Good evening!
As the dust settles on the very last of District 71’s Humorous Speech and Table Topics Final and we have all finally recovered from an action packed weekend, I would like to share some of the amazing highlights for Area 5.
Some, or all, of this news will not be new but I still think it’s well worth mentioning the amazing performance of Area 5 in Sheffield last weekend.
After a great day at workshops on Friday and a night full of Toastmaster fun and entertainment on Friday night, our attention turned to the Humorous Speech Final on Saturday. Congratulations to Dermot Carey who came second representing Division M in this most important speech final but that was not all that happened that day.
Greystones picked up two amazing awards – Sarah Jane winning Area Director of the Year – a fantastic achievement and very well deserved, with all four clubs achieving President’s Distinguished awards in 2016 – 2017. No mean feat while Sarah Jane also progressed her own speaking and leadership awards at the same time.
Mairead Dillon was also honoured with a Distinguished Service award for her contribution to the Youth Leadership Programme. For the past 6 years, Mairead has been the driver of the programme through her work with Transition Year students both locally and in other city centre locations. She has travelled throughout Ireland and provided training to other Toastmasters interested in running the programme, including hosting a one day course in Dun Laoghaire in May. Mairead has also participated in Youth Leadership Programme workshops in the UK and was the Committee chair for the Republic of Ireland in 2016/17.
Sarah Jane and Mairead – we salute you!
On to Sunday morning and the final of the District Table Topics contest. With a total of 10 participants giving amazing performances, we were thrilled and delighted that Shalini Sinha from Dun Laoghaire won third place for her outstanding performance. A truly fitting end to the weekend.
We don’t yet know what, if anything, will replace the winter District conference next year, but all we know is that Area 5 gave it socks this year! Well done to all and here’s to the next District conference in Cork in May. See you there!
Best wishes
Paddy Lavelle
Area Director