There cannot be too many of the Third Age who have never found it in their heart to harbour a few criticisms of the behaviour and language of the younger generation.

We see them in the streets, ears glued to mobile phones as they shoulder the rest of the population to one side; we hear the cacophony of ear-splitting sound as they drive their old bangers around with the sound systems blaring out; we see under-age pregnancies, drinking and drug-taking and we may well come close to despair for their future.

And then suddenly there comes a break in the clouds and we realise that there is still so much good in the young that so seldom gets reported by the media and our hearts are lifted and the world suddenly looks a better place.

I was privileged last week to be invited to be one of the judges at the District Final of the Rotary Public Speaking competition - Youth Speaks - and although I have been a judge on many occasions over the years, it still comes as a pleasant surprise when confronted with the polished performances which emerge from these occasions.

Neat school uniforms (no shirts hanging out of trousers or ties at half-mast), shoes which at least had a passing acquaintance with a brush, hair which did not appear to have had a bad fright from an electric current and self-possession to put many older and wiser heads to shame.

Six teams of three competed and were marked, not only on the content and presentation of the main speaker, but on the way the chairperson organised the team and the proposer of the vote of thanks dealt with what caught their eye.

The subjects were as varied as the contestants: There is no right or wrong, only opinion; The price of fame or fame at any price; Advertising; Sport - the last bastion of sexism; Equality - getting the balance right; and heroes and villains. What a cross-section to cover.

The standard was very high and, while we had to choose a winner and runner-up, there really were no losers.

The speakers, several of whom used no notes, covered the room with an assurance many more seasoned speakers could do well to emulate.

They spoke clearly and were able to answer questions from the judges with considerable aplomb. The chairpersons made the team feel comfortable and one or two managed little courtesies such as seeing that the speaker had a glass of water to hand.

Those who gave the vote of thanks had to sit in on a team other than their own, meaning they had to write their notes on the hoof, as it were.

The winners now have to go on to a bigger competition, but even if they do not win they will have done their generation honour by being such good ambassadors for youth.

The Rotary movement should be congratulated for its encouragement of all that is best in the youth of today and the rest of us should be thankful that for every yob with whom we regretfully come into contact, there is almost certainly another young person making something of their lives.

I was given a bottle of champagne as a thank you but my buzz came from a totally different source - the young people themselves.