Turramurra Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program at Knox Grammar School

In Term 1, 2010 members of the Turramurra Toastmaster club conducted a Youth Leadership program for students of Knox Grammar School. The club has been running Youth Leadership courses at Knox Grammar for over 10 years now, enthusiastically co-coordinated by Barry Parks, long-time Turramurra Toastmaster and ‘old’ Knox boy.

The course runs for seven weeks twice a year and is similar to a Speechcraft course in its structure. During the course, the boys develop skills in structuring and presenting impromptu and prepared speeches and delivering evaluations. By week three, they are also running the meetings themselves, organising Table Topics, jests, grammarians and the many assignments that make up a Toastmasters meeting.

It is also an exciting learning experience for the members of Turramurra Toastmasters who co-ordinate the courses and run educational sessions on topics such as speech structure, vocal variety, gesture and evaluation.  The term 1 course was an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all involved. The boys have a wealth of talent, life experiences (already!) and sense of humour to keep the evening sessions buzzing along.

The final night of the course is Graduation and family and friends are invited to come along and see the boys in action. As the well-worn Toastmasters’ cliché goes, it is an opportunity for the boys to step ‘outside their comfort zone’ and they do so in grand style! The boys run the meeting, filling the roles of chairman, toastmasters, timers and of course – talkers! Six students from the 30 who have completed the course are selected to participate in a speech competition for Graduation night.

Left: Daniel Swinton Right: Lachlan Auer

The winner of this year’s speech competition was Lachlan Auer with a speech on the modern day slave trade. (Lachlan is a second time winner, having participated in a course in 2009). Daniel Swinton was the runner-up with an original and entertaining speech on some new variations on Murphy’s Law!

Lachlan went on to represent his school at the District 70 (NSW & ACT) Toastmasters Youth Leadership Showcase on 21st May 2010 at the Annual District Conference attended by 250 delegates. Lachlan also met with Mark Hunter who is the 2009 World Champion Public Speaker making this night a very special one for Lachlan and his family.

Lachlan Auer at the D70 Youth Leadership Showcase.
Photo Barry Moore