Peter Law triumphs

Peter Law DTM

Victoria Quay is in Area S32 of Southern Division in District 17 of Toastmasters International.  On Saturday April 28, Southern Division conducted contests to decided who would represent the Division at the District finals at the Convention on May 26/7.  Our member Peter was the Area representative for both contests.  He won them both.  Congratulations Peter.

Here is a brief account of the afternoon’s very satisfactory proceedings for Victoria Quay members.  It was held at the Bullcreek Community Centre in Hassell Avenue.  Further down this web page there is a Rotator with photos of each of the people mentioned.

Sergeant at Arms Greg Madden opened the session. Of course Greg is a member of Victoria Quay.

He introduced the Toastmaster, Vicky Post, Southern Division Governor.  She explained that for each contest the first two placegetters will go forward to the District 17 Contests.

The International Speech Contest Chair, Mark Small, explained the rules.

Gerry Prewett gave an Inspiration. He spoke about Perth Glory almost winning the Soccer premiership and left them with a message – Just keep practising and get lucky.

Mike Palmer and Peter

Then we had the 5 International Speech Contestants

Ian Hart from Area S35 spoke about “Dream a Dream”

Our Peter from Area S32 gave his “The Gift” speech

Marianne Law (yes, Marianne) from S33 shocked some with “Penises in Sudan”

Simon Frayne from S34 spoke about “Vision”

Mike Palmer‘s speech was “Strength and Love”

Peter was first and Mike Palmer was second

After the contest and presentation of participation certificates by Contest chair Mark, John Pawley gave a Convention Update.

Then we had afternoon tea coordinated by Ling Morton from Murdoch Southsiders club.

The Evaluation Contest

Mike Palmer, Jim Stephen and Peter

Ian Pickens was the Contest Chair and after reading the rules he introduced the test speaker, Ray Martin, who asked us “Who are you?”

The five evaluators were

Tom Bielski from S33

Charles Fisher from S35

Mike Palmer from S31

Jim Stephen from S34

Peter Law from S32

The three placegetters were Peter first, Jim second and Mike third. However, because Jim is a presenter at the District Convention he had to choose between that and competing in the Evaluation final. He chose to make the presentation, so third place Mike is our second representative.

After Vicky had thanked the helpers, John and Vicky conducted the Convention draw and a Raffle draw.

Mark Richards

Mark Richards, our District 17 Governor, and of course another Victoria Quay member, closed the Contests with a short speech. Of course he urged all those who hadn’t yet registered for the Convention to come along. Besides four Contests – Table Topics, Humorous (Peter is in that too), Evaluation and the International, there is a featured presentation by the current World Champion of Public Speaking, Jock Elliott, several other presentations, the District Council Meeting, the Saturday evening Dinner Dance, the Sunday morning DTM breakfast and many awards.

Mark told us that among the 86 Districts in the world covering a quarter of a million members, our District 17 is currently running fifth. Now that is something exciting for such a new District – we only began last July. We are only 40 member payments short of reaching an important target when we will be Distinguished, and if we can do it quickly enough we will be the first District in the world Distinguished. District 43 is hot on our heels with 80 payments to go – will we be first?

A great success

The contests were a great success and it wasn’t only for Victoria Quay. Peter was our representative in the Evaluation Contest but in the International he was representing our sister club, Netmasters. And in the Humorous Speech Contest he will be representing Armadale! Wow!! He gets around, doesn’t he? Let’s hope he wins the International and goes on to represent our District 17 (and Netmasters and Victoria Quay) at Orlando in Florida in August for the World Championship of Public Speaking.

Victoria Quay were well represented at the Contests. Besides Peter, Greg Madden and Mark, Christine, Greg Lynn, Neville, Glenis and David were there. Former VP Education Mark came along with his wife to support Peter.

Here is the Rotator with many photos from the afternoon

These are the people in the Rotator

Peter of course

Greg Madden

Vicky Post

Mark Small

Gerry Prewett

John Pawley

Ian Pickens

Ian & Ray Martin

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Report and Photos by

David Nicholas DTM
Victoria Quay Webmaster