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

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 2nd DECEMBER 2025 – MEETING No: 1523

 “CLOSURE”

 

Venue – Zoom 

Call to Order: Mario G.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Dilani B.

Apologies: Rumi M, Peter C, Kate C, Aurora D, Lana S, Matthew S, Grace L, Brendan D, Martin E, Roozy K.

Visitor Introductions: Nil.

Reading of the Club: Eyza K.

Grammarian (WOD): Nil

Ice Breaker: “Share situations with us of a situation or circumstance where you have had closure”. ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Gowri S.

 

Prepared Speech 1: Eyza K. [PM 3:4] (Persuasive Speaking)
“When Was Your Last Service”

Prepared Speech 2: John H. [EH 4:4] “How to be a Distinguished Club”

 

Evaluation 1: Kelly Z. 

Evaluation 2: Luz R.

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: John H.

Toast: Sri A. – “To Our National AI Plan” 

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Alex L. (On Theme) 

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Gowri S.

Evaluator Even Speakers – John H.

 

Grammarian Report: Nil.

Ums & Ahs Report: Mario G (Technical issues Postponed).

Big Ears: Kelly Z.

Timers Report: Sri A.

Meeting Overview: Sri A.

Visitor Feedback: Nil

Planning Forward: John H.  

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

 

Coming Up:

Last Meeting – Tuesday 9^th December 2025
The Concord

 

CLUB END OF YEAR SOCIAL
Tuesday 16^th December 2025

Buddha Racka Restaurant 7:00pm

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 25th NOVEMBER 2025 – MEETING No: 1522

 “GOALS”

 

Venue – The Concord 

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Kelly Z.

Apologies: Rumi M, Kate C.

Visitor Introductions: Martin E, Area 6 Director Bruno M. 

Reading of the Club: Grace L.

Grammarian (WOD): Peter C. – “EPHEMERAL”

Ice Breaker: “Share stories of perserverance and determination in achieving a goal… your own or someone elses”. ALL

 

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – John H.

 

Prepared Speech 1: Matthew S. [PM 5:1] “Doing it Wrong”

Prepared Speech 2: Eyza K. [PM 1:3] “The Split – A Poem”

Prepared Speech 3: Mario G. [DL 2:3] “A Hand to Climb, A Hand to Lift”

Evaluation 1: Sri A.

Evaluation 2: Gowri S.

Evaluation 3: Luz R. [FIRST]

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – S@A – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: Mario G.

Toast: Kelly Z – “Achieving Your Goals” 

 

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Roozy K. (On Theme) [FIRST]

Evaluator Odd Speakers – John H.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Luz R. [FIRST]

 

 

Book, Film Food Review:  Grace L. – “Kazakhstan Chocolate”

Grammarian Report: Peter C.

Ums & Ahs Report: Alex L.

Big Ears: Grace L. [FIRST]

Timers Report: Dilani B. 

Meeting Overview: Brendan D.

Visitor Feedback: Martin E, Area 6 Director Bruno M. (Undertaking his Area Director Review)

BUSINESS SESSION: John H. Moved that the Annual Club Budget presented to a Quorum of Club Members in September 2025 be adopted by a quorum of Members.

Resolution passed by a majority with one abstention.

Planning Forward: John H.  

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

 

Coming Up:

Tuesday 2^nd December 2025

Zoom

Last Meeting – Tuesday 9^th December 2025
The Concord

 

CLUB END OF YEAR SOCIAL
Tuesday 16^th December 2025

Buddha Racka Restaurant 7:00pm

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 11th NOVEMBER 2025 – MEETING No: 1521

 “IMPORTANT DATES”

 

Venue – The Concord

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Sri A.

Apologies: Alex T, Grace L, Brendan D, Eyza K.

Visitor Introductions: Sam B, Manu S.

Reading of the Club: Aurora D.

Grammarian (WOD): Kelly Z. – “DOMINANT”

Ice Breaker: “Share with us a memorably important or significant date you recall in your life” – ALL

 

Toastmaster: Sri A.

Speaker 1: – Dilani B. [DL 1:2] “Thinking Beyond the Expected”

Speaker 2: – John H. [PM 4:1] “A Tale of Two Blogs”

 

Evaluator 1: Lana S.

Evaluator 2: Mario G.

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: John H.

 

Toast: Mario G. “Remembering Important Dates”

 

Table Topics Session:

Table Topics Master – Matthew S. (On Theme)

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Peter C.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Aurora D. [FIRST]

 

Book, Film, Food Review: Lana S. – Lavie & Belle Bakery – Surry Hills

Book, Film, Food Review: Alex L. – Zhang Liang Malatang – Burwood

Grammarian Report: Kelly Z.

Ums & Ahs Report: Peter C.

Big Ears: Aurora D. [FIRST]

Timers Report: Lux R. [FIRST]

Meeting Overview: Gowri S. 

Business Session – Budget Approval: Postponed one short of Quorum

Visitor Feedback: Sam B, Manu S.

Planning Forward: John H. 

Peter accepted the District 70 15 Year Service Award 
on behalf of his wife Kate from President Mario.

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

 

NEXT MEETINGS:

Tuesday 25^th November
The Concord

Tuesday 16^th December
End-of-Year Social
Buddha Raksa Burwood

 LACHLAN DIVISION

2025 HUMOROUS & TABLE TOPICS CONTEST

CLUB RIVERS

Winner of Lachlan Division Humorous Speech Contest John Hughson,
representing Concord West Toastmasters and Area 6.
With Runners Up Darrell Hoffman and Vanessa Lee.

Winner of Lachlan Division Table Topics Contest John Hughson, 
representing Concord West Toastmasters and Area 6.
With Runners Up Robert Davies and Anna Di Donato.

John Hughson, supported by Concord West Toastmasters Dilani, Lana, Harini & Sri

John Hughson, addressing the audience and thanking Lachlan Division Team
and congratulating the other Contestants.

John will Represent Concord West, Area 6 and Lachlan Division
at the finals in May 2026 at the Annual Conference.

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 4th NOVEMBER 2025 – MEETING No: 1520

 “YOUR JOCKEY COLOURS”

Venue – ZOOM

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – Mario G.

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Moji A.

Apologies: Peter C, Luz R, Rumi M, Sri A, Grace L, Aurora D, Matthew S, Brendan D, Hayley Y, Behrang S.

Visitor Introductions: Nil.

Reading of the Club: Moji A.

Grammarian (WOD): A Sri. – “NOT RECORDED”

Ice Breaker: “Tell us a Tall Tale or True about your Experience with Horse Racing” – ALL

 

Table Topics Session 1

Table Topics Master – Mario G. (On Theme)

Evaluator Odd Speakers – John H.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Kelly Z.

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: Mario G.

 

Toast: Alex L. “Run Into Your Unknown”

 

Table Topics Session 2

Table Topics Master – Dilani B. (On Theme)

Evaluator Odd Speakers – Alex L.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Moji A.

 

Book, Film, Food Review: NA

 

Grammarian Report: NA.

Ums & Ahs Report: NA.

Big Ears: John H.

Timers Report: Mario G.

Meeting Overview: John H. 

Visitor Feedback: NA.

Planning Forward: John H. 

President’s Closing Remarks: – Mario G.

 

NEXT MEETINGS:

Sunday 9^th November October – Lachlan Division Humorous & Table Topics Contest

Tuesday 11^th November – The Concord

 

CONCORD WEST TOASTMASTERS CLUB – 28th OCTOBER 2025 – MEETING No: 1519

 “FEAR”

 

Venue – The Concord

Call to Order: Dilani B.

President’s Opening and Guest Welcome – John H (For President Mario G). 

 

Agenda Update: John H. 

Chairman One: Brendan D.

Apologies: Peter C, Luz R, Gowri S, Mario G, Peter C, Kate C, Kelly Z, Grace L, Eyza K,

Visitor Introductions: Manu S, Monica, Trishanth C.

Reading of the Club: Aurora D.

Grammarian (WOD): Sri A. – “COMPLETE”

Ice Breaker: “Share with us what really scares you and why?”. ALL

Prepared Speech Session:  

Toastmaster – Matthew S.

 

Prepared Speech 1: Lana S. [PW: TBA] “Full Circle”

Prepared Speech 2: Peter K. [PM 3:1] “Unintended Consequence”

Prepared Speech 3: John H. [EDUCATIONAL] “The Speech Map”

 

Evaluation 1: Dilani B.

Evaluation 2: Monica (Guest).

Evaluation 3: (ALL).

 

BREAK: 

 

Call to Order – Dilani B.

Chairman Two: Roozy K. [FIRST]

Toast: Aurora D. “Having the Courage, One Step at a Time”

Table Topics Session

Table Topics Master – Peter K. (On Theme)

Evaluator Odd Speakers – John H.

Evaluator Even Speakers – Brendan D.

 

Book, Film, Food Review: Lana S. “Lost Ladies” – Netflix 

 

Grammarian Report: Sri A.

Ums & Ahs Report: Aurora D. [FIRST] 

Big Ears: Alex L.

Timers Report: Matthew S.

Meeting Overview: Matthew S. 

Visitor Feedback: Manu S, Monica, Trishanth C.

Planning Forward: John H. 

President’s Closing Remarks: – John H (For President Mario G). 

 

NEXT MEETINGS:
Tuesday 4^th November 2025 – Zoom 

Sunday 9^th November October – Lachlan Division Humorous & Table Topics Contest

Tuesday 11^th November – The Concord