Vicspell is again up and running.
Originally called Gippspell, it was founded in 2004 by Gippsland volunteer teachers and is open to all students from years five to eight. Its aim is to ‘promote and reward good spelling’.
This spelling bee, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is organised by its founder Trevor Sowdon.
“Participating in the spelling bee isn’t just about showcasing words. It’s about cultivating a love for language and the power of precision. I’m immensely proud of this event, not just for its competitive spirit, but for the doors it opens in young minds,” Trevor said.
The zone finals are based on shire boundaries. Colour certificates are awarded for each school representative and a handsome glass
trophy for zone winners. State final winners win bigger trophies and the Oxford two-volume National Dictionary. Importantly, students only compete against their own year level.
Past state final winners from East Gippsland Shire include: Jarrod Pinnock (Orbost Secondary College, 2006), Maddy Davis (Lucknow Primary School, 2007), Ebony Clark (Clifton Creek Primary School, 2007), Darcy McCartney (Nagle College, 2008), Sami Graham (Lakes Entrance Primary School, 2011), Georgia Casey (Nagle College, 2015), Sophie Alexander (Lucknow Primary School, 2016), Emma Holmes (Bairnsdale West Primary School, 2016), Lara Crotty (Bairnsdale School College, 2017), Phoenix Veitch (Bairnsdale Primary School, 2023), and Sarah Melrose (Bairnsdale School College, 2023).
Each school pays a one-off annual fee of $20 covering each student participant. This fee (which barely covers the trophies) has remained unchanged since 2004 thanks to the generosity of Vicspell’s sponsors.
The zone finals are conducted in August and the State final on September 3. The East Gippsland zone final will be at Paynesville Primary School on Friday, August 23.
Schools wishing to enquire about Vicspell can contact Trevor Sowdon at Vicspell.
