Bridge to the Future – Conference
WOW!
Once again, I was so grateful that I treated myself to the whole conference weekend.
And the glowing feedback shows that I wasn’t the only person blown away by the quality of the workshops, StoryTALKs, contestants, food and facilities. Just when you think there must be something second-rate, you have your socks blown off again!
I had the honour of being Toastmaster on Friday night, which featured Mike Carr’s Keynote Address and the Humorous Speech Contest Final.
In his Keynote Address, Mike Carr explored how high performance does not have to come at the cost of high stress. He showed us how cultivating a steady mindset of ease, regardless of what is happening around us, creates a strong foundation for productivity and sustained accomplishment.
Hats off to all our Humorous contestants. All speeches were of a high calibre. Congratulations to our winners: Monica Malaga (First), Mary Hitchcock (Second) and Wendell Pether (Third).
Saturday began with our digital Banner Parade. It is always heartwarming to see each club’s energy radiating from the photos. Enjoy them here if you missed out on the conference or want to delight in them again. (Scroll to the end for the banner.)
https://toastmastersd17.org/gallery/2026-d17-conference-bridge-to-the-future/
Jessica Gough brought her dynamic energy to our first workshop – Taking the Terror Out of Speaking off the Cuff. Jess shared empowering information about why our brains and bodies go into panic mode and emboldening strategies to overcome this.
After a delicious morning tea, we were treated to the International Speech Contest, showcasing an extraordinary array of talent and eloquence, leaving attendees in awe. Each speaker delivered compelling narratives that resonated deeply, blending passion with powerful storytelling. The diverse range of topics highlighted the unique perspectives and experiences of participants, elevating the quality of speeches. The atmosphere was electric, as each contestant captivated the audience, demonstrating not only their mastery of the craft but also their ability to inspire and connect. This contest truly exemplified the remarkable quality and potential of our Toastmasters community. Congratulations to our winners – Wendell Pether (First), Lisa Akech (Second), Bill Cordner (Third).
After a short stretch we were treated to a Masterclass with a World Champion – Mike Carr.
Mike Carr inspired us all with his speech on Thriving Through Change and Uncertainty. A grateful audience keenly made notes as he shared his strategies and life experience empowering us to go forward with curiosity and confidence.
We all spread out to enjoy a relaxed, scrumptious lunch (don’t you just love a buffet?) and networked with old and new friends. There was plenty of seating for the whole 125 of us!
Following lunch, Nicolo Ricucci presented our first StoryTALK, Courage to Step Up and Speak. Nick inspired us all with his personal story of rocketing from being a West Australian Toastmaster to a speaking career that spans continents and industries.
Richard Offen, Historian, Author and Broadcaster delighted the audience with a fascinating history of Perth – ‘Northbridge Uncovered.’ I found his historical recount of how the Horseshoe Bridge came to be, fascinating.
Next up was our Table Topics contest. The impressive ability to think on their feet and deliver captivating responses truly showcased the talent and creativity of our participants. Congratulations to our winners – Keoni Upton (First), David Slater (Second) and Martin Pitt (Third).
Sunday morning started with a delicious breakfast, celebrating our new Distinguished Toastmasters. Congratulations to Monica Malaga, Robyn Richards, Juliana Kelly, Mark Richards, Steven Ashworth and Ross Wilkinson. Joining them for breakfast were District 17’s Distinguished Toastmasters and a few aspiring DTMs.
Maggie Hakkou inspired us with her StoryTALK, What I’ve Learned about Networking (and What Not to Do) Maggie examined the networking habits that enhance our lives, ranging from establishing valuable professional relationships to cultivating social circles and community ties. Through engaging anecdotes and practical advice, she emphasised both the strategies that proved effective and the common pitfalls we could all steer clear of.
Our second workshop was presented by Ben Brearley, ‘Bring Your Best Self, Not Your Whole Self.’ Authentic leadership is a common buzzword, often misunderstood. Advice like “bring your whole self to work” sounds inspiring but often creates confusion about authenticity in professional settings. In this practical workshop, leadership coach Ben Brearley guided conference goers to uncover their personal values. Through reflection exercises and group activities, we identified core values, gaining clarity on how to express them in various settings.
Following another delicious morning tea, conference goers were treated to the Evaluation Contest Final. The contestants had a difficult job as the test speaker delivered a fascinating speech. Congratulations to our winners – John Blethel (First), Henry Yau (Second) and Sue Fielding (Third)
The Bridge to the Future Conference closed with a few inspiring words from Mike Carr, Tom Bielske and Maree Pickens and a prize draw for the raffle.
Congratulations to the Toastmasters who attended our Bridge to the Future conference. I bet, like me, you are still smiling! The people who shared these testimonials definitely are!
‘Great workshops being able to learn lots of new things. Catching up with people.’
‘The high level of keynote speakers, top class workshops, high bar set with the contestants, the sense of community, connection and integrity.’
‘Organisation was wonderful, food great, networking terrific, very high-quality speeches.’
‘It was great to speak to so many beautiful people on the Friday night that knew how to hold a conversation that was engaging and enlightening.’
‘I had a fantastic time over the full weekend and thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the entire conference experience, not just the contest.’
‘Mike was amazing! Not just as a speaker but the deep thought he put into his messaging. I’ve already started tackling changes with a different mindset and feeling less overwhelmed.’
‘Nick’s advice to “say yes immediately before you think no” and to stop consuming and start moving really struck a chord. In fact, it gave me the exact push I needed.’
‘I cannot thank you enough for such an outstanding Convention. It was so inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable. Many thanks for everything. I truly felt part of the tribe.’
Photo Gallery:
https://toastmastersd17.org/gallery/2026-d17-conference-bridge-to-the-future/
