recounted the experiences of a mother sent home due to a lack of beds at the hospital, another woman who “screamed for hours” but was denied an epidural, and a third who described childbirth as “going through war”. Shirine argued that not much had changed from the pre-19th-century era when labour pains were seen as “punishment from God”.
Shirine doesn’t blame nurses or midwives for this current state of play, but says it’s due to inadequate funding, resources and education.
“There is a lack of staff – the nurses are so stressed and left exhausted,” she said.
“Health care in Lebanon is better than it is in rural NSW … the wait times are shorter.”
Her speech moved the crowd at the regional finals of the Legacy competition.
“A lot of people were quite shocked by how bad the treatment still is … some mothers who were listening to my speech came up to me afterwards and said they had similar experiences.”
Shirine Nehme and her trophy. Her speech also earned her a semi-final place in a national public-speaking competition. Photo: Supplied.
Shirine’s passion on this issue has motivated her own career path.
“I want to go into the medical field – I’d like to become an obstetrician and go to somewhere more rural than Griffith.”
“My favourite subjects are science and HSIE [Human Society and its Environment].”
According to her English teacher Toni Griffiths, she has the attributes to become whatever she wants.
“She is energised, attentive, intelligent and always pushes the boundaries … writing is just one of her many strengths,” Ms Griffiths said.
“I love to see the passion in students like Shirine.”
Shirine also volunteers for Griffith Carevan, a mobile food van that provides hot meals to those in need; and for a Griffith City Library program whereby Marian Catholic College students help elderly residents with technological issues.
Further information on the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award can be found on the NSW Government Arts Unit website.
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