Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence: Banyandah Toastmasters
On Monday, August 26th, 2024, Banyandah Toastmasters celebrated a remarkable milestone – its 50th anniversary. As the longest continuously operated Toastmasters club in Western Australia, Banyandah has a rich history of fostering public speaking and leadership skills since 1974. This milestone was made even more special as members around the world celebrate the 100th year of Toastmasters!
Craig Challen giving his keynote “Public Speaking on the Global Stage”
The celebration, held at the Maylands Tennis Club, was a grand affair attended by over 50 current and former members, along with distinguished guests. The evening was graced by inspiring speeches from Dr. Craig Challen, a renowned cave diver and Australian of the Year 2019, and Raj Naidu, the 2024 District 17 International Speech Champion. Their stories of courage and perseverance left a lasting impact on everyone present.
Craig Challen captivated his audience with humour, humility and honesty
The event began with a warm welcome from the club President, Darren Law, who served as the Meeting Toastmaster. Distinguished guests included the District Trio: Jeff Zhang, District Director; Tom Bielski, DTM, Program Quality Director; and Maree Pickens, DTM, Club Growth Director, who attended despite having just returned from the US a few hours earlier. Also present were Northern Division Director Desmond Miranda and Area Director David Arkell, among other notable guests.
Banyandah Toastmasters members past & present
The evening featured a delightful Table Topics segment led by Area Director David Arkell, where participants humorously described 50 years of marriage to various objects they drew from a bag. Kudos to District Director Jeff Zhang for turning his lemon into lemonade, showcasing his quick wit and creativity.
David Arkell and Darren Law – after David ran a fun Table Topics segment
Former member Eric Davies shared a nostalgic recount of the club’s history from 2000 to 2011, highlighting his and Marie Tate’s efforts in keeping the club thriving during challenging times. Banyandah member Tabea Verma delivered a beautiful Level 3 project speech from her Path, Persuasive Influence, titled “Self-love,” demonstrating a masterful connection with the audience.
Eric Davies – History of Banyandah Toastmasters during his membership from 2000 – 2011
Raj Naidu moved the audience with his heart-wrenching yet heartwarming speech, “Hold Your Heart for 8 Seconds,” which earned him the 2024 District 17 International Speech Champion and he progressed to the Region 12 quarterfinals. Dr. Craig Challen, a former Banyandah member, graciously shared his public speaking experiences from the Thai Cave rescue to being named Australian of the Year. He left the audience with three invaluable tips: have something to talk about, connect with your audience, and be yourself all delivered with great humour and humility.
Raj Naidu – giving his winning speech from the Region 12 Quarterfinals of the International Speech Contest
The celebration also included a fun and engaging Harkmaster segment led by Banyandah member Cris Millingale, who tested the audience’s listening skills with tricky questions and rewarded correct answers with chocolates. The evening concluded with the recognition of long-time member Kym Godfrey for her 18 years of dedication to Banyandah Toastmasters.
Tabea Verma – Current member giving her L3 project speech Connect with your Audience
Banyandah would like to thank the City of Bayswater for its generous grant which helped cover the cost of venue hire, a sumptuous supper and an amazing celebratory cake. It also helped cover the cost of a scholarship prize of 6months membership won by Michael Piotrowski, congratulations!!
As we look back on 50 years of Banyandah Toastmasters, we celebrate not just the club’s longevity but its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals to become confident communicators and leaders. The event was a testament to the club’s vibrant community and its impact on countless lives. Here’s to many more years of success and growth! ????
