Business Talk ends the year on a high note

The great end of year debate was once again a feature of the last meeting for 2009.

Here are the contestants and the winners

Has Santa lost the plot?
Is Christmas too commercialised?
Is there an alternative to wishing someone “Happy Christmas?”

This Christmas, the Club continued its traditional Famous Annual Debate. Our newer members gave debating a try. Strong points were delivered with force and the judges congratulated all on an impressive presentation.

Daniella Anderson and Darren Saunderson narrowly won over John Stamatakos and Luke Maguire. Everyone enjoyed the entertaining debate from all four members. Well done!

Business Talk Meeting #303 - more to celebrate!

Special guest Adrienne Bowd visited us today bearing gifts! Adrienne, 2008-09 Area Governor presented Business Talk with a beautiful plaque in recognition of achieving President's Select Club status last year. We were the only club in Area 23 to reach this level. Well done club members - its your achievement so revel in the glory!
Great news of club member George O'Keeffe - placed 3rd in the semifinals at Toastmasters World Speaking Championships in the USA. Thanks to fellow ozzie toastmasters for sending the news via Twitter straight after the event! Pics to follow when George gets back!

Business Talk celebrates its 300th on 25 June 2009

A special meeting to celebrate acheivements and get motivated for the years ahead! Special guests included Bruce Hill District 73 Lt Gov Eduaction & Training, Adrienne Bowd immediate past Metro Division Governor and Bert Naik incoming Division Governor. A full house and a full program with one of the best ever mini workshop on gestures from fellow Toastmaster and corporate trainer Kevin Kosky (http://www.kevinkosky.com/) - mastering the flick, the dab, the slash, the glide and many more. George O'Keeffe gave his contest speech "Grab the Girl" for the US International Finals as he gears up for August! A motivational speech "We are All Admirals" by Vivien Ellard reminded us how Toastmasters can make us leaders of the future.
There were plenty of awards for the club and members alike: Division Club of the Year 2008-2009; Presidents Distinguished Club Only one in Metro Division; a triple crown for three educational awards in one year to our President Shanta Hallock CC, CL, ACB; and individual recognition for club members: Competent Communicator & Competent Leader - Verena Engbarth; Advanced Communicator Bronze - Gail Smyth; Competent Communicators - Ranabahu Wickramasinghe and Jo Stephenson.
All in all a great year! View the pics here

District 73 Convention May 2009

Business Talk's George O'Keeffe has taken out the coveted International Speech title for District 73 (Victoria, Tasmania, Sth Aust & WA)! Before an audience of more than 300 delegates George blitzed his way to the title and a place at Toastmasters International Convention in the USA for the Finals.
George's win was made even more significant by achieving it in front of TMI International President Jana Barnhill and past International President Bob Barnhill. They both paid homage to George's speech, using it to illustrate their presentations on the final day of the convention.
George dedicated his win to Rosetta Muscat.
Congratulations George - we are all so proud of you!
Not only did George do us proud but so did Business Talk's representative in the Humorous contest - Our own Andrew Monaghan bared his chest yet again in pursuit of excellence and as the final speaker after a long conference day lifted his audience from weariness to joyous laughter that did our souls good! While he didn't take out the title he made us all believe that the journey was so worthwhile.

View pics from the convention (courtesy of Max Warlond "Capturing Concepts") http://picasaweb.google.com.au/BusinessTalkTM/District73ConventionMay2009GeorgeOKeeffeWinsAPlaceInWorldChampionships?feat=directlink

Metro Division Contests Feb 2009

Business Talk Club members win at Metro Division Contests! George O'Keeffe (International Contest) and Andrew Monaghan (Humorous Contest) delivered stunning speeches and will now go on to the District 73 nationals in South Australia in May.

Club member, and ex President, Rosetta Muscat won the National Speaker's Association of Australia Idol Contest in February. Against a strong field of 13 professional speakers Rosetta has earned a place in a national contest in Sydney at the end of March.