Toastmasters like ‘a spray against blight’, says club president
Borrowing the wise words of a Westmeath farmer, club president, Brian McLoughlin, compared Mullingar Toastmasters to ‘a spray against blight’, as he opened the last meeting. Hijesh Lohidhakshan, as Toastmaster and ‘Mr Mullingar’, welcomed members and guests.
First speaker, Julie Kiernan, with a speech entitled ‘How to dare greatly’, spoke of her heroes, all of whom had shown the capacity to combine risk-taking with vulnerability. Next, Niamh Tubridy, echoed a similar theme with ‘Lost in the wilderness of life’, in which her Disney hero, Mulan, always managed to pick herself up after early failures.
Mary Frances Cox followed with ‘Travel broadens the mind’. She spoke eloquently about her early mind-broadening experiences on the yellow school bus. Holding her free travel card aloft, she declared that she had no intention of stopping now!
Next speaker, John Coyne, in ‘My communication style’, waxed lyrical on how the inventors of the telegram, wireless and internet had influenced him, while still relying on his own voice to inspire others.
Final speaker, Lorraine Murphy, with ‘Funny Girl’, gave a hilarious account of her time as the school joker on the Dublin double decker, often with mixed results.
Evaluations followed. Brian, Pat Kenny, Anke Von Bunau, Ian Cahill and Jacqui Wiley praised all speakers for their poise and presence. While making small recommendations, they declared that they had ticked all the boxes.
Timekeeper, Linda Gavagan, rose ominously from her chair. A number of speakers had, she noted, crashed through amber warning signal, finding themselves perilously close to the red light district. It happens!
After a break for tea and chat, topicsmaster, Deirdre Bigley, called for off-the-cuff responses to a range of topics, including favourite books. ‘A dictionary for my husband’, insisted one member… ‘so he can learn the meaning of cooking and cleaning’.
Grammarian, John Waldron, swiftly changed the subject by highlighting the descriptive language and memorable phrases the speakers used. Derek Walsh, as general evaluator, praised all contributors, especially Fiona Collender, as fáilte officer, for making the evening such a success.
Deirdre Bigley brought the meeting to a close. Visitors are welcome to join the local Toastmasters at the Greville Arms Hotel for their next meeting, on Thursday May 23 at 8pm.
– Anthony Viney, public relations officer