It was such a wet night, it's a wonder anyone turned up for our first meeting of the year. Some members were prevented by flooded roads, and a few arrived late because of transport problems, but about 14 managed to get there. We even had a visitor, Amanda.
As it was 2 days before Australia Day, the theme was "Australia." Nicole, in her first time role of Toastmaster, kept the meeting running smoothly with interesting information and quotes between each segment.
There were many programme changes, with people enthusiastically volunteering to fill in where needed.
In the absence of our Wordmaster, Harry rose to the occasion and gave us the word "Perspicacity" which means "shrewdness" or "clear insight."
We had two Round Robin segments, where each member spoke for 30 seconds.
Annette's question was, "What part of Australia would you like to visit?"
In the second Round Robin, Robert asked, "What would have happened if Captain Cook hadn't made it to Australia?" Everyone found them both easy to answer. A couple of perspicacious people even managed to use the word of the evening.
Our Table Topicmaster was away, but Dave quickly thought of some appropriate topics for his victims, Marlene, Jennine, Leesa and Elizabeth. His topics all had something to do with Australia day or bad weather.
There was time for extra Table Topics, so Marlene called on Kylie, Robert, Harry, Annette and Liz We to make up a story about the origin of Australian Song titles. "My Boomerang won't come back," "Tie me Kangaroo down," "The pub with no beer," "The road to Gunagai," and "The Pig Catcher's love song."
Dave filled in for the one of absent speakers by presenting an amusing poem "Old Sam," by Stanley Hollaway. This was evaluated by Annette.
A good Toastmaster is always prepared. There was another vacant speaking slot, which Harry filled in with an entertaining speech he'd had prepared for the following meeting. "The Zombie Apocalypse." Liz We evaluated Harry's speech.
Sharyn's speech was titled "How to Attack." She surprised us by talking about how to put a large jigsaw puzzle together. It was evaluated by Marlene.
Liz Wo's raffle was very appropriate for the theme of the meeting. It was a folding chair with an Australian flag symbol on the back, a packet of lammingtons, a bowl and napkins with the flag symbol on them and ginger beer. Dave won the raffle. (Not fair - I had bought extra tickets!!!)
Jennine was Grammarian and Liz We filled in as Listening Master.
The meeting was finally evaluated by Kylie, who had some helpful suggestions.
Award winners for the evening were,
Best Speech, Sharyn and Harry. (tie)
Best Table Topic, Annette.
Best Evaluator, Marlene.
Best Contribution, Nicole.
Personal Best, Harry and Nicole.
(Someone please correct me if this is not correct. I didn't write it down.)
Sharyn encouraged everyone to attend the Officer Training Day. This is open to all members, you don't have to be a club officer. Contact Treasurer Liz if you would like to attend.
Don't forget there are 5 weeks in this month, so it is 3 weeks until our next meeting on the 14th February.
