Ross Wilkinson

Most Recent DTM: March, 2014

Awarding Club: DTM Pathway

Total DTMs Awarded:

First DTM Awarded: July, 2008

It is with great pride that I am receiving my fourth Distinguished Toastmaster Award in the inaugural year of District 17.

When I first walked into the Fremantle Gateway Toastmasters meeting back in August 2005 I was warmly welcomed by Steve Barry, Glenn Wright, Jeanette Farrar and others. I could not have imagined that I would achieve my fourth DTM in less than 7 years. I would like to thank Steve, Glenn, Jeanette and the many other Toastmasters who have helped, supported and mentored me during my Toastmaster journey so far.

I really enjoy giving speeches. Since joining Toastmasters, I have presented over 340 speeches. I have now completed all of the 15 Advanced Manuals. However I believe it is not the number of speeches you present that is important but the quality of the speeches. You need to prepare for them properly and make sure you are meeting the individual speeches objectives. I recently gave a CC speech and a newer member was evaluating me and stated that I could have tried to modify my speech to meet the speeches objectives more effectively – it was a great reality check for me, I had not prepared the speech correctly. That evaluation really highlighted to me that we are all still learning and developing regardless of the number of speeches you have given.

In this Toastmaster year Jackie Perriman and I were the Club Sponsors of the first new club in District 17, Applecross Toastmasters. I was also one of the Club Coaches for Highgate Toastmasters. It is with great pride that both of these clubs are will be Presidents Distinguished having over 20 members each and they will achieve all of the 10 Distinguished Club Program Goals.

I have enjoyed the chance to develop my leadership and organisational skills in the various Leadership roles that Toastmasters has given me the opportunity to serve in, from being a club member, performing all of the club officer roles and progressing through the leadership stream to my current position of District 17 Lieutenant Governor of Education and Training.

It is a privilege to be involved with Toastmasters. I passionately believe that the Toastmaster system changes member’s lives. Like most aspects in life, the more you put into Toastmasters the more you will get out of Toastmasters.

Yours in Toastmasters

Ross Wilkinson DTM