Blackwood Valley Toastmasters 35th Anniversary: One Club, Five Names, 35 Years
From Perth to Greenbushes: 35 Years of Club 8453
One club number, five names, and a remarkable story of change and connection.
What happens when a Toastmasters club changes its name, moves across Western Australia, and still keeps the same club number? Blackwood Valley Toastmasters is celebrating 35 years of Club 8453—and a journey that began in Perth and has now found a home in Greenbushes.
The club was chartered on 21 October 1991 as Exchequer Toastmasters, formed by staff at the Australian Taxation Office in Perth. Over the years, Club 8453 became Successful Toastmasters, City of Cockburn Toastmasters and Cockburn Toastmasters, before becoming Blackwood Valley Toastmasters in Greenbushes.
Through every change, one thing remained constant: Club 8453.
Two founding members are still part of the story. Gladys Lavell has remained a continuous member for 35 years, while John Bethell has recently rejoined. Although both now live in Perth, they continue participating through the club’s monthly Zoom meetings, which regularly attract members and visitors from Japan, Sri Lanka and across Australia.
The club will celebrate its 35th anniversary on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at the Shamrock Hotel in Greenbushes. The day begins at 10am with the Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests, followed by a wood-fired pizza lunch and an afternoon anniversary meeting.
Fittingly, Gladys will be Toastmaster for the celebration, bringing the story full circle.
Everyone is welcome to join the celebration, reconnect with former members, enjoy some entertaining speeches, and discover what Toastmasters is all about.
One club number. Many chapters. 35 years of stories—and a new chapter in the Blackwood Valley.
