D17 Toastmasters Centennial Celebration
On October 22, we gathered in the historic basement of His Majesty’s Theatre to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 100th anniversary of Toastmasters International. This momentous occasion harkens back to 1924, when a small group convened in the YMCA basement in Santa Ana, laying the foundation for what would become a global community dedicated to empowering individuals through public speaking and leadership.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from emcee Lynette Delane, from host club St George’s Toastmasters, who set the tone for a night filled with inspiration and camaraderie.
Lynette as Emcee
Melanie Robinson took a moment to perform the Acknowledgement of Country and pay her respects to the traditional custodians of the land, the Whadjuk Nyoongar people.
Maree Pickens energised the crowd by recognising:
- Longest-serving member in the room: Leith Cohoe, City of Perth, a member for 38 years!
- Newest member: Paree Sabet, City of Perth, joined in the past week
- Longest distance traveled to be here: Morrie Goodz & Robin Lonsdale from the Blackwood Valley Toastmasters Club in Greenbushes (nearly 3hrs away)
- Largest attendance by a single club: Mandjar with 9 (St Georges, as organisers, had a total of 11)
The highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Gihan Perera, who focused on the theme “Fit for the Future,” emphasizing the importance of adaptability in our fast-paced world. Gihan’s insights were both enlightening and motivating, reminding us of the transformative power of Toastmasters.
Gihan has been generous enough to share his "Top Trends and Innovations for Communication and Public Speaking" shown during his presentation.
If you have photos from the night, please share them on the D17 Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.8292197850892464&type=3
Love to see more photos from the night so far - check out the gallery
A refreshing break allowed guests to mingle and enjoy the musical talents of Jordy Morcom.
Jordy Morcom playing guitar
As the program continued, attendees were treated to a series of engaging performances, including the return of Bandula Rodrigo, the recent Humorous Speech Contest winner, who captivated us with his speech “Lost in Translation.”
Mike Helm, Past International Director for Region 12 and founding father of District 17, presented an engaging session on Toastmasters history. His recounting of pivotal moments in our organisation’s journey resonated deeply with both long-time members and newcomers alike.
Current District Director Jeff Zhang recorded an inspiring video from Barrow Island that we were able to share on the night - hear what he had to say
Jeff Zhang presenting on screen
The evening continued with an inspiring panel discussion featuring past District Directors sharing their Wit & Wisdom. They reflected on their memorable moments in Toastmasters and offered valuable advice to new members, reinforcing the supportive and nurturing environment that Toastmasters fosters.
As the night drew to a close, Ian Pickens led us in a Toast to a Century of Toastmasters, celebrating the countless lives transformed through this organisation.
Ian Pickens presenting Toast
The festivities included Tall Tales from Legends of Toastmasters, providing both laughter and a bittersweet farewell to Peter Law, who has retired from Toastmasters to move on to new adventures.
- Souzy Theophilopoulous, 2021 Humorous Winner for Northern Lights, regaled us with “Memoirs of Wonderwoman”.
- Robyn Lloyd, 2019 Speech Evaluation Winner and 2013 Humorous winner for Durack Toastmasters, took us on a humorous and harrowing journey with “Alive and Here to Tell the Tale”
- Peter Law, 2012 International Winner for Netmasters and Humorous winner for Victoria Quay, 2014 International Winner and placed 3rd in the Semi Final of the World Championship of Public Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, reprised his speech “I Saved the Magic of Christmas”.
In closing, Lynette thanked everyone who contributed to the evening’s success, from our speakers and volunteers to co-hosts Phillippa and Maree.
As we celebrated this significant milestone, we reaffirmed our commitment to the values of Toastmasters and the bonds that unite us. Here’s to another century of growth, learning, and making a difference in the lives of individuals around the globe.
Words from our Organisers
Joining Lynette on the organising committee were fellow St Georges Toastmasters Phillippa Henderson and Maree Pickens.
Maree, Phillippa, Lynette
Public Apology to Henry Yau
We sincerely apologise to Henry Yau, past District Director, for the error in our introductory presentation, where someone else’s name was incorrectly listed against his photo. Due to time constraints, we did not proofread our materials properly, and we regret any embarrassment this may have caused. We value Henry's contributions to Toastmasters and appreciate his understanding. Thank you for your support.
Gihan Perera is a futurist, conference speaker, AI researcher, and author who gives you a glimpse into what's ahead – and shows you how to become fit for the future.
Our Keynote Speaker, Gihan, generously donated his speaking fee for the night as he values the contribution Toastmasters has made to his and many other lives.
The Sharing Shed is a dedicated provider of mental health first aid education for schools, businesses, and wellness initiatives. They believe in the importance of caring for yourself and those around you, helping to build stronger, more connected communities.
The Sharing Shed & Phillippa Henderson Donated two complimentary nights with breakfast, champagne and a hamper of delicious treats at the “Fremantle Eyrie”
Thanks to our volunteers
Estee Rensburg, Ian Pickens. Jo Lee, Josie Macauley, Moosa Kutty, Sam Choudhury, Tom Bielski and Valentina Ascencio who all assisted in directing our guests, making sure great photos got taken on the night.
Unable to Attend
Past District 17 District Directors, Mark Richards DTM, Inaugural District Director for District 17, Robyn Richards DTM, Pascale Amberville-Colby DTM and Tim Blackburn DTM sent their apologies. We acknowledge that their commitment has been vital to the growth and success of Toastmasters in our District.
