Decathlon – What’s Great About Your Club?
Celebrating our 800th meeting: A Toast to Prosperity
We are thrilled to share the joyous occasion of our 800th meeting at Canning Vale Toastmasters Club!
The theme for this milestone event was Prosperity, symbolised by the vibrant colours of gold and red. Our venue was beautifully decorated with an array of red and gold balloons and decorations, creating an atmosphere of celebration and success.
The event was graced by the presence of both past and present members, some of whom have been with us for over 17 years. It was a heart-warming re-union, filled with nostalgia and camaraderie. Mark took the stage to recognise the remarkable achievements of our past members and their invaluable contributions to the club. He presented tokens of appreciation and invited members to share a few words, adding a personal touch to the celebration.
One of the highlights of the evening was captivating speech by Past President, Vanessa Chang. Her impeccable stagecraft and heartfelt words about what prosperity means to her and her family left everyone mesmerized. Vanessa shared that while the dictionary defines prosperity as wealth, it holds different meanings for different people. She illustrated this with a touching example of her mother-in-law, who leads a minimalistic lifestyle yet feels immensely proud of the wealth of relationships she has built over the years with her neighbours and friends. This perspective reminded us that true prosperity encompasses more than just material wealth. The evening was concluded with a toast to our club’s continued success, followed by the cutting of a celebratory cake by all the past members in attendance & our founders, Mark & Robyn Richards. We indulged in scrumptious food, shared stories from the past and reflected on how the club has significantly contributed to our personal and professional growth.
As we look back on this memorable event, we are filled with gratitude for the journey so far and excitement for the future. Here is to many more prosperous meetings and the continued growth of our Toastmasters family!
The Power of Feedback and Growth in Toastmasters (Victoria Park Toastmasters)
Victoria Park Toastmasters Club, nestled in East Victoria Park, Western Australia, is a vibrant community dedicated to enhancing public speaking and leadership skills. Established on June 1, 2010, the club has become a cornerstone for individuals seeking personal and professional growth through structured communication training.
Club Overview
The club convenes biweekly on Mondays from 6:15 PM to 8:30 PM at the RSL Hall, located at 1 Fred Bell Parade, East Victoria Park, WA 6101. These sessions provide a supportive environment where members can practice prepared speeches, participate in impromptu speaking exercises, and receive constructive evaluations—all fundamental components of the Toastmasters educational program.
Achievements and Community Engagement
Victoria Park Toastmasters has marked several milestones, including celebrating its 500th meeting on August 19, 2024. The event featured a theme of ‘Celebration and Success,’ highlighting the club’s enduring commitment to fostering effective communication.
Our members have also achieved significant success in Toastmasters competitions. For instance, Jagan Rama represented and won the club contest in the Southern Division International Speech Contest, showcasing exceptional talent and dedication to representing the Club in the recent Western Australia, District level competition.
How to Get Involved
Prospective members are encouraged to attend meetings as guests to experience the club’s dynamic multicultural environment firsthand. There is no obligation to participate immediately; visitors are welcome to observe and decide at their own pace.
For more information or to plan a visit, interested individuals can contact the club at +61 419 911 840 or visit their website at victoriaparktm.toastmastersclubs.org. Whether you’re looking to overcome the fear of public speaking or enhance your leadership abilities, Victoria Park Toastmasters offers a welcoming community to support your journey.
Harrisdale Piara Waters Toastmasters Celebrates 250th Meeting with a Plugged-In Twist
On Wednesday night, April 2nd, 2025, Harrisdale Piara Waters Toastmasters marked a major milestone — our 250th meeting — with a night full of energy, laughter, and first-time experiences, all wrapped in a Black & White “Plugged In” theme.
From the moment the mic was switched on, it was clear this was no ordinary meeting. The theme represented more than a colour scheme — it was a call to action. Everyone was invited to plug in for the night, and by the end of the evening, every guest and member had taken a turn on the mic.
In a fun twist on the classic Table Topics segment, we held a round-robin storytelling session, where the mic was passed from person to person, each speaker continuing a spontaneous tale. The result? A journey that shifted from practical to utterly ridiculous — and had the room in stitches.
Many guests had never spoken into a mic before. One member even confessed to practising at home with a deodorant can in preparation for her speech! Another, who felt awkward at first, later admitted she wouldn’t mind doing it again. To help ease nerves, we ran a quick handheld mic masterclass, followed by a chat about the different types of mics used in public speaking.
The night was a beautiful blend of celebration, creativity, and courage — a testament to the heart of Toastmasters. We received great feedback and would like to thank our members who stepped up, stretched their comfort zones, and made it memorable.
We’ll definitely be plugging in again — and we encourage other clubs to give it a go too!
