One of the activities I enjoy most in Toastmasters is Table Topics. Table Topics, like any other speech has an opening, a body and a conclusion. To think on my feet and answer a question in a couple of minutes, I rely on my skills and abilities, breadth of knowledge, reading, keeping up to date with news from many articles and news services, and my creativity. As a contestant in the D73 Southern Division Contest to be held in March 2013, I will compete against the best of the best from 16 Clubs in the Division, and I'm up for the challenge.

Memory Magic Workshop

Another Day, Another Opportunity to Connect

Friday 28th September promises to be a great strategic opportunity as I present another Memory Magic Session to a group of Tradesman & Professionals who seem eager to learn the secrets of memory improvement.

Contacted by someone who had seen my presentation at the D73 'Inspiration at the Lake' Convention in May 2012, I was asked to present it again to a Large Gas and Oil Company. Opportunity knocks, and as usual I will give more than is paid for.

Under the tagline "Memory matters, and a good memory matters more" I will lead and facilitate the group with interactive exercises in mnemonics, Links, Rhyming Words, Phonetic alphabets and Memory Palaces.

Each participant will receive a copy of my book "Confidence, Communication and Celebration" which includes many of the exercises we will cover.

I'm excited at the prospects, and will report back to blog readers.

Kuala Lumpur Moments

Snapshots in Time

If they gave these out as rewards for Achieving DTM in Toastmasters, imagine how many members would stay around.

 This shot was taken at the Museum.

Petronas Towers Skywalk. I regret not queuing up for tickets, however 6.30 am is a little early. Maybe in 2014 when I return for the Toastmasters International Conference

No more Rodeo

A sad day today

After 10 years of owning a Holden Rodeo, 2.6 litre, Automatic, Crew Cab, I sold it today. I loved my truck, and used it for pleasure and play. Sadly though I have no use for it now, and with the price of fuel rising daily, a vehicle that only travels 7 klms to the litre has fast become an expensive luxury. This truck was my freedom ride, and it took me to many, many favourite places. A workhorse too, it came in very useful when I was furniture building, and when My Cricket Club needed bar stock. My son's Schoolies Week always benefited from it too.I shall miss the old girl, however I'll still see it often as I sold it to a  neighbour, who will be pulling his lawn mowing Trailer around with it. Goodbye old Girl and thanks for the memories.

Frankston Toastmasters Club #1851

40 Years of Age in January 2013

Longevity and staying the distance is a measure of a strong Toastmasters Club, and Frankston has been around for almost 40 years. We will celebrate this milestone in grand style and are busily contacting members and former members to join us to mark the occasion.

If you read this post and were a member or know of someone who was a Charter member or past member, please pass on the news.

The average length of service of current members is 16 years, with the grandest of them being our current President-Bill- who has been the long term stayer with 32 years service.

I joined first in 1986 and left in 1992, coming back in 2008. It is my spiritual home of speaking and leadership , and as long as my legs will carry me I will keep attending. Frankston Toastmasters Club, great one day, perfect the next.

Full details of the event will be published by end of October.

Melbourne Sunshine

A Day in the City

I don't go there often though today I enjoyed some time in Melbourne. A pleasant drive into the city, and coffee at Koko Black in the Paris end of Collins Street. Arrived just in time to secure a parking spot right outside the Koko Black entry door, how lucky is that.

A meeting to set the running sheet for the 'Speak' Movie was very productive, and with just 12 days to go before the Victorian Premiere, I'm optimistic that we will attract a huge audience. I'm excited.

Brownlow Medal Winner

Jobe Watson Wins the Brownlow

Well done Jobe, on winning the Brownlow. I'm a Saints fan, personally, but you are a very worthy winner, and I applaud you.

Your acceptance comments were gracious and you spoke very well. The sea of glittering smiles, is testament to your popularity as a player, Captain and Leader. Good luck next Season.

Speak - The Movie

Toastmasters all Over Victoria are invited

6th October 2012 is a big day on the D73 Calendar, as we roll out the Premiere of the Speak Movie.

A big day is planned, with guest speakers, food and drink, entertainment, door prizes and of course the Movie.

Months in the planning, and with just 13 days to go, the organisers are optimistic that this Fund Raiser for the 2013 Adelaide 'Mind Alive' Convention. will attract a large crowd of Toastmasters and members of the general public, to gather together to see World Championship of Public Speaking aspirants go through their paces to become the World Champion of Public Speaking for 2008.

Any club, area or division contestants who are looking for the edge to win, should see this movie.

It is poignant and heart warming story. The Film makers followed 6 speakers for two years to produce this movie, and it is something for all Toastmasters to see.

Get your Tickets while you can, or you may miss out..

Home Renovations

New Floor in my Study, New Levels in Business

Finally I've put the finishing touches to my study. The new floor is laid, the rug is down, Certificates and Award plaques are on the wall, and I'm now ready to start shooting videos and podcasts for a new business venture.

A long time in the planning, and not without sweat and toil, I'm ready to take Icando Words 3C System business to a new level. There has been a lot of interest in what I do best, and with invitations coming in, I am ready to take the business to the top. A new Website is being produced, and my book is ready for the publishers. 2012-2013 promises to be another stellar year

Friday 28th September will be a good start. A one hour Memory Magic Session for a Gas and Petroleum Group of professionals, is confirmed and I'm excited.

AFL will be a Blockbuster

Hawks versus Swans

The Magpies wobbled and the Crows were valiant in defeat.

Now for the Big one Hawks versus Swans. This will be an awesome game. Two Teams, one based in Sydney but born in Melbourne, and the other a Melbourne Team. Hawks are favourites, however this is no lay down Mizar, as both teams have got everything to prove.Good luck to both teams.

Colliwobbled once more.

Sydney, what a team. Jude Bolton 300 games and as many smiles.  Collingwood, what can we say?
Better luck next year.

3 C's, Confidence, Communication and Celebrationy 1

Confidence comes from self belief.
Communication is verbal and non-verbal connection with self and others, and
Celebration is how we reward ourselves for doing our best.

Success at blogging

I've wanted to do this for some time, and now, thanks to a blogger from KL;my new phone and Blogger, its happening.

Toastmaster Moments

Toastmasters D51 Kuala Lumpur

What a joy it was to attend the MIM Toastmasters Club in Jalan Ampang KL, and meet so many members at their Humourous Speech and Table Topics Speech Contests on Saturday 15th September 2012. I arrived without making an appointment and was warmly received. All I spoke too, were passionate and interesting, and the Contests standard were as good as I've seen. Victor Ong scooped up the Winner Awards, and he was a terrific speaker.

I was thrilled to be asked to help with the presentation and will certainly reciprocate if the opportunity arises.

To all at MIM, I look forward to catching up again at the TMI International Convention in KL in 2014, and in the meantime I will ask our D73 District Governor - to pass on my thanks to D51..

Great Leadership

Great Leaders must Walk the Walk

I read somewhere that  Great Leaders  must Walk the Walk, because they can't Run the Walk.

Anything worth doing is worth doing well, so I figured that if I started the Walk, I would eventually become a leader, and so I journey on. One step at a time, sometimes side tracking, and sometimes hitting roadblocks, no matter what, I keep walking the walk.

Leaders are readers my Dad told me, be inclusive Dad told me, Never ask someone to do what you are not willing to do yourself, he told me, So, I heed his advice and try hard to follow his example and read the Classics & Biographies, The Fables and the Business books, and read every day.

Seeking assistance from Mentors and Sponsors, Teachers and Gurus, Leaders and Followers, Mavens and Connectors, I connect with people from all walks of life and acknowledge there uniqueness, their abilities and their help, in smoothing my path, as I embrace their messages: Know what you want; be specific; empathise; serve others; be and do; emulate; observe; and look, listen and never stop learning.

7 Days in KL

11-17 September 2012.

 Seven days in Kuala Lumpur and what a wonderful 7 days it was. Sights, Sounds, Tastes, Smells, Emotions, Sunshine, beautiful people, sumptuous food and so much to see and do.

Our Stay at the Melia Hotel in Jalan Imbi was perfect and central to everything we wanted to do.Meeting Toastmaster/Hotel  Managers at the Melia and at Malaysian Institute of Management MIM Toastmasters was a delight, and seeing a movie being made in the street around the corner, was a little extra we weren't expecting.Berajaya Times Square was alive with Sports Activity all weekend, and Malaysia Day was celebrated while we were there.

There was so much to do and see, we were often stuck for choice. A trip on the Monorail, The Hop on Hop off Bus, Walks into Chinatown and Little India, Shopping at Times Square, The Pavilion and other Malls, Checking out Petronas Towers, Walking through the Museum, Delighting at the landscape and beautiful Architecture, The Chinese and Hindu Temples, The Mosques and minarets all so beautifully crafted, took our breath away. Coffee at sidewalk cafe's reinvigorated us, and cakes to die for replenished us as we trekked  the crooked pavements and dodged the ubiquitous traffic to get from one side of the road to the other..

This was our second visit to KL and we enjoyed every moment, and can't wait to return..