Launceston Toastmasters Club 2115

As we wrap up 2025 at Toastmasters Launceston, we want to offer a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful members, guests and executive team. You are the living pulse of this club and this year you showed up with courage, curiosity and good humour in spades.

And what a year it was! Alongside a growing membership, we proudly celebrated our 25th anniversary with a joyful gathering that honoured our beginnings. The ever-wonderful Marylou, who was present at the very first meeting, took us on a rich and entertaining journey through the many venues Launceston Toastmasters has called home over the past twenty five years. The stories were hilarious, nostalgic and a reminder that what we build together endures.

This year we also facilitated Moments of Truth, which gave us invaluable insight into how our members experience the club. It showed us where we are exceeding expectations and where we can sharpen our edge. It was honest, generous feedback and we are a stronger club because of it. One clear request was for more social activities and we are happy to say this will be part of our calendar in the year ahead.

In November, our members stepped bravely onto the contest stage at the Area Contests. Andrew and Yvonne both entered, with Yvonne taking out first place in Table Topics. A huge congratulations to Yvonne and equal applause for Andrew for the courage it takes to enter a first contest. Several other members supported the day as judges, timers and ballot counters, making it a truly collective effort and a thoroughly enjoyable one.

We closed the year with a Christmas themed meeting that captured everything we love about this club. Three of our newest members delivered impressive Icebreaker speeches. This was followed by a fabulous Christmas feast and a laughter-filled Table Topics session titled Christmas Disaster Hotline. Proof, if needed, that public speaking and laughter go hand in hand at our club.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to introduce regular education sessions, club socials and debate nights, alongside our ongoing meetings that support members and guests to grow their confidence and deepen their love of public speaking. Launceston Toastmasters prides itself on being inclusive, diverse and genuinely welcoming. We are here to learn, grow and shine together as a club and as a community.

We warmly wish everyone a joyful festive season and we look forward to welcoming familiar faces and new ones alike in 2026.

Past and present members and guests welcome! Come along and celebrate with us!

Evaluations!

ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION AT LAUNCESTON TOASTMASTERS CLUB

Ramona J. Smith. What a speaker! She is brilliant and inspirational! For those who are walking the Pathways journey, you would have seen Ramona in the educational content. For everyone else, here she is! The 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking! A force to be reckoned with!

2018 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, Ramona J. Smith Watch Ramona J. Smith – the 2018 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking – deliver her winning speech "Still Standing."Please see the To...

Laughter, learning and connection – that’s what you’ll find at Launceston Toastmasters. Every meeting is a mix of voices, stories and sparks of growth. From first-timers to seasoned speakers, we celebrate diversity, welcome all and lift each other up.

New to public speaking? Brushing up your skills? Or just here for the laughter. Whatever brings you, there’s a space for you at Launceston Toastmasters. Visitors are always welcome. Fun, growth and good conversation guaranteed.

Second and fourth Wednesday of every month!

Our Launceston Toastmasters theme tomorrow evening is 'Writing.'

This means the meeting is loosely based around the theme. For example, the Round Robin and Table Topics questions might be drawn from the theme: 'Who is your favourite author?' or 'Tell us about a book you enjoyed reading." Having a theme gives each meeting focus. It also brings in another layer of interest and fun.

Come and have fun with us at Launceston Toastmasters! Everyone is welcome.

What an Incredible Night at Launceston Toastmasters! ✨

Last week’s meeting was one for the books! We were thrilled to welcome so many new faces into our Toastmasters community. With our theme of ‘Civilisations’, the evening was packed with fascinating speeches, powerful facts and inspiring discussions.

We acknowledged that the longest continuous civilisation in the world is that of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - a meaningful and timely reflection during National Reconciliation Week.

In our Round Robin, each person shared something they knew about Aboriginal culture. From language and art to tradition and connection to Country, it was an eye-opening and educational moment that honoured the depth and resilience of Australia’s First Peoples.

But that was just the beginning! We also explored:

The fierce female warriors of the Kingdom of Dahomey (West Africa)

The mysteries of Ancient Egypt

The rituals and customs of the Malagasy people of Madagascar

And the rich, vibrant traditions of Slavic culture

What a night of diverse, global perspectives!

One of the most inspiring things about Launceston Toastmasters is how each of our members steps up to take on club roles and make the night run smoothly. It's community in action!

Our next meeting is Wednesday, June 11th, and the theme is ‘Writing.’

If you're curious, you're welcome to come along - no pressure to speak! You’re welcome to simply observe and get a feel for what we do. Everyone is welcome. We meet you exactly where you're at.

Come along and be part of something special.

Launceston Toastmasters is on this Wednesday evening ( 14th May) at 7pm! Let us know if you have any questions or if you'd like us to come and meet you in the car park and walk you in! :-)

We are a kind, welcoming and fun-loving group of people, each at our own stage of the public speaking journey. There is no judgement here, only support and encouragement.

Come along a few times to get a feel for our club! We'd love to see you!

DID YOU KNOW…?

Before becoming the iconic Mr. Spock on Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy was a struggling actor trying to break into Hollywood. Like many aspiring performers, he understood that success wasn’t just about talent—it was also about confidence, presence and clear communication.

Nimoy reportedly joined Toastmasters in the 1950s, during a period when he was honing his craft and working multiple jobs to support his acting ambitions. He used Toastmasters meetings to practice:

Improving vocal clarity and tone

Controlling stage nerves and physical presence

Speaking with purpose and confidence under pressure

These are all cornerstone skills in both acting and public speaking, and they later became trademarks of his measured, calm and precise delivery as Spock.

While Spock was a character known for logic and restraint, Nimoy’s ability to bring emotion beneath the surface—and deliver lines with incredible clarity and gravitas—may well have been influenced by his Toastmasters training. He once emphasised how important it was to be able to hold an audience’s attention with stillness and presence—something Toastmasters helps speakers cultivate.

Does the thought of giving a speech excite you… or make you want to hide under the nearest table?

👇 We want to know!

Drop a quick comment below that sums up how public speaking makes you feel.

(We promise, no speeches required.)

At Launceston Toastmasters, we turn those nerves into confidence — and we have fun doing it. Whether you're terrified or totally into it, there's a place for you here. You don’t need to be fearless — just brave enough to take the first step.

So tell us - how does public speaking make YOU feel? :-)