Students competed with approximately 80 students from both primary and secondary schools across Victoria, achieving excellent results. Students who made it to the final round also performed a joint speech with a Chinese partner.

First prize went to Melissa Sanders from Stawell Secondary College, and second to Jade Oates, also from Stawell.

Third place prizes went to both Joseph De Leon from Stawell West Primary School and Marcos Allen from Stawell Secondary College.

Stawell Secondary College also hosted students from China.

A group of 19 students and two teachers stayed in the town between August 2 and 11, and stayed with host families.

Some of the exchange students reflected on what their time in Australia was like.

Year seven student Sun Jiantao said he enjoyed getting to know the host families, the Browns and Duxons.

"In Stawell, I met Owen Brown and Ava Duxon's family," he said.

"Owen is my school buddy and he is a good boy. He helped me in class. Ava's mother cooks very well and her brother is a good Australia footballer. Ava's father a friendly farmer. Ava is a good student."

Year 10 student Sun Xiefei said the cultural differences were what fascinated him.

"The biggest difference is our school times," he said.

"As we all know, Chinese students go to school much earlier and go back home much later than Australian students.

"However, we have happily adapted to this difference. After all, who wants long school hours and piles of homework? In all, this has been an amazing cultural experience."

In September, 18 students and three staff from Stawell Secondary College will head to China in a reciprocal visit.

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