40th Anniversary - Auckland Toastmasters Club
It isn't every day that three present and past International Presidents attend a Toastmaster Club event at the same time, but it happened in Auckland, New Zealand on 7 May 2003. The event was a dinner to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Auckland Toastmasters Club.
The uniqueness of the occasion was accentuated by the fact that all three Presidents are the only non-North American International Presidents ever elected in Toastmasters - John Fauvel (1987 - 1988), Len Jury (1997 - 1998) and current International President, Gavin Blakey.
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International Presidents |
In addition to celebrating the 40th anniversary of the club, the event served the dual purpose of hosting its annual 'Communicator Of The Year' awards.
In addressing the gathering, International President Gavin acknowledged the historic occasion and complimented the Club for producing two International Presidents from within its ranks. He commended the club for the many other awards the club has achieved, at both national and international level. He noted that the club was the second club to be formed in New Zealand, months after the first club in Dunedin. In summing up he spoke in glowing terms about the heritage, still evident in the club, that the early club members created.
Special honour was bestowed on the founding members of the club, many of whom were present for the dinner. In particular, the vision and foresight of Founding President, Jolyon Firth was acknowledged, and he spoke of the early meetings and the world as it was then. Stories over the years were traded, to much laughter by the assembled guests.
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Founding President of the Club |
For the record the annual awards were:
- Most improved speaker: Jean Jackson
- Most improved evaluator: Murray Beck
- Toastmaster of the year: Brian Arps
- Communicator Of The Year: Brian Morris.
In recognising Brian Morris as Communicator of the Year, the Club acknowledged 30 years active involvement in the club, as well as his business involvement teaching communication skills in writing, cartooning and photography.
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Communicator of the Year |
In previous years this award has been made to high profile New Zealanders, including international yachtsman and conservationalist, the late Sir Peter Blake.
In 2003 the Club remains in good heart and will achieve President's Distinguished Club status for the current year.
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Auckland Toastmasters - Club Presidents |
Speaker Kevin Warwood DTM
Past World Champion of Public Speaking David Nottage meets International President Gavin Blakey
Mike Renner
VP Public Relations 2002-03
Auckland Toastmasters Club 3593
