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 12 months ago Linda and I planned and then booked a 2 week guided tour in Thailand on a motor cycle; we also booked a third week for the motor cycle so that we could do our own thing. During the initial 2 weeks we rode along the Mekong river route, we had a day trip in to Cambodia to visit the Angkor Wat temple complex, and a day trip to Vintienne the capital of Laos. We were forced to drink Heineken and Singha beer and eat a lot of road side stall food not once did we get sick. The wet season had just started so we were at times damp, but when the sun came out which was often we loved it. The roads in Thailand are in better shape than NZ roads, most times 2-3 lanes with a massive barriers dividing the lanes. I felt safer riding in Thailand than I do in NZ; there is no aggression in Thailand. There is an added challenge on the roads it is in the form of cattle--dogs—snakes, and in the national parks elephant. I ran over 2 snakes one a King Cobra (I did know it at the time) and one interlude with a large herd of cattle as we rounded a bend at over 90ks.
At the end of the 2 week tour we bid adieu to the other 4 motor cycles and Linda and I set off on our own across Thailand to the western side to Khanchanaburi 300ks away. We arrived safely after getting lost only once. The following day we left Khanchanaburi to ride north to the Burmese border town of Sangkhlaburi we stopped half way in the phatan valley for a few days. We visited the Hell fire pass on the infamous death railway of 1943 where allies were forced to build a railway over the River Kwae to Burma. We then rode north and arrived at Sangkhlaburi and stayed at the Burmese Inn for a couple of days. We walked over the longest wooden bridge in Thailand and visited massive temples. We then rode back to Khanchanaburi for 3 days of exploration, we went up the River Kwae on a boat to visit temples- water falls- caves, and an elephant reserve where we got to ride on an elephant for about an hour via the bush tracks. Then I was invited to drive an elephant out into the river Kwae and give it a shampoo; I was totally unprepared having no change of clothes. This was the highlight of the tour for me as I love elephants so much. Linda had to be content taking photos because she could not get the cast on her broken arm wet. Oh sorry I forgot to mention that Linda one week before we left for Thailand fell off her motor cycle at Thornton Whakatane and broke her right arm. Undaunted she went with me on the pillion on our tour and did most of the exciting things that could be done with only one arm like spend-spend-spend!
Cheers every one, Richard and Linda
See photos below!
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Snake on road!
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Linda in Hell Fire Pass
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Linda near waterfall over River Kwae
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On the road to Patong Valley Hotel
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Longest wooden bridge Sangklaburi Thailand
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Modern bridge over River Kwae
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Riding an elephant
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Shampooing the elephant
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Nice bumpy road!
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Lunch at a Burmese inn
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The only thing to do on holiday!
Some people need a lot of rest!
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Toastmasters Otago has been running since 16 September 2008.
Ray Leckie and Leanne Ellis at the microphone
During this period we have covered a range of topics, using material from the Competent Communicator Manual, the Competent Leadership programme, and the Toastmasters magazine. We have had several guest speakers; ranging from new members, Club Presidents, the C1 Area Governor, Rob Hendry (one of the Founders of NZ Toastmasters) and Anna Campbell (the winner of the international contest 2005/2006 year). We have also encouraged, and had members from various clubs being co-host, to gain radio experience and add that extra challenge for them.
Our aim is to promote Toastmasters and Toastmasters Clubs around our region, and to publicise the Toastmasters name in a non threatening way.
Live radio is an excellent way to reach a large number of listeners, including prospective members for our clubs.
Hosted by Ray Leckie and Leanne Ellis
Listen every second Tuesday, from 12.30 to 1.00 pm.
Email toastmastersotago@hotmail.com for more information.
 Recently the Ngongotaha Lions Club held their second annual "Brewers and Lions Festival" as a fundraiser for the local hospice. The event is a combination of a brewing competition and a speaking competition.
The "liars" part is about telling an untrue story and convincing the judges and audience it is a true story, or a true story and convincing them it is not. Points are also awarded for humour and entertainment value.
The organizers wanted to raise the standard of the contest this year so they encouraged members of the local Rotorua toastmasters clubs to enter. An experienced local toastmaster, Jeff Timmins of Lake City Breakfast Toastmasters Club, was also appointed to the judging panel.
The Chief Judge was one of New Zealand's top comedians, Te Radar.
Third prize of $100 was taken out by Jamie Gordon from Lake City Breakfast Toastmasters Club with her "Superwoman" story she won the Rotorua inter club Tall Tales Competition last year.
First prize of $300 was taken out by Peter Harington from Lake City Breakfast, Arawa and Geyser Gourmet Toastmasters clubs. Peter fooled the audience with a convincing and amusing tale of how as a blind man he flew a plane home after the pilot became unconscious, and made it sound plausible!!. Peter’s humour will be remembered to many toastmasters from when he competed in the District Humourous Speech Contest in Dunedin last year with his speech "Blind Men make Great Lovers".
Peter said, "I have competed for lots of trophies before, but competing for cash was a whole new experience." It just goes to show the opportunities that open up when Toastmasters take on new challenges.
On Friday 20th February 2009, about 40 people (Toastmasters and their families) from all over Taranaki met at a New Plymouth restaurant to celebrate Arun Chaudhari being awarded Toastmaster Of The Year Award for District 72. It was a memorable night, where Toastmasters from Areas B1 and B2 shared camaraderie and had a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
The event was organised by Nga Manu Reo Toastmasters and there were prizes for Table Topics presenters – wouldn't you expect that when Toastmasters meet! Denis McLeod was the Table Topics Master. Darren Hulton (President of Nga Manu Reo) presented Arun and his family with gifts, acknowledging their contribution to Toastmasters. Many Toastmasters from different took the opportunity to toast Arun, while his daughter Nikita roasted him! Andrea Leadbetter and TGM Design put together a most professional looking programme.
The dinner was delicious and the event evoked a lot of interest from people sitting at other tables in the restaurant! No form 400s were filled out, although invitations to club meetings were handed out!
Nga Manu Reo Toastmasters: From L to R
Denis McLeod, Leanne Morrow, Darren Hulton, Jeanine Mathews, Arun Chaudhari, Tua Luke, Ruth Proffit, Andrea Leadbetter, Smitha Nathen, Stewart Kidd, Colin Jackson and Richard Turnhout.
Yay! The TM of the Year award is in Taranaki.
Happy faces of some Taranaki TMs and their families.
South African magazine has article about Toastmasters
Ama Kiwi is a magazine that goes out to the South African community in Auckland. The majority of readers appear to be on Auckland's North Shore, and circulation is slowly spreading into other areas.
A recent issue had an article about Toastmasters which you can download and read.
1 March 2009
Hi There Everybody
Just to let you know just what is happening over here in Oz. One of our Toastmasters is using the following project for her HPL Project.
Kirrilie Oates from Sydney (District 70) is organising a Toastmasters Cruise/Seminar departing Sydney on the Pacific Dawn from 6th November and returning 15th November 2009.
We will be visiting such places as Emerald Bay, Isle of Pines, Ouvea and Noumea before arriving back into Sydney at 8am Sunday 15th November. During the cruise there will be Educational/Tutorials during the time at sea and also a Tall Tales Contest sometime between 12th and 15th November whilst we are still at sea on our return to Sydney.
As we are organising Toastmasters, we are also able to achieve the discounts and enjoy part of the on-board entertainment all at the same time. I do hope there will some Toastmasters interested from Districts 69 and 73 and New Zealand to come and join us on this wonderful cruise. Pacific Dawn, Island Delights Cruise, 6th Nov.- 15th November 2009.
Please come and join us.As we need to know numbers please contact us as soon as possible as the close off for bookings will be before the end of March.
People can contact me with their details; e-mail address, phone contacts etc. if you are positive about enjoying time on the high seas with us. Just see your local travel agent for special deals to/from Sydney.
Cheers to you all,
Bruce Crawley DTM
Toastmasters Cruise Entertainment Director
(61 2)9569 0006 / 0414 850 634
Kirrilie Oates DTM
Toastmasters Cruise CEO
(61 2)8092 1075/0414 669 886
Distinguished Toastmaster Trish Gray from Upper Hutt has launched her new book "Role Reversal", her true story of travels around the Middle East, with her children as the tour guides. A great Summer read.
View full details on this one page poster, and to purchase a copy, contact Trish on (04) 971 4941 or email gray.zone@paradise.net.nz
Workshop Speakers from the May 2008 Convention have provided the following resources for attendees and club members:
Heroes and Champions - a list of people you can invite to your meetings as guest speakers (by Colin Perfect DTM R.I.P.) (2 page pdf). Download the powerpoint slide show used in the workshop - you can use it in your club!
Spice Up your Speech - a presentation by Rob Julian (powerpoint file)
How to use the Spice Up your Speech resource:
Here is a shortened version which can be downloaded as a PowerPoint presentation, of simply run off on transparencies. At a pinch you could just write up the headings on Flip chart Paper or a whiteboard and go over each of the figures of speech with the club.
THEN – give everyone five minutes to make up a speech starting with 'I knew I was in trouble when -------' and using each of the figures of speech. It does not have to be serious, or even make sense. "I knew I was in trouble when the blue and red lights flashed in by rear view mirror like demented fireflies. I gunned the motor which howled in furious rage as I sped away. I would show those guys how a real man drove, I would show them what a souped up motor could do, I would show them how a man behaved who couldn't afford a traffic fine" --- and so on.
It was quite amazing, as a representative of each Division got up at the workshop, how their speeches were indeed ‘Spiced up’. And humorous. For all of them, the audience howled, shreiked, and roared with laughter. Like demented, delirious, degenerates.
24 January 2008: An advertisement and a news article appeared recently in the Educational Section of the Christchurch Press.
Dianne Moore, VP Public Relations for Division E, organised an electronic billboard sign on Stewart Dawson's Corner in Wellington for the week prior to the November 2007 Convention. This corner is the equivalent of Time Square, so it had huge visibility to the thousands of people who walk or travel through this major intersection.
One Media Limited from Christchurch donated the use of the billboard for Toastmasters during a gap in paid advertising.
View the Billboard Advertisement (650KB Windows Media File - .wmv format)
When a Toastmasters club pulls together they can do anything. This year Lake City Breakfast Club from Rotorua decided to enter in the Rotorua Creations N' Colour Award 2007 to promote the club and have a bit of fun. The event was a feast of feats of creations, light, colour and sound that packed out the new Rotorua Energy Events Centre.
Lake City Breakfast is a lively creative club which numbers several professional artists amongst its membership. It is also a very successful club earning Presidents Distinguished for the last 7 consecutive years.
The tight five from left Carol Banister, Jan Miller CC (Club President),
the wine glass modeled by Erin Bates, Jill Briar (holding award),
Ron Hall CC and Annette Bates ACB.
The creative efforts were led by the group known in the club as the "tight five pictured" above. Their creation was built on a theme of toasting, and was a wearable champagne glass, complete with bubbles. An impressive voice over during the cat walk exhibition had member Sam Lees proposing a toast to the event and Toastmasters.
The whole club turned out with a block booking in the grandstand, and even in the crowd of over a thousand, LCB Toastmasters made their presence known in support of their club’s entry.
It was a great night out which was made even better when the entry was awarded the second prize in the corporate category. Well done Lake City Breakfast Club - Toastmasters can do anything!!
 The WOW Toastmasters Club of Wairarapa unveiled their new flag at their annual business meeting at Gladstone Vineyard on 13 May 2007.
The flag has the word Toastmasters printed vertically in blue lettering on a white background. It is on an extendible pole with the base designed to fit around a car tyre or be anchored to the ground. The flag comes with a bag for easy carry and storage.
The club intends to use the flag as a meeting location marker for visitors and club members at outdoor venues, and to identify the meeting room at the club's indoor venue at Cobblestones Museum in Greytown. The flag will be visible from quite a distance and will flutter gently in the Wairarapa breeze!
Approval from Toastmasters International was sought to use the word Toastmasters on the flag, which was made by Flagmakers in Wellington. (Visit the Flagmakers website and follow the Flexipole link to view more information.)
For more information, please contact VP Public Relations Dale Hartle DTM email wow@toastmasters.org.nz.
Also visit the WOW club website for meeting reports.
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