By Alistair Gray
Did you know Bribie Island Toastmasters has produced two world champion public speakers? Yes, the Bribie Toastmasters Club has given birth to some superstars who have performed on the world stage at an elite level and outshone their peers. This small club, almost like a secret society, has been quietly training and developing its members to be excellent communicators and speakers for the last 30 years. What a fantastic achievement! It was a thrill to attend their ‘Pearl’ anniversary celebrations and be among Toastmaster royalty as they shared memories and thoughts about Toastmasters.
"I first joined Toastmasters way back, 30 years ago it was. I wheeled into a club at the Bribie High School where I met 15 - 20 people. I thought they were all idiots because they did these stupid things like impromptu speaking, prepared speeches and things like that. However, Ivy Foster took me under her wing encouraging me to enter what was known then as the novice contest. And so, I prepared my first competition speech, a speech about otters. I still remember being told by my peers at Bribie Toastmasters that, Mark, you've got to change your speaking style because you sound like a minister on Ritalin,” Mark Hunter said, as he described his early days as a Toastmaster.
Mark modified his speaking style and went on to win that novice contest and with strong encouragement from mentors like Muriel Smith, who said, "This man can go far”, he went on to become a Toastmaster's World Champion Speaker in 2009.
Muriel Smith, now a young 90-year-old, joined Toastmasters in 1973 when women were first allowed to join. She spoke about how she enjoyed 35 years in Toastmasters and served four times as District Toastmaster. Muriel had moved every four years and found the organisation to be an anchor in her life, with the support and the great friendships she had formed.
The club's other World Champion Public Speaker is Jock Elliott, who won his title in 2011 and is still very much an active member of the club. He dressed in a dinner suit and bow tie for the occasion, delivering a magnificent oratory piece, hilarious, clever and eloquent. A speech he delivered 30 years ago showed the room why he is a world champion. What an incredible resource the members of Bribie Toastmasters have on tap to access for advice and tips so they too, can be the best they can be.
"This is an anniversary of this esteemed club, Bribie Toastmasters. It's a testament to the dedication, perseverance and passion that has fuelled this club for 30 years,” Moreton Toastmasters Division Director Suresh Nair said. “When we look back to the history of this club, I'm sure we'll find a journey full of countless speeches, countless table topics, countless evaluations and meetings that have helped shape the lives of many individuals here in this club. This club has been a community where lifelong friendships have been formed. Remember, 30 years back, the club's founders had a vision to create a space where individuals come together and improve their public speaking and leadership abilities. Thirty years later, we are living that vision. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those early pioneers who laid the foundation for what we are celebrating today.”
"Toastmasters are needed in this world more than any other time,” Division Toastmaster Denise Buckley said. “Ron Smedley our founder said attentive listening and good communication will breed understanding and understanding may bring world peace. Wouldn't that be astounding? The gift to find your inner voice, the gift to be able to stand and say what you feel, standing tall and with confidence. "We need to reflect the needs of what society needs now. What hasn't changed is the calibre of our people—the values of integrity, respect, service and excellence. And the two others I created for our year, kindness and empathy. I congratulate all the club officers who have created such a wonderful club like Bribie Island. Thank you, thank you for your contribution.”
Bribie Toastmasters turns 30 in the same year as Bribie Toastmasters International turns 100. There are 270,000 members globally in more than 14,200 clubs in 148 countries. You, too, could become a Toastmaster.
For more information, please get in touch with Joannes Evers on 0450 473 822 or email joannesevers@gmail.com
Comments