Alberton Toastmasters celebrate 30 years and 700 meetings

ALBERTON Toastmasters Club celebrated their 30th birthday and 700th meeting on Thursday, April 7, at the Alberton Retirement Village.

The Toastmasters Club is an international organisation whose aim is to build confidence and self-esteem through the act of speaking publicly, in the form of toasting.

It’s benefits extend to business, in that it improves public speaking for meetings, it improves vocabulary and is a way to socialise with like-minded people from all corners of society.

The birthday bash was a fancy affair, with a black-tie theme, and they did not disappoint.

It started with a bang of the gavel, a welcome and thanks to everyone from current club president Quinton Losper, as well as some toasts and stories from members, followed by dinner and a raffle draw, held to raise funds.

A touching moment occurred when the candle-lighting ceremony was held to commemorate all the presidents in the club’s 30-year history.

Ten of the 30 past presidents were present at the event and they shared some past experiences, memorable moments in their time there and told some interesting tales, or tall-stories, as they call them, one of which happened to be true, according to one esteemed member, Athol Nicol.

Some of the guests have been club members for more than 20 years and, in spite of them starting at the club for a particular reason and not expecting to stay long, they said they just keep learning.