Village Toastmasters meet

Despite the theme title, things heated up as awards were bestowed on those with outstanding presentations.

This concept was generated by the Special Awards given to certain members in recognition of their exceptional communication and leadership skills.

Dorothy Venter was awarded gold. She is an Advanced Communicator with a focus on developing youth leadership in the broader community.

Edwin Wood, another Advanced Communicator with superb displays of tenacity, was awarded bronze.

Michal Rozanski received a Special Competent Leader Award.

Theo Swart achieved a Triple Crown. He was also awarded bronze and silver for his display of sustained communication and leadership skills.

High Achievement was the theme carried into a prepared speech titled ‘A Priceless Legacy’ by Gillian Kats, and focused on Parktown’s “Adler Museum of Medicine”.

What is today a study-collection of over 40 000 objects, originated as a private collection of medical objects and books. The collection was started by Dr Cyril and Mrs Esther Adler and later handed over to the University of the Witwatersrand. The university bestowed the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) on Dr Adler and Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) on Mrs Adler in recognition of their vision and achievements.

Ms Kats, whose project was centered on research and referencing, said she felt entranced as she entered the museum’s space. The museum preserves South Africa’s medical heritage with reconstructions of an apothecary and chemist’s shop in early Johannesburg, a doctor’s consulting room, an ophthalmology shop – originally established in Eloff Street in 1903 – and a Johannesburg dental surgery dated back to 1905.

The Village Toastmasters Club meets on the third Tuesday evening of the month, at 7.30pm, in the large hall of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in St David Road, Elma Park, Edenvale.

For more information, contact Theo Swart on 011 452-3884 or 082 626 0825.