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How many States make up the USA?
Communication, public speaking and leadership – that is the core business of the Limestone Coast Toastmaster Club and the local group is always looking for new members.
Originating in Naracoorte, the local club is celebrating its 60th anniversary – it is the sixth oldest club in Australia - and the year has started strongly with member Andrea Braun (pictured) recently taking out first place in the Table Topics Section of the Annual Area C9 Toastmasters Contest.
Table Topics require the contestant only to be given the topic just as they are called to speak. Each contestant is then required to speak ad hoc on the given subject for 1-2 minutes.
This exciting win will require Andrea to represent Limestone Coast and Area C9 Toastmasters at the Central Division Contest next month.
Ms Braun’s win will be only the third time, in recent years, that a local club member has attained an entry at Division Level.
Ms Braun didn’t even know the result, rushing from the public speaking competition to her usual tennis commitment.
“It was certainly an exciting surprise to come off after my first set to see a message informing me of my win,” she said.
Long standing member Elizabeth Hodges can take the credit for recruiting Ms Braun, after the two got chatting at a Women in Business and Regional Development function two years ago.
Got involved about 2 years ago after meeting Elizabeth Hodges at a Women In Business function and she invited me to attend.
“I was rebuilding my life after a monumental change in personal circumstances it was certainly beneficial to moving my life in a new bright direction,” Mx Braun said. “I had always had a fear of public speaking, I would happily sing a song rather than speak.”
She praised her fellow Toastmasters who have assisted her in developing her skills and highlighted they have a lot of fun along the way, encouraging anyone who would like to develop or improve their public speaking skills to come along.
“It has given me confidence to speak publicly by teaching me the skills to prepare and present speeches, run meetings, enter competitions and also take on executive roles,” Ms Braun said. “It gives me confidence to use my skills for work, sport, community involvement and other organisations I’m involved with, and I certainly encourage anyone who wants to either learn or improve their skills to come along.”
Technology has come to play an important role in the Limestone Coast Toastmaster Club, which added meetings in Penola and Mount Gambier, with Zoom now not only allowing them to continue regardless of COVID restrictions, but also allows members from far afield to be part of the Limestone Coast group, including Portland and Adelaide.
Karen Leslie is a long time member of the Limestone Coast Toastmasters Club, joining in 2008 when she relocated to the region from the UK and finding her self in a number of leadership roles both locally and Statewide.
“People know it’s about public speaking but I think it is more about personal confidence and the confidence just to speak to others – whether it’s one on one or in front of a crowd,” Karen said. “It is also about listening – a lot of time in conversations we are thinking about what we are going to say next and not closely listening to what other people have to say.”
Karen also said Toastmasters was a great environment to practise thinking on your feet.
“People give prepared speeches and on the fly speeches where they don’t know what the topic is going to be about,” she said.
The positive and constructive feedback provided is also a critical part of the Toastmasters experience.
“This is a positive, friendly club – we have fun and a lot of our speakers are pretty funny and that’s often what people keep coming back for,” Karen said.
Mark Reynolds is an Adelaide based member of the Limestone Coast Toastmasters Club with the international movement having been a huge part of his life.
“I got involved because I developed a really bad stutter and it helped me get on top of that,” Mark said. “
It was a real six degrees of separation for mark, with a friend of a friend of a friend getting him in touch with jeff Johnston who founded an Adelaide based club that meets at the Gilbert Hotel.
“I just went along and did find I moved on very quickly from getting sweaty palms to give me speech because it was such a supportive environment,” Mark said. “And the feedback is helpful – usually starting with what was good about the speech and then making some points which might help with improvement.”
And Mark is now involved in a few clubs and has been more than happy to help fledgling or struggling clubs set a strong membership base.
“I’ve been involved in about 20 clubs and sometimes up to 10 at one time,” Mark said. “There are a lot of things that are similar with everyone Toastmasters clubs but there are also differences. Some try and be really professional, while others are more laid back, so you can find one that will suit what you are looking for. I think the Limestone Coast club is a really good combination of both – they are one of the friendliest clubs I have been involved with but they also do things professionally.”
If you would like to experience what Toastmasters is about please contact Andrea, who is the Vice President of Membership, on 0417 509 144. Limestone Coast Toastmasters meets the first and third Wednesday of each month normally at the Mount Gambier Community RSL but at present online via Zoom.
GIFT OF THE GAB: Limestone Coast Toastmaster Andrea Braun was awarded first place in the annual Toastmasters Table Topics Area C9 contest.
Grants on offer for community groups
Stand Like Stone Foundation & OneFortyOne partnership set to benefit Limestone Coast
Stand Like Stone and OneFortyOne are continuing their partnership to support local community groups with their $50,000 grants program.
Applicationsare now open and not for profit groups in the Limestone Coast region are encouraged to apply for a funding boost.
Stand Like Stone’s new CEO Roger Babolka (pictured) said community organisations were an important part of this region, and these grants provide Limestone Coast communities with the boost they may need to make great things happen.
“We know that our region is filled with many determined, inspiring and resilient people with great ideas, and funding from our grants partnership can help these projects come to life and make a real impact,” Mr Babolka said.
Now into its ninth year, the Stand Like Stone and OneFortyOne grants partnership has delivered a total $280,000 to support 29 local projects.
OneFortyOne Jubilee Sawmill General Manager Paul Hartung, said they had always treasured their partnership with Stand Like Stone.
“Last year’s round was particularly impactful as we saw community groups rally to provide meaningful and thoughtful programs,” Mr Hartung said. “We’re in this because we want to support schools, families, and mental health, amongst other objectives.
“As we’re all still navigating the impacts of COVID, it is a really important time to continue our ongoing and solid partnership with Stand Like Stone.”
Applications are open for grants $5000 - $20,000 and close at 5pm on March 31.
Application forms and further information are available from www.standlikestone.com.au.
Beachport Festival on the horizon
South East Property Beachport Crayfish Festival is set to be a fun-filled family day out. To be held on March 5 this year at Centennial Park, in the centre of town, it will include a variety of food stalls to cater for all tastes especially, the barbecued cray tails and crayfish pizza.
A range of South Australian wines, along with beers and cider will be available to purchase on the day.
Live music, food demonstrations, crayfish cookoffs and much more, will keep you entertained all day long and into the night.
Market stalls selling a variety of locally homemade goods and products will also be in attendance.
Free children’s activities including a jumping castle, giant games and even a rock wall will keep the younger ones occupied and happy.
Be sure to come along to this fabulous outdoor event and support the community and the beautiful coastal township of Beachport.
