Archive for the ‘News from Clubs’ Category

Just four short years ago the Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale, recognised the community support provided by Toastmaster Clubs in Ipswich, by introducing a speech contest in which all competing Clubs received support funding. In addition, the winning Club received a cash prize. As Toastmasters Clubs are non profit community organisations, this financial support was greatly appreciated.

Initially, the contest consisted of the six Toastmaster Clubs in Ipswich. Now, with the introduction of Forum Clubs into the contest, along with the expansion of Toastmaster Club numbers, the contest has expanded to a more commanding and exciting level of ten clubs. With the expanded contest, the Mayor has generously increased the prize money available for the contest, held each year during Toastmasters Week.

Each year the Mayor sets the speech title and the clubs then hold an internal contest amongst their members to select a winner to represent their club in the main contest. To date speech titles have been:

“Ipswich – What It Means to Me”

“From Coal Mine to Gold Mine”

“Ipswich – A City Built on Pride”

“Ipswich – I150, A City of Opportunity”

And this year it was “Ipswich – It’s You  and Me”

An inspiring and keenly fought contest was held this year. Amazingly no two speeches were alike in spite of everyone speaking on the same title. It was truly intriguing and thought provoking to hear ten different interpretations from the contestants. The photo below depicts the contest place getters and officials.

From left to right we have:

Keith Cohen – Ipswich Club………………………….…….….third place

Cyril Joseph – Springfield Lakes Club……………..……..second place

Sylvia Masters – Limestone Club………………..………..…..first place

Cheryl Lukritz – City of Ipswich Club……………encouragement award

Ros Chant…District 69 Public Relations Officer…………..Chief Judge

Lynda Mitchell……..presenter of the Graham Mitchell MemorialTrophy

Councillor Charlie Pisasale…….representative for the Ipswich Council

Next year Ipswich is planning an even grander contest. However, Toastmasters in Ipswich ask: “Why is ours the only Council running such a contest?” “What are all the other Councils doing?”

So, here is the challenge to the remainder of District 69. Will other Toastmaster Clubs entice their Councils to take up this innovative  concept  or will Ipswich remain the only area to benefit from its forward thinking, progressive Council?

Toastmasters, it’s over to you!

On the 24^th February 6 South Sea Islander Invaders, complete with Boogie Board, arrived at the mountain residence of the Maleny Toastmasters Club.

The purpose of the trip was to capture the Travelling Gavel and take it to its Island home.

The photograph shows Maleny President, Eduard Heinisch, is reluctant to hand over the Travelling Gavel to the Islander (Communicators) invaders. From left, Sandy, Margaret (Islander President), Dianne, Eduard, Joy, Gary, Gordon and Sarala.

The gavel is now happily at its Island residence awaiting the next group of ‘Gavel Snatchers’.

Ipswich area Toastmaster and Forum Clubs are now sharpening their tongues in preparation for the Mayor’s Speech Contest. Every year towards the end of February our Mayor Paul Pisasale sponsors a speech contest to determine the best speaker in the district.

The competition is fierce, the speeches are professional and the audience is thoroughly entertained. Toastmaster and Forum clubs are not for profit community service clubs supporting our community through training members in better public speaking, communication and leadership skills.

These clubs are open to all persons over 18 years of age and the training provided is there to assist people with their careers and personal development where confidence development and good presentation, public speaking, communication, leadership skills are required.

In recognition of the community support these clubs provide, our Mayor, Paul Pisasale, introduced this annual speech contest amongst the Ipswich area clubs and has provided much valued prize money for the winning place getters. This support is unique throughout Queensland.

This year, ten clubs will be fielding their best speakers and the contest is shaping up to be a very entertaining “speak off”. Each speaker will have five to seven minutes to present their speech on this year’s topic. “IPSWICH  -  ITS YOU AND ME”

The contest is being held at the Barry Jones Auditorium South St, just opposite the Library Entrance, at 9:00 am on Sunday 27^th February.

Admission is free but seating is limited so if you wish to book a seat to come along and be entertained with some brilliant speeches, then please contact Keith on 0400 295815 or email kfcohen@bigpond.com.

Back in February 2006 I joined Toastmasters Noosa  – why?

Because public speaking was part of my passion for raising awareness of the Edible School Gardens program.

I was terrified of public speaking, not only was I  nervous of fronting an audience but I would have to leave the room before speaking as I thought I would be ill.

There had to be a better way.

When I first joined Toastmasters Noosa I couldn’t even introduce myself.  I was given a ‘mentor’ an experienced toastmaster who would guide me through the ‘art’ of public speaking and be there to answer any questions I had, and to go over any speeches before I had to deliver them.

It was four months before I was brave enough to deliver my first four minute speech –I was terrified. The club members were so supportive, they gave me that boost I needed to be brave enough to start working on my next speech and to take on some other smaller roles within the meeting eg: Chairman.

Over the years Toastmasters has taught me techniques to control nerves but most importantly how to deliver speeches with structure, voice, body language, entertaining, speeches to inspire and persuade.

Toastmasters techniques also helped me with writing my recently released book Eat Your Garden- organic gardening for homes and schools. Also to have the confidence to have a book launch and speak at conferences, seminars and garden clubs about my book and the Edible School Gardens Program.

If you want to progress in your communication skills at work, home and meetings, then Toastmasters is the club for you.

Gardening for the future of our children.

Leonie Shanahan

Edible School Gardens

Leonie@EdibleSchoolGardens.com.au

www.EdibleSchoolGardens.com.au

When Russell Osterfield’s farm was submerged in the flood, Toastmasters, family & friends rallied to help..but they get hungry and tired.

Waiting for them in a dry spot on the farm was Carolyn Phillips (District SAA) who had brought food & hot drinks to ‘lift the spirits and fill the tummies’.

It will take many months before Russell will be able to pick a new crop for the markets, but the many offers of help will make it faster.

Russell & Dee thank you all.

As viewed in The Chronicle. Click to see a bigger version.

Westerns Suburbs Toastmasters recently held their club contests. Here are the winners.

Place getters for both the International and Evaluation (from L-R Steve Funder, Peter Kennedy, Silvia Gard, Geoff Ingram and Brian Webber)  Silvia Gard was the winner of both the International and the Evaluation contest.

3 place getters for the Table Topics contest (L-R Geoff Ingram, Silvia Gard and Lorraine Walker) Lorraine Walker won the Table Topics contest.

The winner and 2nd place in the Humorous contest (L-R Geoff Ingram and Steve Funder) Geoff Ingram won the Humorous contest.

The recent charter of RACQ Toastmasters was documented in their internal staff magazine.

• Download the magazine article

Have you been published? Please send the article to webmaster@toastmastersd69.org.

Competent Communicator Helen Redhead organises a promotional stand at Robina Town Centre to promote Robina Sunrise and other Toastmasters clubs in  area 6.

After much negotiating with the Robina Town centre management Helen organised a stand in the busy shopping  centre and using her delegation skills enlisted members of the club to arrange promotional material and a roster of members to attend during the day. The stand was provided at no cost by the shopping centre and impressed centre management such that we have been invited back again later in the year.

Of note were the number of ex non-current Toastmasters who were thinking of returning and a number of parents enquiring about a gavel club for their children based on good feedback from  Elanora’s efforts in the recent past.

Public relations is about getting the word out and with Helen’s enthusiasm and efforts the Toastmaster’s  word has been spread a little further today.   Pictured above are Helen and Brian Lees spreading the word.

Oasis on Broadbeach celebrated their charter with a dinner on the 10^th of July.

Chartering just over a month ago and already with 5 new members Oasis on Broadbeach celebrated their charter with a dinner officiated by the Immediate Past District Governor Coral McVean, District Governor  Bruce George, LGET John McKay and Immediate Past Southern  Division Governor Francesca Thorn  at Beach House bar and grill on the mall at Broadbeach.

The 31 members and guests attending were entertained with speeches, fun table topics, and a performance by our own travelling  minstrel Matt Thomson.  After an enjoyable dinner the official part of the evening saw inducted the clubs officers and presentation charter membership certificates and badges.