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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