Coyle says farewell to Toastmasters

Friends, family and fellow Toastmasters at Egoli Golden City gathered at the St Giles Home for the Physically Disabled to bid adieu to one of their own, Michael Coyle, on May 14.

Yolandi Bulger, a resident at the home spearheaded the evening and delivered her maiden speech.

In it, Bulger discussed her life, her journey into St Giles and her love for art among a cocktail of interesting topics.

Impromptu speeches on the night were chaired by Peter Mulligan, who asked audience members to discuss topics relating to Michael Coyle, who himself delivered his swansong Toastmaster’s speech.

Club president Richard Francis gave Coyle a send-off speech recollecting how he first met the man seven years ago.

Francis concluded his speech with a famous quote from Peter Pan. ‘Never say goodbye, because goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting’.

Coyle joined Egoli Toastmasters club on April 1, 2012, and in only his second meeting volunteered to be the demonstration speaker at the division one evaluation contest. In 2013 he was part of the Egoli committee which was instrumental in bringing a then mostly disabled club to becoming a distinguished one, while serving as the vice-president membership officer for Egoli.

Fast forward to his departure, and a number of the club’s senior members wax lyrical of the depth of Coyle’s contributions to the club.

Club vice-president education Sheryl Mulligan said Coyle had done such a good job coaching and mentoring her that she was inspired to coach and mentor others. Area I4 director Michelle Yenson said Coyle had touched her life in more ways than one that he has become family.

Coyle recently joined the South African Professional Speakers Association, is self-employed as a life coach, is a key note and motivational speaker and the founding member of Coaching Culture Club.