'Oscars' in Mullingar for the local Toastmasters

The Oscars arrived in Mullingar on a night of anticipation, performance and prize-giving, at the last meeting of the Toastmasters.

Club president, Brian Mcloughlin, opened proceedings with a lively rap then handed over to contest chair, Pauline McCabe, who welcomed all to the international speech and evaluation competition.

First was Derek Walsh with ‘A Study in Philosophy’. From ancient Greece to India, Derek told us, we have a lot to learn from philosophy for our everyday lives. He even rounded off his speech in Sanskrit!

Next, Mags Healy Donoghue, in ‘An Irish Obsession’, she offered a hilarious account of the obsession with the humble potato. We all suffer from ‘Spudulitis’, she declared.

Geraldine Smith followed with ‘Life’s Challenges’ – a poignant speech about her work colleagues’ crucial support when she encountered a series of family tragedies.

Next up, John Waldron with ‘Give Up Your Ould Sins’ showed us we are all terrible sinners when it comes to saving the planet. He also advised us not to worry too much. ‘Lord make me good, but not yet’, he quipped.

Finally, Philip Howlin offered ‘It’s Not the End of the World’ and demonstrated how a family journey through autism made him re-assess his priorities.

After a break for tea and chat, Ray Cotter from Lucan Toastmasters presented the evaluator contestants with a test speech called ‘Reaching for Marvels’. A message that we sometimes have to forgo our dreams for reality.

Evaluators, Mags, Philip, Derek and John then took to the stage, praising Ray’s passion, delivery and audience engagement, while making small recommendations.

‘And now to the awards’… the tension mounted, Hollywood style. In first and second place for the international speech contest, John Waldron and Philip Howlin; for the evaluation contest, first place to Philip Howlin and second to Mags Healy Donoghue. All now proceed to the Area contest on 13 April.

Rounding off the meeting, Pauline praised all the competitors and Brian as chief judge, She also thanked John Coyne and Jacqui Wiley as timers, Lorraine Murphy and Eilish Fox as counters, and Hijesh Lohidhakshan and Lorraine Murphy for acting as sergeants-at-arms.

‘Chief rapper’, Brian, brought the meeting to a close.

The next Mullingar Toastmasters meeting is at the Greville Arms Hotel at 8pm on Thurs 28 March. All are welcome.

– Anthony Viney, public relations officer