Latrobe Valley Toastmasters
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Dear Members and Guests, welcome to 2009! What an amazing year we all had in 2008, congratulations to one and all. It is good to reflect on the last 12 months and on the opportunities the year has presented to us. We have benefited from the challenges and achievements that have broadened our experiences. It has been most inspiring and worth while to see the members’ confidence and skills unfold and develop. We have enjoyed fun meetings, excellent speeches and well thought out and carefully prepared presentations. Our Club is getting bigger, better and stronger as our experience, membership and presence establishes and grows. The highlight of 2008 was the charter of our Club on the 16th September 2008. After almost three years of recruiting, training, receiving and seeking assistance and mentoring from our sponsor clubs Berwick and Bairnsdale, from Area, District and Division officers including our club mentors Wilma Evans and Terry Pike we finally met the criteria, had enough members and we were registered as a Latrobe Valley Toastmasters Club with Toastmasters International. As mentors, Terry and Wilma attended most of our club and executive meetings where they mentored and supported the members into their club and executive roles. Their presence, experience and guidance provided confidence, encouragement and wellbeing to the club. My warmest gratitude and appreciations go to a determined, knowledgeable, resourceful and generous Jacqui Gullick, DTM. Jacqui with her husband Doug and a good friend Judith Talanoa, DTM travelled to Latrobe Valley on fortnightly basis. First to the Morwell RSL Club where our humble roots were planted, then to Traralgon at Lavalla Catholic College’s Library (setting up and packing up of tables and chairs were a little back breaking...), and then finally we were fortunate to procure a Club meeting facility at the new Neighbourhood House -Learning Centre in Traralgon. Christine Sindt, our VPE had connections and helped the Club secure its pleasant, central and much more appropriate location. Jacqui generously bestowed much of her expertise, resources and guidance to the club and to me personally. Jacqui’s support was monumental in helping me to overcome some of the rough patches. Jacqui also encouraged and supported our club members to our current status. Preparations for charter of the Club and more recently for our Charter Celebratory Luncheon required every member’s commitment and input. I am grateful and proud of every ones dedication and contributions. Most of the members on the Executive Committee donated extra time, money, skill and resources. The club members donated items for our club raffles and towards the Christmas hamper.
A proud moment in our club’s history, our charter luncheon 29/11/2008 where the attending members received their Charter Club Certificates issued by the Toastmasters International and presented by our guests of honour Mr Bernard Marmion the District Governor pictured second from the left in the back row and Mr Wayne A’Vard the Division Governor pictured first from the left in the second row. The Club members: pictured third from the left in the back row Stephen O’Callaghan - the Club Secretary, Christine Sindt- the Vice President Public Relations, Daniel Barclay, Jane Caffrey and Natalie Elliot-Perfrement - our two Sergeants at Arms, Pauline Shaw, Front row, from the left Doug Gullick – Club Sponsor, Sandy Francois – President, Wilma Evans –Mentor, Mary Mattheyse – Vice President Education, Joe Speer – Treasurer, Jacqui Gullick – Area Governor, Club Sponsor, Terry Pyke – Mentor, Grace Lovell and Fred Mattheyse – Vice President Membership People in the community also contributed. We were lucky to procure the services of Mr David Grey of Solid Inc. IT company who skilfully and professionally assisted me and our club in developing and setting up our web page. Please check it out at latrobevalleytoastmasters.org Mr Greg Hill of Corky’s Liquor also donated a half a dozen bottles of champagne towards our celebrations. The Latrobe Valley Express, our local newspaper published several articles during the year promoting our Club’s existence and practices, while the WIN television covered the Charter Luncheon on the 29th November 2008. I have heard it said that it takes a whole village to raise a child. A similar statement could be made about starting a new club. If you try to do it alone or with only a few people then it can be too challenging. But, when there are many people doing a little bit each, all of a sudden the task becomes achievable and even enjoyable. Following in the words of the newly elected U.S.A. President, Mr Barack Obama, I would like to echo his statement “Together WE can do it!” I feel truly blessed to have met so many amazing and talented people who over time have become dear friends. They have supported me and assisted me in becoming a better speaker, a better communicator, a better me - thank you each most sincerely. So now that our amazing 2008 is behind us, in 2009 I look forward to a continued success for the Club, for our current members, for the new incoming members, for our visitors and friends of the Club. My goal for the Club is that by the 30th of June we achieve the Distinguished Club status. So my friends, when asked to speak, always say “yes”, attend Club Officer Training when invited, bring new visitors to the club, promote our club, have fun at our meetings, enjoy developing your skills and help others develop theirs. So once more I would like to reiterate my earlier statement “Truly, Together We Can Do It! Finally, always remember to keep smiling, for it is impossible to frown and smile at the same time - Try it! Profiling Guest and Club Toastmasters
Judith Talanoa, DTM, who along Jacqui Gullick started and supported Latrobe Valley Toastmasters
Harry Mitchelson, East Gippsland Toastmasters, Bairnsdale, Sponsor to Latrobe Valley Toastmasters
Terry Pyke, CL, Mentor to the Latrobe Valley Toastmaster’s, dual Member with Mooney Ponds said: Toastmasters gives me an opportunity to hone my public speaking skills. The Latrobe Valley Toastmasters has a warm and friendly environment at their meetings which are well organised. Terry also said that he enjoyed watching the Club charter and seeing people grow in confidence and taking on different roles
Wilma Evans, DTM, Latrobe Valley Toastmaster’s Mentor, dual member with Silver Service Toastmasters. Wilma said: I have been in Toastmasters for more than 15 years and haven't grown tired of hearing speeches. I've been why not and the answer is that every speech is a learning experience for me. It could be that I learn something about life that I didn't previously know or, it could be that a whole new world is opened up by the speaker. I've learned about scuba diving, about wind surfing, about the habits of an owl at of about how electricity is made. I've seen speakers who were extremely nervous the 1st time they speak in front of the meeting and they develop into very interesting speakers. If you are worried about making a presentation then come to a supportive group and practice in front of us. In life everything that is new is more difficult, but “Knowledge and Practice makes Power”. I continue to enjoy seeing people improve and I learn from their hobbies or passions. At our last meeting in 2008 our Round Robin Master, Grace Lovell asked the members to comment on what they got out from coming to Toastmasters. Here are some of their responses:
Joe Speer said that he enjoyed all aspects of Toastmasters, his most memorable moment at our Club was our Charter luncheon. Joe said that he would like to be a part of starting a new Club.
Katherine Linde a student in Psychology, after her second visit has pledged to join our Club at our next meeting, Katherine said that so far she really values the helpful philosophy about how to make good speeches.
Amber Broberg said: I have only been going to Toastmasters for a few weeks now and already Toastmaster has made an improvement in me. I usually speak quietly and never notice how soft I speak. So on practising my first speech and recoding my voice I found out how my voice relay sounds.. In fact, I wasn't speaking up clearly enough. This helped me to work on this so much in my daily life. I now know to speak up and out all the time. So I recommend Toastmasters to anyone wanting improvement vocally for speeches and everyday life. You will find out what a great speaker you really are.
Daniel Barclay said that he enjoyed meeting new people, becoming a member of a chartered Club and learning from each other,
Pauline Shaw said that at the beginning she used to force herself to come to the meetings because she knew it was good for her. Pauline said that she appreciated it when Terry encouraged her to come back to the Club. Pauline said that her mother loved one of her speeches so much that she has asked Pauline to save it for her eulogy.
Natalie Elliot-Perfrement said that she enjoyed the human aspect of Toastmasters, being with people who share their experiences, and how we assist each other to improve our communication skills.
Christine Sindt said that as a result of Toastmasters she was inspired to stand for Council. Christine stated that she enjoyed the company of fellow Toastmasters and that our regular meetings help in building her confidence.
Jane Caffrey commented that as a member of our Toastmasters Club for nearly two years she has enjoyed meeting new people and hearing a lot of wonderful speeches. Apart from hearing more about the person, she said she also increased her knowledge. Jane said that so far she has made four speeches and although she has been very nervous, everyone is very supportive and the feedback given has be en very valuable in helping her in preparing for her next speech.
Michael D of Traralgon said: Toastmasters Latrobe Valley is a truly unique opportunity where you get all the structure and support you need to be a practice speaking, without any competitive pressure whatsoever. It’s certainly been a life-changing experience for me, and what I love most about the group is that there is such a broad mix from beginners to veterans. If you have been thinking about joining a Toastmasters group then join this one today. It is the best!
Mary Mattheyse the Club’s VPE contributed by saying: Toastmasters has really helped me regarding my confidence levels, being able to project myself, and communicating, even on a one-on-one level. I was a member of Tygerberg Toastmasters in Cape Town, South Africa, and when we decided to move to Australia just over a year ago, one of the first things I did was to try to find a club I could join here. I was very lucky to get in touch with Bernard Marmion, now our District Governor, who passed my details on to Jacqui Gullick, now our Area Governor. Jacqui told me about Latrobe Valley Toastmasters Club which was still being formed, and that is how I came to be here. Joining a club here was one of the best things I could have done as I have met a really great group of caring and friendly people. My husband, Fred has also joined and is also enjoying the camaraderie of the club. In November, we had a special visitor with us - our daughter, Linda, a newly qualified medical doctor. She is also a Toastmaster, a member of Tygerberg Toastmasters, and we were able to take her to one of our meetings where she gave a general evaluation of the meeting. It was interesting to compare the different ways that clubs operate, but still reach the goals of Toastmasters International. It is very special to be a charter member of a new Toastmasters club, and we were glad that Linda could be with us for the Charter celebration too.
As a Club President, I am thrilled with the testimonials above. They are warm, encouraging and honest. I am surprised there are not more Toastmasters clubs around. Personally speaking, I have wanted to develop my public speaking skills for over 15 years and when Jacqui Gullick came to the Latrobe Valley and placed an advertisement in the local paper, looking for members to start a new Club, I was thrilled; it was just the thing I was looking for. I attended the first meeting with my bells on and I have not looked back. Toastmasters offer as little or as much as you need to develop your communication and public speaking skills. You can always go at your own pace. With encouragement and support you can achieve your goals and become more confident. You try new things in a safe and encouraging environment. Because it is a not for profit, community organisation, the fees are very affordable that anyone can join. You can even write it off as a Tax deduction and list it as a legitimate Professional Development Training. So far, I have really enjoyed my journey with the Club. It is a great pleasure meeting people from different walks of life with varied backgrounds and age groups. I believe that we truly have an inclusive Club atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Like others have mentioned earlier, I also enjoy listening to members’ speeches, learning more about them and about topics they speak on. I have also been fortunate in attending and learning from several Club Officer Training Seminars. Twice I was asked to be a Test Speaker for Area Speech Competitions, where I enjoyed speaking at a different club and learned from the evaluations and the experiences. When asked to speak, I always endeavour to say yes. I encourage anyone serious about developing their public speaking and communication skills to say yes and to speak whenever an opportunity arises. The more you speak the more confidence you will develop, and like one of my new friends Harry Mitchelson from East Gippsland Toastmasters said “You CAN teach your butterflies to fly in a formation”. My butterflies are still learning to fly, but at least now they are heading in a right direction some of the time, thanks to Toastmasters. Finally, I look forward to catching up with everyone on the 28th January. Together lets have lots of fun while we enjoy another successful, brilliant and productive “Good Speaking” year in 2009. Warm Regards, Sandy Francois Club President
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