CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 12th MAY 2026 – MEETING No: 1537

 “TAKING THE REINS”

 

 

Venue – The Concord 

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Sentil J. [FIRST] 

Apologies: Kate C, Alex T, Grace L, Allan O, Eyza K, Matthew S, Lana S,

Visitor Introductions: Graham W. (District Representative conducting Club Report).

Reading of the Club: Ashveer S. [FIRST]

Grammarian (WOD): Dilani B. – “ORCHESTRATE” 

Ice Breaker: “Recall a situation where you were required to lead at short notice. How did it go”. ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Gowri S.

Prepared Speech 1: Luz R. [DL 1:3] [Evaluation & Feedback]
TITLE: “What you don’t see on stage” – 

Prepared Speech 2: Mario G. [DL 4:1] [Develop Change Management]
TITLE: “Teaching old dogs new logins” – 

Prepared Speech 3: John H. [EH 5:1] [Deliver Message with Humour]
TITLE: “Leadship and Moments of Truth” – 

 

Evaluation 1: Dilani B.

Evaluation 2: Senthil J. [FIRST]

Evaluation 3: Sri A.

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: Alex L.

Toast: Roberto B. – (Not Recorded)

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Gowri S.

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Luz R.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Maria O. [FIRST]

 

Book, Film, Food & SoapBox: Senthil J. [FIRST] – “Sapiens” (Book comparing Chinese and Jewish Business Practices 

 

Grammarian Report: Dilani B.

Ums & Ahs Report: Luz R.

Big Ears: Mario G.

Timers Report: Ashveer S. [FIRST]

 

Meeting Overview: Graham W. (District Representative Area 6 Report)

Visitor Feedback: Graham W. 

Planning Forward: John H. 

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G. 

NEXT MEETING
The Concord – Tuesday 26th May 2026

Club Executive Elections

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 5th MAY 2026 – MEETING No: 1536

 “TREPIDATION”

 

Venue – Zoom 

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Dilani B. 

Apologies: Kate C, Peter C, Alex T, Maria O, Omar S, Senthil J, Ashveer S, Hayley Y, Eyza K.

Visitor Introductions: NA.

Reading of the Club: Allan O. 

Grammarian (WOD): Roberto B. – [SALIENT] [FIRST]

Ice Breaker: “Recall a time when you were extremely stressed or anxious about an impending situation”.ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Gowri S.

Prepared Speech 1: John H. [Facilitation] 
TITLE: “Conference Review” – 

 

Evaluation 1: Open

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: Luz R.

Toast: John H. – (Not Recorded)

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Mario G.

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Sri A.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Gowri S.

 

Book, Film, Food & SoapBox: Thilini J. – “Ikigai” – “The Japanese secret to a long life”

Book, Film, Food & SoapBox: Alex L. – “Preferential Voting”

 

Grammarian Report: Roberto B. [FIRST]

Ums & Ahs Report: Allan O. [FIRST]

Big Ears: Luz R.

Timers Report: Matthew S.

Meeting Overview: Matthew S.

Visitor Feedback: NA.

Planning Forward: John H. 

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G. 

NEXT MEETING
The Concord – Tuesday 12th May 2026

DISTRICT 70 CONFRENCE – CAMPBELLTOWN CATHOLIC CLUB

CONCORD WEST BREAKS 

A DISTRICT CONTEST RECORD 

At the 2026 District 70 Conference Concord West had a Contestant in each of the 4 Speech Finals.

Friday Evening – Humorous Contest  – John Hughson

Saturday Morning – International Speech Contest – Sriraman Annaswamy

Saturday Afternoon – Table Topics Contest – John Hughson

Sunday Morning – Evaluation Contest – Sriraman Annaswamy

John was successful in winning the District 70 Table Topics Contest for 2026, with his speech: "So You Don't Believe in Aliens"
The Bruce Crawley Trophy was presented by Contest Chair, District 70 Program Quality Director Maria Pedavoli and last years Toastmaster International World Champion of Public Speaking –  Sabyasachi Sengupta from the Netherlands.John responded to the question: "What is the one unspoken rule that people pretend to follow but secretly break?"

Table Topics Contest Speech Video:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/dnfmm4bfir1iazb9teyn5/ACjPn1TBEtv5aUE4j-huhfA/Sat%202nd%20May/Table%20Topics%20Contest/Table%20Topics%20Contest%20-%20John%20Hughson.mp4?rlkey=fsqdb9v7do7eacevv94sjsumm&dl=0

John was also Runner Up in the District 70 Humorous Speech Contest.

Humorous Speech Contest Video: 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/dnfmm4bfir1iazb9teyn5/AMnQYJeb9pSYCRWdbTzfkTU/Fri%201st%20May/Humorous%20Speech%20Contest/Humorous%20Speech%20Contest%20-%20John%20Hughson.mp4?rlkey=fsqdb9v7do7eacevv94sjsumm&dl=0

Unfortunately Sri was not placed in either of his 2 Contests where the standard was of an exceptional high standard but he did Concord West proud.

 

John and Sri were supported by a couple of Concord West Members in Kate and Peter, Gowri and recently departed member Harini and new Member Luz who received her 

'First Timer Ribbon' for attending a Conference event. 

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 28th APRIL 2026 – MEETING No: 1535

 “ACHIEVEMENT”

 

Venue – The Concord Boardroom 

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Brendan D. 

Apologies: Kate C, Peter C, Hailey D, Grace L, Omar S, Aurora D, Ashveer S, Allan O, Eyza K, Roberto B, Lana S.

Visitor Introductions: NA.

Reading of the Club: Thilini J. 

Grammarian (WOD): Maria O. – [AUTHENTICITY] [FIRST]

Ice Breaker: “Share a major achievement that you never thought you would ever achive”. ALL

 

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – John H.

Prepared Speech 1: Maria O. [PM 1:1] The Ice Breaker
TITLE: “The Power of Words” – 

Prepared Speech 2: Mario G. [DL 4:2] Connecting with Storytelling.

TITLE: “One of Those Days”

 

Evaluation 1: John H.

Evaluation 2: Alex T.

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: Mario G.

Toast: Gowri S. – “Those who gave their lives” (Tribute to ANZAC Day)

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Matthew S.

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Sri A.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Roozy K. [FIRST]

 

Book, Film, Food & SoapBox: Alex L. – “Daylight Saving” 

 

Grammarian Report: Maria O. [FIRST]

Ums & Ahs Report: Thilini J. [FIRST]

Big Ears: Senthil J. [FIRST]

Timers Report: Luz R.

Meeting Overview: Brendan D.

Visitor Feedback: NA.

Planning Forward: John H. 

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G. 

DISTRICT 70 CONFERENCE

Friday 1^st to Sunday 3^rd May 2026

Concord West has 4 Competitors 

One in each Contest Category

 

NEXT MEETING
Zoom Tuesday 5th May 2026

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 14th APRIL 2026 – MEETING No: 1534

 “GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS”

Venue – The Concord Boardroom 

Call to Order: John H. [For S@A Dilani B].

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Ashveer S. [FIRST] 

Apologies: Kate C, Kelly Z, Eyza K, Dilani B, Matthew S, Lana S, Gowri S, Brendan D.

Visitor Introductions: Omar S, Allan O, Gus German, D70 PRM Maria German. 

Reading of the Club: Robert B. [FIRST]

Grammarian (WOD): Luz R. – [ARTICULATE] 

Ice Breaker: “Share any situation, work or study where you had to present a speech – how did it go?”. ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Peter C.

Prepared Speech 1: Mario G. [DL3:3] ‘Using Presentation Software’
TITLE: “A Better Presentation” – 

Prepared Speech 2: Gus G. [Guest Presenter] ‘A Work Rehearsal”

TITLE: “Vulnerability Management”

Evaluation 1: Sri A.

Evaluation 2: Group Evaluation

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – John H. [For S@A Dilani]

Chairman Two: Roberto B. [FIRST]

Toast: Senthil J. – “Building Confidence” [FIRST]

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Luz R.

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Alex L.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Mario G.

 

Book, Film, Food Review: Peter C. – “My Life Stoies – Peter Alexander Crosby” 

Book, Film, Food Review: NA

 

Grammarian Report: Luz R.

Ums & Ahs Report: John H.

Big Ears: Roberto B. [FIRST]

Timers Report: Senthil J. [FIRST]

Meeting Overview: PRM Maria German.

Visitor Feedback: Allan O, Gus German, D70 PRM Maria German. 

Planning Forward: John H. 

·      Concord West Club has Achieved Presidents Distinguished for 2026

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G. 

·      New Member Presentations: Roberto B, Senthil J, Ashveer S.

Coming Up:

NEXT MEETING
F2F Tuesday 28th April 2026

 

DISTRICT 70 CONFERENCE

Friday 1^st to Sunday 3^rd May 2026

Concord West has 4 Competitors 

One in each Contest Category

 

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 7th APRIL 2026 – MEETING No: 1533

 “LEADERSHIP”

 

Venue – Zoom 

Call to Order: John H. [For S@A Dilani B].

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Luz R.

Apologies: Grace L, Maria O, Brendan D, Alex T, Gowri S, Senthil J, Dilani B, Matthew S, Peter C.

Visitor Introductions: Nil.

Reading of the Club: Thilini J. [FIRST]

Grammarian (WOD): Thilini J. – [NOT RECORDED] [FIRST]

Ice Breaker: “Share with us either the positives or negatives of Screen Time in all forms”. ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Lana S.

Speaker 1: Mario G. [DL3:1] ‘Negotiate the Best Outcome’
“Designing the Win-Win Path” – 

Speaker 2: John H. [Educational] ‘Club Leadership’

 

Evaluation 1: Sri A.

Evaluation 2: Group Response

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – John H. [For S@A Dilani]

Chairman Two: John H.

Toast: Eyza K. – “Not Recorded” 

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Sri A.

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Mario G.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Hayley Y.

 

Book, Film, Food Review: Lana S. Brew Spot North Strathfield

Book, Film, Food Review: Alex L. (Not Recorded)

 

Grammarian Report: Thilini J. [FIRST].

Ums & Ahs Report: Roberto B. [FIRST]

Big Ears: Ashveer S. [FIRST]

Timers Report: John H.

Meeting Overview: Eyza K. [FIRST]

Visitor Feedback: Nil.

Planning Forward: John H. 

·      District 70 Conference – 1^st – 3^rd May 2026 – Concord West in all 4 Contests

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

 

Coming Up:

NEXT MEETING
F2F Tuesday 14th April 2026