Stage Time Toastmasters Club

20/08/2026

Stage Time Toastmasters – Online Meeting Recap! 🎤✨
What a fabulous online meeting on Wednesday! 💻🌟 Lou did an outstanding job guiding us through the theme of Speech Structure 🧱🎯 — reminding us that a great speech isn’t just about what we say, but how we build it! 🗣️💡

The meeting was jam-packed with learning, laughter and plenty of participation! 🤩🙌 We enjoyed brainstorming sessions 🧠💭, two prepared speeches 🎤, evaluations 📝, facilitation and the sharing of some memorable personal Stage Time moments. 🎭✨

It was a wonderfully educational, interactive and engaging meeting, with members enthusiastically joining in the discussions, sharing ideas and offering valuable feedback throughout. 👏💬🌟
And, of course… FUN, FUN, FUN! 🤩🤣🎉

12/08/2026

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pz7sTjBJALiQlbY0wuxkt?si=2d37b465ce4146a3

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In May 2026, Vicki Sheehan, (who represented Stagetime) won the District 70 Evaluation Contest, she joins The Toastmasters Experience to share the journey behind her first district evaluation title after more than a decade in Toastmasters. A teacher by profession, Vicki explains how years of providing constructive feedback in the classroom naturally complement the Toastmasters evaluation process, while Toastmasters has also strengthened the way she encourages and develops her students.

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Throughout the conversation, Vicki offers a wealth of practical advice for members wanting to improve their evaluations. Rather than filling pages of notes, she focuses on identifying a speaker's strengths, two key recommendations, memorable examples, and, most importantly, how the speech made her feel. She discusses building a personal "stockpile" of commendations, recommendations and creative opening lines, allowing evaluations to sound fresh and engaging rather than formulaic. She also shares how she memorises concepts instead of scripts and why preparation, practice and self-belief all contribute to success in contest speaking.

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The interview also explores Vicki's involvement with other Toastmasters in a Corrective Services Club, where volunteers deliver Speechcraft programs to inmates at Macquarie Correctional Centre. She reflects on the profound impact that communication skills can have in helping participants rebuild confidence, improve relationships and prepare for life beyond prison.

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Finally, Vicki discusses the growing importance of face-to-face communication in an increasingly digital world. She encourages prospective members to join Toastmasters with a clear goal in mind and reminds listeners that public speaking is a lifelong skill—much like physical fitness—that only improves through continual practice. Her thoughtful insights make this an inspiring episode for anyone wanting to become a more effective communicator and evaluator.

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04/08/2026

Maria Pedavoli: Leading the Newly Aligned District 70

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oMSJF1aUJEifHwhCsZ7dr?si=bd88f4c78dfb423e

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Maria Pedavoli shares her inspiring journey from joining Toastmasters in 2009 to becoming the District Director of the newly aligned District 70. Throughout the conversation, Maria reflects on how personal loss reshaped her Toastmasters journey, leading her away from competition and towards a life of servant leadership.

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Rather than viewing leadership as recognition, Maria sees it as an opportunity to give back. Her vision for the newly unified district centres on connection, communication and collaboration. She believes every member should understand they belong to something much bigger than their individual club and hopes to bridge the gap between clubs, areas, divisions and district leadership through greater visibility, education and engagement.

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Maria explains the important role of the District Trio, outlining how Club Growth, Program Quality and District leadership work together to build healthy clubs, strengthen member education and ensure the long-term success of Toastmasters across New South Wales. She also discusses the challenges facing Toastmasters worldwide, including declining membership, while expressing confidence that renewed focus, stronger communication and a united leadership team can reverse the trend.

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One of the most powerful messages from the interview is Maria's belief that leadership is not simply volunteering—it is an investment in personal and professional growth. Every leadership role develops confidence, communication, decision-making and management skills that extend far beyond Toastmasters.

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Her advice is simple yet powerful: say yes. By stepping outside your comfort zone and serving others, you may discover strengths and potential you never knew you possessed.

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02/08/2026

🎭✨ Stage Time Toastmasters – Another Saturday, Another Masterclass in Learning! ✨🎭

What a fantastic Stage Time meeting filled with learning, laughter, encouragement, a few Woodies🏆😄 and an official visit from our new Area 6 Director , Graham Chai.

30/07/2026

20/07/2026

🚢✨ All aboard the RMS Majestic! ✨🎭

One thing is guaranteed with Dural Toastmasters… they know how to put on a spectacular event! 👏💙

Stepping back into the Roaring '20s, the Dural Club was magically transformed into the magnificent RMS Majestic, thanks to the incredible talents of décor coordinator Kath Geale. From the moment you walked through the doors, it truly felt like you'd travelled back in time. 🎩🥂✨

A huge congratulations to the amazing organising team – Dianne Sammut, Dale Clark, Anna Myasnikova, Andrey Myasnikova, Goika and Julian Reddish – 🙌🎉

The highlight of the evening? The legendary Life Boat Debate! 🚤💥

Ten historical icons fought passionately for a precious seat on the lifeboat, but after the audience vote, only five remained:

🎸 Bob Marley
⚡ David Bowie
🦎 Charles Darwin
🧠 Sigmund Freud
☮️ Mahatma Gandhi

Each contestant pleaded their case with wit, humour and brilliant speaking skills, leaving the audience in stitches! 😂👏

🏆 Life Boat Debate Champion: Daniel Mitchell as Bob Marley 🎶
🎭 Best Contestant Costume: Casey Squires as David Bowie ⚡
👗 Audience Best Costume: Dianne Sammut 🌟

A special shout-out to our wonderful MC Sharon Moloney, who kept the evening sailing smoothly, and to Captain Cheryl Clendinning 🚢, last year's Life Boat Debate winner, who expertly steered the ship through an unforgettable night.

Events like this remind us that Toastmasters isn't just about becoming a better speaker… it's about friendship, imagination, confidence and having an incredible amount of fun along the way. 💙🎤

Congratulations to everyone involved in creating such a memorable evening. 😊✨

15/07/2026

A fabulous online meeting tonight with the theme - “Diving Deeper into Dialogue” . Our VPE Lou Beaton shined with an action packed agenda . Stagetime is known for its indepth facilitations and helpful suggestions which was given to our scheduled speakers Nelu Anthony and Juliana Jamal.

04/07/2026

An absolute blockbuster meeting this morning! Congratulations to all ST Lifeboat Debate participants - Mahatma Gandhi, Michael Jackson, Colonel Sanders and Fatima al-Fihri. Best wishes to President Sri, today's winner, who will represent the club at the Dural Debate on July 18th (tickets on sale now).

The Lifeboat Debate conducted by Michael was just one portion of the festivities this morning. Members and visitors also enjoyed:
- An engaging warm-up involving hilarious fictitious scenarios at the museum run by Daryl
- An innovative executive changeover procedure led by Rani, Maria P and Sri
- Awarding of the 2025-2026 Woodie Awards Presentation from Rani and Maria P -> Congratulations Nelu and Ben!
- A speech by Ben, facilitated evaluation by Maria G, two minute speeches and ST moments

What a brilliant start to the new ST Toastmasters Year!

10/03/2026

Well done to Vicki and Elaine for blitzing the Area competitions and progressing to Division. We are so proud!