Last Friday, the Boaters Toastmasters gathering was nothing short of inspiring as we delved into the theme of “Tuakiritanga,” which beautifully translates to identity. With a warm welcome, Sergeant at Arms, Lucie Harrison, kicked off the meeting and introduced our charismatic Toastmaster for the day, Louise Landess.

Louise encouraged us to reflect on our roots and how they shape who we are, setting the stage for a meeting inviting us to think about where we have come from.  Four members at the meeting came from Canada and the three members with McLeod Clan ancestry wore their tartan.

Word of the Day: Whakapapa

To enrich our discussions, Laura Cornall, our Grammarian, introduced the word of the day: Whakapapa. This term, which signifies genealogy or family ties, resonated with the theme as it reminded us of the stories that intertwine our lives and identities

Speeches:

The meeting featured a two engaging Icebreaker speeches, starting with Dean McLeod, introduced by Erika Andrews. Dean’s story, aptly titled “Me,” took us on a journey from his birthplace in Sydney to his childhood in Invercargill. With a Toastmaster mum, Dean grew up surrounded by public speaking inspiration. He shared delightful anecdotes about his two children and three grandchildren, whom he loves taking to parks for some outdoor fun. His professional journey, from building dairy sheds to becoming the Canterbury Manager at Stratco, showcased his versatile career. And let’s not forget Dean’s passion for travel, illustrated by his collection of “very expensive photos” adorning his walls!

Next up was Saxon Gordon, introduced by Roydon, who delivered a humorous and cautionary tale titled “How Not To Build A Motorcycle.” As an experienced Structural Engineer, Saxon dove into his past adventure of restoring a Kawasaki 200cc motorbike. His story, filled with lessons learned from not labeling parts and rushing the process, culminated in a shiny bike that never quite made it onto the road—now a stylish paperweight instead!

The final speech of the day was delivered by none other than World Champion Dan Vann, who introduced Aaron Webb, the Crusaders’ Manager. Fresh off their championship victory, Aaron’s speech, “I am a Labrador,” cleverly outlined his communication style through the traits of this beloved breed: calm, genuine, and approachable. He also shared his admiration for great leaders and emphasized the importance of authenticity in connection—traits that resonate deeply with all of us.

Our President, Ian Thornton, took a moment to reflect on his term before he hands over the reins to the new President at our next meeting. Sporting a new black hairstyle in honor of his son’s 30th birthday where he acted as “The Interrogator.” Ian presented awards to Erika for completing her Level 2, as well as to Alana who shared the Mic Drop award with Jacqui and Rachel in our annual club awards.

Table Topics: Engaging Discussions

After a brief intermission, Natalie Perzylo led an engaging Table Topics session. Participants shared their thoughts on various intriguing prompts. Helen McLeod envisioned launching a social initiative if money were no object, while Malvin Adicahya focused on survival essentials on a deserted island. Luke inspired us with thoughts on the potential impacts of AI over the next decade, and Thomas took us on a journey to Motanau Beach, sharing it as the most exciting place he’s ever travelled to.

Evaluations and Closing Remarks

The meeting wrapped up with evaluations from Alana Bogart for Dean, Jacqui Anderson for Saxon, Tom Palmer for Aaron, and Vivien Cowey for the Table Topics. General Evaluator Rachel McConnachie provided insightful feedback, followed by Timekeeper Laura Muir summarizing our time together.
As a fitting finale, Helen awarded both Icebreaker Speakers with the coveted Toastie Award, celebrating their brave beginnings on the Toastmasters stage.

In all, the Boaters Toastmasters meeting was a resounding success, highlighting the vibrant identities among our members and reminding us of the power of storytelling. We look forward to more inspiring meetings ahead!

Member blog: Helen McLeod