Members have participated in several speech contests, winning awards and having two of their members, Carol Dalglish and Sheila Riordan, obtain Competent Communicator Certificates in recognition of completing communication manuals and having proven their ample abilities in speech writing and making.

Celebrating recent success at competition level were John Collett, Garry Eather, Sheila Riordan and Alyssia Vautin at club level.

Collett and Riordan went on to have success at the Area 14 Toastmaster International Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest in Bathurst, covering the Central West cities of Bathurst, Dubbo, Lithgow and Orange.

Sheila went on to represent Area 14 at the District 70 Western Division Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest held at The Brewery in Rouse Hill enjoying further achievements in taking third place in both speech contest sections.

At the end of the Humorous Speech, Sheila’s presentation was so amusing, the audience was filled with laughter, which they could not contain when one minute’s silence was asked for in order for the evaluators and judges to complete their marking.

A social dinner was held last month at Club Lithgow to celebrate their recent successes and congratulate the winners.

The Gateway Toastmasters are always thankful for the smaller friendly, relaxed and personalised venue and the capable and valued service of caterers Whyte and Doris.

“As vice president membership, I wish to thank all those who gave time and assisted with the information table at Lithgow Plaza and particular thanks to president Alyssa Vautin for unselfishly giving up a day’s legal studies at Orange,” John Collett said.

“Also I wish her well along with other members currently undertaking exams and preparing for them.

“Good luck Cassia Trist and Mike Williams.”

The club also wishes Kathy Lehmann well for her pending arm surgery.

It is hoped she makes a speedy recovery and has a happy outcome.

Also acknowledged are the laborious efforts and endeavours of former member Sylvia Rixon, as secretary for some years and in her role as president for five months, after Helen Rixon resigned due to following further studies and starting her own dog grooming business.

She is thanked for her hard work and support through the years.

Club members are also grateful to outgoing vice president publications Michael Flack.

Michael was the club’s IT advisor and technical guru.

As members go forward toward 2015 they will be saying goodbye to the old District 70 as it has been known, with it’s division taking place.

For some this may be daunting at first.

With any change there are teething problems.

Due to this change the club’s International Speech and Evaluation contest has been brought forward and will be held on December 3, before the club takes a break for the Christmas vacation.

This competition offers a good opportunity for guests to come along and experience what Toastmasters is about and to experience friendly and healthy competition and inspiring speakers.

Do you have a desire to improve your public speaking ability?

Have a wish to communicate more effectively with your family, friends and within your workplace?

Toastmasters International offers you the solution and will assist you to enhance your speaking ability.

New members receive a Competent Communicator Manual, which is designed to bring out their speaking potential.

You will learn about ice breakers, being persuasive, how to be humorous and create a laugh, the use of effective body language and grammar, voice projection and tone, how to inspire an audience etc.

Mentoring and guidance is available for your first speeches.

Why not learn how to bring out your full potential by becoming a member?

Lithgow Gateway Toastmasters meets the first and third Wednesday of every month.

An invitation is extended to join members at Club Lithgow for dinner at 6pm or come for the meeting at 7pm.