Lilydale Toastmasters recently celebrated an incredible milestone of helping people achieve confidence and a voice for change.
Reaching over 1000 meetings was a call for recognition and reflection on Friday 30 June, as members gathered for somewhat of a party.
“42 years, 1000 meetings, approximately 9000 speeches and evaluations, millions of laughs and let’s try and not guess the number of ums and ahs,” Lilydale Toastmasters member Nola Sharp said.
“Lilydale Toastmasters has made an impact on many hundreds of local residents since its beginning in 1981.”
The club was started by the movers and shakers in the district with the first meeting held on 13 April 1981 and officially charted on 19 October 1981
Headed by steering committee chairman, Graeme Strachan as the inaugural president.
Six months is all it took to start this illustrious club which is fast for a community club.
Two of the sponsoring clubs were Knox and Yarra Valley which is now known as Croydon Yarra Valley. Both are still in existence. There were not many clubs on this side of the city.
The club met at the Log Cabin Hall and has occupied a few other places until its current location at Mount Lilydale Mercy College.
“In our 42-years Lilydale Toastmasters has sponsored 13 clubs in District 73. An unequalled record,” Nola said.
It was a euphoric feeling, Nola said, as past and present members were introduced by Toastmaster Eric Miller who spoke of their positive experiences during the meeting.
The constant was the friendship and fun enjoyed down the years and the skills and confidence learned with their membership.
A plaque was gifted to the Club by Kevin Broughton District 73 Director, with an inscription that noted the club’s “Commitment, Collaboration, Celebration”.
As Lilydale Toastmasters head toward the 2000th meeting, the culture will not change, the pride will not diminish but membership will evolve creating ‘Leaders of tomorrow’.
