Post on 26-Jun-2020
Welcome to the D73 Southern Cross Light Up the Member, Light up the Club
The name "Southern Cross" resonates with people as being symbolic of Australia and there are
sentimental reasons for bringing it back as the newsletter name.
Many people in the district have fond memories of the Southern Cross newsletter. We hope it will
evoke some positive feelings in the District 73 community.
District 73 Toastmasters provides a mutually supportive and positive environment in which
every D73 member of has the opportunity to contribute to the growth and well-being of
other district members.
This newsletter, the “D73 Southern Cross” is here to help celebrate member, club, area,
division, and district successes; and to share district-related and Toastmasters International
information, news, and events. With other mediums, such as the D73 Website and the D73
Facebook Group, we aim to share ideas and opinions about improvements you would like to
see in the district.
This month in the D73 Southern Cross
Light Up the Member, Light up the Club
Pathways
Learning to Nail Without Fail
Semi-Annual Convention: Evolution
Piggybacking on Local Events
Moorabbin Saints 30th Anniversary
A Striking New Initiative
Upcoming Workshops
Contest Judges Guide and Ballot Workshop
Face to Face: Clubs seeking assistance
A Warm Thank You
Toastmasters Talk
City Centre Toastmasters
Pentana Toastmaster Club
Educational Excellence
Speechcraft
Welcome
Light Up the Member, Light up the Club Many of you will have noticed the new branding for our District. The ‘Light Up’
concept was designed by our very own Madhavi Chandrasekara. She created
the idea and okayed it with me before getting it approved by the branding
department of Toastmasters International.
Our message is to encourage you to ‘light up’ your meetings with excitement,
enthusiasm and professionalism. So often, it’s easy for us all to lapse into
thinking, ‘oh well, another meeting. Same old, same old.’ Even those of us who
are super-enthusiastic can get worn down by life. We find ourselves plodding
along to meetings rather than seeing them for what they are: a great opportunity
to grow, learn, and meet new people.
One of the best ways for us to do that is to constantly find ways to energise – or
light up – our meetings. Turn Table Topics on its head. Run a back to front
meeting. Have unusual and fun themes that reinvigorate our get togethers.
Correct branding is important, and we need to continually project the same,
consistent message to the wider community. Toastmasters International has
strict branding guidelines. Please adhere to these on your club websites and
through you other marketing channels. If you are interested, here’s a link to the
brand manuals at Toastmasters International:
https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Resource-Library
These manuals are quite detailed in explaining what we can and can’t do (your
kitchen toaster may be sexy, but you can’t use a picture of it to promote your
club!)
And if you have any other queries, please feel free to email me at:
prm@d73.toastmasters.org.au
Darrell Pitt
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Pathways
Our Pathway Guides have been appointed and within the next few weeks they
will be making contact with Presidents and VPEs to make a time to visit your
club for a training session to teach you all about Pathways. Clubs will need to
allow one hour in their meeting agenda to accommodate the Pathways
training. The District will organise some group training sessions for members
to attend in central locations yet to be advised.
Preparation: Log onto www.toastmasters.org and find out about Pathways
https://www.toastmasters.org/pathways-overview
Our goal for District 73 is to have 85% of our members trained and ready to
step confidently into their Pathway learning experience. Come stride with us.
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Table Topics: Learning to Nail Without Fail Have you ever wished you could have another stab at answering the same
Table Topics question? “Yes, next time I’d really nail that topic… I’ve thought of
some marvellous answers - unfortunately it was after I had walked back to my
seat!”
Williamstown Toastmasters did give seven respondents the opportunity to
answer the same question. It wasn’t at a normal club meeting, but at a special
Table Topics workshop where they’d come to learn some strategies for
impromptu speaking and to put them into practice.
The workshop came about when Mark, an experienced Toastmaster but a new
member of Williamstown, confided that he found answering Table Topics a real
challenge and rarely got past 30 seconds. “I know the theory” he said, “But I
need some intense practice.”
Impromptu speaking is one of the key platforms of public speaking and one of
the ways we promote Toastmasters to prospective members. At a club meeting
members may be busy presenting speeches, being Toastmaster or carrying out
other roles, which means they may not be in the firing line when it comes to
giving a spontaneous answer.
Sue, a member of many years, said: “This is the one area where I really need
practice but I rarely get chosen at club meetings. I don’t think I’ve answered a
question this year.”
So we put together a two-hour program where seven new and experienced club
members met in a relaxed atmosphere to learn, to discuss and, most
importantly, to practise various strategies for composing a coherent
presentation on the fly.
Firstly, participants shared what they found most difficult about impromptu
speaking with problems including difficulty constructing a mini speech,
struggling after 30 seconds and the mind going completely blank.
Fiona Price, Williamstown member and 2017 Division Table Topics contest
winner, suggested some helpful ways to overcome these qualms such as telling
a personal story and employing the “rule of three” (which really helps in
constructing a mini speech).
We gave our participants several topics to answer using these strategies,
starting at 60 seconds and then to 90. One rule: they had to get to the red light.
Lastly, we gave our respondents the opportunity to answer the same question
they’d just tackled, but this time they had to stretch their answer to two
minutes. Strangely enough, most people liked their spontaneous answers
better!
If any of your club members are dreading answering Table Topics questions but
equally longing for more experience, I highly recommend a workshop where
they can work through their reservations and become more confident
impromptu speakers.
Ann Banham
Vice President Education
Williamstown Toastmasters
Melbourne, Australia
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District 73
2017 Semi-Annual Convention
Evolution
Save the Date!
9am - 5pm Saturday November 18th @ Victoria University City
Convention Centre, Level 12, 300 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
This will be the best District 73 Semi-Annual Convention ever, so don't miss
out!
More details soon!
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Piggybacking on Local Events A Launceston Toastmasters meeting became a registered event in the Tamar
Valley Peace Festival in July. Peace was the meeting theme and the festival
organisers were impressed by the meeting and the engagement of members in
the theme. During introductions, everyone described a natural place which they
associated with Peace, answers varied from beaches, forests, rivers, sunsets.
Table Topics focussed on both personal and global aspects of Peace. One of
the organisers gave a prepared speech explaining how the festival was
initiated.
Taking part in this way gave the club wider exposure with no extra work and the
change added an extra dimension to club meetings. This will become an annual
event that can be built upon.
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Moorabbin Saints 30th Anniversary
Moorabbin Saints Toastmasters Club is proud to announce that they will be
celebrating their 30th Anniversary in November.
They are planning on a special 30th Anniversary Meeting on 14th November
2017.
Moorabbin Saints very nearly didn’t reach this milestone. However, persistence and
commitment paid off and they have rebuilt and recovered from a floundering club to a
wonderful, vibrant, and thriving club with 20 members and President’s Distinguished
Award for 2016/17.
They are now 30 years strong and planning to celebrate this huge milestone.
To help celebrate and toast in the new year (31). 😊
7:15pm for a 7:30pm start and conclude at approx. 9:30pm.
Highett Neighbourhood Community House,
2 Livingston Street, Highett
Contact : Deborah Roffey DTM - President & VPM
Moorabbin Saints TM
Ph: 0411 475 925 Email: roffeyd@gmail.com
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A Striking New Initiative A Striking New Initiative is being developed in the Rural City with the introduction of a
leadership programme for the young men and women who form the Australian Air
Force Cadets of 420 Squadron, based in Wangaratta.
A private sponsor, and senior members of the Australian Air Force Cadets, are using
the initiatives developed by the Toastmasters International to foster leadership and
self-confidence in local members.
This approach is just one part of the benefits being made available through the Youth
Leadership Development Program to the Staff and Cadets. It seeks to provide sound
basic skills which not only teach presentation and Public Speaking skills, but also
enhance Self Development.
The success of this Wangaratta initiative will lead to the development of an Australia
wide program as an elective initiative for the ten thousand Cadets and adult members
of the AAFC.
In speaking at the introduction of the program Mayor of Wangaratta Ken Clarke OAM
JP offered his personal support of the work being carried out by the Australian Air
Cadets, Toastmasters, and the sponsors of the program.
“The Wangaratta Community Speechcraft Program will certainly give participants
an introduction to the Toastmaster Education Program and a full understanding of a
journey which is undertaken by every Toastmaster around the world. This program is
based on a proven curriculum that enables participants to develop their
communication and leadership skills one step at a time.
Wangaratta and the wider community need people who are able to communicate and
possess leadership qualities that are so desperately needed in the world today.”
The Speechcraft program is a recognised Toastmasters International endorsed
educational program being organised by members of the Wangaratta TM club from
District 73.
Toastmasters club participation benefits you by empowering individuals to become
more effective communicators and Leaders. You can achieve greater self-confidence
and personal growth in a supportive and positive learning environment.
Contact program coordinator Carole McCulloch 0414 532 785.
The Wangaratta Toastmasters club holds its meetings on the second Monday and
fourth Tuesday of each month. Contact the President, Charles Halloran for details of
regular meetings of Wangaratta TM club. 0408574672 http://wangaratta.easy-
speak.org
With thanks to Ken Broomhead, VP Public Relations officer at Wangaratta Toastmaster Club.
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Upcoming Workshops
Inspired Thinking Workshop
Date : 23rd September _ Central Division
Time : 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Venue: 4 Milner St Hindmarsh, South Australia
Central Division E & T workshop
Speech contest Judging Workshop Date : 23rd September
Time : 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Venue : Austin Hospital Level 4 Lecture Theatre
see Below
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The Speech Contest
Judges Guide and Ballot Workshop How Judges Select the Winning Speech
Your purpose as a Speech Contest Judge is to select a winner. The best
way to select the winning speech is to use the standard Toastmasters
International Judges Guide and Ballot as your guide and review a speaker's
total performance in three key areas of effective speaking: content, delivery,
language. But first, you need to understand the true meaning of each ballot
form criterion.
‘The Speech Contest Judges Guide and Ballot workshop’ delves deeply
into the ballot—you gain an in-depth understanding of each ballot form
criterion—what it means and what it doesn’t mean.
You also:-
• Find out how reviewing a speaker’s performance in the International,
Humorous, and Table Topic speech contests differs—and why the
funniest speeches or the most inspirational speeches are not necessarily
the winning speeches;
• Discover why and how the Evaluation Speech Contest judging ballot is
significantly different to the other Toastmasters contest ballots—and how
good judges use it;
• See four highly ranked speeches (International, Table Topics,
Humorous, and Evaluation)— review and discuss these speeches using
the ballot to discover why these speeches are so highly ranked.
An interactive workshop facilitated by Jacqueline Bignell DTM, assisted by
experienced judges from District 73. This workshop is valuable to beginning and
experienced speech contest judges and contestants who are keen to win
contests in District 73.
23rd September 2017
1pm – 5pm
Austin Hospital
4th Floor Education Centre
145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg
Register: https://goo.gl/forms/ZtiORsfdMzRz17HJ3
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Face to Face: Clubs seeking assistance: Box Hill Toastmasters Club
Box Hill Toastmasters Club would like ideas or suggestions on how to increase
their club membership.
Chartered on December 12th 1985, they meet on first, third and fifth Tuesdays
of the month from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Box Hill South Family Centre,
corner of Station Street and Riversdale Road, Box Hill South.
Contact Andrew Breeden DTM - andrewbreeden@hotmail.com
or Luke Bolton - luke@plumberschoice.com.au
Telstra Exhibition Toastmasters Club
Telstra Exhibition Toastmasters Club is looking for experienced speakers.
They meet every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month at 242 Exhibition St
Melbourne
Over the past few months they have had quite a few new members join and
older members leave, leaving them with a gap in experience. Over the next few
months they need help, especially with Evaluations. They would also love to
have experienced Toastmasters give some educational speeches.
Contact Chrissy Fisher - Chrissy.fisher@telstrawholesale.com 0433 645 925
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A Warm Thank You
Wandin Toastmasters had the rare honour of having five of our members attend the
Toastmasters International convention in Vancouver in August. The absence of five
members and a couple of others who were on different vacations left a gaping hole in
our agenda. I put out the call for help on the District 73 FaceBook page. So many
generous members put up their hand to make the long journey out to Wandin in the
Yarra Valley. The result was a vibrant meeting full of fun and learnings. This definitely
demonstrates what a wonderful supportive community we have in District 73.
Thank you everyone!
kind regards
Judy Murphy DTM
President & Sponsor, Wandin Toastmasters
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Toastmasters Talk
City Centre Toastmasters What makes your Club special?
City Centre Toastmasters specialises in helping international students develop
their conversational and professional English-speaking skills.
How does your Club, Area or Division help its members achieve
greatness?
We have a mix of Toastmasters who are just starting their journey and
experienced Toastmasters, including several District leaders.
What are your Club goals over the coming year?
City Centre Toastmasters is currently in the process of rebuilding its
membership after it almost closed its doors at the end of last year. Our goal is
to reach 20 members by end of the 2018 financial year.
How do you achieve and measure success?
We believe in putting the member first. As a result, we measure success by the
progress members make toward the goals that are important to them.
What three famous people (alive or dead, real or fictitious) would you like
to invite to your Club?
Dr Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,
because he has so much wisdom to share and his message is so congruent
with the behaviours he models. Barack Obama because he’s one of the best
speakers in the world, in terms of his skills. And finally, Cicero because he is
regarded as the best orator of all time.
And what roles would you give them and why?
Dr Stephen R. Covey as general evaluator because he would encourage
everybody and help them see the greatness within them. Barack Obama as a
speaker and a speech evaluator. And Cicero would be assigned the role of
giving the educational project.
City Centre Toastmasters
Daniel G. Taylor - President
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Toastmasters Talk
Pentana Toastmasters Club What makes your Club special?
We are blessed to have a supporting Management team, and Staff who really
appreciate the leadership and communication opportunities Toastmasters offers
to Pentana Solutions itself, our teams, and the individuals themselves. The
nurturing and enthusiastic energy that our Club generates at each meeting is
the prime factor that attracts new members and retains existing members. We
currently have 30 active members. We have been acknowledged by many
Distinguished and visiting Toastmaster guests as a Club of great energy and of
high standard. To date, we have witnessed many excellent ice-breakers,
speeches and evaluations that have also been favourably acknowledged. Our
standards continually improve and we have a devoted Executive Toastmaster
Committee lead by our President Justin Shumack to ensure success.
How does your Club help its members achieve greatness?
The Club prides itself with great mentors and supportive members who provide
the nurturing and support to enable members to overcome their fears and
transform that fear into confidence and then onto the pursuit of excellence.
Renuka Jesudhason, our VP Membership, actively does “walking through
greets” to encourage prospective members and new members “to have a go!”.
This has helped grow and maintain the membership numbers as well as
encouraged members to go beyond their comfort zones. Julie-Anne Luby, our
VP Education is also very active in encouraging members to fill various roles
and speeches.
What are your Club goals over the coming year?
Last meeting Aug 15th we celebrated our first birthday and we are very
honoured and humbled by the accolades of the external visiting Toastmasters.
Our goals for next year -
• Continue to establish the Club by engaging in District training and other
events.
• Maintain and keep membership above 20. Currently we have 30.
• Strive to be a distinguished Club for our district.
• Encourage a number of members to complete their Competent
Communication and Leadership goals.
• Prepare for the upcoming Pathways learning stream.
• Compete in the area Speech and Evaluator Contests.
How do you achieve and measure success?
The club empowers members to be responsible and act with integrity to achieve
the Club’s and their own goals.
We measure our success by these KPIs
• Membership consistently greater than 20
• Membership at meetings consistently greater than 15
• Member success – meeting their own goals
• Positive Member and Guest feedback
• Member testimonials – how Toastmasters has helped them at Pentana
Solutions
• Stability of our Executive Committee
• Meeting our Toastmasters KPIs
• Participating in, and achieving Toastmaster membership drives – Beat
the Clock and Smedley.
What three famous people (alive or dead, real or fictitious) would you like
to invite to your Club?
1. Yoda
2. Wal Pisciotta – Executive Chairman of Pentana Solutions
3. Steve Jobs
And what roles would you give them and why?
1. I imagine Yoda giving an inspiring speech about the Force. This would
amplify the positive energy plus bring a bit of light entertainment and
humour
2. General Evaluator. With his attention to detail and passion for seeing
people extend themselves and reach higher, Wal’s evaluation will be
very encouraging and his constructive and practical observations will
energise us and spur us on towards achieving our individual and club
goals with more determination and confidence.
3. I’d ask Steve to passionately share his presentation style – with
particular emphasis on using slides to accompany one’s speech.
We welcome external Toastmasters to visit our Club.
Pentana Toastmaster Club
Anthony Neale - VP Public Relations
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Educational Excellence Congratulations to the District 73 members who have achieved an outstanding
array of awards for August.
(Those marked with * were missed from July's list)
Award Name Club
ACG* Ramdas, Ajay Melton
ACB* Roffey, Deborah M. Toast of the Country
ACB* Townsend, Mary Lou Launceston
ACB* Dunstan, Elwynne City of Greater Geelong
ACB* Roffey, Deborah M. Toast of the Country
ACB* Townsend, Mary Lou Launceston
ACG* Ramdas, Ajay Melton
ACS* Le Lacheur, Paul Synergy
ALB* Crnkovic, Milojko Adelaide City
ALB* Shaw, Janet Maree Sale
ALB* Copland, Peter John Adelaide City
ALB* Bond, Graeme PMI Melbourne
ALB* Lilley, Michael Frankston
DTM Tuck, Peter Stephen Rowville
LDREXC Argyle, Bruce L Healesville
LDREXC Harris, Kim Michelle Healesville
LDREXC Owen, Elizabeth Adelaide City
LDREXC Adrian, Stephen Robert Adelaide City
LDREXC Chau, David Adelaide City
LDREXC Mathuku, Keerthana Adelaide City
LDREXC Anjum, Hasan T Adelaide City
LDREXC Chhay, Rattana Adelaide City
LDREXC Tuck, Peter Stephen Rowville
LDREXC Luu, Wendy Spiritually Speaking
LDREXC Roy, Ansuman Chadstone Oaks
ACB Koutsikas, Con Adelaide City
ACB Tan, Victor Port Melbourne
ACB Sasmal, Anikesh Mighty Docklands
ACG Copland, Peter John Adelaide City
ACG King, Phil Lilydale
ACS Flood, Rosella J. Warragul
ACS Nelles, Zachary Ballarat
ALB Mikolaj, Helen Southern Cross
ALB Barridge, Terry David Warragul
ALB Chiodo, Robert M Nillumbik
ALS Tuck, Peter Stephen Rowville
CC Barridge, Terry David Warragul
CC Jayachandra, Arjun Telstra Exhibition
CC Hill, Bruce PostMasters
CC Bennett, Michelle Hume
CC Huang, Jan Epping
CC Duggan, Sandhya Rowville
CC Chen, Gordon Happy Hour
CC von Harder, Paul Werribee Toastmasters Inc.
CC Inwood, Roger H. Albury/Wodonga
CC Rodrigues, Christine Metro Trains
CC Chong, Jocelyn Hawthorn Toastmasters Club Inc.
CL Owen, Elizabeth Spiritually Speaking
CL Smith, Michelle K. Rev-Anew
CL Skegg, Karina M Eastern Shore
CL Stacy, Burke Southern Cross
CL Barridge, Terry David Warragul
CL Verbeeten, Danny Nillumbik
CL Miller, Eric D Lilydale
CL Smith, Gavin Payneham
CL Ng, Kwan Liong Melbourne University
CL Johnson, Glen Berwick
CL Koutsikas, Con Adelaide City
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Speechcraft
For Details on Available Speechcraft Courses.
click here for SA
click here for Tas
click here for Vic
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Welcome
In August we welcomed 97 new members to Toastmasters! In addition we also welcomed the club Albury/Wodonga Toastmasters who have moved from
District 70 to District 73!! Estella Hutchinson, CGD.
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The D73 Southern Cross values your input. If you have a Workshop, Special Event or something
wonderful to share with the other members of District 73, contact the Southern Cross editor .
Stories and Articles must be submitted prior to the second Tuesday of the month.
The D73 Southern Crossnewsletter is published on the Third Tuesday of the month.
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