Meeting 878 Int. Reading & New Speaker Contests

Maureen

When Maureen prepared her Icebreaker speech, she didn't realise she had been entered for the New Speaker Contest. She bravely went ahead and surprised herself by winning first place with her speech, "Parental Influence."

Second place getter was another new member, John T, who presented a powerful  and thought provoking speech, "Advance Australia Fair - a Reality Check."

It was good to see our old friend Del, from Narangba Toastmasters who came to judge the contests, with several of our own members assisting with the judging.

Another guest was Sarah, who came for the first time. We explained to her that our regular meetings are not as chaotic as a contest night!

Marlene

There was a variety of readings in the Interpretive Reading Contest. Dave read an old Stanley Hollaway monalogue, "The Lion and Albert." 
Kylie read  "Mulga Bill's Bicycle."   by Banjo Paterson. Marlene read an extract from Elizabeth Jolley's
book, "The Well."  Ernie read a story written by his late wife, Diane, titled "Trees at Christmas."
Annette read an extract from "Dad in Politics" by Steele Rudd.

Place getters were Marlene, first, and Annette second.

Jonathon

There were quite a few members absent. Jonathon filled in as Sergeant at Arms and also as Toastmaster.

John S took on the role of Contest Chairman.

As Word master, Maureen challenged us to used the word "CONDUCIVE."

Inge's Round Robin was "Repair or Replace." Everyone seemed to find it easy to speak for 30 seconds on that theme. Some even managed to use the word "Conducive."

Dave's Table Topics, were appropriately based on the theme of books and reading. Amanda, John T, Maureen and John S were given the Topics, "What book has impressed you?" "What author would you like to have lunch with?""What book would you take to a desert island?" and "What kind of book would you like to write?"

John S

John T

Maureen

Amanda

Sharyn - Rafflemaster

They all received the same number of votes, so it was a dead heat! 

The Table Topics were evaluated by Kerry. Leesa conducted the General Evaluation.

Sharyn's "Purple Pamper Pack" Raffle was won by Marlene.

Don't forget there are 5 Tuesdays in this month, so it will be 3 weeks before our next meeting. See you all on the 12th June.

And the following meeting, 26th June will be our   Change Over Dinner.

Interpretive Reading

We are having our Interpretive Reading Contest next meeting.There are guidelines on a new section of our Blog.

There will also be a New Speaker Contest, which is open to any member who has completed less than 5 speech projects from the Communication and Leadership Manual.

Meeting 877 "Magic" & Elections

Congratulations to our newly elected Club Officers, who will take on their new role from 1st July.

President: Annette
Vice President Education: Marlene
Vice President Membership: Liz We
Vice President Public Relations: Jennine
Secretary: Sharyn
Treasurer: Kylie
Sergeant at Arms: Maureen
News Bulletin Editor: Melissa
Parliamentarian: John S
Web Site Coordinator: Marlene

The theme of the meeting was "Magic." Maureen proposed a toast to the Magic of Toastmasters.

Trish presented the club with two new ribbons to attach to the club banner, one for attending the District Convention, and one for achieving Distinguished club status by April.

Nicole's word for the evening was "Illusion" She gave some examples of illusion, including the fact that if you cross your index and middle fingers and rub your nose, it gives the illusion that you have two noses. Of course, some people had to try it out.

Rhys continued the theme in his Round Robin, asking us to speak alternately on the positive or negative aspects of magic. This evoked many unusual topics, ranging from the syzygy of the moon to the Federal Budget. 

 It was a very full programme and Dave proved to be an efficient Toastmaster of the evening, keeping things moving along briskly, but still slipping in interesting information about magic.

Sharyn's Table Topics were a challenge for her victims Jennine, Marlene, John T and Amanda. "With a little bit of Magic I could...," "Shazzam, just like Magic!" "Starlight, Starbright, first star I see tonight," and "A Magical piece of Music, Movie, or Book."

Table Topics Evaluator Liz We had encouraging comments for all participants.

There were three speeches. Inge presented her Icebreaker speech, which was a moving account of her early years in Germany, when the war interrupted her happy childhood, and some members of her family were killed and others sent to prison camps. Inge ended her speech on a happy note, telling how she met and married her husband.

Melissa's speech was "Urban Myths and the Illusion of Everybody." It was her third speech.

Trish's speech was also topical. "It's Magic." Trish is an advanced Toastmaster and is working on yet another Communication and Leadership Manual.

The speeches were evaluated by Leesa, Kylie and Harry. 

The Business Session was chaired by John S, who kept firm control and insisted that any remarks be addressed through the Chairman.

Ernie told a joke about Van Gogh's Family Tree, which includes a dizzy aunt, "Verti Gogh," his brother who ate prunes, "Gotta Gogh," Grandfather from Yugoslavia, "UGogh," a bird loving Uncle,"Flamin Gogh," a Disco Dancer, "Go Gogh" etc.

Grammarian Annette commented on the Ums & Ahs, also the use of  "and" as a filler. She commended Melissa on her use of words in her speech. 

Elizabeth's raffle was won by Liz We. It was a bag of assorted items, perfume, scented candle, tea towel ...and packets of cold water jelly.

Time Keeper Del warned that we were running overtime, so Jonathon was concise with his General Evaluation, but still managed to cover everything, and make constructive suggestions.

President Sharyn presented the evening's awards to John T (Best Table Topic,) Trish (Best Speech,) Kylie (Best Evaluation,) Inge (Personal Best,) and Dave (Best Contribution.)

Next meeting we will have our Interpretive Reading and New Speaker Contests.

District 69 Convention

It was very disappointing that the Humorous Speech Contest was changed from Saturday to Sunday.  Sharyn, Annette, Leesa,  Nicole & I were only able to attend on the one day. Besides the Humorous Contest, there were only the four hours (!!!!) of  Business and Elections. Sharyn attended the President's Breakfast.

Trish, Sharyn, Annette, Marlene

The Humorous Speeches were funny and entertaining. Sorry, we didn't bring the trophy home. The competition was just too stiff. The winner was very very good and deserved to win. The second and third place getters were also very good.

                                                               

Phew, the contest is over!

 2 long term members. Annette & Betty Smout

. We were delighted to meet & talk with Betty Smout from the Adventurers Club. Betty has been a Toastmaster  for 37 years. Her husband (who passed away last year aged 105)  was Arthur Smout, the brother of well known local identy, Ted Smout.