Spoken Word

Guests for the evening included CFA CO Euan Ferguson, DCO Steve Warrington, Manager Community Capability Terry Hayes, EMR’s Regional Director David Baker, members of the EMR Board, Regional Management team and Toastmasters.

The evening was opened by Club President, Evan Thomas who welcomed members and guests. Evan also took a moment to acknowledge the support and mentoring provided by Lilydale Toastmasters and on behalf of the D13 club members extended our deepest gratitude.”

The microphone was then passed over to the Toastmaster of the evening, Tarryn Campbell, who proceeded to get the demonstration meeting underway. This special evening included only a few items off the clubs normal agenda, for example club members presenting prepared speeches, a range of table topic questions asked to the audience and the grammarian’s word of the night, which can be included into each speaking opportunity that becomes available.

As the meeting concludes, a rather humorous critique was provided on the number of ums, arrg’s and errs unconsciously spoken throughout the course of the night. However, this amusing banter was not lost on CO Ferguson and DCO Warrington whose ums and ahs etc were also counted.

Toastmasters offers a wide range of activities, which in turn will improve your leadership skills, your public speaking ability and competitions, both locally, nationally and overseas.

Wendy Cormack says “The fear of public speaking brought staff and volunteers together and now we all travel proudly down the same Toastmasters journey.”

“I look around the room after each meeting, I see members of differing age groups, different work places, rural and urban and I’m just amazed.”

So, does public speaking leave you shaking, lacking in confidence, with a dry mouth, forgetting what you planned to say, then come and see what it’s all about, by contacting Evan Thomas on 8739 1300 or e.thomas@cfa.vic.gov.au.