AREA 6 INTERNATIONAL SPEECH AND EVALUATION CONTEST

 AREA 6

INTERNATIONAL SPEECH

AND EVALUATION CONTEST

Ashfield Club – Sunday 22nd February 2026

Concord West Toastmasters Club was very ably represented by 

Sriraman Annaswamy with his International Speech – 

"My Grandpa's Monster"

Sri was supported by Members of Concord West Toastmasters;
IPP Lana, VPPR Matthew, President Mario and VPE John

Sri went on to win both Contests and will represent Concord West Club and Area 6 at what will be the last Lachlan Division international Speech and Evaluation Contests prior to the realignment brought about by the amalgamation of District 90 and District 70 from July 2026.

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 10th FEBRUARY 2026 – MEETING No: 1528

 “CLUB CONTEST”

 

Venue – The Concord 

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Contest Chair: Mario G. (Contestant Briefing) 

Chief Judge: John H. (Officials Briefing)

Apologies: Peter C, Kate C, Grace L,

 

Toastmaster – International Speech Contest – Brendan D.

Speaker One:  Eyza K – “Beyond Labels”

Speaker One:  Sri A – “Grandpa’s Monster”

 

Interviews: Brendan D.

 

  

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Dilani B.

Toastmaster – Evaluation Contest – Kelly Z.

 

Test Speaker: John H “So You Don’t Believe in Aliens?”

Competitor One:  Sri A. – 

Competitor Two: Matthew S.

 

Interviews: Kelly Z.

 

Contest Chair: Mario G. (Announcement of Winners)

International Speech: 

·      First – Sri A.

·      Runner Up – Eyza K.

Evaluation Contest: 

·      First – Sri A.

·      Runner Up – Matthew S.

Meeting Overview: Dilani B.

Planning Forward: John H.  

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

 

Coming Up:

AREA INTERNATIONAL & EVALUATION CONTEST
Ashfield Club Time TBC
Sunday 22^nd February 2026

 

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 24^th February 2026

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 3rd FEBRUARY 2026 – MEETING No: 1527

 “BEST PRACTICE”

 

Venue – Zoom 

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Alex L.

Apologies: Peter C, Kate C, Aurora D, Moji A, Grace L, Brendan D.

Visitor Introductions: Amanda N. 

Reading of the Club: Luz R.

Grammarian (WOD): Lana S. – GUIDELINES

Ice Breaker: “Share instances where you have experienced best or worst practice anywhere?”. ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Gowri S.

 

Prepared Speech 1: Eyza K. [PM L:2] Communication Style
“The Power of How We Speak”

Prepared Speech 2: Eyza K. [EH L 4:4] Successful Club Series
“Best Practice”

 

Evaluation 1: Matthew S. 

Evaluation 2: Gowri S. 

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: Eyza K.

Toast: Hayley Y. – “National Women’s Physicians Day” 

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Luz R. (On Theme) 

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Sri A.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Matthew S.

 

Book, Film, Food Review: Lana S. “Red Rooster Cheeseburger”

Book, Film, Food Review: Matthew S. “Cats Cradle”

 

Grammarian Report: Lana S.

Ums & Ahs Report: Luz R. 

Big Ears: Gowri S.

Timers Report: John H.

Meeting Overview: Dilani B.

Visitor Feedback: Amanda N.

Planning Forward: John H.  

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

 

Coming Up:

NEXT MEETING

CLUB INTERNATIONAL & EVALUATION CONTESTS
Tuesday 10^th February 2026

 

AREA INTERNATIONAL & EVALUATION CONTEST
Ashfield Club Time TBC
Sunday 22^nd February 2026

 

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 24^th February 2026

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 27th JANUARY 2026 – MEETING No: 1526

 “YOUR FIRST JOB”

Our Meeting was originally relegated to the alfresco area
of The Concord due to overlapping bookings.
However we were only one formal Speech in and we were besieged
by a large gaggle of 'tweeny' Volleyballers.

So decision was made to relocate via a brief stop off 

in a partitioned part of the large Function Area.

However the PA shared with the function in the other half could not be disconnected

So we moved to the Boardroom which was subsequently vacated 

over 30 minutes later than we had been told. 
 

Venue – The Concord 

Call to Order: John H.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – John H. (On behalf of President Mario G). 

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Alex T.

Apologies: Peter C, Kate C, Aurora D, Moji A, Dilani BAurora D, Mario G, Grace L.

Visitor Introductions: Shawn Z, Lila Y. 

Reading of the Club: Samuel B.

Grammarian (WOD): Samuel B [FIRST] – AUTHORITARIAN

Ice Breaker: “Tell us a bit about your first paid job and how it might have had an impact on your future?”.ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – John H.

 

Prepared Speech 1: Alex L. [IP L:4] A Q&A Session “The World Game”

Prepared Speech 2: Eyza K. [PM L:2] Mentoring – “When the Teacher Appears”

 

Evaluation 1: Matthew S. 

Evaluation 2: John H.

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – John H.

Chairman Two: Luz R.

Toast: Sri A. – “Australia – The Lucky Country” 

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – John H. (On Theme) 

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Eyza K.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Kelly Z.

 

Grammarian Report: Samuel B. [FIRST]

Ums & Ahs Report: Kelly Z. 

Big Ears: Luz R.

Timers Report: Lana S.

Meeting Overview: Alex T.

Visitor Feedback: Shawn Z, Lila Y.

Planning Forward: John H.  

President’s Closing Remarks: – John H. (On behalf of President Mario G). 

 

Coming Up:

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 3rd February 2026

 

CLUB INTERNATIONAL & EVALUATION CONTESTS
Tuesday 10^th February 2026

 

AREA INTERNATIONAL & EVALUATION CONTEST
Ashfield Club Time TBC
Sunday 22^nd February 2026

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 13th JANUARY 2026 – MEETING No: 1525

 “TARGETS”

 

Venue – The Concord 

Call to Order: Mario G.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: John H.

Apologies: Peter C, Kate C, Lana S, Matthew S, Aurora D, Moji A.

Visitor Introductions: Sujan C, Bishal C, Hillary D, Nargiz S. 

Reading of the Club: Grace L.

Grammarian (WOD): NA

Ice Breaker: “Share some unusual Targets you have set yourself that you have – or have not – achieved”.ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Luz R. [FIRST]

 

Prepared Speech 1: Brendan D. [PM L:2] “The Future is Here”

Prepared Speech 2: Kelly Z. [PI L:3] Using Presentation Software – “Expectation vs Reality”

Prepared Speech 3: Sri A. [Contest Run] “Dialogue with Death”

 

Evaluation 1: John H.

Evaluation 2: Eyza K. 

Evaluation 3: Round Robin Evaluation by all Members. 

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Mario G.

Chairman Two: Kelly Z

Toast: John H. – “To Targets” 

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Grace L. (On Theme) [FIRST]

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Luz R.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Alex L.

 

Grammarian Report: NA.

Ums & Ahs Report: Samuel B. [FIRST]

Big Ears: Eyza K.

Timers Report: Mario G.

Meeting Overview: Mario G.

Visitor Feedback: Nil

Planning Forward: John H.  

SPECIAL END OF YEAR PRESENTATIONS – PART 2

Brendan D receiving his Name Badge for 3 Years Service

Kelly Z receiving her Name Badge for 5 Years Service

Mario G receiving his Name Badge for 6 Years Service

Alex L receiving his Name Badge for 11 Years Service

Sri A receiving his Name Badge for his new Membership of Concord West

Alex L receiving his End of Year Award for
Most Meetings Attended in 2025 – 30 Meetings

Samuel B receiving his formal 

New Member Certificate

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

 

Coming Up:

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 27^th January 2026

 

CLUB INTERNATIONAL & EVALUATION CONTESTS
Tuesday 10^th February 2026

 

AREA INTERNATIONAL & EVALUATION CONTEST
Ashfield Club Time TBC
Sunday 22^nd February 2026

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS – END OF YEAR CELEBRATION DINNER – TUESDAY 16th DECEMBER 2025

END OF YEAR CELEBRATION DINNER 

Buddha Racka Thai Restaurant

An evening of great food, fun and conversation. as well as recognition and celebration of achievements throughout the year.

TRIPLE CROWNS

2 Members achieved Triple Crowns (3 Pathway Levels completed in the Toastmaster Year 2024-2025.

John H

Mario G

SERVICE AWARDS

The first round of Recognitions went to the following Members for 'Years of Service'. Members who do not have a Concord West Name Badge received a Toastmaster Name Badge and a Certificate;

Brendan D – 3 Years

Rumi M – 3 Years

Mojitaba A – 4 Years

Kelly Z – 5 Years

Mario G – 6 Years

Alex L – 11 Years

Name Badges were Awarded to the following new Transferring Members:               

Sriraman Annaswamy and Gowri Sriraman

(Unfortunately the Name badges arrived one day late and will now be distributed at our next Meetings in January)

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AWARDS

VPE John H utilised this Club Blog to plot the participation and achievement of all Members throughout the 2025 year and the following awards were acknowledged with Concord West Certificates:

Best Attendance – Alex L – 30 Meetings (Runner Up John H)

The Most Firsts by a New Member – Lux R – 10 First Roles (Runner Up Eyze K)

Most Pathway Speeches – Lana S – 9 Speeches (Runner Up John H)

Most Timer Roles – Matthew S – 3 Times (Runner Up Mario G)

Most Chairman Roles – Moji A – 7 Times (Runner Up Mario G)

Most Ums & Ahs Count – Mario G – 5 Times (Runner Up Kelly Z)

Most Big Ears Roles – Dilani B – 3 Times (Runner Up Kelly Z)

Most Grammarian Roles – Brendan D – 3 tTmes (Runner Up Sri A)

Most Speech Evaluations – Gowri S – 6 Times (Runner Up Lana S)

Most Toasts Delivered – Matthew S – 6 Times (Runner Up Sri A)

Table Topics Master – Mario G – 5 Times (Alex L)

Table Topics Evaluator – John H – 17 Times (Runner Up Mario G)

Meeting Overviews – Peter C – 4 Times (Runner Up John H)

SPECIAL STAND OUT AWARDS

Most Memorable Ice Breaker for 2025 – Eyza K – Meeting 1512 "Who Am I?"

Most Inspiring Toast of 2025 – Aurora D – Meeting 1519 "One Step at a Time"

SPEECH COMPETITION AWARDS

Our End of Year Social afforded Concord West Club the opportunity to celebrate and record a very unique circumstance that our Club currently (in the 2025 year) holds all 4 Area 6 Speech Trophies and all 4 Lachlan Division Trophies.

The 2024-2025 International Speech Trophy held by Sriraman Annaswamy

The 2024-2025 Evaluation Trophy held by John Hughson

The 2025-2026 Humorous Speech Trophy held by John Hughson

The 2025-2026 Table Topics Trophy  held by John Hughson

The opportunity also arose to thank and acknowledge a long standing Member and former Club Treasurer Melody who is moving to the north side with a presentation of flowers and our deepest gratitude. 

All the photos of the event can be found and downloaded from the Club Photo gallery at:  https://concordwesttoastmasters.weebly.com/gallery

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 9th DECEMBER 2025 – MEETING No: 1524

“ACHIEVEMENT”

 

Venue – The Concord 

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Dilani B.

Apologies: Peter C, Kate C, Lana S, Matthew S, Luz R.

Visitor Introductions: Nil.

Reading of the Club: Grace L.

Grammarian (WOD): Aurora D. (TRIUMPH)

Ice Breaker: “What has been your personal achievement for 2025 – 

significant or otherwise”. ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Mario G.

 

Prepared Speech 1: Kelly Z. [PW 2:2] (Persuasive Influence) “Greatest Mentor”

 

Evaluation 1: Sri A.

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: Dilania B.

Toast: Sri A. – “The Global Family” 

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Brendan D. (On Theme) 

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Mario G.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Kelly Z.

 

Grammarian Report: Aurora D.

Ums & Ahs Report: Grace L. [FIRST]

Big Ears: Aurora D.

Timers Report: Gowri S. [FIRST]

Meeting Overview: John H.

Visitor Feedback: Nil

Planning Forward: John H.  

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

President Mario was able to present our newest Member Grace, 

with her Certificate of Membership.

 

Coming Up:

CLUB END OF YEAR SOCIAL
Tuesday 16^th December 2025

Buddha Racka Restaurant 7:00pm